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III2J SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2 010 2 ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS ing Allowances," aimed at help- your own? Did the builder Buyers ing consumers sort out choices, return your phone calls? How upgrades and selec>lions for a did he or she react to changes new home,presented by Marge you wanted?Ask to speak to the (continued) Gleason of Builder's Carpet builder's bank and the title com- from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 16 at pany the builder works with to the offices of the Builders Asso- get a handle on the builder's SHOPPING THE PARADE ciation of the Twin Cities, 2960 finances and organizational Centre Pointe Drive, Roseville. skills. • This year, there will be a Seating is limited •To get viewpoints not pre- record 824 model homes to see Call (651) 697-1954 for reser- screened by the builder, visit a during the Parade of Homes vations or register at www neighborhood where he or she Spring Preview. Look at homes .paradeofhomes.org. builds.Knock on doors and talk in your price range in communi- to those homeowners about the ties where you may want to live. NEW HOME PRICES builder. • To find out if other con- Design trends for The 824 model homes in the sumers have filed complaints Parade of Homes Spring Pre- against a contractor,contact the today's new-home view give some perspective on Better Business Bureau at (651) the cost of today's new house. 699-1111. market include lower Of the total, 575 homes are ceilings, multifamily priced ghestbnu nber�(2577) ranging CONSTRUCTION ETIQUETTE housing and from$200,000 to $249,000. Here's g a breakdown: •Find real-estate agents and old-fashioned ■ No new homes in the mortgage brokers who special- • neighborhoods. Parade are priced below ize m new construction. $100,000. • Don't hound your builder • 175 homes are between and risk damaging the relation- $100,000 and$199,999. ship. (For example:If he or she If you're having trouble finding • 390 homes are between is building 20 homes, and each a home in your price range,visit $200,00 and$299,999. customer called once a day,that builders who come close. After • 158 homes are between would mean 20 phone calls to • you've picked a neighborhood $300,000 and$399,999. return. When would they find or community, interview time to build the homes?) A builders who work in that area CONSUMER SAFETY real-estate agent specializing in and find out what land they new construction may be able to have available. •Get a copy of the"Citizen's help answer your questions dur- • Before visiting the model Guide to Home Building and ing the process. Smaller homes in the Parade, go to Remodeling"from the Minneso- builders sometimes have more wwwparadeofhomes.org and to Attorney General's office by time for"handholding"than the study homes online. You can visiting www.ag.state.mn.us or big guys do. take virtual tours of some calling(651)296-3353. • Timetables for building: homes and access many of the ■ If you want information Expect custom-built homes to builders'Web sites. about a licensed contractor or take a minimum of six months. want to see if a contractor is From a larger builder,in which SELECTING FEATURES licensed, contact the Minnesota you are simply choosing your Department of Commerce home from several existing • It's not just about granite Licensing Division at (651) 296- plans, expect three or four countertops anymore. Today's 6319.For more information,visit months. Remember, though, new homes can have pre-wired www.commerce.state.mn.us. and be prepared: Delays can high-speed data lines, security •If the builder can't give you and do happen. systems, high-tech lighting and dozens of references,find some- super energy-efficient heating one who can.Some questions to Molly Millett can be reached at and cooling systems. ask those references: Describe mollymillett@pioneerpress.com For more information on how the builder behaved during or(651)228-5505. choices in today's new homes, the construction process — did . attend the free Parade of Homes he/she help you through it or Spring Preview seminar "Mak- did you feel as if you were on