No matter your budget or your neighborhood, this year’s Parade of Homes offers inspiration and plenty of eye candy. In celebration of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver’s 75th anniversary—the professional trade organization produces the tour—the free event includes 75 new homes ranging in price from $299,000 to $2.1 million. And, if you like what you see, every property is for sale.

The parade runs Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from August 9 through August 26, and spans the metro area, from Castle Rock to Windsor, Arvada to Aurora. New this year is a mountain stop, with two homes in Winter Park. Five featured Dream Homes include a 3,300-square-foot Franktown home by Lokal Homes, priced at $1.5 million. “Don’t miss the Dream Homes,” says Karna Pryor, the event’s co-chair. “There are so many takeaways inside.”

epic homes mount oso
Epic Homes’ new Pinnacle plan, which features a gorgeous master bathroom, is on display at 16151 Mount Oso Place in Broomfield. Photo courtesy of Epic Homes

Trends on display this year range from waterfall countertops to brass plumbing fixtures. Look for the latest in smart-home technology—think: an oven that defrosts your dinner while you’re at work, and a refrigerator that reminds you to buy milk—and, says Pryor, lots of shiplap: “I think you are going to see the impact of Magnolia Home and Chip and Joanna Gaines this year. They are having a great influence on the market.”

dream finders homes
The “farmhouse chic” style made popular by Chip and Joanna Gaines on the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” makes an appearance in Dream Finders Homes’ Summit plan, at 24030 E. Tansy Drive in Aurora. Photo courtesy of Dream Finders Homes

To get the most of your visit, Pryor recommends bringing a camera to photograph the design details that catch your eye. “That way, even if the home isn’t in your budget, you can translate these trends into your own remodel or new home,” she says. “Our builders are doing exciting things out there, and it’s a great way to take it all in.”

william lyons erie house
A large master suite is one of four bedrooms in this model home by William Lyon Homes, located at 889 Dinosaur Drive in Erie’s Flatiron Meadows community. Photo courtesy of William Lyon Homes

To plan your route, Pryor suggests using the parade’s online tools that offer site maps and builder details, plus the ability to search homes by square footage or even number of bathrooms. Our tip: Spread out your visits throughout the month. If you happen to be at a baseball tournament down south, check to see what parade homes are nearby. Bundling a few houses in a session is key, as is keeping track of the builders whose styles speak to you.

For more information about the 2018 Parade of Homes, visit paradeofhomesdenver.com.