Parade of Homes 2026 Is Here — Plus a Tip Before You Build
11 Aug 2026 by Sue & Travis Derby

The Parade of Homes starts this week, and if you’ve never been, we highly recommend checking it out. Even if you’re not planning to build a home anytime soon, it’s a wonderful way to see what’s trending in new construction — everything from kitchens and bathrooms to flooring, colors, technology, outdoor living spaces, and the latest ideas in home design. It’s a fun outing, and you’ll walk away with plenty of inspiration.

If you go: This year’s Parade runs from August 15 through Labor Day, with 17 homes to tour across two subdivisions — The Snyder Farm in Oconomowoc and Quietwood in Menomonee Falls. It’s actually the 80th year of the Metropolitan Builders Association Parade, the longest-running Parade of Homes in the country. Public hours are Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Labor Day 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And if you’re thinking about building, here’s our two cents. Don’t wait until you’ve picked out your builder to involve your Realtor. A lot of people assume that because you’re buying a new home directly from a builder, you don’t need a buyer’s agent. But having your own Realtor can be really valuable throughout the process.

We can help you compare builders, neighborhoods, and home sites. We can look at the features and upgrades you’re considering, and help you understand the contract and the timelines. And most importantly, we’re there representing your interests — not the builder’s. That’s a meaningful difference when you’re making one of the biggest decisions of your life.

Here’s the key: it’s important to have us with you from the very beginning, before your first conversation with a builder, so they know from day one that you have representation.

So go enjoy the Parade of Homes, get some great ideas, take some pictures, and dream a little. And if those dreams turn into a plan to build, give us a call before you head to the builder’s sales office. We’d be honored to walk the whole journey with you.

Derby Realtors at Shorewest — your local team, ready to work hard for you.

Sue & Travis Derby

Sue and Travis Derby are the Derby Realtors team at Shorewest. We help sellers, right-sizers, and buyers in Waukesha, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, and surrounding Waukesha County communities. Since 1994, we’ve sold over 1,000 homes and more than $240 million in real estate, building a strong record of results for local homeowners.

Most of our clients are Waukesha County homeowners getting ready for their next chapter, whether they’re right-sizing or moving after many years. Our goal is to make the process smooth and predictable, offering honest advice so you can enjoy the excitement of your next step while we handle the stress. Many clients come back to us for their second or third move, and building these long-term relationships is what we care about most.

While we often work with sellers, we also enjoy helping buyers. Over the years, we’ve helped many clients’ children buy their first homes, and sometimes we work with families across several generations. Buyers value our honest feedback and careful attention to detail, ensuring there are no surprises along the way.

When you work with Derby Realtors, you benefit from:

- **A Two-Agent Approach:** With both of us working together, you get two distinct negotiation perspectives and continuous support. As a mother-son team, we offer reliable availability and a stable, multi-decade commitment to your success.
- **Elite Expertise:** Sue holds many advanced professional real estate designations, including the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)—the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, earned by fewer than 4% of REALTORS® nationwide.
- **The Shorewest Advantage:** Operating under locally owned Shorewest Realtors, our clients enjoy one-stop access to trusted partners for mortgage, title, insurance, and relocation services.

We love what we do and have been at it for years. If you’d like to talk about the market or your next move, feel free to reach out for a no-pressure conversation.

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