The Fall Parade of Homes has come and gone and our custom home in Lakeville was one of four Dream Homes selected to feature in the tour. Located in our Lakeville acreage neighborhood, Reverence, this home was one you didn’t want to miss! Nestled on a breathtaking 4-acre lakefront property, this home, and its views, were truly one-of-a-kind. If you didn’t make …
Owner’s Suite Features – Create Your Own Oasis!
Your owner’s suite is your very own getaway to escape from the outside world. Have you put more effort into your living spaces, children’s room, outdoor areas, etc. and maybe neglected your owner’s space? It’s time to start thinking about what YOU want and create your dream owner’s suite! Here are five features to think about when designing your new …
Inside Scoop: DESIGN TRENDS | 2018
Spring is almost here, and that means it’s time to freshen up your home and get ready for what the rest of the year has in store! While you start making your list of things to do, why not incorporate some fresh new design trends? There are a variety of ways you can incorporate new trends in your home whether …
TILE TRENDS | 2018
Are you building a new home or looking to update one of your existing spaces? Tile is a great material to look into! Tile has been around for centuries and comes in all shapes, sizes and designs. You can even change your look by selecting tiles in different materials like ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. We’ve asked our friends …
Best of Houzz 2018 – Homes by Tradition
We are excited to announce that Homes by Tradition has won “Best of Houzz” 2018 for Customer Service for the third year in a row! This award is chosen by more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals. We are so pleased …
Custom Home Photos 2017
The New Year has us reminiscing on the custom homes we built in 2017. Spread throughout the south metro of the Twin Cities, each home built was truly a custom design with unique finishes! Here are photos from a few of our favorite 2017 custom homes. Stay tuned for some amazing homes coming up in 2018. We are looking forward …
Master Planned Communities: Building Custom vs. Pre-Designed
Guest post by Gary Ashton – Realtor | RE/MAX Advantage The investment in a new home typically ranks as one of the largest in a lifetime. If you’re looking at master planned communities, whether it’s the purchase of your first home or forever home, choosing to build a custom home is often a better deal versus buying a pre-designed home. …
Furnish Your Home: 7 Home Decor Resources We LOVE!
Whether you are updating your existing furniture pieces or are moving into a new home and starting from scratch, having the right resources is key to making furnishing your home a fun and rewarding task. Some of the most common stores for home décor include: West Elm, Pottery Barn, Arhous, CB2 and Restoration Hardware. Our Designer, Danielle Matthies, has let us …
Inside Scoop: Our Favorite Spaces
If you had to choose one spot in your home to spend your time, where would it be? Your home is filled with spaces you use on a daily basis, but which one is your favorite? Check out how each member of our team answered below! Dean Nelson | President – “A sunroom offers tons of natural light with floor to …
Must-See Artisan Dream Home #127
While mapping out your Fall Parade of Homes route, you do not want to miss our Artisan Dream Home Entry #127! Nestled on a beautiful 2.6-acre property in the newly opened Reverence neighborhood in Lakeville, MN, this classic-meets-modern design will leave you inspired. Your eyes will be treated to a smart combination of bold, architecturally rich details with modern conveniences, …
Inside Scoop from our Designer
One of the many benefits to building with Homes by Tradition is access to our very own in-house designer, Danielle Matthies. To kick off this beautiful Spring weather, she was kind enough to let us pick her brain on some of her favorite things! Here are 5 questions we asked her to get the inside scoop on design! WHAT …
[INTRODUCING] The Bridgeport
Homes by Tradition is excited to announce one of our newest main level living home designs, the Bridgeport. With high demand in the industry for rambler, master-on-the-main floor plans, we have put together a beautiful open concept design that is sure to impress. This architect designed rambler floor plan offers nearly 4,105 square feet (including finished basement) of living space …
5 Reasons to Build NOW!
Making the decision to build a new home takes a lot of thought and contemplation. There are so many questions about when the right time is for you to make a move, what your wants/needs are, what you can afford, and what the best location is. With the housing market as hot as it is, now is the time to …
6 Laundry Room Features for your New Home
Creating spaces that allow you to maximize your time is a must-have in new home construction. This is why upper level laundry rooms have become so popular. Having the laundry room located on the same floor as your bedrooms makes the task of doing laundry easier! Here are a few features to consider when designing your laundry space. 1) CABINETRY …
7 Popular New Home Must-Haves
When you’re building a new home, part of the design process is making sure you include all features and amenities that are important to you. Each homeowner is going to have different list of priorities, but having a “must-have” list will help make the process move along smoothly. Here are seven popular “must-haves” that are trending in new home construction …
DESIGN SELECTION PROCESS: What to Expect
Building and designing your dream home is a process that you will remember for the rest of your life. After you have finalized your floor plans and sign a purchase agreement, the next step is picking out selections for your home! Homes by Tradition has a talented in-house designer that will help you every step of the way to make …
5 Unique Wet Bar Features
Entertaining in your home becomes easier when your home is equipped with its very own wet bar. Whether you choose to build a fully equipped mini-kitchen or just a niche carved out for drink assembly and glassware, this space is sure to impress your guests. Installing a simple built-in niche gives you the space you need to conveniently make drinks …
MUST-SEE Parade Entry #290
With the Fall Parade of Homes underway, everyone is mapping out their must-see homes to tour. If we aren’t already on your route, be sure to add us! Our stunning Parade Entry #290 will make your drive to the south metro well worth the trip. This custom $1.2 million dollar home will take your breath away with its modern mission …
Incorporating the Outdoors
As Minnesotans, we really enjoy our time outdoors. The peak months for enjoying the weather go by so quickly. Not to mention, nature also has fantastic health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, decreased risk of depression and anxiety, and boosts your immune system. So why not bring a little of the outdoors in? Consider a few of these stylish ways …
CUSTOM RAMBLER: Savage, MN
Take a walk through this custom rambler home in Savage, MN and you will be drawn in by the touch of rustic throughout. With the open layout and sweeping views, this custom home consumes its visitors with its charm. Below are a few highlighted areas that will help you envision the home. KITCHEN – The gourmet kitchen features stained cabinetry …
Energy Efficiency: What Buyers Need to Know
New studies reveal that over 90% of homebuyers are looking for energy efficient features in their home. Buyers would rather spend a little extra on energy efficient features up front to save money on their bills over time than to skimp on their upfront costs and continue to pay higher bills every month. Our society has become more and more …
GREEN Trends in Home Building
In recent years, ‘green’ and eco-friendly ways of living have become more and more popular. With increased awareness on the subject, homebuilders and suppliers are coming up with new ways to improve our home’s sustainability. At Homes by Tradition, we’ve adapted and offer eco-friendly features for our homes and test every home for energy efficiency! By incorporating such trends and …
Reduce Allergens in Your Home
With the season changing, people around the office have been mentioning their allergies. Even though the extended warm weather, green grass, and flowers are beautiful still in bloom, they can wreak havoc on a person’s allergies – especially for asthma sufferers. While it is harder to avoid allergens outdoors, there are steps you can take to help reduce them indoors. …
Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh; without Chemicals!
Kids, pets, cooking odors, and a long winter with no open windows can leave your home with an unpleasant scent. Air fresheners are a solution, but generally filled with chemicals and can be expensive. For a cheap way to make your home smell fresh, try these solutions to cleaning without chemicals. Step 1: Pick your ingredients. Citrus, fruits, herbs, pine …
Green Tips to Help Make Your Home Energy Efficient & Eco-friendly
Don’t leave the water running. Take shorter showers. Turn off the lights and TV. Everybody knows common shortcuts to save energy, but a few extra reminders and tips never hurt anyone! BUT before we begin, it is very important to mention that the Homes by Tradition team is passionate about being eco-friendly…each of our custom homes are built with this …
Master Planned Communities: Building Custom vs. Pre-Designed
Guest post by Gary Ashton – Realtor | RE/MAX Advantage The investment in a new home typically ranks as one of the largest in a lifetime. If you’re looking at master planned communities, whether it’s the purchase of your first home or forever home, choosing to build a custom home is often a better deal versus buying a pre-designed home. …
What Drives Mortgage Rates?
Building a new home may require you to secure a new mortgage and you will be looking to lock into a good rate. Have you ever wondered what makes interest rates go up or down? There are multiple factors that play a role in the increase or decrease of rates on a daily basis. We have asked the loan officers …
Meeting Your Neighbors
As you get everything moved into your new home, it is the perfect time to meet your new neighbors! Whether you are moving in from out of state or just moving a few neighborhoods down, getting to know your neighbors will help make your house feel more like home. Extraverts, introverts, homebodies and social butterflies, there are many different ways …
Must-Have Items for the First Few Nights in your New Home
Moving day has finally arrived! After packing box after box, who knows where everything is? Whether your belongings are in-route to the new home, in storage, or all delivered and ready to unbox, take some stress out of moving by being prepared for the first few nights in your new home. Although it’s no sunny beach vacation, packing as if …
What to Look For When Comparing Neighborhoods
Moving is one of the most exciting yet time consuming events in your life. Once you have made the decision to move, an important next step is to figure out where to move. Finding the right neighborhood is essential to making a smooth transition in your everyday life. Here are 7 things to consider when you start your search for …
DRIVEWAYS: Concrete vs. Asphalt
When it comes to choosing a driveway that fits your needs and budget; whether it’s for your new home or re-doing your existing driveway, you will have to decide which material is best for you. Concrete and asphalt are the most common materials selected by homeowners; however, there are other options available from gravel at the low end all the …
5 Reasons to Build NOW!
Making the decision to build a new home takes a lot of thought and contemplation. There are so many questions about when the right time is for you to make a move, what your wants/needs are, what you can afford, and what the best location is. With the housing market as hot as it is, now is the time to …
SPOTLIGHT: Custom Home | Prior Lake
This 4,921 square foot, 3-story home has stunning views of upper Prior Lake. Custom tailored to its new homeowners, it’s the perfect blend of sophisticated glam and modern chic. With gray, black and white tones throughout, unique features were incorporated in each space to distinguish from the rest. KEY FEATURES: 3,906 sq. ft. (4,921 with basement finish) 5 bathroom (6 …
Top Technology Features in New Homes
Homeowners in the market for a new home are requesting a “smart” home. Just as green features are becoming standard in new home construction, so are smart features. These features can be installed for practical and functional use, while others are for lifestyle and entertainment or safety and security. Here are a few top technology features in new home construction. …
Spring Cleaning Made Easy
After surviving our Minnesota winter, it is time for spring cleaning! Not only do you get to clean up around your home, but spring cleaning is the time for a full deep clean in your home. Here are a few spring cleaning tips to help get your home ready for another year. Doormats – Make your doormats welcoming! This is …
Winter Fun – 9 Things To Do in the Twin Cities
Calling all Twin Cities residents! During our Minnesota winters, you may find yourself bunkered in by your fireplace, staying inside all winter long. Or perhaps you are one of the cold lovers that enjoy the time spent outside in colder climates! Although it can be tempting to hibernate when the snow and cold hit, here are a few great ideas …
What to Look For When Comparing Neighborhoods
Moving is one of the most exciting yet time consuming events in your life. Once you have made the decision to move, an important next step is to figure out where to move. Finding the right neighborhood is essential to making a smooth transition in your everyday life. Here are 7 things to consider when you start your search for …
Are You Thinking About or Ready to Build?
Thinking about a new home? When you decide to build instead of buy existing, you are investing in a truly rewarding experience that will leave you with your custom dream home. From designing the floor plan to picking your selections, every step of the process is exciting, and we are here to help make it as smooth as possible! Here …
Tips on How to Sell Your Existing Home Quicker
While out touring homes, you found a builder that can build you your dream home and can’t wait to get started. There is only one problem standing in your way…selling your existing home! Here are 6 tips to help sell your old home quicker: Differentiate from the Neighbors – The first thing that any prospective buyer will see when they …
Where to Invest Your Money for the Best Return
Every homeowner is unique with personal tastes and styles. It is up to each homeowner whether or not they are building their new home with plans to sell it down the line or if it is their “forever” home. Here are a few areas in your home that will bring the best return on investment (ROI). CURB APPEAL – The …
Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Home
When you are searching for a builder to build your new home, there are endless amounts of questions you can ask. Here are just a few of the questions that we think are important to ask before you select a builder and start the process. Do you only offer specific floor plans or is custom design an option? Some home …
Reduce Allergens in Your Home
With the season changing, people around the office have been mentioning their allergies. Even though the extended warm weather, green grass, and flowers are beautiful still in bloom, they can wreak havoc on a person’s allergies – especially for asthma sufferers. While it is harder to avoid allergens outdoors, there are steps you can take to help reduce them indoors. …
Different Types of Roofing
One of the best parts about building a custom home is choosing your materials from top to bottom. An important choice in your selection is your roofing material. Choosing a durable roof is key in maintaining your home’s appearance, helping in heating and cooling, and most importantly, keeping your family protected from mother’s natures toughest elements. Many consumers choose the …
Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh; without Chemicals!
Kids, pets, cooking odors, and a long winter with no open windows can leave your home with an unpleasant scent. Air fresheners are a solution, but generally filled with chemicals and can be expensive. For a cheap way to make your home smell fresh, try these solutions to cleaning without chemicals. Step 1: Pick your ingredients. Citrus, fruits, herbs, pine …
Backyard Party Ideas
Who doesn’t love a backyard party in the summer time? Whether it is a graduation party, bridal shower, or another type of bash, catching up with friends and family and snacking on the summer’s best food can be so refreshing. If you’re the host of this year’s gathering, we’ve got a few resources and ideas to help get your planning …
Best of Houzz 2018 – Homes by Tradition
We are excited to announce that Homes by Tradition has won “Best of Houzz” 2018 for Customer Service for the third year in a row! This award is chosen by more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals. We are so pleased …
Custom Home Photos 2017
The New Year has us reminiscing on the custom homes we built in 2017. Spread throughout the south metro of the Twin Cities, each home built was truly a custom design with unique finishes! Here are photos from a few of our favorite 2017 custom homes. Stay tuned for some amazing homes coming up in 2018. We are looking forward …
New Community: Reverence | Lakeville, MN
REVERENCE is the south metro’s newest high-end custom home development featuring 23 premier acreage lots. Properties range from 2.5 to 5.88 acres with a combination of lake, wooded, wetland and golf course views. Showcasing two exclusive custom home builders, this community promotes luxury living. YOUR PERFECT PROPERTY | Reverence is a true oasis for private living with a home and …
Inside Scoop from our Designer
One of the many benefits to building with Homes by Tradition is access to our very own in-house designer, Danielle Matthies. To kick off this beautiful Spring weather, she was kind enough to let us pick her brain on some of her favorite things! Here are 5 questions we asked her to get the inside scoop on design! WHAT …
Homes by Tradition Awarded Best of Houzz 2017
We are excited to announce that Homes by Tradition has won “Best of Houzz” 2017 for Customer Service for the second year in a row! This award is chosen by more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active homebuilding, remodeling and design industry professionals. Following our 2016 Builder of …
Winter Fun – 9 Things To Do in the Twin Cities
Calling all Twin Cities residents! During our Minnesota winters, you may find yourself bunkered in by your fireplace, staying inside all winter long. Or perhaps you are one of the cold lovers that enjoy the time spent outside in colder climates! Although it can be tempting to hibernate when the snow and cold hit, here are a few great ideas …
Homes by Tradition Named 2016 BATC Builder of the Year
Each year the Builders Association of the Twin Cities holds an annual Building Industry Gala, known as “The BIG Night” to honor and recognize top builders and trade partners for their excellence in the home building industry. Last Thursday, our Homes by Tradition team is proud to not only have won our 7th Reggie Award℠, for our custom home in …
Who Are We? – Homes by Tradition
Drawing on four generations of success, Homes by Tradition has built a reputation of exceptional homebuilding and customer satisfaction. As Twin Cities’ premier custom home builder, we pride ourselves in creating the highest quality, architecturally rich homes, featuring the latest design trends and amenities. Below is some information to help you learn more about our company and our custom homebuilding …
Must-See Custom Home – Parade of Homes Entry #324
The Fall Parade of Homes is finally here and we have a beautiful 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 5,497 square foot custom home available to tour in Spirit of Brandtjen Farm! This professionally designed urban farmhouse is sure to impress with its clever contrast of contemporary details and twist on traditional style. Here are a few can’t miss features in our …
What to Look For When Comparing Neighborhoods
Moving is one of the most exciting yet time consuming events in your life. Once you have made the decision to move, an important next step is to figure out where to move. Finding the right neighborhood is essential to making a smooth transition in your everyday life. Here are 7 things to consider when you start your search for …
Owner’s Suite Features – Create Your Own Oasis!
Your owner’s suite is your very own getaway to escape from the outside world. Have you put more effort into your living spaces, children’s room, outdoor areas, etc. and maybe neglected your owner’s space? It’s time to start thinking about what YOU want and create your dream owner’s suite! Here are five features to think about when designing your new …
Inside Scoop: DESIGN TRENDS | 2018
Spring is almost here, and that means it’s time to freshen up your home and get ready for what the rest of the year has in store! While you start making your list of things to do, why not incorporate some fresh new design trends? There are a variety of ways you can incorporate new trends in your home whether …
TILE TRENDS | 2018
Are you building a new home or looking to update one of your existing spaces? Tile is a great material to look into! Tile has been around for centuries and comes in all shapes, sizes and designs. You can even change your look by selecting tiles in different materials like ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. We’ve asked our friends …
Furnish Your Home: 7 Home Decor Resources We LOVE!
Whether you are updating your existing furniture pieces or are moving into a new home and starting from scratch, having the right resources is key to making furnishing your home a fun and rewarding task. Some of the most common stores for home décor include: West Elm, Pottery Barn, Arhous, CB2 and Restoration Hardware. Our Designer, Danielle Matthies, has let us …
Inside Scoop: Our Favorite Spaces
If you had to choose one spot in your home to spend your time, where would it be? Your home is filled with spaces you use on a daily basis, but which one is your favorite? Check out how each member of our team answered below! Dean Nelson | President – “A sunroom offers tons of natural light with floor to …
Mood Boards: Pulling it all Together
Decorating a space in your home can be challenging. Where do you begin? How do you make everything look good together? Our Designer, Danielle Matthies, has let us in on her creative process and how to use mood boards to help pull it all together. To help inspire you, we’ve put together three different mood boards for an industrial styled …
Tips for Finishing Your Basement
Is your unfinished basement currently the home of all your miscellaneous belongings and unpacked boxes from when you moved in 10 years ago? Finishing your basement gives your family great additional space to spend time together! A proper design and storage plan will transform this space into a beautiful living space you’ve been searching for. Each basement is unique and …
2017 Design Trends
With each new year comes interior design trends to watch for. Staying ahead of trends is important in the new home construction industry. Our in-house designer, Danielle Matthies, has put together some of her thoughts for 2017. Here are a few design trends she expects to see; MIXED METALS – Gold tones have made a comeback the last few years …
Gold Accents: Adding Glamour to your Home
Looking to update your home with something new and exciting? We have the perfect new trend for you – GOLD! Gold has been around for centuries, giving the look of prestige, elegance, luxury, and glamour. Being seen in early currencies to modern day jewelry, we are excited to see the home interior industry has caught up. With polished chrome and …
Fun Fall Decor Ideas
Fall is officially here! Time for pumpkin patches, apple orchards, Sunday football, and so much more! Say hello to this season by adding a few cozy autumnal touches to your home. Here are a few quick ideas to get you inspired! TABLE DISPLAY – Swap out your summer centerpiece for a fun fall display. Incorporate leaves, pumpkins, hydrageas, corn husks, …
Dream Home | Reverence
The Fall Parade of Homes has come and gone and our custom home in Lakeville was one of four Dream Homes selected to feature in the tour. Located in our Lakeville acreage neighborhood, Reverence, this home was one you didn’t want to miss! Nestled on a breathtaking 4-acre lakefront property, this home, and its views, were truly one-of-a-kind. If you didn’t make …
Must-See Custom Home – Parade of Homes Entry #324
The Fall Parade of Homes is finally here and we have a beautiful 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 5,497 square foot custom home available to tour in Spirit of Brandtjen Farm! This professionally designed urban farmhouse is sure to impress with its clever contrast of contemporary details and twist on traditional style. Here are a few can’t miss features in our …
Custom Home | Prior Lake – Entry #283
The Spring Parade of Homes is finally here and we have a stunning custom rambler home available to tour! This traditional ranch inspired home is located in the beautiful development of Grey Fox Estates in Prior Lake, MN. With 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, this walkout rambler sits on over 3 acres of land with plenty of yard space. An earth …
MEET THE BUILDER – This Weekend!
The time has come for another “Meet the Builder” event! We love having these events during Parade of Homes and getting the opportunity to talk to people about the custom home building process. Building a new home is an exciting step in your life! Whether it is your first home or your forever home, building custom will allow you to …
MUST-SEE Custom Home – Parade of Homes Entry #200
This custom home features 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and 6,053 square feet. The first thing you’ll notice is its transitional country architecture and robust landscape layout detailed with brick pavers in both front and back of the home. The exterior façade has a soft feel blending both modern and classic architecture with heavy cedar bracket details adding texture and depth. …
5 Ways to Connect with Us!
In today’s world, there are multiple ways to connect with others and stay updated on what’s going on around you. Our website and blog page are two of the many ways to stay connected to real estate industry information, company updates, and fun interactive posts! Here are five other ways to connect with us: FACEBOOK – From sneak peek photos to happy …
MUST-SEE Parade Entry #290
With the Fall Parade of Homes underway, everyone is mapping out their must-see homes to tour. If we aren’t already on your route, be sure to add us! Our stunning Parade Entry #290 will make your drive to the south metro well worth the trip. This custom $1.2 million dollar home will take your breath away with its modern mission …
MUST-SEE Parade Model: Entry #209
While you are figuring out which entries to stop at during Parade of Homes this month, be sure to put Homes by Tradition’s custom model in Lakeville at the top of your list! Step inside this two-story custom home overlooking Spirit Lake and be consumed by its design and finishes. From the moment you walk in the door, you will …
Parade of Homes: 5 Reasons to Visit our Model
Quality and Innovation – We pride ourselves in the quality and innovation we put into our homes. From foundation to finish, we make sure your home is built to the highest quality standards and use the most current techniques and innovative products. Building On-Your-Lot or in Our Communities – Whether you’ve fallen in love with a lot somewhere in the Twin …
HBT Takes Home a Reggie Award – 2013 Parade of Homes
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) put on a great red carpet Awards Gala, last Thursday, to honor its top builders and trade partners for their excellence in the home building industry. During this event, Homes by Tradition was presented with the coveted 2013 Reggie Award(SM) for the Parade of Homes Westfield Design located in Spirit of Brandtjen Farm (Lakeville, …
Spot-The-Difference Answers
Thank you for participating in yesterday’s Facebook game of Spot-The-Difference. Did you find all seven? See the answers below!