Have you ever walked into a house and just known it was special? Maybe it was the way morning light poured into the kitchen, the smart, family-friendly layout, or the effortless connection to a beautiful outdoor space. That feeling—that "this is it" moment—is exactly what the Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City is all about. It's your backstage pass to tour the newest and most innovative homes across the metro, all for free.

But turning that spark of inspiration into your dream home can feel overwhelming. With so many properties, how do you look past the beautiful furniture and staging to see the true craftsmanship? How do you know what questions to ask? This guide is your playbook for turning those moments of inspiration into an actionable plan.

Whether you’re picturing a modern farmhouse in Deer Creek, a spacious home on land near Macomb, or a sleek custom build in the heart of OKC, this event is where your ideas come to life. As a local builder with over 15 years of experience, we at ACET Custom Homes want to show you how to see a home like a builder does, so you can make confident decisions for your family's future.

What This Guide Will Help You Do

This is more than just looking at pretty houses. It's your personal roadmap to:

• Spot True Craftsmanship: Learn what to look for in high-quality materials and construction—the details that signal a home is built to last.

• Discover Your Personal Style: Go beyond trends and pinpoint the layouts, finishes, and features that fit your lifestyle.

• Ask the Right Questions: We'll arm you with specific questions to ask builders that get you the real answers you need.

• Turn Your Vision into a Plan: Move from dreaming to doing with a clear, practical path forward.

The Parade of Homes has become a massive event, reflecting how many people are building new homes in our state. Back in Spring 2016, the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association (COHBA) reported their parade featured over 135 homes, the largest in their history at the time. You can read more about the event's impressive scale on the official OKHBA website.

Let's get you ready to find—and eventually build—the home you’ve always imagined.

How to Plan Your Parade of Homes Tour: A Step-by-Step Guide

Walking into the Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City without a plan is a classic rookie mistake. It’s like going grocery shopping when you’re starving—you’ll wander aimlessly, get overwhelmed, and miss what you actually came for. A little prep turns a chaotic weekend into a focused, productive, and enjoyable experience. The goal isn't to see every house; it's to see the right houses for you.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prioritize and Map Your Route

First, whittle down the list. Be ruthless. Filter everything by your non-negotiables.

• Location: Are you picturing yourself in a classic Norman neighborhood, a booming Edmond community, or on a spacious plot out in Guthrie? Settle on a general area first.

• Budget & Style: Next, filter by your budget and the home style that speaks to you. This will narrow the list from dozens of homes to a manageable number.

• Group Your Tour: Look at your shortlist on the map and group the homes by area. Tackle a cluster of homes in Moore on Saturday morning, then hit the ones in Yukon in the afternoon. You’ll save time and gas, giving you more time to explore.

Step 2: Pack Your Tour Toolkit

When you walk into these stunning homes, be prepared. Think of yourself as a detective hunting for clues about your future dream home.

A well-planned tour helps you gather specific, tangible ideas. Instead of a vague memory of a “nice kitchen,” you’ll have photos, notes, and dimensions that can be used to design your own perfect space.

A few simple tools make a world of difference. Here’s what to bring:

• A Notebook and Pen: Jot down addresses, builder names, and specific things you love (or don't). Was it the Cambria quartz countertops? The Sherwin-Williams paint color? Write it down.

• Your Smartphone Camera: A picture is worth a thousand words. Snap photos of everything—layouts, unique finishes, clever storage solutions, and architectural details.

• A Measuring Tape: This might sound like overkill, but it's incredibly helpful. See a living room you love? A quick measurement will tell you if your sectional would fit.

It’s also cool to remember you’re part of a long-standing tradition. The Parade of Homes started in the 1940s to help WWII veterans find housing. Today, it connects families with their forever homes. You can read more about its history on the official Parade of Homes blog.

Looking Beyond the Staging to Spot Real Quality

It’s easy to get swept away by the gorgeous furniture and stylish art in a parade home. That’s the point! But professional staging sells a fantasy. To make a smart decision, you have to train your eye to see past the surface and evaluate the craftsmanship that truly matters.

This is where you shift from casual browser to savvy buyer. The real story of a home is in its bones and finishes—details that signal lasting value long after the rental furniture is gone. With over 15 years of building experience here in Oklahoma, we’ve learned that the smallest things often reveal the most about a builder’s commitment to quality.

Your Home Quality Inspection Checklist

As you walk through each home, look for signs of meticulous work. Don't just glance; get up close.

Pay attention to trim and baseboards. Are the corners perfectly mitered with no gaps? Run your hand along the drywall where it meets the ceiling. It should feel smooth and seamless. These are clear indicators of a builder who doesn’t cut corners.

Another big tell is the windows and doors.

• Windows: Open and close them. A high-quality window operates smoothly and locks securely. That seal is crucial for energy efficiency, especially with Oklahoma's wild weather. You can learn more about how windows impact your home in our guide to energy-efficient home features.

• Doors: Feel the weight of the interior doors. Solid-core doors feel substantial and block sound much better than the light, flimsy hollow-core doors that are a common cost-cutting measure.

Use this checklist to compare the core quality of each home you tour.

Home Quality Inspection Checklist

Use this checklist to quickly evaluate the key quality markers in each home you visit.

This quick evaluation helps you build a mental scorecard for each property, focusing on the structural integrity you'll live with every day.

Oklahoma-Specific Quality Markers: Red Flags to Avoid

Here in Oklahoma, from Edmond to Norman and out into rural spots like Elmore City, our expansive clay soil presents a unique challenge. This requires a seriously robust foundation.

Ask this: “What type of foundation did you use for this home, and why was it the right choice for this specific lot?”

A builder’s explanation of their foundation strategy tells you a lot. A confident, detailed answer shows they understand local engineering needs. A vague response is a red flag. Look for terms like "post-tension slab" or "engineered pier and beam," which are common solutions for our soil.

Proper drainage is another absolute non-negotiable. Look at the grading—the ground should slope decisively away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling, a leading cause of major foundation issues. Check for well-placed gutters and downspouts. Seeing these handled correctly during the Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City shows the builder prioritizes the home's long-term integrity, not just its curb appeal.

Smart Questions to Ask Every Home Builder

The Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City gives you a rare chance to talk face-to-face with the people behind the drywall. Think of it less like a tour and more like an informal interview. Asking the right questions helps you cut through the sales pitch to feel out a builder’s process, values, and reliability.

Your goal is to understand not just what they build, but how they build. The quality of your conversation is often a preview of what working with them will be like for the next 8 to 12 months.

Questions About Their Process

These questions reveal their organizational skills and client communication.

• Who will be my main point of contact, and how often will I hear from them? A clear answer is a great sign. You need to know if you'll be talking directly to the builder or a project manager.

• What does your typical build timeline look like? Listen for a realistic answer that acknowledges potential delays, like Oklahoma's unpredictable weather. A builder promising an unbelievably fast timeline might be cutting corners.

• How do you handle change orders? Changes happen. A great builder has a clear, documented process for pricing and approving changes to prevent sticker shock later.

Digging into Customization and Costs

Every builder approaches customization differently. Understanding their flexibility and pricing structure is critical.

A builder's answers should feel direct and transparent. Vague responses about costs or processes can be a red flag, signaling potential communication issues down the road.

Make sure to ask these key questions:

• What features in this home are standard, and which are upgrades? This is one of the most important questions. It helps you understand their baseline quality and what a realistic final price might look like.

• How much flexibility is there to customize your floor plans? Some builders only allow minor tweaks, while others offer a true design-build experience. Figure out if their services align with your vision. Our guide on selecting a custom home builder dives deeper into this crucial relationship.

• What kind of warranty do you offer? A builder who is confident in their work stands behind it. A typical warranty includes a one-year workmanship guarantee and a ten-year structural warranty, but always ask for specifics.

Asking these targeted questions will arm you with the information to move from being inspired to making a confident decision, whether you plan to build in Shawnee, Chickasha, or anywhere in between.

Turning Your Parade Inspiration Into a Plan

After a whirlwind tour of the Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City, your phone is packed with photos and your head is buzzing with ideas. What's next? This is where the real work begins—transforming that inspiration into a solid, actionable plan.

It's time to sift through all that inspiration. Grab a coffee, spread out your notes, and scroll through your pictures. Start looking for common threads. Were you consistently drawn to kitchens with massive islands? Did every home you loved have a dedicated mudroom? Pinpointing these themes is the first step in refining your vision into a clear picture of what your family truly needs.

Defining Your Project’s Foundation

With a clearer vision, the next step is to bring it down to earth. This means tackling two crucial things: figuring out a realistic budget and finding the right piece of land.

Your budget acts as the guardrails for the entire project. It helps you decide what’s a “must-have” versus a “nice-to-have” from the get-go.

While you're crunching numbers, the land search should be underway. Whether you're eyeing a lot in a developed Moore community or dreaming of a few acres near Shawnee, the property you choose will shape everything—from the home's design and foundation to the final cost.

A skilled custom builder doesn’t just place a house on a lot; they design a home that complements the land's unique characteristics, maximizing views, natural light, and functionality.

From Vision to Blueprint

This is the point where partnering with an experienced builder becomes invaluable. A true expert can take your folder of photos and list of features from the Parade and help translate it into a functional, buildable floor plan. They’ll listen to how you live, then apply their expertise to create a design that’s not just beautiful, but perfectly practical.

This collaborative approach takes the guesswork out of the process. If you're curious about what those steps look like, our guide to the new home construction process in Oklahoma City breaks it all down. With a solid plan, you'll feel confident knowing your tour was the first successful step toward a home that is genuinely yours.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Parade of Homes

Is the Parade of Homes in Oklahoma City Free to Attend?

Yes, it is! One of the best parts about the COHBA Parade of Homes is that it's almost always a free event. This is fantastic because it means anyone can go, whether you’re just starting to dream about a new home or you're ready to break ground tomorrow. It's a no-pressure way to see what’s out there. That said, it's always smart to check the official ParadeOfHomesOK.com website before you go, just to confirm the details.

How Do I Get a Map of the Parade Homes?

Your map is your best friend for this event. A few weeks before the parade begins, the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association (COHBA) releases the official guide and map. You have a couple of easy ways to get one:

• Digital Map & App: The mobile app is the way to go. It has an interactive map that gives you turn-by-turn directions and lets you filter homes by neighborhood or price.

• Printed Guidebooks: If you prefer something tangible, you can typically grab a physical guidebook at places like OnCue stores around the OKC metro.

Trust me, planning your route ahead of time is the key to a successful parade.

Can I Talk to Builders at the Event?

Not only can you, you absolutely should! This is the biggest perk of the Parade of Homes. In most houses, you'll find the builder or one of their top representatives ready to chat. They're there to answer your questions in a relaxed setting, which is perfect for getting a feel for their process and philosophy. For broader city planning questions, you can always check the official City of Oklahoma City website.

This is your chance to interview potential partners for your dream home. Pay attention not just to what they say, but how they say it. A builder who is transparent, patient, and passionate about their work is exactly who you want on your team.

What if I Love a Floor Plan But Want to Build on My Own Land?

That's a fantastic question. Many people who attend the parade already own land or are in the process of buying a lot. The good news is that many parade builders specialize in "build on your lot" projects. They use their parade entry as a showcase—a real-life example of their craftsmanship. If you fall in love with a layout, ask the representative about their process for building on private land. They can walk you through adapting a plan for your property, whether it's a suburban lot or a few acres out in Elmore City or Macomb. This is exactly the kind of work builders like ACET Custom Homes live for—taking a vision and making it a reality on a client's own piece of Oklahoma.

Ready to design your custom home? Schedule a free consultation with ACET Custom Homes today.