Registration fees will be returned except for an administration fee of $500 per entry for Parade entries that are cancelled before February 28, 2023. NO REFUNDS AFTER THIS DATE. I agree that if my entry in the Parade of Homes is sold before the Parade, I will still make it available for showing in the Parade. I certify that this is a new home and has NOT been lived in. I understand the penalty is disqualification and forfeit of fees if not compliant as a new home.
In order to be eligible to participate in the Parade of Homes, the builder, developer, or other participant must be a member in good standing (a member in good standing means that dues are paid by the entry deadline as applicable and that there are no current or pending felony conviction charges). In signing this agreement, members agree to abide by the following rules and regulations:
Entries submitted after Feb. 28 will be reviewed to see if they meet the qualifying criteria as per the RGVBA, but they may not be accepted. If they are, the Parade entry fee is subject to increase.
Parade Entries that get reviewed & approved to sign up after April 1st WILL NOT appear in the “Parade Preview” published in the May/June/July of the RGV New Homes Guide. Parade Entries will absolutely NOT BE ACCEPTED after April 20th in order to meet
the Parade Guidebook printing deadline. Entry fees must be paid in one payment and by one party. Each home in the Parade requires a separate entry form.
THE RGVBA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADD ADDITIONAL ENTRY FEES FOR HOMES THAT ARE ADJACENT TO OR CONTIGUOUS TO THE OFFICIAL HOME ENTRY.
I understand that all builders or developers who have an active ownership interest in the Parade of Homes entry house, must be members in good standing of the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) and adhere to membership guidelines for participation.
My home entry is new, has never been occupied, and will be staffed and open for public viewing during all Parade hours. I also agree that my home will be complete and ready for showing by June 2, 2023 to qualify for judging. The same model home can be entered in the Parade for a maximum of two years.
I agree that the pullout date for removing my entry from the Parade of Homes is February 28, 2023. After that date, my entry fee will not be returned. A WRITTEN NOTICE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RGVBA OFFICE ON OR BEFORE February 28, 2023 and a refund will be issued for cancellation minus a $500 administration fee per entry. There are no exceptions to this rule!
If my home will be incomplete, unsafe, or not available for viewing by the first day of the Parade, notice must be given to the RGVBA by May 10, 2023, and I agree to have my home removed from all advertising material and/or banner the home in the Parade Guidebook as “unavailable for viewing.” If my home is not complete on Saturday June 3, 2023, I will not put up any related Parade signage, and I will place a sign at the home instructing the public that the home is “unavailable for viewing”. This sign will be provided by the RGVBA at an additional fee. Failure to place this sign may result in the loss of my participation privileges in future Parade of Homes.
A “finished” house is one upon which the builder has secured a certificate of occupancy from the city and which meets all mortgage appraisal standards. This includes all plumbing, all floor coverings, paintings, and staining, carpentry, etc. If I cannot secure a certificate of occupancy for any reason, I will notify the RGVBA before June 2, 2023. If my home is completely finished, and except for electricity, does not have final hook-ups to sewer, water or gas, the house may still be shown if no safety hazards are presented and the RGVBA is notified. Cooling and electricity must be provided to the home. Additionally, a driveway or boardwalk must be in place to provide safe access to the home. A copy of the certificate of occupancy must be turned in to the RGVBA in order to participate in the Parade. Parade materials will only be given with certificates of occupancy.
I will ensure that the grounds surrounding my Parade entry, within my control, are neat, orderly and free of hazards to the public.
I agree to carry liability insurance on all my Parade entry homes from June 3, 2023 to June 11, 2023. I understand that a copy of this certificate of insurance is a requirement for entry and that the certificate must be submitted on June 1, 2023 before materials for the Parade are distributed.
Proofs for the Parade Guidebook must be approved by the builder or his/her representative digitally or in paper form and must be approved by May 3, 2023. If proofs are not returned, any mistakes in the printed book will be the advertiser’s responsibility. I agree to ensure that all the information on the Parade entry is accurate and not misleading to the consumer.
I understand that no other company may distribute their literature or be present in my Parade model unless they are RGVBA Members and pay the “Partner with a Builder” fee of $495 per home or purchase an ad in the Parade Guidebook.
I agree that the RGVBA is not responsible for any errors or omissions concerning my home, the maps, the write-up narrative, or my ad in the Parade Guidebook, or in any related advertising, press releases, etc. I agree to call any errors to the attention of the RGVBA in writing (email) by May 3, 2023. Write-ups will be edited at the discretion of the Parade of Homes committee for length, grammar, and content.
Photographs and artwork submitted by builders for use in the Parade guidebook must include a written authorization from the owner of the copyrights to use his/her work. For a photographer’s credit to appear with the photograph, the photographer must be a member of the RGVBA. All photographs and artwork submitted by the builder must be free from copyright restrictions and the builder shall indemnify the RGVBA and its marketing agents from claims of copyright infringements resulting from the use of photos and artwork submitted for use in promoting the Parade.
Builders will receive one metal yard sign per entry. Additionally, one or two metal signs will be issued for each development. Directional signs should be placed by Saturday, June 3, 2023 and must be removed immediately after the Parade, June 11, 2023. The yard signs must be returned to the RGVBA office or designated location by June 13, 2023. Late sign-in forfeits deposit. All signs will remain the property of the RGVBA. No signage from anyone other than the builder is allowed in front of a Parade Entry, and the builder sign may not contain logos or information for any other entity other than ENERGY STAR® and BUILT TO SAVE®. I agree to abide by the current sign placement policy of the RGVBA as instructed. Permanent model home signs must be pre-approved.
I will place the Parade entry yard sign in the front yard of the Parade model. A limited number of directional signs will be provided and required to be placed in accordance to municipal regulations along public roadways. The Parade feather flag will be placed in the front yard in order to better direct consumers to the Parade entry. No other feather flags are allowed. No exceptions. All Parade signs, metal and plastic, must be removed immediately the day after the Parade.
I will return my Parade of Homes signs and feather flags to a designated location by June 13, 2023. All signs and materials remain the property of the Builders Association. I agree to reimburse the RGVBA for any signs, flags, and materials damaged or not returned.
Only homes certified as ENERGY STAR®, BUILT TO SAVE®, or DOE Zero Energy Rating Home are eligible for this award. Proof (request for certification) that the home is enrolled in the appropriate certification program is required to add the Program’s logo to the Parade entry page in the Parade guidebook. The RGVBA reserves the right to contact the building company’s Rater and BUILT TO SAVE® directly for verification of certification.
Builders & Raters must provide a written statement on or before April 1st (emailed to rgvbam@sbcglobal.net) specifying the address of the Parade Homes they are going to be certifying in the BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR® Programs so the entries may be promoted as “pending” certification on the Parade Preview Promotions & Parade Guidebook.
Documentation for “Most Energy Efficient Home” award must be submitted by a RESNET-certified Rater and must include: 1.) An ERI/HERS score confirmed by the Rater’s Provider; 2.) Photographs of the thermal inspections performed by the Rater including photos of corrections required by the Rater; 3.) Photos of the manometer readings of the final inspection; 4.) Completed program checklists signed by the Rater; 5.) A copy of the Program’s certificate and systems decal. Homes with incomplete or improper documentation will be disqualified. Deadline for submission of documents is June 2, 2023.
Participating builders who receive Parade of Homes Awards or recognitions may include the award(s) and seal(s) in their advertising and promotions until FEBRUARY 28 of the following year. After that date, the award may be listed on advertising as text form only. Previous winners still using a previous year’s seal(s) on signage, web, or other advertising must remove them immediately or face disciplinary action from the Association. Failure to comply with the policy on Parade Award Seal usage will authorize the RGVBA to null and void the advertised award(s) or disqualify the builder from current awards.
A violation of the above rules could result in the suspension of Parade participation privileges. Any decisions regarding rule violations will be made by the Parade Committee and are final and binding.
The Parade of Homes Committee reserves the right to rescind any award given if the builder is found to be in violation of this Participation Agreement and/or the sales price of the home was found to be different from the listed price on this application with no significant changes to the home.
Sponsors, builders, and advertisers are liable for collection fees including attorney and/or court cost if required to collect account. All fees are payable in Hidalgo County, McAllen, TX.
I agree to abide by any and all safety and health requirements issued by local, state, and federal health officials relating to the COVID-19 pandemic as applicable during the Parade dates to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and visitors to my Parade entry.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE TERMS, DATES AND CONDITIONS STATED AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES & POLICIES FOR THE RGVBA PARADE OF HOMES.
