ORLANDO, Fla. — The 70th annual Parade of Homes kicks off Saturday — and with it comes an invitation to check out some of the hottest trends, meet local builders, peruse apartment floor plans and tour some seriously upgraded homes.

Through May 14, the tours are free and self-guided. Visitors can tour virtually or in-person about 60 entries that feature unique architectural design or energy-efficient choices.

The 70th Parade of Homes, presented by the Greater Orlando Builders Association, begins May 6 and continues through May 14. (Spectrum News)

For Richard Wettermann, Parade of Homes is an opportunity to elevate his small building firm, Wettermann Homes, which he runs alongside his twin brother, Kurt, and show off their collective vision for the first time.

“Definitely a new experience,” he said of their first-time entry. “Every builder’s got their different taste and style, how they function, what they offer, so for people visiting the Parade of Homes, they can go around and say, ‘I really like what this builder is doing or that builder.'”

The Wettermanns joined forces a decade ago and said they work well together.

“One of those things, when you start working with a family member, there can be a little apprehension like, ‘Careful working with your family!’ ” he said with a laugh. “Kurt and I work very well together. We have the same vision. (You can) get an extra set of eyes and ears on something. It really does have its advantages.”

An advantage to running a smaller shop, he said, was the ability to “pivot quickly,” providing “flexibility that works well for clients.”

“So, if he’s got a great idea, or I’ve got a great idea, we can move at the drop of a hat,” Richard said.

But before the economic downturn of 2008, long before Richard joined his brother in the building game, Kurt had started his company. It was a difficult time for many in the construction industry, he explained. Kurt acknowledges that he, like many others, had to take on other jobs to make ends meet. It also resulted in an “interesting evolution” of his company over the years.

“We were crawling our way back out,” said Kurt, a licensed contractor. “Having that experience and scar tissue, if I may, has shaped the outlook.”

Now the duo are ready to show off their hard work, as they put the finishing touches on their entry: a 2,457-square-foot home along Percival Road in Orlando, nestled behind the University of Central Florida area.

“We were fortunate we got a couple of delays in there that put us in a position to enter it in,” Richard said. “There’s lots of valuable information we can glean from people giving you feedback, putting in their two cents.”

The Parade of Homes is presented by the Greater Orlando Builders Association, an organization of more than 700 members.