BEND, OR -- The Central Oregon Builders Association Tour of Home starts Friday at noon. COBA's Tim Knopp says it's an exciting opportunity for everyone, "This is, really, the Central Oregon Builders Association's opportunity to let the community see, at no cost, what is happening in building today. And, the Central Oregon Builders Association has been a firm believer in 'Best Practices' and so we want the public to see what those 'Best Practices' are and what energy savings they can make in their own homes." He adds, "With 10,000 people who go through the Tour each year, they're not all buying homes - a lot of people just want to see what the latest and greatest is, in terms of what's in the Central Oregon market today; some people are looking for ideas, and then, of course, some people are seeking to buy a home, and are looking at homes on the tour for that purpose, or are looking for a builder to build a custom home, as well."

Knopp tells KBND News that throughout its 28-year history the tour has been a chance for the curious to see the newest building trends. And, this year, visitors can see something never before available in Central Oregon. "Sol-Aire Homes has the first Tesla Wall that has been installed in Central Oregon, and essentially, that is a very high-tech way to provide and store energy to your home through solar power and then even sell power back to the grid, and so it's going to be a very interesting feature for people to see."

The 48 homes on the Tour stretch from Terrebonne to La Pine, and from Sisters to Prineville. Click HERE for details, including a map. The Tour of Homes is free and is open Fridays noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., over the next two weekends. 

Photo: Tour Home #7 built by Hayden Homes, located at 3521 SW Pumice Ave., Redmond ($284,990)