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July 30, 2025

How to Hire a Professional Remodeler (and Why It Matters)

When it comes to remodeling your home, who you choose to work with matters just as much as what you plan to change. A great remodeler will guide you through a complex process with expertise, transparency, and professionalism. And in a world of DIY shows and social media inspiration, it can be tempting to cut corners or rush the hiring process. But a remodel is a major investment in your home — and your peace of mind depends on getting it right from the start.

So, what does hiring a professional remodeler actually look like?

More blog posts

August 25, 2022

Fall 2022 | Calendar of Events

Don’t miss these special events put on by select builders and remodelers during the 2022 fall tour! These free events will introduce you to the teams behind the homes on the tour, the latest design trends, and much more.

August 16, 2022

Parade of Homes First-Time Homebuyer $10K Giveaway Makes Homeownership a Reality

Like many young Minnesotans, Wyatt and Sarah dreamed of someday owning a home. After a year of renting following Wyatt’s return home from the Army, they decided to start house hunting. With the market as competitive as it is, they were nervous how long it would take to get an offer accepted and if they would be able to find a home in their price range.

August 10, 2022

8 Outdoor Features to Make Your Backyard Cozy & Inviting

Summer in Minnesota — a favorite season for many. And there’s no better way to spend it than outdoors. While cabins, camping, or trips to the lake are favorite ways to enjoy the summer weather, you can also make the most of your space at home. Soak up some sun or host friends from the comfort of your backyard. Whether it’s bringing in some new outdoor furniture or considering an addition, here are eight outdoor features and spaces that make for an extra-inviting backyard.

June 22, 2022

19 Outstanding Parade Homes Win Spring Reggie Awards

Since 1968, Housing First Minnesota has presented the Reggie Award℠, which recognizes excellence in design and construction of homes in the Parade of Homes. The Trillium Awards honor the associates and trade partners for their collaboration with these award-winning builders.

June 16, 2022

2022 Artisan Home Tour | In the News

The 2022 Artisan Home Tour is your chance to step inside homes designed and constructed by the region’s most exceptional builders and remodelers. These artisans create incredible residences that blend artistic vision with unmatched craftsmanship. Check out all the places this summer's tour of luxury homes in Minnesota has been covered in the press.

May 14, 2020

Virtual Event Calendar

Don’t miss these virtual special events put on by select builders during the 2020 spring tour! These free events will introduce you to the builders behind the homes on the tour, the latest in home design, and much more. Check back often for updated events!

Home Tours
May 7, 2020

A Taste of Nantucket

Eric and Katharine Nelson have loved living in the Highlands neighborhood of Edina ever since they first moved to the area in 2015. So when they had the opportunity to sell their home, they didn’t have to go far to find the perfect location for their new build—down the block, to be exact.

Home Tours
Real Stories
April 20, 2020

A Rustic Retreat

Taking inspiration from their cabin up north, Candy and Stephen bring a cozy atmosphere to their new home in Stillwater’s Miller Farms development.

Home Tours
Real Stories
April 17, 2020

Home Gyms That Will Inspire You to Work Up a Sweat

Whether you’re a yogi, a weight-lifting enthusiast, or just want a space for the kids to shoot some hoops, a home gym or athletic court might be just what you need. If you don’t have a room for a larger dedicated gym space right now, there are many ways to create your own yoga corner or fitness nook in your home. And if you are thinking about adding a home gym to your next home, you’re in luck. Parade of Homes builders are pros at making sure your home fits your lifestyle just right. Here are home fitness room ideas to help you work up a sweat.

Home Tips & Tricks
April 9, 2020

7 Ways to Create Curb Appeal

You’ve likely spent months pouring over every detail of your new construction home, but between cabinet choices, tile selections, and hardware hangups, have you thought about its curb appeal—a.k.a. the aesthetic your home presents to the outside world?

“The opportunity to make your home really unique is out front,” says Mallory Busacker, a real estate agent and director of marketing for BohLand Homes. “When someone asks you about a house in the neighborhood, the first thing you say—even if you’ve been in the house numerous times—is, ‘It’s the one with the gabled roof.’ It’s not only their first impression; it’s what they remember the home by.”

Here, builders, architects, realtors, and landscapers share their top tips for creating that “wow” factor from the outside in.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
March 10, 2020

2020 Spring Parade of Homes Press Coverage

Catch up on all the places the 2020 Spring Parade of Homes Twin Cities has been covered in the news.

Home Tours
February 17, 2020

Seven Dream Homes Featured on the Spring Parade of Homes & Remodelers Showcase

There’s no shortage of incredible residences on the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase, but these seven amazing homes have been selected by our Housing First Minnesota Foundation as this spring's Dream Homes and Remodeled Dream Homes. These four incredible new homes from Pebble Creek Custom Homes, Landmark Building Contractors, Gordon James Construction, and Swanson Homes will leave you in awe. And the final weekend of the tour you won't want to miss the three stunning Remodeled Dream Homes from JKath Design Build + Reinvent, Sustainable 9 Design + Build, and Showcase Renovations. Plus, a $5 tax-deductible entry fee to each of these seven homes will go to the Housing First Minnesota Foundation to support their work building and renovating transitional housing facilities for Minnesota’s homeless, veterans, and others in need.

Home Tours
February 14, 2020

Spring 2020 Calendar of Events

Don't miss these Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase special events put on by select builders and remodelers during the 2020 spring tour! These free events will introduce you to the people behind the homes on the tour, the latest design trends, and much more. Join us to learn how to find your dream home or remodel your current house.

Home Tours
February 5, 2020

3 Ways You Get More With Xfinity

Brought to you by our 2020 Parade of Homes category sponsor, Xfinity.

Technology
January 27, 2020

Designer Secrets for an Instagram-Worthy Home

Thousands of people have built a following on Instagram for their curated spaces that look like they were ripped from the pages of a home magazine. With eclectic-yet-cohesive accessories, statement pieces of furniture, and ideal lighting conditions, it’s hard to believe these rooms weren’t styled and shot by a professional, but the truth is, many of these #homestagramers aren’t interior designers or photographers—and you don’t have to be either. Here, Kari Michael of Kariel Staging & Decor reveals that getting the perfect picture for the ’gram comes down to a couple of simple tips.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
December 16, 2019

Now Trending: Flooring

Of all the design decisions you have to make, it’s easy to—literally—overlook your floors, but choosing the best color and material for your spaces can have a big impact on your home’s overall aesthetic. Whether you favor carpet or hardwood, tile or vinyl, consider giving your hardest-working surfaces a refresh with one of these five trends.

Design
November 8, 2019

Best New Homes in the Twin Cities Win 2019 Reggie Awards

Housing First Minnesota hosted the annual Building Industry Gala (BIG Night) on Oct. 25, 2019. More than 800 attendees joined together to celebrate the homebuilding and remodeling industry and to find out which homes from the Fall Parade of Homes were judged the very best — the best design, construction quality, and value.

Home Tours
October 29, 2019

Blueprint for Energy Testing a New Home

Saving energy is on our minds these days, and is one of the best reasons to choose a new home when you’re ready to move. New homes are intrinsically more energy efficient than most dwellings you’ll find on the resale market.

Technology