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?
Congratulations! You’re the first owner of a brand-new home. Everything is fresh, modern, and built just for you. No weird smells, dated finishes, or mystery repairs hiding behind the walls. But while new construction gives you a major head start on maintenance, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking care of your investment. Fall in Minnesota can be unpredictable, and winter isn’t far behind. Now is the time to make sure your home is ready for the changing season, especially if this is your first time owning a home. Think of this checklist as your introduction to proactive homeownership, doing a few smart things now will keep your new home in top shape and help you avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Here’s what to know as you head into your first fall.
Buying a new home is about more than square footage and finishes, it’s about planting roots in a place where you feel welcomed, connected, and truly at home. As you tour neighborhoods during the Fall Parade of Homes, you might be imagining morning walks on the trails, stopping by the coffee shop downtown, or that first invite to a backyard bonfire. But how do you actually make that vision come to life once you’ve moved in? Whether you’re new to the Midwest or simply relocating across town, feeling at home in your community takes intention. But the good news? You don’t have to wait years to feel connected. Here are some smart, simple ways to get to know your new neighborhood.
Every fall, thousands of Minnesotans step into some of the most beautiful new homes in the state during the Parade of Homes. Whether you’re just gathering ideas or seriously considering building, these open houses are an incredible opportunity to learn — not just about design trends and floor plans, but about the builders themselves.
If you’re touring with intent, you’ll want more than just photos of tile patterns and cabinet colors. A builder’s philosophy, communication style, and approach to quality are just as important as the aesthetics. So how do you go beyond “ooh” and “aah” while walking through these show stopping homes? Here are five smart, conversation starting questions that will help you dig deeper and walk away feeling more informed and confident in your builder search.
Minnesota’s Green Path is lighting the way to energy-efficient homes of the future. Testing nearly 5,000 new construction homes per year, the Green Path certification program gives homeowners a clear understanding a home’s energy performance. With rigorous standards and independent, third-party raters, you can be confident in Green Path certifications.
Don’t miss out! Mark your calendars and check out these upcoming special events during the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase.
Every time you purchase a ticket to tour a Dream Home on the Parade of Homes, you’re helping fund the work of the Housing First Minnesota Foundation. This fall, five Dream Homes were hand-selected for their design, craftsmanship, and inspirational interiors.
These Dream Homes do more than showcase what’s possible in home design — they help make housing possible for our neighbors who need it most. Your $7 admission supports the Foundation’s work toward building safe housing for Minnesotans in need. Each visitor through the door helps a fellow Minnesotan finally have a place to call home.
How the Parade of Homes First-Time Homebuyer $10K Giveaway Helped Make Their Dream of Homeownership Come True
Welcome to Blaine, Minnesota. Located just a short drive north of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, this beautiful community blends small-town charm with big-city convenience. Once a rural farming community, Blaine has grown into a vibrant suburban city known for its family-friendly atmosphere, lush parks, and easy access to the Twin Cities.
When you're considering a move, Blaine offers the ideal balance of peaceful living and modern amenities. Keep reading to discover the best of what Blaine has to offer.
Introducing the 2025 Spring Reggie & Trillium Award Winners!
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.
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.
When the air turns crisp, the leaves crunch beneath our feet, and the colors change, it’s only natural to want to cozy up your home for fall, when time spent at swimming pools and outdoor barbecues is replaced with reading by the fireplace, snuggling up on the couch for movies, and preparing for holiday entertaining.
New builds certainly come with some perks—modern floor plans, energy-efficient appliances, and “smart” features, to name a few—but just because you’re the first to call the house “home” doesn’t mean you can neglect routine maintenance duties. Once the boxes are unpacked and the family photos are hung, add these eight important tasks to your to-do list to maintain that new home feeling for years to come.
Stay organized and efficient with a well-designed transitional space.
Building new gives you the ability to design specialty spaces in your home that help you enjoy the things you love. Whether that be a pet-friendly space to show your fur babies how much you love them, a thoughtfully placed home office to keep you productive, the ultimate recreation room for entertaining, or something else entirely, the options are limitless.
Catch up on all the places the 2019 Fall Parade of Homes Twin Cities has been covered in the press.
Whether you lean traditional or modern, or fall somewhere in between, there’s an architectural style to fit every aesthetic preference. Not sure if you’d feel more at home in an 1800s-inspired Victorian or a Craftsman reminiscent of 19th century structures? Here, Twin Cities builders break down the defining characteristics of eight trending designs in new construction.
Wit & Delight’s Kate Arends Peters and her husband, Joe, go back to the drawing board for a second round of remodeling on their 1925 English Tudor in St. Paul.
Get the lowdown on the tech that can help your home look better and live better.
Add these Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase events from select builders and remodelers to your tour! These are the events that introduce you to new neighborhoods, the latest trends, and much more. Join us to learn how to find your dream home or transform your current house.
From automation and voice control to real-time monitoring, today’s home technology has made incredible strides over the past decade, and even the last couple of years. “I believe [smart technology] is becoming the norm in newer homes these days,” says Kevin Clancy, system designer for Lelch Audio Video in St. Louis Park. “It doesn’t take away from the design of the space, and it adds a lot of convenience.” Ready to improve your home’s IQ? Read on for his roundup of what’s trending in residential tech.
The selections are in, and you won’t want to miss the Fall 2019 Dream Homes! These are the homes that are ready to WOW you. The ones you’re pinning on Pinterest and ogling over in magazines. And they’re the perfect place to grab inspiration for your home. This year, there are five new homes and four remodeled homes hand-selected as Dream Homes. Plus, each time you visit a Dream Home, your $5 admission supports the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s work as it builds and renovates transitional housing facilities for Minnesota’s homeless, veterans, and others in need.
