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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

5 Smart Questions to Ask a Builder

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.

51 Advanced Certified Homes on the Fall Parade of Homes

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.

Tour for a Cause: Introducing the 2025 Fall Dream Homes

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.

Your Guide to Blaine, MN

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.

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Color for Your Home: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Choosing the right paint color for your home can be overwhelming. With endless shades and finishes available, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to regret later. Here, Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield's Design Resource Showroom manager, shares some of the most common paint color mistakes homeowners make — and how to avoid them.

April 28, 2025

Where Design Meets Wellness

Older homes are desirable for their historic charm and established neighborhoods, but when it comes to amenities that promote health and overall wellbeing, your 1930s Tudor may be lacking. Through strategic remodeling, these older homes can be updated to meet contemporary wellness needs, whether it’s more windows to increase natural light, a reimagined kitchen that encourages cooking balanced meals, or smart features that make day-to-day life
a little easier.    

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
April 21, 2025

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Color for Your Home: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Choosing the right paint color for your home can be overwhelming. With endless shades and finishes available, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to regret later. Here, Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield's Design Resource Showroom manager, shares some of the most common paint color mistakes homeowners make — and how to avoid them.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
April 16, 2025

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is here, bringing longer days and fresh opportunities to enjoy your home. But with seasonal changes, it’s essential to ensure that your space stays as beautiful and healthy as the day your renovation was completed. Use this checklist to protect your investment and keep your home in tip-top shape this spring.

Home Tips & Tricks
April 8, 2025

A Personal Retreat

If the kitchen is known as the heart of the home, the primary suite should be the mind of the home, serving as a space you can truly unwind and recharge. Read on to learn local home professionals’ advice for designing a primary suite sanctuary that supports your body and mind.

Design
April 2, 2025

Remodeling Done Right

Remodeling your home is an exciting journey, but choosing the right remodeler can make all the difference between a dream realized and a project fraught with headaches. With countless remodeling professionals to choose from in Minnesota, it’s important to find
a partner who aligns with your vision, timeline, and budget.

Home Tips & Tricks
March 31, 2025

4 Ways to Brighten Your Remodel

When planning a remodel, most jump to flooring, cabinetry, or furniture to achieve a dramatic transformation. However, there are other design elements that can make a major impact in how you reimagine and, ultimately, live in your space: windows and doors. They do more than let in light and provide protection — they frame your view, amplify your home’s style, and boost energy efficiency. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to windows and doors — brought to you by Marvin.

Home Tips & Tricks
March 18, 2025

The Parade of Homes Heads to Rochester

For more than 75 years, the Parade of Homes has been Minnesotans' trusted guide to exploring the best in new home design, innovation, and craftsmanship. Twice a year, we invite you to step inside beautifully crafted homes, gather inspiration, and connect with the talented builders shaping our communities.

This spring, the Parade of Homes is proud to head to Rochester and feature seven homes!

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March 13, 2025

Hue Got This: Home Color Guide

When it comes to designing a home that fosters health, happiness, and wellbeing, color is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. The colors we choose for our walls influence how we feel, think, and interact in our spaces. By tapping into the principles of color psychology, you can curate a home that nurtures calmness, sparks energy, or inspires joy.

“Choose colors based on the mood you want to evoke,” says Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield’s Design Resource showroom manager. “Calm, neutral tones like soft blues and grays work well in bedrooms, while brighter, more energetic hues can suit kitchens or playrooms.”

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
March 6, 2025

2025 Spring Parade of Homes | In the News

The 2025 Spring Parade of Homes Twin Cities is your chance to see the latest in new home construction from builders across Minnesota. Here are all the places the spring tour has been covered in the press.

Home Tours
March 4, 2025

Building Hope For Minnesota’s Veteran in Need

Each year, the Parade of Homes inspires thousands and helps Minnesotans find a place to call home. But this beloved event is more than a home tour; it’s an opportunity to support life-changing initiatives through the Housing First Minnesota Foundation. This year, the Foundation’s work is highlighted by a deeply impactful project: the Veteran Village, a first-of-its-kind initiative to create a townhome-style community for veterans experiencing homelessness.

Housing News
February 27, 2025

A Space of Their Own

Newlyweds Gina Wolleat-Zorn and Darrell Zorn built their dream home in Ham Lake to accommodate her interior design business, his love for cooking, and their blended family of adult children.

Home Tours
Design
February 24, 2025

Induction Cooking: Pros & Cons

Induction cooking combines the speed and precision of gas with the easy cleanup and eco-friendly benefits of electric appliances. These stoves heat water more quickly, activate only when cookware is present, and consistently outperform other cooktops according to consumer evaluations. Moreover, you may be eligible for financial incentives when you purchase an induction range under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Technology
February 21, 2025

Spring 2025 | Calendar of Events

Check out these upcoming special events during the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase.

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