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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

If you view each new year as a clean slate, the early weeks of the year are the perfect time to add “home organization” to your list of resolutions—not only for the perk of having a clean house, but also for the benefit of your family and mental health. “To us, the organization of your home kind of reflects your mindset,” says Taylor Kaupa, the marketing coordinator for Bria Hammel Interiors. “An organized, decluttered home allows you to clear your mind and focus on the things you love most at home, like spending time with your loved ones.” Here, she shares six tips that will get you in the habit of keeping a tidy home.

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.

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.