Last year, the landscape surrounding show homes during the Spring 2014 Parade of Homes looked like a winter-bound scene from the movie Frozen.
Fast forward to the Spring 2015 Parade of Homes, and -- thanks to an early spring -- the scene has been markedly different, said Mike Moore, president of The Manitoba Home Builders Association.
"Last year, it was minus 45 Celsius with the wind chill on opening day," he said. "This year, it was five degrees. The outstanding weather has brought people out this year, which has made for a great Parade."
Huntington Homes' Rob Swan echoed Moore's sentiments.
"Last year, the people who actually had the courage to brave the snow and sub-zero temperatures were grumbling about the weather. This year the good weather has people smiling and talking about golf and tennis. Most important, they're motivated to buy. I guess you could say the good weather, along with low interest rates, has brought everyone out of hibernation."
Hilton Homes' Spencer Curtis said it's literally been night and day comparing last year's Spring Parade to the 2015 edition.
"It's been fantastic -- there's been a big bump in traffic (compared to 2014). Weekends have been really busy, and even weekday traffic has been good."
Artista Homes' sales representative, Jennifer Gulay of Royal LePage Alliance, agreed.
"I think the biggest improvement over last year is the fact that we've been quite busy during the week," she said. "Weekends have been really busy, which is great. At the same time, people have been coming out during the week in good numbers, and in a good mood. It's so much easier to be enthusiastic when the weather's good."
Curtis added that the warm weather has allowed prospective buyers to discover that builders - as per usual - have been doing their best to design homes that will accommodate a wide range of needs and tastes.
"I think there are 130-plus entries this year," he said. "There are all sorts of price ranges, and a wide range of completely different offerings from single family homes, to duplexes, to condominiums. All the different builders have done a great job of designing innovative, well-built and affordable homes. There's a great breadth of offerings; that's great news for buyers."
RE/MAX Performance Realty's Rob Hutchison, sales representative for A & S Homes, concurred.
"There's everything from affordable 1,200 sq. ft bungalows to huge, luxuriously-appointed million dollar designs," he said. "Besides the good weather -- traffic has been very steady -- I think the key to the good turn-out is the fact that builders have really responded to the public's feedback. If you're looking for a new home, there's sure to be a design out there that meets all your wishes and desires."
Moore, said builders -- there are 34 of them entered in this year's Spring Parade -- are always thinking about how they can design the best possible homes for consumers.
"As an association, we take great pride in saying that Manitoba new homes are the best-built homes in the country," he said. "Our builders want to ensure you're matched with the home that's perfect for your life situation, and family, for years to come. We believe that this year's selection of new homes offers a selection of designs and locations that, more than ever, meets a wide range of needs."
Swan said developers also deserve credit for the Spring Parade's success.
"All the new communities in and around the city are absolutely fantastic in their design," he said. "They're so well-thought-out that buyers are now able to find a neighbourhood that's perfect for them exactly where they want to live. It's our job as builders to fill out those communities with equally fantastic designs, and I think everyone has. Everyone from builders to consumers is motivated and excited. That's great to see."
lewys@mymts.net
