Although the 2015 Fall Parade of Homes has formally ended, you still have plenty of opportunity to revisit those fantastic show homes you saw during the three weeks of Parade or check out the ones you may have missed. Tens of thousands of people visited 130 new homes by 33 different builders in 35 unique neighbourhoods. It was a whirlwind tour for many, and one couldn't be expected to visit every home, no matter how hard they tried.
Many people have the mistaken notion show homes are only open during the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes. In fact, they are open year-round, and although the hours may not be the same as during Parade, they are able to accommodate all interested clients. Now your interest in a new home has been piqued by the Fall Parade, the timing is perfect to follow up with another visit.
The crowds were generally huge for the past three weeks. Although you received an excellent welcome and introduction to each new home, it was undoubtedly busy, and it may have been difficult for you to have a private conversation with the sales representative. The purchase of a new home is an important decision, and now that you have visited the best new homes in Manitoba, you undoubtedly have a number of questions you would like to ask.
If you took any information literature from the home, it will have the contact number for the sales representative. Call and set up a private viewing and meeting. This will give you an opportunity to get a view in more detail and have a one-on-one conversation without interruption. If you don't have the direct number but recall the name of the builder, call the builder, and they can facilitate your meeting. If you recall the neighbourhood but not the specific house that interested you, the entire Parade of Homes magazine is on the Manitoba Home Builders Association website (homebuilders.mb.ca) or the Winnipeg Free Press website.
The magazine has a listing of all of the homes, where they are located, a brief description of each and the base and selling prices. Whether it was the subdivision or the builder or the particular home that interested you, it's all in the Parade magazine.
The important thing to remember is almost all the wonderful show homes you saw during the Fall Parade of Homes are still available for viewing. The Parade may be over, but the opportunity to purchase your new dream home has just begun.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders Association.
