New Homes
New Homes
Tips to help you enjoy Spring Parade of Homes
The first week of the Spring Parade of Homes is in the books and it looks like we're in for another great event. The weather has been consistent and, if the first week was any indication, crowds will continue to grow as the Parade progresses.
Each year, we print a primer for Parade attendees tips to maximize your enjoyment. For the benefit of veteran and rookie attendees, the
Manitoba Home Builders' Association offers the following tips for a successful Parade:
Wear comfortable slip-on shoes: There are 124 fantastic new homes to visit. Although you likely won't get to all of them, you will find yourself trying to get to as many as possible. Many neighbourhoods have multiple homes being shown and you will probably park in one location and walk to others. Upon entering each new home, you must take off your street shoes to tour. Given that some neighbourhoods have over 10 homes open for viewing and you don't want to miss a thing, that's a lot of bending and lacing.
Therefore, be sure to wear a comfortable walking shoe that easily slips on and off. It will make your visit that much more enjoyable.
Map a strategy: If you have a particular destination, make sure you look for additional homes along the way to visit. Many subdivisions are in close proximity to each other and it's easy to get to a number in one tour.
Don't forget the one-offs: Although there is tremendous variety in those subdivisions that have multiple homes, make sure to visit areas with a single listing. There are entire new neighbourhoods to discover and builders with unique designs. That hidden gem might just be your next new home.
Talk to the agents: The sales agents know their show homes. Ask them about anything: unique features, energy savings, specific materials and what makes this particular home special. They are a wealth of knowledge and, if they don't have the answer, they will find out and get back to you in short order.
Have fun: The Parade of Homes is an enjoyable three weeks where you can see the latest and greatest in new homes. You can go as fast or slow as you want, taking in the big picture or concentrating on a minute detail. It's all about what interests you.
Enjoy the 2013 Spring Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Spring Parade has something for everyone
The 2013 Spring Parade of Homes officially opens at noon today and runs through Sunday, March 24. The Manitoba Home
Builders' Association is proud to present 124 new homes on display for everyone to enjoy.
Show home hours are Monday through Thursday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Show homes are closed on Fridays except by prior appointment.
Sales staff are in each home, ready to explain its unique and special features. Feel free to ask lots of questions about the various builders and suppliers. After all, MHBA new-home builders pride themselves on building the best new homes in Canada.
Each visitor is sure to come away with new ideas and concepts to incorporate into their new home.
This year, 37 builders are featuring the finest new homes in 30 unique neighbourhoods. Both single-family-detached homes and condominiums are on display.
In addition to Winnipeg, there will be show homes in eight other cities and towns, thereby expanding and serving a larger audience. Quality, choice and affordability are all key components for each new home.
The Spring Parade of Homes has something for everyone. If you are looking for that first new home, this is your opportunity to see the widest variety at one time. If you're considering selling your existing home for more space, less space, more yard, less yard, newer amenities and a different design, everything that you could possibly be looking for is featured at the Spring Parade of Homes.
If you're thinking of making some changes in your existing home, nowhere else will you see so many new and dynamic building styles and techniques as the Spring Parade. If you just want to see the best of the best and envision your dream home, this is the place to do it. Your new home dream starts with the Spring Parade of Homes.
If you missed the Parade magazine in your Winnipeg Free Press home delivery, it is available online at www.homebuilders.mb.ca or www.winnipegfreepress.com. You can also pick up a copy at any Steinbach Credit Union.
Another special feature of the Spring Parade of Homes will be the interactive discussion occurring on Facebook and Twitter. We invite Parade attendees to submit their comments and questions.
Come early and come often to the Spring Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Get your runners ready -- Parade is back
I know that we're still six days away, but I'm already excited about March because it's going to be a terrific month for everything relating to the home.
From March 2 to 24, the Spring Parade of Homes returns for another tremendous showing. Although all the details are not released until the start of Parade, rumour has it that there will be 124 new homes featured this year, an all-time record number.
The ever-popular Parade magazine will be out again, both in print and online at the Manitoba Home Builders' Association and Winnipeg Free Press websites, so be sure to look for it. You'll also be able to follow reviews of the various homes on live blogs and Facebook sites.
However, nothing can compare to seeing these fabulous homes in person, so get your runners ready and mark off the dates now, because you'll need the extra time to get to all of the spectacular show homes on display courtesy of Manitoba's new-home builders.
But there's more. On Wednesday, March 13, the Winnipeg Realtors Association is hosting the third annual Gimme Shelter fundraiser at the Ranch Saloon for the MREA Shelter Foundation. More information about donations and tickets to this great event is available on both of their websites.
As well, on March 15, 16 and 17, the 39th Annual Home Expressions Home and Garden Show returns to the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Everything you want and need to know about your home can be found under one roof on that weekend.
Go to www.homeexpressions.ca, to find hours of operation and ticket information. As it gets closer to show time, there will be a list of exhibitors and events. But it's already confirmed that HGTV's Samantha Pynn and Colin Hunter will be here that weekend. Their presentations are always informative, entertaining and sure to delight.
Finally, do you know what else is home-related in March? Our Winnipeg Jets have eight home games in their run to the playoffs. March is going to be the ultimate home month for so many reasons.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
A snapshot of Manitoba's housing scene
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation recently identified 10 key factors that impact housing-market activity. Although the analysis was from a national perspective, let's drill down to the Manitoba scene.
-- Mortgage rates
Continued historically low mortgage rates will help support housing demand nationally and locally. The good news is that mortgage rates are not expected to increase significantly this year or next.
-- Employment
Employment is forecast to grow 1.9 per cent nationally, and Manitoba is traditionally a leader in low unemployment rates. People who are confident in their employment status look for stability in purchasing homes.
-- Income
Growth in income at both levels is expected to be modest, commensurate with economic growth.
-- Net migration
Although Canada is expected to continue attracting more immigrants, which positively impacts housing demand, the Manitoba government has stressed the need to continue the extremely successful Provincial Nominee Program.
-- Natural population
Although lower birth rates will lessen demand for additional housing stock, our aging population will impact the type and tenure of housing demanded.
-- Resale market
Manitoba has consistently outperformed the rest of Canada in resale activity. Although average MLS prices may not increase at previous levels, there is still tremendous demand for resale housing here. A positive resale trend usually means the same in the new home market.
-- Vacancy rates
Vacancy rates across Canada are expected to decline to two per cent. They're already lower than that locally. Low vacancy rates support new multi-family construction.
-- Stock of new and unoccupied units
As Manitobans, we tend to be cautious. We build what we can sell, or already have sold. There is far less speculative building and so fewer unoccupied inventory homes here than elsewhere.
-- Changes to mortgage insurance rules
The recent changes to government-backed mortgage insurance through the CMHC had an immediate impact on new home sales, as qualification standards meant a re-evaluation of personal finances. Any additional changes would further impact home-buying, both nationally and locally.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
