New Homes
New Homes
Fall Parade of Homes draws intense interest
If the trend of the first two weeks continue, the 2012 Fall Parade of Homes will surpass all previous years' attendance numbers. Sales agents were reporting people were lined up in anticipation of visiting their home.
Sales representatives showing the 126 new homes have been bombarded with questions in the first two weeks. Financial items are front and centre. Interested buyers are particularly enamoured with the low mortgage rates currently available.
Given that most people visit a variety of new homes in the Parade, it's inevitable comparison shopping and the addition of different features arise.
For instance, sales representatives have been asked the cost of changing flooring to something seen elsewhere. Kitchen countertop and cabinets also stimulate discussions for changes. Bathrooms are always popular design topics.
Social media serve countless purposes, one of which includes event marketing and promoting.
In saying this, it made perfect sense to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to build excitement, awareness and interaction for and throughout the Parade of Homes.
We wanted to create a place where we could share what the Parade of Homes is about, who is involved and where and when the Parade takes place.
We felt social media was the perfect way of achieving this.
So for the last three Parades (four, if you count this fall's), we have been utilizing Facebook and Twitter (www.twitter.com/paradeofhomesmb) to share with Manitoba the variety of homes our exceptional members have to offer as well as the areas in which you can choose to build your dream home.
You can find pictures of all the entries for this fall's Parade, organized by builder and by development area, on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ParadeOfHomesManitoba), and while there, feel free to leave your comments on which homes are your favourites and why.
Also, you can follow us on Twitter - @ParadeOfHomesMB. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #FallParadeOfHomes.
If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask. The staff on site are a wealth of information and, if they don't immediately know the answer, they can find out and get back to you.
Remember, the 2012 Fall Parade of Homes continues through Saturday, Oct. 6. Show homes are open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Don't forget those slip-on shoes for Parade
The 2012 Fall Parade of Homes has started with a bang. Crowds for the first week have been terrific. The weather has been a pleasant mix of warm and cool, so you could take your pick of prime new-home visiting weather.
For the benefit of Parade veteran and rookie attendees, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association offers the following tips for a successful Parade:
Wear Comfortable Slip-on Shoes
There are 126 fantastic new homes available 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 of the subdivisions have multiple homes being shown and so you will probably park in one location and walk to all of the homes in that neighbourhood. Upon entering each new home, you must take off your street shoes in order to tour.
Given that some subdivisions 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 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 site, make sure you look for additional homes along the way to visit. Many of the subdivisions are in close proximity to each other and it's easy to get to a number of them in one tour.
Don't Forget the One-Offs
Although there is tremendous variety in those subdivisions that have multiple homes, make sure you visit those 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. These individuals are a wealth of knowledge and will make your visit interesting and informative.
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 as slow as you want, taking in the big picture or concentrating on a detail.
You can visit each home as often as you want, so as not to miss a thing.
It's all about what interests you.
Enjoy the 2012 Fall Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
When market cools off it's not a bad thing
I just received a housing projection report from a very reputable housing analysis expert entitled "Most Major Markets Expected to Cool in 2013". Naturally, I was intrigued because two weeks ago, I received a highly trusted release that said "Prairie housing starts to remain elevated through 2013".
Why did these two reports differ and who was I to believe? As it turns out, both could be believed. I just needed a clarification of "Cool". Toronto is having an unbelievable boom year in 2012 with new home starts (primarily condos) up over 6,000 from the average of the previous 11 years. The forecast for 2013 is to return to the norm.
Vancouver new home starts are up 2,000 this year from 2011 and up 3,700 from the 10-year average. In 2013, the expectation is to drop to around that average or a little below. Calgary and Edmonton are experiencing start numbers in 2012 far superior to the doldrums of 2011. Projections for 2013 have both cities on par with this year or down negligibly.
Regina and Saskatoon have been through the roof the past couple of years, doubling and tripling 2009 numbers. Yes, the 2013 forecast for both cities shows a slight reduction in starts. However, down from all-time records isn't bad.
Finally, Winnipeg and Manitoba start numbers in 2012 are superior to what was projected at this time last year. In fact, they are better than what we thought even three months into this year. They are, in fact, the most starts in about 25 years. These start numbers should hold steady next year no big increase, no big decrease.
I guess when one doesn't improve at the same rate as before, it's called cooling off. If you hit a home run your first four times at bat and then hit a triple, have you cooled off or in a slump? Not likely.
Let's just take good news and good performance at face value and not look for the dark cloud.
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The 2012 Fall Parade of Home starts September 15 and runs for three weeks.
All Parade show homes are rated and evaluated by interested volunteers like you. Your opinion on what you like and don't like and how one house compares to another in a similar price range is important.
To register as a Parade judge, please call (204) 925-2560 or e-mail info@homebuilders.mb.ca.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.