New Homes
New Homes
Consumers the winners in housing market
With the flurry of activity over the past month or so regarding the Spring Parade of Homes and the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show, we have been so busy focusing on home-related events that we have been delinquent on the home-related news review.
Both the new and resale housing markets have been very busy and the news has been primarily positive.
In early March, the City of Winnipeg announced a revision and improvement in the way it reviews and approves building plans and permits.
There will still be the same diligence and accountability. The building code and all other regulations are still in place. There will be no compromises on quality.
The primary difference is that professional plans stamped by professional engineers and created by professional drafts persons will be reviewed faster due to efficiencies being implemented early in the process.
The trickle-down effect is that we will have our permit applications reviewed faster so we can proceed with renovations on our existing homes.
Manitobans lead the country in renovation activity and this should encourage compliance in taking out building permits. That should be a relief to those in the home buying market. Even frequent critics of city hall policies are applauding this new permit initiative.
It seems as though Canadian economists and media outlets are spending an inordinate amount of time recently speculating on a housing bubble. Is one in our future?
Although most of this discussion is on a national level and seems to be aimed at larger urban centres such as Toronto and Vancouver, every region tends to be included. That is why it was so refreshing to read the comments of a TD Bank economist who said that a crash or bubble bursting situation was not in line for Winnipeg.
Her reasoning was that a price correction may be spread out over three or four years, but due to a strong and growing local economy, a high employment rate, strong consumer confidence, a growing population fuelled by immigration, one of the most affordable housing markets in Canada and the fact that the percentage of household income needed to own a home here is among the lowest of any major Canadian city, she felt that we were not in a position of high risk.
This further bodes well for the local consumer looking to purchase a new home.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Create your very own Parade of Homes
Although the 2012 Spring Parade of Homes ended March 25, you still have plenty of opportunity to revisit those fantastic show homes that you saw during the three weeks of Parade.
The weather was fabulous this year and Manitobans responded in kind as a tremendous number of people visited 103 new homes. It was a whirlwind tour for many and one couldn't be expected to visit every home, no matter how hard they tried. There simply isn't enough time to do each beautiful new home justice.
If you were like most people, you concentrated on a few subdivisions and visited all of the new homes in that area. However, there were undoubtedly many you wanted to see but just couldn't get to in such a short time.
Many people have the mistaken notion that 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.
So, now that your interest in a new home has been piqued by the Spring Parade, the timing is perfect to follow up with another visit.
Although you received an excellent welcome and introduction to each new home, it was undoubtedly busy and may have been difficult to have a private conversation with the sales representative regarding the amenities of that home. The purchase of a new home is an important decision and, now that you have visited the best new homes in Manitoba, you probably have a number of questions that you would like to ask.
You can still view the official Parade magazine on the MHBA website at www.homebuilders.mb.ca or the Free Press website at www.winnipegfreepress.com. 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.
The important thing to remember is that almost all of the wonderful show homes that you saw during the Spring Parade are still available for viewing.
Create your own personal Parade by visiting some you weren't able to get to and revisit those that intrigued you but required more viewing time.
The 2012 Spring Parade of Homes 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.
New Homes
Express your home; visit convention centre
You're itching to get outside and get your home ready for summer, but it's still a little too cold to get a proper start on your list.
There's work to be done on the yard; you've been thinking about a pool or a hot tub; the deck needs work; painting, roofing and insulation checks need to be made; and you've also got some work on the inside of the house that you didn't want to start until you were able to get some fresh air into the house.
Well, this weekend at the Winnipeg Convention Centre is perfect for you.
Saturday and Sunday are the final two days for the 2012 Home Expressions Home and Garden Show. Over 20,000 people annually visit this must see event and this year's crowds will be no exception.
All three floors of the Convention Centre are filled with the latest innovations for the home and garden. There are more than 500 booths of exciting products and information to help you upgrade your current home or to give you ideas for the design and finish of a new home.
The how is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. It's a tremendous way to spend a weekend as there is no shortage of things to see. In addition to the various exhibitor booths, there are informative stage presentations on the hour.
There are also a number of feature attractions this year. Steven and Chris, stars of their own entertaining hit CBC show, dazzled the crowd Friday and will be in town for one more show today at 1 p.m. St. Mary's Nursery and Barkman Concrete present another spectacular Garden Court.
At no other time and no other place can you do this much comparison shopping. All of the best suppliers and manufacturers in Manitoba are under one roof, presenting options for your home. Others may say that they are presenting 'show class specials', but there is only one true place where the real show specials exist -- the Convention Centre this weekend.
Whether you are home renovating, home decorating, home designing or home dreaming, everything you need is at the show. The possibilities are endless.
Drop by Saturday or Sunday to see the best and newest trends for your home and garden. Tickets are available on-site.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Transition period perfect time for viewing show homes
The end of March presents the perfect transition period for homeowners, home buyers and everyone else who has antything to do with homes. The Spring Parade of Homes concludes on Sunday, March 25, and the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show runs from March 30 through April 1.
This year's Spring Parade has been blessed with fantastic weather, allowing tremendous crowds to visit all 103 show homes. Although the formal portion of the Parade of Homes ends tomorrow at 6 p.m., most of the show homes that have been part of the event will remain open for viewing well after the Parade of Homes ends.
This year's entrants were an amazing collection of design, style, quality, craftsmanship and choice.
The fall and spring Parades of Homes are two showcase events hosted by the Manitoba Home Builders' Association to demonstrate the best that the new home building industry has to offer. Whether one is in the market for a new home, considering a change or just looking for ideas for their current home, nowhere else is there such a collection of concepts.
What many people fail to realize is that these show homes are open year round for viewing. The hours may be slightly different than during the Parade, but sales representatives are still available to help you with your search for the perfect home. So, if you need to take another look at a couple of homes before making your decision, they are open and ready to welcome you.
If you recall visiting a neighbourhood or series of homes that especially interested you, but you have lost your Parade magazine, don't worry. Just go to the MHBA website at www.homebuilders.mb.ca or the Free Press website at www.winnipegfreepress.com. You can also read the fascinating Parade blogs which provide further insights.
If you attended the Parade of Homes in order to get some ideas to spruce up your current home, more help is on the way. The Home Expressions Home and Garden Show takes place next weekend (Friday through Sunday) at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Everything that you want or need for your home is on display. Hundreds of outstanding suppliers will save you hours of driving in that they are all under one roof. This year's special guests are Steven and Chris from CBC.
Visit www.homeexpressions.ca for more details.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
