New Homes
New Homes
Parade to Parade of Homes impressive
If the trends of the first two weeks continue, the 2011 Fall Parade of Homes will surpass last year's attendance numbers.
On the opening weekend, sales agents were reporting that individuals were lined up outside the door in anticipation of visiting their home.
The nice weather throughout the rest of the week ensured that attendance stayed strong. It certainly looks like this year's Parade will be one of the largest ever.
Sales representatives showing the 100 new homes have been bombarded with a flurry of questions in the first two weeks. Financial items are front and centre.
Interested buyers are particularly enamored with the low mortgage rates that are currently available. Some show homes display samples of mortgage calculations; some promote banks and credit unions that are able to assist buyers and all have a calculator handy.
Given that most people visit a variety of new homes in the Parade, it is inevitable that comparison shopping and the addition of different features arises.
For instance, sales representatives have been asked the cost of changing flooring to something that was seen elsewhere. Kitchen countertop and cabinets also stimulate discussions for changes. Bathrooms are always popular design topics.
Manitobans are likely to be more energy conscious than any other province. This is particularly true of those considering moving from their older home to a brand new home.
Technology improves every year and, although Manitoba built homes have been the most energy efficient in Canada for a number of years, they still continue to get better.
Many interested prospective buyers come fully equipped with their existing heating bills, water usage numbers, furnace efficiency rating and even some R values for their discussions. A quick comparison showing considerable savings in a new home contributes to the economic viability of buying new.
As was said in last week's column, 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 2011 Fall Parade of Homes continues through Saturday, Oct. 8. Show homes are open Monday through Thursday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon-6 p.m.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Making Parade of Homes a comfy adventure
The 2011 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.
Last year, we printed a primer for attendees; just a couple of tips to maximize your enjoyment of the Parade of Homes. For the benefit of veteran and rookie attendees, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association offers the following tips:
Wear comfortable slip-on shoes
There are 100 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. Upon entering each new home, you must take off your shoes in order to tour. Given that some subdivisions have more than 10 homes open for viewing and you don't want to miss a thing, that's a lot of bending and lacing. 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 site, make sure you look for additional homes along the way to visit. Many subdivisions are close 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 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're a wealth of knowledge and if they don't have the answer, they will find out and get back to you in short order.
Remember to follow along the visits of our bloggers as they comment on each home in the Fall Parade. Feel free to add your impressions of the homes that you visit. It's fun to compare notes and form your own impressions based on someone else's prior visit. Just go to www.homebuilders.mb.ca or www.winnipegfreepress.com, click on the icon and follow along.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Parade of Homes offers shoppers' paradise
It's Saturday morning, you've got your paper and your coffee and now you're planning your day based on what's listed.
Not to worry -- your day and part of your next three weeks' worth of entertainment unfolds today. The 2011 Fall Parade of Homes officially opens at noon today, Saturday, Sept. 17, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 8.
This year, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association is proud to present 100 new homes on display for everyone to enjoy.
Show-home hours are Monday through Thursday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 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. Ask about the 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, 35 builders are featuring the finest new homes in 19 subdivisions. Both single-family detached homes and condominiums are on display. In addition to Winnipeg, there will be show homes in seven other cities and towns.
Quality, choice and affordability are all key components of each new home.
The Fall Parade of Homes has something for everyone. If you're 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 you could possibly be looking for is featured at the Fall 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 at the 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 Fall 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.
Come early and come often to the Fall Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Fall Parade of Homes set to deliver dreams
There has been a constant flurry of activity on south Waverley, south Lagimodiere, west off Plessis, the westerly extension of Leila, south of Kildare and throughout communities such as Stonewall and Oakbank. That flurry is the finishing touches being put on 100 new show homes in readiness for the 2011 Fall Parade of Homes.
The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is pleased to present this year's Fall Parade Sept. 17 through Oct. 8.
Close to 40,000 people are expected to visit the 100 Parade entries. We are pleased to be able to offer homes for viewing in 19 subdivisions.
Although most are in Winnipeg, this year's Parade also features new homes in Steinbach, Oakbank, Stonewall, LaSalle, Headingley, East St. Paul and Brandon. These new homes have been built by 35 new home builders, the best in their craft.
The MHBA Parade of Homes is the largest and most popular such event in Canada. The next largest similar Parade on record is 30 homes. It is the best attended, the longest-running and the most informative. Every builder with a home in the Parade welcomes the public to visit their show home and talk to the new home sales agent. They want questions and they want opinions.
The 100 homes in the Fall Parade represent the best in design and construction. Our city has the third oldest housing stock in Canada. When a Manitoba new home builder constructs a new home, he builds it to last.
Manitoba new homes are also the most energy efficient in Canada. Water conservation and energy efficiency are important considerations for these builders. MHBA member builders and suppliers keep abreast of the latest trends and techniques to ensure that every detail is the best available.
Each of the 100 show homes is unique. Be certain to ask about special features that make this house the right one for you. With such a wide selection available, you will undoubtedly be surrounded with outstanding ideas and concepts that will make the Fall Parade of Homes an enlightening and enjoyable experience.
Plan now to visit as many of the new show homes as possible. The dream home that you've been looking for is waiting for you at the 2011 Fall Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Love affair with well-built condominiums
APPARENTLY, pent-up home buying demand in the Waverley West area isn't confined to Bridgwater Forest and South Pointe.
As it's turned out, if you build condominiums -- build them well, in a prime location and at an attractive price point - home buyers will come, en masse.
"When we had our grand opening for Annex Condominiums in the spring, the response was unbelievable," said Karma Developments' Myles Kraut of the development, which will be located at Lee Boulevard and Barnes Street (off Bison Drive).
"Some people waited in line six hours to reserve a unit. We couldn't believe it."
The end result of the first offering of the condos -- one- and two-bedroom tower units that ranged in size from 720 square feet to 1,122 square feet plus 56 condominium bungalows (two- and three-bedroom) and 28 three- and four-bedroom town homes -- was that the 184 units sold out in about three weeks.
It was a response that prompted Kraut and his partner at Karma, Marc Kipnes, to move up the construction schedule for Annex's final phase.
"We didn't think we'd start the last tower for another year," Kipnes said. "But the demand is there -- in a big way -- so we're going to go ahead with it way ahead of schedule. It's going to be called Lumen Tower, and will have 112 units."
Over half those units will be the 720 sq. ft. one-bedroom plus den units that captured the imagination of buyers, he added.
"Everyone loved them. First, they couldn't believe the unit was only 720 sq. ft. in size, there was so much liveable space. They also loved the fact that you could get a brand new unit in a great location for under $200,000. A significant number of them will be under $200,000 in Lumen Tower."
As was the case with the first tower, each suite will come complete with an impressive collection of standard finishes. And as before, there will be no need to upgrade.
"Definitely, we will incorporate the same type of finishing materials in the Lumen Tower units -- maple shaker thermofoil cabinets, granite counter tops, ceramic backsplashes, stainless appliances, laminate hardwood floors and upgraded carpet," Kraut said.
"What you see is what you get. There will be no need to upgrade whatsoever -- our goal is to make the buying process as simple as possible."
The buildings will also be extremely well-built with ICF (insulated concrete form) walls and tri-pane windows that will ensure that interiors are comfortable and quiet. Thanks to nine-foot ceilings, as well as strategically-placed curtain wall glass, interiors also promise to be naturally bright. Layouts will be open-concept and have been designed to maximize available square footage.
"There will be absolutely little in the way of wasted space," said Newman, Greenberg & Associates' Barry Greenberg. "And the amenities will be impressive, too. There will be an internet cafe, communal patio and gym, as well as surface and underground parking. The surface parking will feature environmentally friendly permeable pavers.
"Most importantly, there will be no bidding wars -- simply come to the display centre (at 1325 Markham Rd.) to select your suite."
Kipnes said it will be worth the trip to come to Annex's grand opening for Lumen Tower suites on Sept. 10.
"We're going to have a special on that gives buyers a three-per-cent discount on whatever unit they choose -- a potential saving of up to $9,000," he said.
"This is an exciting time for us. We knew we had a good, value-packed product, but didn't expect such a strong response. On Sept. 10, buyers can not only reserve a new home at today's prices, but save some extra money. That's what we're all about -- providing buyers with well-built, value-packed homes."
Likewise, both Newman and Greenberg are excited about representing such a well-conceived project.
"We represent only the highest-quality projects," Greenberg said. "A lot of people want to live in the area, so we're taking care of a wide customer base. We're pleased to be filling a need with such an affordable, well-done project."
To learn more about Annex Condominiums, see www.annexcondos.ca or call 955-9898.
lewys@mts.net