New Homes
New Homes
Catch the specials at Home Expressions Show
TODAY and Sunday are the final two days for the 2011 Home Expressions Show, presented by Rona. Over 20,000 people annually visit this must-see event and this year's crowds have been no exception to date.
All three floors of the Winnipeg Convention Centre are filled with the latest innovations for the home and garden. There are over 600 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 show is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
It's a tremendous way to spend a weekend as there is no shortage of things to see. The spring weather that we have been enjoying has caused us to start thinking about repairs, renovations and outdoor work. In addition to the various exhibitor booths, there are informative stage presentations on the hour.
Last night, Mike Holmes, star of Holmes on Homes, entertained and informed a large crowd assembled in the Delta ballroom with his stories and sage advice. Don't miss his last appearance today at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at TicketMaster in the Convention Centre and your Mike Holmes ticket gets you full access to Home Expressions.
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 a variety of options for your home needs. Others may say that they are presenting 'show-class specials', but there is only one true place where the real show specials exist -- --the Winnipeg Convention Centre this weekend.
The 2011 Spring Parade of Homes ended last Sunday but you still have plenty of opportunity to revisit those fantastic show homes that you saw during the three weeks of Parade. The weather was absolutely perfect this year and Manitobans responded in kind as record crowds visited 95 new homes by 37 builders in 26 subdivisions.
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, salespeople 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.
Create your own personal Parade by visiting some of the homes that you weren't able to get to the past three weeks and revisit those that intrigued you but required more viewing time. The 2011 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
Mike Holmes coming to Home Expressions
SO you've just spent the past three weeks touring show homes during the Spring Parade of Homes. You now have a wide variety of ideas for your new dream home or an even wider variety of ideas regarding how to turn your existing home into a dreamier one.
However, you don't know where to go or who to see to make your dreams reality. Look no further than the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show.
Home Expressions is taking place March 31 through April 3 on all three floors of the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The show is packed with over 360 exhibitors, --the largest and most comprehensive such show in the province.
The list is too long for this column, but let's just say that anything you need for inside your home, your yard, garden or cottage will be on display at Home Expressions.
The Garden Court on the third floor will feature flowers, trees and shrubs, all placed in a beautiful and natural environment complete with water features, landscaping and paving designs. Don't miss the always popular Designer's Row on the first floor.
The second-floor Lifestyle Stage will present a wide variety of speakers on the hour, giving you expert advice on many interesting topics.
Speaking of interesting speakers talking about your home, does it get any bigger or better than Mike Holmes? The star of HGTV's Holmes on Homes will be in Winnipeg as part of Home Expressions, doing two presentations open to the public.
The first is Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m. and the second is Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m. Both are in the second-floor ballroom of the Delta Hotel, conveniently attached by indoor walkway to the convention centre. What is even more special is that your $20 admission ticket to see Mike Holmes also gets you into Home Expressions.
If the timing of Mike's presentations doesn't fit your schedule, you can come to Home Expressions for the low admission of $12. Tickets are available in advance at Rona stores or through TicketMaster at the door.
All the home and garden products and services you will need are on display at Home Expressions March 31-April 3 at the convention centre. Why drive all over town when everything is under one roof?
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Latest and greatest home designs on display
THE Spring Parade of Homes has started with a bang with tremendous interest being shown. 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; just a couple of tips to maximize your enjoyment of the Parade of Homes. 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 95 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, so you will probably park in one location and walk to all of the homes in that neighbourhood. 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 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 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. That hidden gem might just be your next new home.
Talk to the agents
The sales agents know their show homes. Ask them about --unique features, energy savings, specific materials and what makes this particular home special. These individuals are a wealth of knowledge and, in the event 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 small detail. Enjoy the 2011 Spring Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
