New Homes
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.
New Homes
Everyone loves a (new homes) Parade
THE 2011 Spring Parade of Homes officially opens at noon today and runs through Sunday, March 27.
Due to popular demand, the Spring Parade has expanded from its customary two weeks to three. There simply wasn't enough time to see all of the terrific new styles and designs in only two weeks. The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is proud to present 95 new homes on display for everyone to enjoy.
Show home hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m.-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 various builders and suppliers. MHBA new home builders pride themselves on building the best new homes in Canada.
This year, 37 builders are featuring the finest new homes in 26 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 for each new home.
The Spring 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 that you could possibly be looking for is featured at the Spring Parade.
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.
A special feature of the 2011 Spring Parade of Homes will be the interactive discussion occurring on Facebook. Reviewers will be commenting about each home on the Parade of Homes site and we invite other Parade attendees to submit their comments and questions. You will also be able to follow live visits on Twitter.
Another new feature this year is the introduction of QR codes on homes that will allow you to see additional pictures or videos of the homes before or after you visit.
Come early and come often to the Spring Parade of Homes.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
CMHC projections encouraging for province
Last Tuesday, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation released its housing start projections for Canada and Manitoba for 2011 and 2012. The news was positive from a Canadian perspective and even better for Manitoba.
Looking at the national forecast, chief economist Bob Dugan called for a fairly healthy GDP and low unemployment rates. He called for mortgage rates to remain at or near their lowest levels in the past 50 years.
Dugan addressed the fact that although household debt has risen steadily, assets remain many times larger than debts. In addition, the costs associated with servicing debt are quite low compared to income. He reiterated that, in general, it remains a seller's market in Canada.
Regional economist Lai Sing Louie projected an optimistic outlook for the Manitoba economy. This included continued growth in the GDP and retail sales. He noted that our manufacturing sector was starting to rebound from the past few years, although agriculture was still struggling. Employment remains strong in the province and our positive net migration was paying off with an expanded workforce.
The resale market is projected to continue to be excellent with increases in sales for both 2011 and 2012. With strong financial returns in the resale market, buyers then have the enhanced opportunity to consider building a new home.
Market analyst Fang Quin noted that our city's unemployment rate was among the lowest in the country. Although non-residential building permit values declined slightly in 2010, residential permits skyrocketed.
Concerning the Winnipeg housing market outlook, senior market analyst Diane Himbault noted that resale was back on the rise after a slight dip in 2010 and that Winnipeg active listings were among the lowest throughout the Prairies, thereby enhancing the seller's market.
However, sales were expected to remain above the 10-year average. She projected that single family detached starts would continue to increase slightly in 2011 and 2012, absorptions would continue to keep pace with completions and there would continue to be an increase in the price of new homes, primarily due to the increase in cost of serviced land.
In conclusion, all indications point to a very busy next two years in trying to satisfy the increased demand for new housing and renovations in Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
March Madness in city brings it all home
Normally, when one thinks of March Madness, the NCAA basketball tournament comes to mind. All of the excitement and hoopla that goes with it creates a month-long buzz.
However, this year, all of the March buzz is going to be associated with homes, new homes and everything you need for homes.
The annual Spring Parade of Homes runs from March 5 through March 27 this year. Due to popular demand, an additional week was added to the Spring Parade. It seems it just wasn't possible to hit all the homes people wanted to see in only two weeks.
The Spring Parade has grown so much in recent years it is practically the same size as the Fall Parade. This year, there are 95 homes entered in the Parade, presented by 37 builders in 26 subdivisions.
Watch for your Parade magazine in a couple of weeks in the Winnipeg Free Press and at Steinbach Credit Unions. Stay tuned for information about exciting new features that are being added in this year's Parade.
Also in March, immediately after the Spring Parade of Homes, is the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. This is the largest consumer trade show in the city and features hundreds of exhibitors on all three floors of the convention centre.
Home Expressions starts on Thursday, March 31 and runs through Sunday, April 3. Whether you are looking at improving your home, yard, deck, garden or cottage, everything you need will be on display at the Home Expressions Show.
As a special bonus associated with Home Expressions this year, we are proud to present Mike Holmes, star of HGTV's Holmes on Homes. Mike will be speaking on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, sharing his insights and direct approach with what undoubtedly will be a sold-out venue.
Your ticket to see Holmes also gets you into the Home Expressions Show. Tickets are available at TicketMaster and RONA outlets.
With all of the home-related information you will be able to gather in March, you will be an expert in selecting your new home or making your current home look that much better. Then you can relax and watch that other March Madness final game on April 4.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
