New Homes
New Homes
Start me up! Housing starts sweet music
WINNIPEG, our province and Canada all experienced significant increases in housing starts last month, a considerable improvement over January 2009.
According to preliminary data released by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Winnipeg increased from 128 starts last year to 248 this year. Although that represents a staggering 94 per cent increase, one needs to step back and realize that it's one month and 120 homes. However, you can't but feel optimistic at this point.
Provincially, we saw 263 starts last month as opposed to 140 in January, 2009, an increase of 88 per cent. This trend was evident right across the Prairies as Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. all had positive months. Overall, Canadian starts increased by 40 per cent in January.
Of course, some areas of the country were hit very hard in 2009 and this turnaround represents a long, slow climb back to acceptable levels. However, in Manitoba, this was not of the same scale. Our provincial starts for recession-filled 2009 ended at 4,174, up from earlier projections that could have had us fall below 4,000.
Excellent weather late into the fall and positive sales the last half of the year allowed us to exceed expectations. Although this number represented a noticeable decline from recent banner years, Manitobans did not experience nearly the economic impact of the massive declines in housing starts in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
So, what do all of these statistics mean? First, it's just one month and typically a colder, slower month. The 'glass half-empty' crowd will take a wait-and-see approach and not read too much into the situation. They will point to an increase in the multi-family sector carrying the load. The 'glass half-full' crowd will rejoice at the good news, noting that the single-family detached sector is solid while the multi-family sector appears rejuvenated.
It may be just one month but, in any activity, a good start is important. The residential construction market is critical to Manitoba's economy and, hopefully, January is a sign of things to come.
No one is anticipating increases of this magnitude every month, but it certainly looks like Manitoba is once again taking the slow-but-sure approach to economic stability and prosperity.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Residential building crucial to the economy
For years, the weekend Homes section of the Free Press has espoused the benefits of the residential construction industry. Both new-home construction and renovations are featured on a weekly basis, with numerous articles, features and listings.
However, although one appreciates the design talent and craftsmanship that goes into a new home or a terrific renovation, seldom do we think of the major role that the industry plays in our economy.
In 2009, the MMM Group prepared an economic-impact study which demonstrated the importance of residential construction to both the Manitoba and Winnipeg markets. The results were startling.
The study found 20,723 Manitoba jobs an $853 million in wages can be directly tied to residential construction. The $2.415-billion value of new housing, residential renovations and other expenditures accounts for six per cent of Manitoba's GDP.
The study demonstrated what the industry had long known -- that residential construction is a major contributor to the welfare of our local economies.
However, it goes much deeper than that. The study showed governments rely on the residential construction industry to generate tremendous publis revenues:
* $170.1 million: total personal income taxes
* $128.7 million: --total GST revenue
* $73.7 million: --total PST revenue
* $77.2 million: total CPP premiums
* $35.8 million: total Employment Insurance premiums
In addition, in 2008, new-home construction generated $2,958,102 to the City of Winnipeg in permit fees and $10,191,780 in property taxes.
The purpose of citing these staggering numbers is not solely to demonstrate how much the residential construction industry contributes to the local economy, but also to highlight the ramifications of a sudden downturn in the industry.
New-home construction is now on the upswing, but renovations may experience a bit of a decline if Ottawa does not renew the Home Renovation Tax Credit.
It's imperative that the various levels of government do not enact punitive legislation that will impair the progress of residential construction and reduce the industry's economic contributions. Otherwise, governments will have to look elsewhere to find these funds and remember, there's only one taxpayer and it is all of us.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Traditional favourites return to kitchen, bath and renovation show
Saturday and Sunday are the last two days of the Kitchen Bath & Renovation Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The show runs today from 10 a.m. 9 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. If Friday's crowds are any indication, this may be the most popular Kitchen & Bath Show in recent memory.
All of the traditional favourites have returned. The FloForm booth has become bigger and better. As the presenting sponsor, they have expanded their booth to include every possible example of quality countertop surface available.
President Ted Sherritt has secured Cambria spokesperson Cheryl Tiegs for this year's show. She will be in the FloForm booth today from noon to 2 p.m. At 2, Cheryl joins HGTV's Jim Caruk on the Winnipeg Free Press Lifestyle Stage. Jim will also be doing presentations Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
There are a variety of popular returnees that make the show a success every year. Stalwart Appliances by Design, Krevco Lifestyles, Polar Ray O Max Windows, M Concept and Kitchen Craft present not only the products that have remained popular every year with Manitoba consumers but also to introduce their new lines for this year.
The Kitchen Bath & Renovation Show welcomes Norcraft Canada and Home and Renovation Masters, just two of the many new exhibitors at the show this year, while welcoming back Curtis Carpets. Every year, the Kitchen Bath & Renovation Show is able to balance the long-standing excellence of established participants with those coming in for the first time.
Manitoba Hydro will again be assisting consumers with energy saving techniques that are certain to save money. Their staff works very closely with the Ask A Renovator and Ask A Decorator experts to give you the best advice to make you Power Smart.
Tickets for the grand prize are being sold by volunteers from Variety the Children's Charity of Manitoba. For just a toonie, you can win the Ultimate Laundry Room valued at $9,000 and generously donated by Stalwart Appliances and FloForm.
The Kitchen Bath & Renovation Show is on all weekend, so don't miss your chance to see all of Manitoba's best suppliers located conveniently in one place.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
CORRECTION
A new homes story published Jan. 9 said wrongly that the Oxbow on the Seine Condominiums are located on St. Mary’s Road. In fact, they are on St. Anne’s Road. As well, the project design has now changed to five storeys from four. For more information, go to www.OxbowCondos.com
New Homes
Big show will offer countless ideas, answers
There's plenty of drawing power for this year's Kitchen, Bath & Renovation Show, which takes place Jan. 22-24 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The show runs from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
First, of course, are the exhibitors -- 100 booths to visit on the third floor. Whether you're in the design stage, looking to create more space, restoring a unique feature or committed to a full-scale renovation, everything you need is on display.
There are exhibitors that can help you with your kitchen, bathroom, basement, exterior, bedroom, attic and rec room. Experts are on hand to assist you with not only changing your home but also your lifestyle so you can enjoy your home more. Water and energy-efficiency information is abundant.
Of course, the Kitchen, Bath & Renovation Show has celebrities to present ideas and concepts to you and to answer your questions. Master contractor Jim Caruk will be there to talk about projects he's masterminded over the past 30 years and share stories from his highly rated HGTV shows Real Renos and Handyman Superstar Challenge. Jim will be on the Winnipeg Free Press Lifestyles Stage Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
FloForm Countertops is this year's title sponsor of the show and it is proud to present Cambria spokeswoman Cheryl Tiegs. Although Cheryl may be best-known as a supermodel featured in Vogue, Glamour and Sports Illustrated, she's also a 'green living' advocate who is passionate about sustainability.
We urge everyone to meet Cheryl at the FloForm booth Friday from 6-7 p.m. and Saturday from noon-2 p.m. She will also join Jim Caruk on stage at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The final group of stars are the Manitoba Home Builders' Association RenoMark renovators who will be available for free consultations throughout the show. You can book a free 15-minute consultation by going online at www.kitchenandbathshow.com. Representatives of the Canadian Decorators' Association are also available for free 15-minute appointments by clicking on the same site.
So save yourself weeks or months of driving to dozens of locations to see what's available. It's all here under one roof at the Kitchen, Bath & Renovation Show.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association