New Homes
New Homes
Builders celebrate excellence at MHBA gala
More than 700 people attended the Manitoba Home Builders Association's annual Fall Parade of Homes Gala at the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Popular emcee Joe Aiello kept the evening lively with his humour and enthusiasm, handling the long lineup of awards like a pro.
The gold, silver and bronze prizes awarded in 30 categories were based on consumer judges grading homes on 21 different factors, with a possible 450 points in each category.
The tallies were extremely close, with many categories decided by one or two points -- not surprising when you consider that the judges were choosing among the best-designed, best-built and best-displayed new homes in Canada.
As MHBA president, I told the crowd that this year's showcase, the 33rd anniversary of the Fall Parade of Homes, was the largest such event in all of Canada. Almost 40,000 people visited the 131 homes that were featured in the Parade this year, making it one of the most popular ever.
Past chairs of the MHBA in attendance included Rubin Diamond, Vince Bueti, Derek Thorsteinson, Brian Contant, Bryan Klinkhammer and Diego Vassallo. It was truly a celebration in recognition of those people who have given so much to the association. John Lund, Laurence Rosenberg and Laurie Finley assisted in handing out the awards.
The first five categories were for condominiums, including two-storey side-by-sides, bungalows and apartment-style condos. The bulk of the awards were for single-family detached homes, with some fierce competition in 25 distinct categories. Award-winners came not only from Winnipeg, but also from Oakbank, Niverville, Stonewall, Elie, Oak Bluff, East St. Paul and Headingley.
Gold, silver and bronze recognition was handed out based on the number of entrants per category. To view all of the entries and the winners, visit the Manitoba Home Builders Association at www.homebuilders.mb.ca, Photos of all the homes are displayed along with a digital copy of the Fall Parade of Homes magazine.
And remember, the show homes that were featured in the Parade and honoured at the gala are still open for viewing.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Baby boomers hold sway over housing market
There is considerable discussion in Canada regarding housing prices, who is buying houses and where and what is the immediate future of the housing market.
Dealing with last issues first, there doesn't appear to be any end in sight for low mortgage rates and so the financial climate for buying will be favourable for a while. Canada is tightly allied to the U.S. economy and the situation south of the border indicates interest rates aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Initial forecasts were a freeze for this year with gradual increases in late 2014 and 2015; however, all bets are off now. Interest rates were not going to rise until unemployment rates hit 6.5 per cent and inflation stayed below 2.5 per cent. With the current government deadlock, any movement over time is likely to be slow and cautious
Add to this the fact Canadians are gradually increasing their personal savings rate throughout this year and we have a more stable management of their debt. Average monthly debt payments are dropping, deposits into investments are increasing and Canadians are increasing their mortgage payments. Delinquency and default rates have remained low for the past four years, indicating Canadians are successfully keeping their debt level under control.
It is no secret much of the wealth in Canada resides in the hands of the baby boomers, those born between 1945 and 1965. Although one may think this generation has had their day with the housing market, they continue to have considerable influence on it. As they age, many boomers seek to downsize as they become empty nesters. They may opt to travel more, thereby looking for less maintenance in their residence. The condo market then becomes particularly appealing as an option. Established walkable neighbourhoods with local amenities nearby also become more attractive to an aging population, thereby opening up newer neighbourhoods to echo-boomers, Gen Y and millennials.
If boomers choose to stay in their existing home for extended time periods, they will do so through renovations and upgrades that will allow them to access the various services they require. This then may delay putting their existing homes on the market, thereby necessitating urban boundary expansion in order to accommodate future generations, immigrants from other countries, migrants from other provinces and those looking to upgrade from their current housing status. However, we must remember, given that boomer birth was spread over 20 years, boomer retirement and housing shifts will likely also be spread over 20 years.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association
New Homes
Master DESIGN
The moment you walk in to the master suite at 32 Casselman Cres., you notice something is different.
The design team at Paradigm Custom Homes chose to take a new angle on the bedroom's design.
"We wanted to do something different, so we put the bedroom on a 45-degree angle," explained Paradigm's Jeff Baertsoen.
"The angle gives you a nice view of the deck and backyard (and) when you are out back enjoying the deck, you have a good degree of privacy. You're not looking directly at the home across from you, and they're not looking back at you," he said.
The deck Baertsoen mentions is accessed via patio doors on the angled back wall, which has also been outfitted with two large windows.
The result of that design is access to the deck off the master suite and all kinds of natural light in addition to a virtually unobstructed view of the private backyard.
"Our goal was to make the master suite not only different, but as relaxing as possible," he added.
"To add to the different design flavour, we put barn doors on the walk-in closet. With the ensuite, we created a spa-like space that has lots of room to move. It has a seven-foot shower (tempered-glass enclosure with tan/taupe striated tile), a marble floor and split dual vanity with black granite countertop and a rift oak vanity that offers tons of storage."
The master suite is a mini version of the great room, which was likewise set on a 45-degree angle.
It's rear wall has been filled with glass in the form of patio doors and a three-piece picture window next to the dining area, another huge picture window on the family room's rear wall, plus a large window over the kitchen sink.
"Because the home is built on a wide lot (97 feet wide), it allowed us to do a number of things. I think the biggest thing the width allowed us to do was sprawl the bungalow out. The result is a huge great room and a long rear wall. All the glass maximizes the view out back, and lets in tons of light," said Baertsoen.
"As the landscaping matures, the views out back from the master suite and great room are going to be awesome."
Not only does the great room's angled design create a different look, it also lends itself to creating well-defined spaces. A trio of design features defines the family room: a tray ceiling with a dark-stained pine centre, a rain glass wall inserted into a planter-style unit filled with grey and white glass tile and a bannister (with rain glass insert) that demarcates the lower level stairwell next to the rear wall.
Meanwhile, the island with seating for three and five-foot aisles on either side define the kitchen, while the dinette occupies an angled area next to the patio doors, a picture window and built-in hutch.
Baertsoen said the goal was to make the area as functional and fashionable as possible.
"It really lends itself well to entertaining," he said. "Little things like making the island just the right size and wide aisles make it easy to move around, while the finishes: espresso white rift oak cabinets, granite (brown/black) countertops, grey glass tile backsplash and solid sawn, distressed (engineered) oak hardwoods make for a nice, warm interior feel.
Little touches, such as a pantry with roll-out drawers next to a mudroom off the garage (the area also houses a laundry room), make it easy to bring groceries in to unload."
Then, two features ramp up the great room's functionality and wow factor.
"If you notice, there are no outlets on the backsplash walls. We mounted them above under the cabinets for a nice, clean look," added Baertsoen.
"And the rift oak entertainment unit with cultured-stone surround and 54-inch ribbon-style fireplace add a touch of panache that nicely complements the hardwoods and tray ceiling in the family room."
Although 32 Casselman doesn't feature a walk-out lower level, Paradigm's design team came up with a way to give it a bright, walk-out feel: They placed the lower level stairwell next to the three-piece picture window on the family room's rear wall.
"We positioned the stairs by the window to allow as much light as possible to filter down into the basement. It's an area with a lot of living space (1,650 sq. ft. of liveble space, to be exact) that was designed for recreation, entertainment and liveability."
A collection of huge windows injects loads of sunlight into the rec room, while as a ribbon fireplace set in cultured stone next to a dark rift oak entertainment unit carry the main level's panache downstairs.
A games area, media area and wet bar make the rec room a great spot to entertain, while a massive fourth bedroom and three-piece bath make it an ideal place for a privacy-starved teen (or guest) to hang out in style.
"We're really happy with how the home turned out," said Baertsoen. "The floor plan functions well on both levels, the finishes look incredible and there's all kinds of space (3,800 sq. ft.). You can't ask for much more than that."
lewys@mts.net
New Homes
Fall Parade of Homes drawing large crowds
The comfortable weather of the past two weeks has brought thousands of visiotrs to the Fall Parade of Homes. On the second weekend, sales agents reported that individuals were lined up outside the door in anticipation of visiting their home. The absolutely fantastic weather throughout the rest of the week ensured attendance stayed strong. It looks like this year's Parade will be one of the largest ever.
Sales representatives showing the 131 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 remain available. Recent announcements of continued low rates throughout Manitoba, Canada and North America perpetuate assurance that now is an ideal time to buy a new home. 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.
Manitobans are more energy conscious than people in other provinces. This is particularly true of those considering moving from their older home to a new home. Technology improves every year and, although Manitoba new homes have been the most energy efficient in Canada for a number of years, they still continue to get better. Many 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.
Just a reminder: If you don't know, don't be afraid to ask. Show home representatives have a wealth of information and, if they don't immediately know the answer, they can find out and get back to you.
Remember, the 2013 Fall Parade of Homes continues through Sunday, October 6. Show homes are open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
