By Lanny McInnes
The 2018 Spring Parade of Homes is well underway!
The winter storm which gave Manitoba a wallop held off until late Sunday, allowing visitors to head out during the first weekend of the spring parade and visit many of the great show homes on display. For the benefit of parade veteran and rookie attendees, the Manitoba Home Builders Association (MHBA) once again offers the following tried and true tips:
Wear comfortable slip-on shoes
There are more than 135 stunning new homes available to visit in this spring’s parade. Although you likely won’t get to all of them, you will find yourself trying to get to as many as possible.
Most of the new neighbourhoods have multiple homes being shown, so you will probably park in one location and walk to all of the homes in that area.
Upon entering each new home, you must take off your street shoes in order to walk through and tour the home.
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.
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, make sure you look for additional homes along the way to visit. Many of the locations are in close proximity to each other and it’s easy to get to a number of them in one tour. Bring along your Parade Magazine, or follow the listings on your smartphone.
Visit different neighbourhoods
Finding the right home layout and design is extremely important when deciding to build a new home, but so is finding the neighbourhood that’s right for you. The parade is a great chance to explore our newest communities and developments. Each one has unique features and amenities. Ask the agents about the community’s development plan. Visiting multiple neighbourhoods also lets you see a wider variety of show homes, too.
Don’t Forget the one-offs
While the parade features a variety in neighbourhoods with multiple show homes for viewing, make sure you visit those areas with a single, or just a few listings. 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. These individuals possess a wealth of knowledge, and will make your visit interesting and informative.
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 detail.
You can visit each home as often as you want, so as not to miss a thing. It’s all about what interests you. Follow the MHBA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and see each of the homes featured in the parade. Watch for #PARADEOFHOMESMB on social media for show-home profiles, pictures and great contests!
Enjoy the 2018 Spring Parade of Homes!