Tips to enjoy the Fall Parade of Homes

By Lanny McInnes
Date Posted: September 30, 2023

The 2023 Fall Parade of Homes is on now! Over the past week, people have been visiting the many show homes on display in communities across Manitoba. Our members have once again worked incredibly hard to be ready to welcome you to their show homes and neighbourhoods during this year’s Fall Parade!

Here are some tried and true tips from the Manitoba Home Builders Association on the how to make the most of your time visiting our great show homes:

Wear comfortable slip-on shoes

There are 120 stunning new homes available to visit in this Fall’s Parade. Most of the new neighbourhoods have multiple homes on display and so you will probably park in one location and walk to all the homes in that area. You must remove your street shoes to tour the home, so 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 locations are close to each other and it’s easy to get to several of them in one tour. Bring along your Parade Magazine or follow the listings on your smart phone.

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. 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.

Don’t forget the one-offs

While the Parade features a variety of 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 are a wealth of knowledge.

Communities under construction

As you’ll see when you visit the Parade show homes, there is a lot of construction activity still taking place. Builders and developers have been challenged by servicing delays, product shortages, and labour shortages. This means new home construction is taking longer than in previous years and construction season is still in full swing. Please be patient and cautious should there be construction activity taking place nearby during your visit. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you in advance for your understanding.

Have Fun

The Parade of Homes is unique chance to 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 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!

Lanny McInnes is president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.

Lanny McInnes is the President & CEO of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.