Qualico finding that today's new home buyers know just what they want -- and they usually want it right now
By G.C. Cabana-Coldwell
Attention new home buyers: there's never been a better time to do some serious house hunting.
Not that potential purchasers need much encouragement, local housing experts say. With mortgage rates remaining low and new home selection at an all-time high, more Winnipeggers than ever are expected to visit the many show homes in this year's Fall Parade of Homes.
"It seems that everybody's in the home buying market right now," agrees Ken Braun, Single Family Division manager with the Qualico Group of Companies.
"Three years ago, we sold about 250 new single-family homes a year; now we do about 350. With mortgage rates as good as they are, and many down payment restrictions lifted, the home buying market has grown faster than we anticipated.
"As well, attractive mortgage rates mean many home buyers decide to put the cost of the upgrades they want into their mortgages as well. Today's buyers are loading their homes up totally long before they move in. The days of scrimping and saving to do these things yourself at some point down the road are gone," Mr. Braun says.
A proven leader in single family home construction since 1951, the Qualico Group of Companies began as a Winnipeg-based construction firm and has since grown into a multi-faceted company, offering well-built housing in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Not only has Qualico welcomed almost 50,000 Western Canadians 'home' in the last five decades, but it has consistently captured more than one-third of the new home market share in Winnipeg for the last several years.
The Single Family division offers four different home lines, each with its own distinctive price ranges, square footage and design options.
It will feature 11 show homes in the 2004 Fall Parade of Homes.
The one and two storey dwellings -- representing the Broadview, Qualico, Sterling and Foxridge Executive lines -- will showcase their own unique décors and customizable options. They range in size from 1,200 to 2,800 square feet and can be found in the city's most highly desirable neighbourhoods.
Although the southern part of Winnipeg has been and remains a hotbed of new home activity for first-time purchasers, the type of home they're buying has changed over the years, says Dave Manveiler, Sales Manager for Qualico's Single Family Division.
"It used to be that young couples traditionally bought what you would call a basic small starter home, but not now. More and more, we see them buying bigger homes, with more amenities, their first time out. "And while some older couples, whose kids have moved out, do downsize and buy something smaller, just as many upgrade into a larger home. There are no hard and fast rules anymore."
Still, there are design trends and certain amenities that new home buyers want their house to have right from day one, such as great rooms, hardwood floors and maple cabinetry. But equally interesting is the fact that more first-time purchasers are having pricey options such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades completed to their basic dwelling prior to possession date.
"We're seeing lots of new home buyers having their home's lower level basement developed and finished, for example, before they move in," Mr. Manveiler says. "The same with adding deluxe ensuites.
"People are spending more money inside their homes than ever before. And they're doing it right off the bat instead of waiting. The convenience of doing it then is that you can move right in to exactly the home you've always wanted and everything is done."
"We're definitely seeing more of those types of requests, as well as oversized garage packages which are becoming very popular," Mr. Braun agrees.
"But, as well, people are interested in pre-wiring option packages for home theatre components and computer controlled centres. Even if that technology isn't a big part of their lives now, home buyers know it will be in the future. So they factor that into their home design and into their financing.
"People are making their homes very useable and a relaxing place to live in and escape to, especially in cases where both partners work outside the home."
Mr. Braun estimates that such a technology package can cost up to $10,000 for those who want built-in speakers, related components, computers and security options added to a basic design. Fully developing a basement can add as much as $20,000 to a home's price tag, depending on the design complexity and materials. With today's new home buyers being more knowledgeable than ever before, they come to the design table knowing exactly the kinds of features they want in their castle. And that includes their home's exterior, Mr. Braun says.
"New home buyers are moving away from the standard stucco finishing, that basic white with black trim. There's a lot of personalization going on today because people want their homes to be unique.
"So you're seeing brightly coloured front doors, for instance, and many front garages being moved to the back of a home to make way for the addition of a porch."
"People are more transient now than ever before," Mr. Braun adds. "They've lived in other centres and had different options in a home they would like incorporated into their new home here.
"We can often integrate their ideas into a home's design plan and will do that when possible," he says, adding that new home buyers can work with Qualico's design consultant Debbie Heuchert to ensure their abode has the look and feel that's right for them.
While many new home exteriors are being brightened up with brick, cultured stone and vinyl siding, or some combination of the three, both vibrant and earthy colour palates are becoming the norm where exterior finishes are concerned.
"All Qualico developments feature architectural controls so that homes can be individualized without disturbing the look of the streetscape," Mr. Braun says. "We realize that people don't want 'cookie cutter' housing where every place looks the same, but we also know that home buyers are looking for the area or street to have a certain feel." "Today's home buyer expects a home to have more and they're not prepared to settle for much less," Mr. Braun says.
"It's a different generation out there looking -- they are already used to a certain type of home and want at least that. They also want to have input into what the home has and how it looks and they're not scared of mortgaging, if they have to, to make that happen."
Here's a sneak peek into two of Qualico's Single-Family Division offerings in this fall's Parade of Homes.
WHERE: Broadview Home located at 19 Golden Eagle Drive in East Kildonan.
WHAT: This 'Edgemont' bungalow design offers two or three bedroom plans, with a main floor laundry, vaulted ceilings and a cornered main entrance leading into a carpeted living room/formal dining room area. The living/kitchen area on the main floor has dropped moulded edging on the walls, which is perfect for displaying home décor items and plants. Eat-in kitchen has patio doors opening onto the backyard; buttercream yellow walls are accented by white cabinetry with brushed chrome accents and fixtures; features full walk-in pantry and counter backsplash in a rough-looking beige sand tile. An attached garage and roughed-in basement complete the design.
SIZE: From 1,200 square feet.
WHERE: Foxridge Executive home, located
at 55 Linden Ridge Drive.
WHAT: The 'Augusta' two-storey home features an open plan that accommodates four bedrooms, a formal living/dining room, main floor laundry and den, and a spacious family room/kitchen in the great room tradition. The show home's colour palate of wood flooring, rich mocha-shaded walls and plush carpeting enhances the warm, intimate expansiveness of this layout.
Two main floor features are the winding staircase to the upper level and the family room's stone fireplace, framed with bookcases. Custom-stained maple cabinets, wet bar, large walk-in pantry and working island complete the eat-in kitchen.
SIZE: 2,537 square foot home, with 1,407 square feet on the main floor and 1,130 square feet on the second floor.
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