LOCAL HOMEBUILDERS AMONG AWARD FINALISTS
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) recently announced finalists for the 2017 National Awards for Housing Excellence and Edmonton-based builders are well represented, with 12 nominations in nine categories.
Streetside Developments and Vicky’s Homes led the local contenders with three nominations apiece. Streetside’s Altius Crystallina Essek was named a finalist in the Attached Homes under 1,500 square feet category, and the company has two nominees vying for the award for Attached Homes Mid-to-High-Rise Condominium or Apartment Units under 1,000 square feet.
Vicky’s Homes continues to garner recognition on the national stage, picking up nominations in the Detached Homes — One-storey Bungalow category for its Venzo model, as well as Detached Homes — 2,201 to 2,500 square feet for its Valenzio model. The company was also named a finalist in the Print Promotion category.
“These awards are about excellence and recognizing the very best in Canadian new homes, home renovations, community development and marketing across Canada,” said Kevin Lee, CHBA CEO. “With so many exciting and innovative projects to choose from it was a challenging task, and it took a practical army of judges from coast to coast to do it justice.”
Park Royal Homes was named a finalist for Detached Homes – Custom 2,501 to 3,500 square feet. Brookfield Residential is nominated for a Community Development Award for The Orchards development in south Edmonton, as well as Best Website. Marketing award nominations also went to Pacesetter Homes in the Electronic Promotion category and Homes by Avi, which received two finalist nods for Print Promotion.
The awards will be presented at the CHBA’s National Conference on Friday, May 12 in St. John’s, N.L.
According to the Realtors Association of Edmonton, the local market is picking up as the snow melts. In March, 1,474 MLS-listed properties sold in the Edmonton area, which is an increase of 31.8 per cent over February 2017, and an increase of 1.8 per cent relative to March 2016. New listings totalled 3,080 during March, rising 26.7 per cent compared to February 2017 and 1.4 per cent year-over-year.
“We generally see activity in the housing market start to increase at this time of year,” said James Mabey, chair of the Realtors Association of Edmonton, in a news release.
“Buyers can look forward to more inventory to choose from and sellers can count on more buyers in the marketplace.”
Average prices increased in each residential category compared to February 2017. The average unit sales price was $371,680, up 3.1 per cent. The average price of a singlefamily home was $439,139, representing an increase of 3 per cent, while duplexes and rowhouses increased 0.41 per cent, to an average sale price of $348,806. Relative to March 2016, the average selling price of a single-family home increased 0.49 per cent, and the average selling price of a duplex/ rowhouse increased 3.2 per cent.
Recognized for providing an exceptional customer experience, a handful of Edmonton-based homebuilders recently received Home Owner Mark of Excellence (H.O.M.E.) Awards, presented by CustomerInsight. The awards are split into three categories:
Best Customer Experience: New homebuyers rated their builder twice, 30 days post-possession and 13 months post-possession. Builder of Choice: Builders evaluated by their trade partners and employees, as well as new homebuyers.
Best Trade Partner: Residential builder partners rated their trades on their workmanship, quality, reliability, warranty, and customer service.
“H.O.M.E. is a difficult achievement for companies because the only judge in these awards is the voice of the customer, trades and internal employees,” said Christian Caswell, CustomerInsight president and CEO. “Builders must deliver on their promises and follow through on one-year obligations to the customer. For the Builder of Choice, the company must also have employees and trade partners who have been treated as ‘part of the team’ — not an easy task.”
Jacob’s Homes, Morrison Homes, and Homes by Avi were recognized in the Best Customer Experience single-family division, while multi-family awards went to Lincolnberg Communities and Streetside developments. Winnipeg-based Star Building Supplies won Best Trade Partner, and Lincolnberg Homes received a Builder of Choice award.