Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/161409
Women in Construction Lori Thorsteinson >> Lori Thorsteinson brings a special expertise to her role as sales and marketing manager of Loren Realty and Parkhill Homes. As a real estate broker, she's always up to speed on new developments in the housing market. Thorsteinson had already built a successful career in finance when her husband, Derek, became part owner of a building business and suggested she try selling homes. "I'm an ex-banker, and on my portfolio at the bank, I had real estate agents and brokers, so it seemed to be kind of a natural progression," she says. "Although going straight commission was a little scary, I've never looked back." That was 24 years ago, and she is still happy to be partnered with her husband at Parkhill Homes. "It's been really exciting. We're building homes, and it's got to be one of the most exciting things to do." Sales & Marketing Manager Loren Realty & Parkhill Homes Thorsteinson says men and women bring different perspectives to the planning process — as builders and as buyers. She has observed that often, men come in building a house, whereas women come in building a home. "Men seem be more into the material end. Women are deeper into the whole big picture." 'It's been really exciting. We're building homes, and it's got to be one of the most exciting things to do.' He might think the garage is important. She might want a particular type of range. But at the end of the day, they're working toward the same goal. "That kind of thing happens back and forth. So I think women in the business bring a bit more understanding and a bit more empathy in that respect, just in understanding function and relating better to some of the items. "We take our clients and walk through the whole thing with them, and that's what I enjoy." Parkhill Homes is presenting three show homes in the Fall Parade of Homes, including a stunning 2,200-squarefoot bungalow walk-out in Headingley's Deer Pointe Park. The Craftsman-look house at 146 Deer Pointe Dr. has many of the features typically found in Parkhill homes, along with a few enticing extras. There's an ensuite off the master bedroom at the back of the house, which faces the golf course, and Thorsteinson says everybody likes the heated ceramic tile for winter and the spa-like features. "In this one, there is a soaker tub with a big custommade shower with tile because there is a hot tub going outside. The water closet is separate." An all-season sunroom with heated ceramic floors is accessible from the kitchen nook and the master bedroom, and there's a two-sided fireplace between the sunroom and master bedroom. Cont'd on page 34 Parade of Homes Fall 2013 33