Homeowners often do not realize that their property truly extends beyond the home itself and that investing in making your outdoor spaces both functional and visually appealing can add to it’s overall value. Just think how desirable it is for you and your family to enjoy the extra space and lifestyle options that a landscaped property can provide. Potential buyers will also appreciate this added bonus.

So what are some things you may wish to consider… garages, decks, children’s play structures / playhouses, pergolas, gazebos, raised garden beds, sunrooms and the list goes on. Note - When it comes to investing in a pool, whether in-ground or above-ground, consider first if it’s a priority for you and if it meets your lifestyle needs. A pool should not be viewed as an investment. There are ‘pool people’ and ‘non-pool people’. In terms of resale,  there are buyers who would view a pool as a desirable feature picturing themselves, family and friends enjoying time lazing by the pool or hosting fun-filled summer pool parties. However,  there are an equal number of people who would look at a pool as a detraction to a property they were considering. These people might be thinking about upkeep costs, safety, maintenance work and in the case of an in-ground pool, how much it would cost to refill it and lay down sod. A deck generally provides a good return on investment as it is more universally desirable as an added extension of a home’s useable space. Most decks require city / municipal permits to authorize the build so ensure you review all guidelines and requirements before starting a deck project. Another important consideration is deck material… will you consider a composite which may have a higher upfront costs but lower maintenance costs in the future. Whether you have a deck or are considering adding one it’s important to remember that the deck needs to be properly maintained, regular cleaned and stained (if wood) to ensure it remains structurally sound and visibly appealing. The same advice applies to gardens - before adding a garden determine your lifestyle and priorities. A large garden / extensive landscaping will require ongoing maintenance. If you are not wanting to spend time daily in the garden perhaps planters may be a better option?

Overall, well-maintained yards with attractive features add to a homes value and appeal. Therefore, consider it a worthwhile investment for your personal enjoyment and if the upgrades are done properly and maintained regularly, an added return when the time comes to sell. 

Have any questions about outdoor or indoor space upgrade options or if you’re thinking ahead about preparing your property for sale please feel free to reach out to me anytime. It’s never to early to prepare for a future sale even if you’re not ready to move. The earlier you begin planning ways to improve your property and increase your investment, the more likely your home will sell at the best price in the shortest amount of time. Feel free to reach out to me anytime for a consultation. I’ve worked with homeowners months and years ahead to prepare for a sale with successful results. 

In September 2024 the federal government announced a few mortgage reforms that will help make mortgages more affordable for Canadians and put home ownership within reach: 

1. Increasing the $1 million price cap for insured mortgages to $1.5 million effective Dec.15, 2024. This will help more Canadians qualify for a mortgage with a downpayment below 20%.

2. Expanding eligibility for 30 yr mortgage amortizations to all first-time homebuyers and to all buyers of new builds effective Dec. 15, 2024.  This measure will help reduce the cost of mortgage payments and help more Canadians buy a home. 

3. Allow all insured mortgage holders to switch lenders at renewal without being subject to another mortgage stress test. Not having to qualify when renewing with a different lender increases mortgage competition and enables more Canadians, with insured mortgages, to switch to the best cheapest deal. 

So you’ve found the perfect house but it needs upgrades or a garage and you don’t have the available funds. If this is the case you may wish to consider a Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage Option. This mortgage includes anything that materially increases the value of the home. Here’s the list - kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, removal of non-structural walls, interior & exterior doors, new roof, electrical, plumbing, windows, basement renovations, garage build, landscaping, insulation etc. So with this new information in hand your options have just become much more plentiful and the odds have improved that you will truly find your dream home sooner. Contact me for details. 

As I’ve blogged about in the past, it’s really important for homebuyers to have their own representation so that their interests can be properly protected.  If there’s any bumps in the road - and there often is with a transaction as large and complicated as a home sale, a Buyer’s Agent has the knowledge, expertise and skills to help you navigate the process. A deal can easily fall apart when information is lacking and emotions are strong on either or both the sellers’ and buyers’ side. As a real estate agent, I work hard to help you achieve your goals and do all I can to educate and provide important resources and ongoing support from beginning to end and beyond. In many  challenging situations it is the real estate agent who saves the day and mediates on behalf of their clients. I link my clients to needed experts and we all work together as a team to achieve success. When it comes to possibly the biggest purchases of your life trust an expert to protect you. The added bonus is that you have gained another lifetime friend and ally. I love helping my clients and in so doing, trusting friendships and strong bonds are formed. Thinking of a home purchase? Give me a call and I’d be happy to provide you with guidance for getting started on this exciting journey. 

So excited to host this special viewing event at 7 Heartstone Drive. A lovely home in an ideal location. 

All markets are local and this infographic is evidence of this fact. April was an active month in the Winnipeg real estate market. The average detached single family home price for the month of April was $436,535. This is a 7% increase from April 2023. The overall yearly average for single detached homes is $418,284. There was a sale price  increase across the board - single family residential detached, residential attached and condominiums. Winnipeg is still an affordable market compared to many major Canadian cities but for those considering selling a property it’s definitely a good time. On a personal note, I’m seeing bidding wars making a comeback but not to the same extent as during the Covid years. Inventory is still low but with the 2024 Spring Market now in full swing it’s hopeful that there will be more properties to choose from perhaps letting a bit of steam out of a highly competitive market.

In order to navigate this active market successfully, it really helps to rely on the knowledge and experience of a real estate agent. As a dedicated professional I provide my clients with the peace of mind that they are receiving all of the latest up-to-date. detailed information to make an informed, confident decision. I love doing research on behalf of my clients, providing them with professional design consultative services and utilizing my past experience of living and teaching throughout Winnipeg. I can provide you with first-hand knowledge of local neighbourhoods and schools. Let me use my wealth of life and real estate related experience to help you be successful whether buying or selling. If you wish to see what happy customers have to say about my services please check out the reviews in the Testimonials section of this website. 

When buying and selling a home it can be confusing who represents your best interests. One of the first things I talk about with you - my client is agency relationships. As a real estate agent, I am an agent for the brokerage I represent. Even though we spend all of our time together and form a great relationship the actual formal relationship you enter into is with the brokerage. There are 3 types of agency relationships - single, limited joint and customer. The most common is the single agency relationship wherein the brokerage represents one party, limited joint can occur when 2 connected parties are involved and a customer relationship occurs when there is limited services rendered but a formal agency relationship is not formed. So single agency is when your sole interests are represented as a buyer or as a seller. Therefore, there are buyers’ agents and seller's’ agents and a real estate agent can function as both when helping you purchase a new home or sell your existing home. Limited joint agency can occur when the same brokerage represents both parties at the same time. An example of this can be if you as my buyer client purchase a home from a client of another agent within my brokerage. Disclosure of this dual interest is made and then you have the option to sign a form acknowledging this limited joint agency relationship. This situation can occur quite often and is generally not a problem when all involved are aware of the situation and act in a professional manner. The most important message I wish to share is the fact that the REAL ESTATE AGENT ON THE FOR SALE REPRESENTS THE SELLER. Therefore if you are a Buyer it is strongly recommended that you DO NOT have this agent represent you as they cannot adequately represent and  protect your interests as a Buyer. Please seek out your own agent - a Buyer’s Agent. This agent will do thorough research on the property, comparative market evaluations and help you negotiate the best price. If you were getting divorced would you choose to work with the same lawyer as your future ex spouse? This is why it’s important that you work with the real estate agent who can function in the role of Buyer’s agent. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime to discuss this situation or any other real estate related question. 

Having lived in all quadrants of the city, I recognize that there are many great neighbourhoods in Winnipeg making it really difficult to pick just 5. So here are today’s picks and I’ll plan to post others in the future.

Tuxedo has the reputation of being one of the most desirable, exclusive and expensive areas (Old North River Heights included) in Winnipeg. Properties tend to be larger and more distinctive. One interesting fact is that there are more modern architectural homes found in this neighbourhood than neighbourhoods located in both Calgary and Chicago where I lived previously. Tuxedo definitely has a unique upscale feel with wider tree-lined streets and a more central, SW Winnipeg location. It’s also home to Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg’s most beautiful and well-known park patterned after NYC’s Central Park. This park includes an internationally recognized, architecturally designed conservatory, outdoor stage, pavilion, children’s playground, duckpond, picnic and sports areas, zoo, sculpture and floral garden, walking and biking trails and more.

Lindenwoods located in the SW part of Winnipeg, is a great established family-friendly neighbourhood. This area boasts mostly larger traditional 1980’s - 1990’s homes with more detailed exterior finishes such as brick and stone. The community is very family friendly in it’s planning and design with neighbourhood schools, community centres, sidewalks, parks and man-made lakes with picnic areas. 

Island Lakes is another family-friendly area located in SE Winnipeg. As denoted by it’s name, this neighbourhood is dotted with man-made lakes and was established in 1981. Homes range from grander to more modest in size and style. This neighbourhood has many bike trails and parks and has easy access to major highways for commuters. 

Royalwood is another southeast Winnipeg neighbourhood located just W of Island Lakes. Another highly desirable area established in 1992. This area has lots of greenery and boasts an incredible ecosystem. There are great walking, jogging and bike trails connecting to very interesting forested areas where one can discover creeks and some very unique one of a kind, custom-tree carvings. Homes tend to be larger and traditional in style. The area is quiet and tucked away from busy streets but easily accessible to major traffic routes. 

Norwood Flats in unlike any of the previously outlined neighbourhoods, located in the heart of the city but yet providing the quiet and restful feel of the suburbs, this area provides the best of both worlds. This smaller community runs along the Red River providing spectacular river city views, river home properties and walking and bike trails. This historic neighbourhood offers unique housing options with both old and new, expensive and affordable. Lots tend to be smaller with some having a common greenspace. A great family neighbourhood for those who desire an old-fashioned community feel and a higher walkability score. The “Flat's” is close to everything downtown, St. Boniface hospital, Old St. Boniface historic district with easy access to St. Vital and beautiful St. Vital Park where you can launch a boat, visit the duck pond, have a picnic or walk the many forested trails. 

Here’s the review of 5 great Winnipeg neighbourhoods. I’ve only touched upon the great offerings of each one. If you are planning a move to Winnipeg or planning a move within the city give me a call and we can talk more about the great and affordable living opportunities and other great neighbourhoods and hidden gem enclaves.