Winnipeg Real Estate Blog

Winnipeg Real Estate News & Market Updates

Phone: (204) 792-6453

Spry July Keeps Market Momentum Intact

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WINNIPEG – July sales results show a continuation of a second quarter of brisk market activity. Condominium sales really stood out in July with a 32% increase over July 2016.

Total July Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) unit sales of 1,438 went up 6% over July 2016 level and the 10-year July sales average. It is the second best July on record with only July 2014 eclipsing it by 3%.  This July’s dollar volume of $416 million is the first time the month of July reached and surpassed $400 million in sales transactions.

Year-to-date MLS®  sales of 8,508 is now slightly ahead of last year’s record-breaking pace while dollar volume at nearly $2.5 billion is up 5% over the same period in 2016.

With a new release of 2016 Statistics Canada Census data this month which provides more breakdowns on families and household make-up, the city of Winnipeg and its entire CMA (includes surrounding municipalities) have grown faster in population over the past 5 years than the national average. Moreover, the number of private dwellings occupied in the city of Winnipeg and surrounding rural municipalities has ratcheted up to accommodate increased population demand for housing.

The drop in listings this year is almost entirely attributed to residential-detached listings whereas other property types such as condominiums have seen their listings in line or greater than 2016.

Winnipeg Real Estate Information Special Request

The most active price range for residential-detached sales in July was from $250,000 to $299,999, 23% of total sales. Broken down further, both the $250,000 to $274,999 and the $275,000 to $299,999 price ranges represented 10.95% and 12.20% of market activity. The closest to these ranges in representing higher sales volume were the $225,000 to $249,999 and $300,000 to $324,999 at 8.55% and 8.26% respectively.

In what is one of the best month performances ever for condominiums at 207 sales, the most active price range was from $150,000 to $199,999 at 27% of total sales. The next busiest price range was from $250,000 to $299,999 at 18% of total sales.


Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

 
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team August Newsletter

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During the year, you probably come across a lot of people – friends, neighbours, relatives – who are thinking about buying or selling a home.

The biggest question on their mind if considering selling is, “How much would my current property sell for today?” Find out quick with a FREE over the net evaluation.

As a REALTOR® it’s my job to know what’s happening in the Winnipeg and surrounding areas real estate markets. So, I can give them a good idea of how much their property would likely sell for, given today’s market conditions.

Feel free to give them my name or pass along the above mentioned web page. I’d be happy to help them in any way I can.

And, rest assured, they will not be pressured or obligated in any way to use my services. I promise to treat them well!

 

Be a Savvy Home Viewer

The last thing you want to experience after purchasing a home is “buyer’s regret”. That’s the sinking feeling you get when you realize, days or weeks later, that you may have made the wrong decision.

Say, for example, you bought a home based on your first impressions. When you viewed it, you thought it was just perfect. Then, a few weeks after you moved in, you discovered that the bedrooms are smaller than you had originally thought and the street is loud and busy. That wouldn’t be a very good feeling.

That’s why it’s important to become a savvy home viewer. When you visit a property for sale, you need to move past your first impressions and take a comprehensive look at the property and the neighbourhood. That way, there won’t be any unpleasant surprises later on.

Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Take the time to carefully view each room, including closets and storage areas.
Make sure you have measurements of all the rooms.

Imagine yourself living in the home. Where will you have dinner? How will your furniture look? What is it going to be like to travel to work and school each day? Where will your kids play?

Get a professional home inspection. Then, make sure you read and understand the report.

Understand and get estimates for any maintenance and repair issues, such as required bathroom upgrades or roof shingles that need replacement.

Walk the neighbourhood and get a clear sense of what it’s going to be like to live there.
Carefully consider any negative issues before telling yourself, “I can live with this.”

The best way to ensure you don’t get buyer’s regret is to work with a good REALTOR® like me! Call, text or email anytime.

To help home buyers understand what extra costs are, and in what situations they may apply, a free industry report has been prepared called “18 Extra Costs to Be Aware of Before Buying a Home”.

Order this report NOW to make sure you’re preparing properly for your next move.

 

Reasons to Consider Making a Move

When is it a good time to sell your property and buy another home? Whenever there’s a good reason to do so. There are many things that may motivate you to consider making a move.

For example:
Your current home no longer meets your needs. You may have more space than you need or you might be looking for a larger home to accommodate a growing family.

You’re looking for features your current property can’t accommodate. For example, you might want to install a pool but don’t have the backyard space or you might want a larger living room for entertaining but don’t have room for a renovation.

You want to live in a more desirable neighbourhood. This is one of the most common motivators since the area you live in has a huge impact on your lifestyle.

You want to move closer to work, school, family, shopping, theatre, etc.

You’re simply bored of your current property and are ready for a change.

Whatever your reasons, if you’re thinking of looking for a new home – even if you haven’t made a firm decision yet – we should talk. As your REALTOR®, I can help you understand all your options so please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us anytime.

To help you learn more about buying first or selling first, also how to make your move less stressful, a FREE special report has been prepared entitled “How to Avoid Getting Stuck with Two Homes”. Order this report NOW

 

Don’t Forget the Commute

Some home buyers consider purchasing a home that is less expensive but farther away from work. In particular, people who work in an urban area sometimes consider living outside the city, where housing costs a little less.

Is that a good option? It depends, to some extent, on the cost of commuting.

People often underestimate commuting expenses when they consider buying in a particular neighbourhood. Knowing these costs is important if you want to make a smart, informed decision.

For example, there are many expenses associated with a 45-minute commute to work: gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, insurance, parking, etc. There’s also value to the lost time – almost seven hours a week spent in the car.

If you find a home that you love, and have considered the commuting time and expenses, you might find that it makes sense to purchase a home in the suburbs. Lots of people commute and find ways to make the experience pleasant.

As with all aspects of a home purchase, having all the information is key. So, make sure you know the true cost of commuting so you can make the right decision for you and your family. For all your real estate needs please call, text or email us as we are  here to help.

Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, visit our website today. You will find useful information about how to choose the “right” property, making an offer, negotiating, financing, mortgage rates, moving, and everything involved in making an informed real estate decision in today´s market.

notable, quotable… quotes!

“Nothing will work unless you do.”
Maya Angelou

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
Dalai Lama

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.”
Beverly Sills

It pays to know the average price of homes for sale in your neighbourhood, as well as that of homes that have sold, including both over-list and under-list sales. We track all Winnipeg neighbourhoods daily, which allows us to more accurately set list prices on the homes we sell, while also making intelligent offers. If you would like a Free Home Value Appraisal in River Heights, Tuxedo, Fort Garry, Linden Ridge, St. Norbert, Bridgewater Forest, Headingley, St. Boniface, St. Vital, River Park South, Windsor Park, Southdale, Island Lakes, Royalwood, Sage Creek, East Kildonan, North Kildonan, Eaglemere, Sun Valley, Kildonan Meadows, Transcona, Birds Hill, East St. Paul, West Kildonan, Riverbend, Garden City, Deer Lodge, St. James, Grace Hospital, Optimist Park, West. St. Paul please Contact Us or Call (204) 792-6453.
Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

  
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

June Ushers in Another Stand Out Month of Sales

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WINNIPEG – An exceptional month of June sales activity puts WinnipegREALTORS® commensurate to last year’s record-setting pace for the first half of the year. 2017 marks only the second time that sales have surpassed 7,000 by the end of June; 2016 being the first instance. For the first time, dollar volume has gone over $2 billion at the half-way mark of the year.

June sales of 1,636 were two sales behind last year’s highest activity on record for the month, while dollar volume of $488 million increased 3% over the same month last year. Year-to-date sales of 7,070 were 14 sales off from last year. Second quarter sales activity was 7 sales down from 2016, the busiest second quarter in WinnipegREALTORS® history.

The number of listings entered on MLS® for the first six months is 13,100, 4% off 2016. Active listings or the current inventory going into July is sitting at just over 4,900, 9% down from the same period in 2016.

Despite June sales being strong, the two leading property types of residential-detached and condominiums experienced decreases in comparison to June 2016. Residential-detached sales declined by 1%, while condos fell 7%. Compensating for these reductions were single-attached and townhouse property types as both experienced double-digit sales increases, with townhouses rising 57%.

Winnipeg Real Estate Information Special Request

While the overall WinnipegREALTORS® MLS® market can be characterized as balanced with active listings well above the 10-year average, there are still neighbourhoods which would benefit from an influx of new residential-detached listings including Fort Garry, Linden Woods, Riverview, Fort Rouge, Fort Richmond, Waverley Heights, Richmond West, Whyte Ridge, St. Vital, Windsor Park, East Kildonan, North Kildonan, Transcona, Garden City, Wolseley, Sargent Park, Woodhaven, and Crestview.

Supply of residential-detached listings is stronger in rural municipalities outside the city. Condominiums throughout the Greater Winnipeg market area are not seeing demand outstrip supply. Other property types such as vacant land and resort properties are also well stocked in relation to those selling every month.

This year, nearly one out of four residential-detached listings sold for above list price while 13% of condominium listings went for above list price.

Looking at average residential-detached prices for the first six months, in comparison to the same period last year, for the six MLS® area zones, shows some overall price appreciation with the southwest eclipsing $400,000 this year. There have been notable increases in a few southwest neighbourhoods, with Tuxedo going from $711,000 in 2016 to $855,000 this year and Westdale reaching $400,000, a $69,000 increase from 2016.

The north zone was the only area to see a modest decline in average sales price compared to last year.

The rural MLS® zone had identical sales to last year at 1,330 and represents the largest share of residential–detached sales at nearly 26%. Southwest is second highest with 970 sales, which equates to 19%.

The percentage of total sales price to dollar value achieved for all listings sold in the first half of 2017 is under 99%, which is up half a percentage point from last year. This metric indicates on average homes are selling for 99% of their list price, marking it close to equilibrium.

While total residential-detached sales for the first six months are down modestly from last year, the main distinguishing difference from 2016 is the increase in sales over $300,000. These have increased 7% and average days to sell a home improved from 30 days to 26 days. Increased sales in the upper price ranges translate directly to a higher average residential-detached selling price of $321,421. This compares to an average selling price of $306,311 in 2016.

With respect to condominiums, both sales and average selling price are up over 2016. Sales have increased 5% while the average selling price has risen from $232,507 to $243,184. Not all condos for sale have experienced price increases as it can vary depending on the specific project, location and other factors inherent in assessing the value of a condominium.


Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

 
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team July Newsletter

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Welcome to summer! Hopefully there will be plenty of nice weather over the next couple of months so you can enjoy barbecues, picnics, deck parties, and other outdoor activities.

Without a question, it’s the perfect season for socializing. The long sunny days and warm moonlit nights are the perfect setting for sharing interests or discussing ideas with friends and family. You might even find yourself talking about the possibility of buying or selling a home.

If that topic comes up, remember that I’m always available to help with any questions you – or your friends or relatives – may have. Call or email me anytime.

My best wishes to you and your family. Have a great summer!

“Facelifts” that Boost Resale Value

If you plan on putting your home on the market, you obviously want it to look as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Improving the look of your kitchen or bathroom is a great place to start.
You don’t necessarily have to invest in a major – and potentially expensive – renovation. There are many simple, do-it-yourself ways to give your kitchen or bathroom a facelift and make it look (almost) new.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Instead of installing new cabinetry, just replace the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Those alone will significantly improve the look of the room. In fact, even just replacing the door pulls can make a big difference.

Replacing the sink is also an easy renovation. You can purchase a sparkling new kitchen sink and faucet kit for far less than the benefit they will deliver.

Replacing the countertop in the kitchen is a more complex renovation and, in most cases, will require the help of a contractor. But, a handy person can probably tackle replacing the countertop in a bathroom without too much difficulty.

Want more ideas for making your home more saleable? Need help finding a contractor? Call or email me today.

 

Real Estate and the Price of Apples

Consider this scenario. Say you’re at your local supermarket and notice that apples are on sale for $3.95 each. If you’ve ever purchased apples before, you know that’s a pretty hefty price.
However, you’ve heard about the “national apple market” on the news, so you’re not surprised. After all, they’ve been saying that apple prices will be higher this year.

Now, let’s say you’re driving home and decide to drop by a farmer’s market. One of the stands, run by a local family farm, is selling their apples for just $1.95 each.

Why is that?

The reason is pretty simple. The national apple market doesn’t always reflect what’s happening locally. In fact, the local market may be very different.

So, what does all this have to do with real estate?

Well, the same scenario can play out in real estate. You may hear news about the national market… about bubbles and rebounds and ups and downs. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your local market – the market right here in your neighbourhood – is the same.

So before you make a decision about whether or not to make a move, find out what the local market is doing.

Click here to set up a search and start receiving new Winnipeg MLS® listings or all recent Winnipeg home sales in your MLS®area.

 

Using the Internet to Shop for a New Home

There’s more information on the Internet than in the entire collection of the U.S. Library of Congress. (And that’s the largest library in the world!) So it makes sense to use the Internet as a resource when shopping for a new home.
You can search for the kind of property you’re considering, view pictures of available properties that meet your criteria, and, in some cases, even watch virtual tours of those properties.

The Internet is a useful home shopping tool. It can save you a lot of time. But it can’t replace working with a good REALTOR®, and actually going to see the various properties.

Think of it this way. Would you marry someone you met online but never got to meet in person? Of course you wouldn’t. That would be a recipe for disaster!

The same holds true when shopping for a new home.

The Internet can help you shortlist the properties you would like to see, and perhaps provide a sense of the area. But only by working with a good REALTOR® that is familiar with and understands new home construction can you get the real insights you need into the homes available on the market, and then determine the ones that would potentially be ideal for you.

So when shopping for a new home, don’t hesitate to call or email me today to find out how best to use the Internet. I can direct you to websites and web tools that will help make the home shopping experience much more enjoyable and productive, while at the same time, provide you with the personal attention you need to ultimately purchase the home of your dreams.

 

notable, quotable… quotes!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Maria Robinson

“People may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou

“Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”
John N. Mitchell

 

It pays to know the average price of homes for sale in your neighbourhood, as well as that of homes that have sold, including both over-list and under-list sales. We track all Winnipeg neighbourhoods daily, which allows us to more accurately set list prices on the homes we sell, while also making intelligent offers. If you would like a Free Home Value Appraisal in River Heights, Tuxedo, Fort Garry, Linden Ridge, St. Norbert, Bridgewater Forest, Headingley, St. Boniface, St. Vital, River Park South, Windsor Park, Southdale, Island Lakes, Royalwood, Sage Creek, East Kildonan, North Kildonan, Eaglemere, Sun Valley, Kildonan Meadows, Transcona, Birds Hill, East St. Paul, West Kildonan, Riverbend, Garden City, Deer Lodge, St. James, Grace Hospital, Optimist Park, West. St. Paul please Contact Us or Call (204) 792-6453.
Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

  
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team June Newsletter

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June is a busy month in so many ways.  Did you know that based on daylight hours, June has the longest days of the year? It also has the most marriages – and marriage proposals!

But as a homeowner, there are other things that make June particularly eventful. It’s a popular month for landscaping, gardening and, especially, planning renovations. (Let me know if I can help you by recommending a contractor or service provider.)

June is also a popular month to look for a potential new home. Some people are just curious and want to check out what’s available on the market. Other people, of course, are seriously planning to make a move, and could use some advice and help.

If you fall into either of those two camps, or even if you’re somewhere in between, give me a call. I’d be happy to answer your questions and offer my help.

What’s Memorable About Your Home?

Chances are, there is a characteristic of your property that everyone remembers, appreciates, and maybe even envies. It could be a spacious kitchen with an island and upgraded appliances… or a stunning backyard with a wrap-around deck and beautiful landscaping… or rustic hardwood floors that contrast with elegant, high-end ceramics.

Whatever it is about your property that people tend to like and remember, will also appeal to potential buyers. So, when listing your home for sale, make sure to emphasize that characteristic.

When buyers view homes, they tend to remember just one, or sometimes up to two or three features of each property. “Oh, that’s the house with the large rec room and bar.” Or, “That’s the property with the gorgeous landscaping.”

These are characteristics that help sell a property. Make sure you highlight them.

However, sometimes homeowners lose perspective of what is truly appealing about their property. Ask friends to tell you what features in your home make it appealing. You might be surprised by their answers.

As your REALTOR® I can help too. Call me.
I also invite you to order your FREE report today on “27 Valuable Tips That You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar” by clicking here.

The Problem With “Stuff”

The late comedian George Carlin used to have a routine called, “A place for my stuff.” He was referring to the idea that, besides being a place to sleep and eat, the purpose of a home is essentially to store all the stuff you accumulate over the years.

That may or may not be true. But, if you’re like most homeowners, you probably have a lot of stuff in your home… stuff in closets, and stuff in the garage.

That’s just what happens!

The problem, however, comes when you try to sell your home. What may seem to you like a comfortable home office filled with supplies, office equipment, books and papers, may look to a buyer like an uncomfortable, small and cluttered space.

That’s the problem with “stuff”. Too much of it, and it gets in the way of buyers seeing and appreciating the great features of your home.

So, when you’re selling your home, what do you do with all that extra stuff?

One solution is to have a garage or yard sale. (If you call it a “moving sale” you’ll attract more buyers.) This is a great way to get rid of the things you don’t need anymore – and, perhaps, make a few dollars!

Another solution is to give some of the items you don’t need anymore to charity. There are many local organizations that can make good use of second hand clothing, furniture, and toys.

Finally, for all of the things you want to hang on to, but are cluttering up your home, consider renting a locker at a self-storage company.

One thing is for certain. The more spacious and comfortable each room of your home appears to potential buyers, the more likely it is that they’ll see the true value of your property and become interested.

Want more tips for selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call me today.
Click here to order your FREE special report entitled “The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar”.

 

What’s Great About Your Neighbourhood?

When potential buyers view your home, they are just as interested in the surrounding area as they are in the property itself. So, before listing your home on the market, it makes sense to think about your neighbourhood and its key characteristics.

Here’s a good way to do that:

Imagine a relative from out-of-town coming to visit. She may say that she likes your neighbourhood, and wants to know what you enjoy most about living there.

How would you answer?

Would you talk about the friendly neighbours? Would you list the community events? Name all the local shopping? Describe the nice restaurants within walking distance? Or tell her about the local playground?

There are probably many things about your neighbourhood that make it great. What are the top three? Those are probably characteristics of the area that most buyers will want to know.

Your neighbourhood is a key selling feature of your property. I can make sure potential buyers understand its best features.That’s why it’s important to have me by your side, as your REALTOR®. Call today.
Learn more about us by visiting Winnipeg Area Real Estate Information.

 

notable, quotable… quotes!

“One who smiles rather than angers is always stronger.”
Chinese proverb

“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”
Japanese proverb

“Nothing is inevitable, if we are paying attention.”
Marshall McLuhan

It pays to know the average price of homes for sale in your neighbourhood, as well as that of homes that have sold, including both over-list and under-list sales. We track all Winnipeg neighbourhoods daily, which allows us to more accurately set list prices on the homes we sell, while also making intelligent offers. If you would like a Free Home Value Appraisal in River Heights, Tuxedo, Fort Garry, Linden Ridge, St. Norbert, Bridgewater Forest, Headingley, St. Boniface, St. Vital, River Park South, Windsor Park, Southdale, Island Lakes, Royalwood, Sage Creek, East Kildonan, North Kildonan, Eaglemere, Sun Valley, Kildonan Meadows, Transcona, Birds Hill, East St. Paul, West Kildonan, Riverbend, Garden City, Deer Lodge, St. James, Grace Hospital, Optimist Park, West. St. Paul please Contact Us or Call (204) 792-6453.
Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

 
 
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453