About Winnipeg Region, MB

I've been bitten by the blogging bug and although it's technically past my bedtime I just felt the need to post something since I now have a shiny new Rainmaker account! I just want to start off by saying that I have been 'lurking' on here for a few years now, actually since before I even got into real estate. Though lurking sounds like something creepy one does in the shadows, it was more like I was reading the featured posts everyday and commenting on many of them, albeit without my photo beside my name. Now that's been changed and I've lost my shroud of mystery. Oh well, It's for the best!

I'm going to share a little tidbit of information that is actually a part of my, oh humble am I, extremely useful and helpful buyer's guide. I include a few lines down at the bottom for buyers to add in anything else they think of that they might need and it becomes basically a shopping list to take to Rona or Home Depot.

When transitioning from renting to homeownership it is helpful to have an idea of what types of tools you will require around the home, below is a list of the most commonly used tools that a homeowner needs:

For The Home:

• Hammer
  
• Pair of Pliers
  
• Cordless drill
• Level
• Spackle
• Putty knife
• Measuring tape
• Adjustable wrench
• Extension cord
• Plunger

For The Yard:

• Snow shovel
• Rake
• Lawn Mower

I've gotten some excellent feedback on this and know a few ex-renters who've said they wish they had something like this when they bought their first home. Now don't laugh, some renters really haven't purchased a lot of these items before and may not even think of some of them when they're caught up in the excitement of house hunting and finalizing the deal on their first dream home.

Any more ideas on what could be added to the list would be great, or if you have anything similar that would complement this item to assist renters in transition that would be wonderful to share!

Or 'Why I want to move to Wolseley'

I feel kind of like an umpire at a baseball game cheering for one team. As a real estate agent I know the entire city of Winnipeg really well. I don't feel it's right for me to pick favourites, and it seems especially counter-productive to blog about a neighbourhood that I don't even live in. Especially when there's really nothing holding me back from moving there as my dream condo (see image) is on the market right now at a very reasonable asking price. And especially because I love my current neighbourhood (guess what my next blog is going to be about!) And especially because getting other people where they want to be is my full-time job. But I'm just not in a position to get over there, yet, for a number of reasons. Hopefully that condo stays on the market for a while longer...

According to my research Wolseley is sometimes referred to as Winnipeg's "granola belt", though I've never heard this term, it does seem fitting. This neighbourhood is known for being home to many of the city's environmentally-minded folks. They've successfully stopped the city from mosquito fogging for the past few years in a row.

Some of the local attractions, besides the gorgeous character homes (but maybe that's just because I love, love, love real estate) include access to downtown and the trendy surrounding neighbourhoods, the convenience of being adjacent to Portage Avenue is unbeatable. The neighbourhood has its own arts festival, its own residents association and its own blog. How's that for a close-knit community feel? Apparently eight percent of the residents in this neighbourhood have home offices, compared to four percent in the rest of Winnipeg. No wonder my dream condo includes a den. I work from home (and my car, client's kitchen tables, the odd Starbucks and on very rare occasions, my brokerage office). If everybody in this neighbourhood sits in their kitchen every morning and crunches on granola, then this neighbourhood was made for me. Well actually, I eat oatmeal for breakfast, but it's close enough!

If Winnipeg had Google Street View I'd recommend a virtual walk through here. It's like Wellington Crescent for the rest of us! (Never heard of Wellington Crescent? Stay tuned.)

HOME STAGING COMPANY IN WINNIPEG SHARES TIPS ON ORGANIZING AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT BENEFIT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WHEN LISTING FOR SALE

There are many areas of a house that we can store items that have been collect over the years. Items are kept for many reasons ie: seasonsal clothing, seasonal activities, seasonal decorations and changes also happen in our decorating tastes. Many times, new items are brought in to to update the changes, but sometimes the old items get stored 'just in case'. Just in case 'I may need them again', 'Just in case the kids want them', 'Just in case ....?'. The list of 'just in case' could be any number of reasons that items are kept in storage.

Taking a good look around your home and make an honest evaluation of items that are in storage is the first step in the process. Areas that are used for storage vary from house to house. Some commom areas are: drawers, cupboards, closets, spare rooms, basements, sheds, and garages.

Sorting through and getting organized is a job that takes some time and effort. BUT the rewards of chipping away at the process are very rewarding. Creating a space that is relaxing and comfortable as a result of dealing with the excessive items can clear not only the space but improve the well being a person. Walking into an organized area can save time (not having to look for things, because they are easily accessible) and saves money (your not having to go out a purchase another item that you already have).

-86% of those surveyed said 'storage space' is important to potential buyers -effective staging maximizes space and spaciousness' 2005/2006 Maritz Research

Three top interior features for selling were freshly painted walls, organized storage space and current flooring - effective staging will address all three. 2005/2006 Maritz Research

Clarity Over Clutter Home Staging in Winnipeg recommends to start small - pick a particular area such as the cupboards or drawers in the bathroom. Empty out all the items onto a surface. Wash out the cupboard or drawers. Review the items that were in the areas, discarding items that are used up, expired, or not needed any more. REMEMBER - take old prescription drugs and/or medications to a pharmacy for proper disposal. If there are bottles and packaging that can be recycled - take that step as well. When replacing items back in the storage areas group them with like items ie: first aid supplies, hair products, face products etc.

Continue through other areas of the home following the same process as mentioned above.

When you are done, you not only have a clean, organized home, BUT a big part of the work of decluttering can be accomplished for that future time of listing a house for sale.

Moving is a big job and stressful. These suggestions for organizing for living can be very beneficial now and in the future.

A before and after of a closet shows what a bit of time and effort can accomplish.

Taking the time to get organized and declutter now is a great way to invest in preparing a house for sale.

If you have any story about an area of your house that you have been working on, please share it with us - We would love to hear about it.

click here to visit Clarity Over Clutter Website

FIRST RECORD MLS® SALES MONTH IN 2009

September MLS® Sales Up 3%; Dollar Volume Rose 11%

WINNIPEG - It took nine months to set a new monthly MLS® sales record this year but they say patience is a virtue so it is worth waiting for. Third quarter MLS® sales in 2009 were almost on par with the same period in 2008. This result shows the Winnipeg real estate market has returned to its former glory with healthy market activity. Even more impressive is the continued dollar volume rise as evident from an 11% increase from 2008 to 2009 in the third quarter. Year-to-date dollar volume is now less than 3% off the record dollar volume pace set last year and just $25 million away from reaching the $2 billion mark for the third consecutive year. It is quite conceivable that with a solid fourth quarter performance 2009 will usher in a new WinnipegREALTORS® dollar volume record. Last year's total MLS® sales eclipsed $2.4 billion.

In being the best September in 106 years September 2009 also recorded two million dollar plus MLS® sales. As a result, the ten year-to-date million dollar plus sales are more than any other year as 2008 had the most previously at eight. The two recent ones are a Wellington Crescent apartment condo and a 6,000 sq. ft. Tuxedo home which sold for above list price.

September MLS® unit sales were up 3% (1,127/1,097) while dollar volume jumped 11% ($227.6 million/$204.9 million) in comparison to the same month last year. Year-to-date MLS® sales are down 7% (9,747/ 10,489) while dollar volume is off less than 3% ($1.97 billion/$2.03 billion) in comparison to the same period in 2008. Conversion of MLS® listings-to-sales this year is 67%, a few percentage points off last year's conversion rate. Home and condo conversions are running at 72 and 73% respectively.

"The absolutely terrific above average weather in September shone brightly on our local real estate market as sales were the best on record for this month," said Deborah Goodfellow, president of WinnipegREALTORS®. "We are recovering from our slow start this year as the third quarter performed extremely well and there is no reason to believe we cannot finish strong in the fourth quarter."

A recent Statistics Canada report showing Manitoba's population growth had its best quarterly increase since record-keeping began in 1971 can only bode well for keeping demand brisk in the local housing market. It becomes even more pronounced when you consider the acute shortage of good rental units as an alternative living accommodation. Low unemployment numbers and very favourable mortgage rates are also contributing factors to helping WinnipegREALTORS® have one of its best years on record.

For residential-detached sales, the most active price ranges were the $150,000 to $199,999 and the $200,000 - $249,999. They represented 24% and 21% respectively of total residential-detached sales. Interestingly enough, similar percentages of total sales in these two price ranges were also found in condominium sales for September 2009. However, 23% the of condo sales were between $100,000 to $149,999, whereas in residential-detached it was only 14%

The average days on market of sales for residential-detached listings in September was 30 days, the same as last month and 4 days slower than September 2008.

STAGING COMPANY IN WINNIPEG REMINDS HOMEOWNERS TO KEEP IN MIND THE CHANGES YOU MAKE IN YOUR HOME AND HOW THEY EFFECT SELLING THE PROPERTY IN THE FUTURE

Looking at the big picture when making purchases or changes in your home can save alot of extra work and expense down the road when preparing to sell your house. Things to keep in mind are choice of paint colors, flooring choices (using bamboo, cork, natural fiber carpet), style of cabinets and other major purchases. Your personal tastes can be revealed in many ways through accessories such as: artwork, cushions, bedding, vases and the like.

Working with a client in Home Staging for Living in Winnipeg was one example of planning for the future. Below is a before and after of an area in a livingroom where the livingroom was kept neutral and the room became a welcoming and relaxing space by way of furniture and accessories.

As the budget allows, the client plans on changing out the window coverings and replacing the window.

If you have any other tips for homeowners, please share your comments here.