Winnipeg Real Estate Podcast

(EP: 145.1) Merry Christmas

Just a short message of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my listeners   Short update on what you can expect in the New Year.

Luxury Home Market - Interview with Luxury Home Specialist

(EP: 144) Condo Market Report - Condo Fees examined

Description: In this episode we are going to talk about condos in Winnipeg. Are condo fees a total waste of money? Whats the condo market doing right now, and we'll look at a sample condo complex in Island Lakes. All on episode 144 of Winnipegs best real estate podcast. ShowNotes at https://boknows.homes/144 Get our Free Podcast App, available for Apple & Android devices by going to boknows.homes/apps In today's episode, Number 144, our main topic will be the most recent Winnipeg condo market update, as well as answer the question: Are condo fees a total waste of money? I love interacting with people, explaining and teaching new things about real estate and home ownership, educating buyers and sellers in the process. Thats how this podcast was born. It's a labour of love. So if you find this podcast helpful, please download the free podcast app right to your phone. Its super easy, just go to boknows.homes/apps and you can chose from apple or android apps.   Final thoughts and links I hope you've enjoyed listening to this podcast half as much as I enjoyed creating it. And I really do love it. So if you like receiving this information, here are a couple of things I'm asking you to do. Install the free podcast app, available for IOS and Android devices. I've made it super simple...on your phone, go to boknows.homes/apps and you will get the option for your device's app store downloads. Another thing you can do is go visit THIS show on the web at boknows.homes/142 and see the show notes and all the links. Once there, you will also see the little microphone which enables you to leave me a comment or suggestions on how to improve this podcast. Lastly, if you really want to show me some love, give me a 5-star rating. Again I've made it super simple, just go to https://lovethepodcast.com/boknows and you'll be able to review it easily.

(EP: 143) Winnipeg Housing Market Update December - Home Buyer Tips

Description:  In this episode we are going to talk about the latest real estate market update for Winnipeg's housing and condo market.  We are going to touch on a few reasons why home buyers SHOULD consider buying a home in wintertime and share some money saving tips for home owners or those who want to become one. ShowNotes at https://boknows.homes/143 Get our Free Podcast App, available for Apple & Android devices by going to boknows.homes/apps In today's episode, Number 143, our main topic will be the most recent Winnipeg real estate market report.  We'll look at some reasons why buyers might consider continuing their housing hunt thru the winter, and some money saving tips for home owners. As (hopefully) most of you know, I'm a professional real estate agent, specializing in helping home and condo buyers and sellers in the Winnipeg market area.  Thats how I earn my living and I absolutely love what I do. I love interacting with people, explaining and teaching new things about real estate and home ownership, educating buyers and sellers in the process. Thats how this podcast was born.  It's a labour of love, I don't charge for ad spots, or collect money from it directly.  If I mention or promote a local business or service, it's because I have either used it myself, or recommended it to friends and family and have had great feedback. So if you find this podcast helpful, please download the free podcast app right to your phone.  Its super easy, just go to boknows.homes/apps and you can chose from apple or android apps. This Week on the Blog Wintertime is usually when home buyers take a break.  I get it....it's cold, there is xmas and new years, its winter vacation time.  So many buyers put their home search on hold.  But to paraphrase Jonathan Sacks......"When everyone else is buying, SELL"...   Looking at this another way.....when everyone else stops buying....  BUY.  The lack of buyer competition is just one of 7 reasons why buyers might consider continuing their home buying journey.  IF you can find a home that fits your needs....   don't wait til spring, when a new flock of buyers enter the market and create more bidding wars. Go to:  https://stories.winnipeghomefinder.com/7-powerful-reasons-to-buy-a-home-in-winter December Real Estate Market Report Stats on Winnipeg housing market.  How many listings are available, how many have sold over the past month?  Are we in a buyers market, or sellers market? Money-Saving Tips for home owners Saving money by using appliances in a smarter way.  Washing machines, refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers can be energy and money hogs...... here are a few tips to use them more wisely. Final thoughts and links I hope you've enjoyed listening to this podcast half as much as I enjoyed creating it.  And I really do love it.  So if you like receiving this information, here are a couple of things I'm asking you to do. Install the free podcast app, available for IOS and Android devices.  I've made it super simple...on your phone, go to boknows.homes/apps  and you will get the option for your device's app store downloads. Another thing you can do is go visit THIS show on the web at boknows.homes/142 and see the show notes and all the links.  Once there, you will also see the little microphone which enables you to leave me a comment or suggestions on how to improve this podcast. Lastly, if you really want to show me some love, give me a 5-star rating.  Again I've made it super simple, just go to  https://lovethepodcast.com/boknows  and you'll be able to review it easily.  

(EP:142) Buying a house when ’New To Canada’ - Money Saving Tips for Home Owners

ShowNotes at https://boknows.homes/142 Get our Free Podcast App, available for Apple & Android devices by going to boknows.homes/apps In today's episode, Number 142, our main topic will be "Mortgage Options for Buyers who are New To Canada".  We'll also touch on a few points on how to get your home ready to sell in the springtime, and talk about some home insurance options. As (hopefully) most of you know, I'm a professional real estate agent, specializing in helping home and condo buyers and sellers in the Winnipeg market area.  Thats how I earn my living and I absolutely love what I do. I love interacting with people, explaining and teaching new things about real estate and home ownership, educating buyers and sellers in the process. Thats how this podcast was born.  It's a labour of love, I dont charge for ad spots, or collect money from it directly.  If I mention or promote a local business or service, it's because I have either used it myself, or recommended it to friends and family and have had great feedback. So if you find this podcast helpful, please download the free podcast app right to your phone.  Its super easy, just go to boknows.homes/apps and you can chose from apple or android apps. This Week on the Blog We're just entering the late fall of 2020, but if you're thinking of selling your home in the spring next year, NOW is the time to start planning.  Call your agent now, to do a walk-thru and give you honest and direct feedback.  THIS is the time for critical, unvarnished information on what you could do to maximize the selling price of your home. On Winnipeg's Real Estate Blog, there is a post of 6 things to do to prepare your home for that spring sale.  Here is the link  https://boknows.homes/b81b91c0 Spotlight on Local Business If you're buying a house or condo and getting a mortgage (most people are), you will be required to get property insurance.  Banks, Credit Unions, mortgage brokers....won't matter who you deal with, if they are loaning you money to pay for the home, they will want their investment protected. My favourite property insurance company is RA Hughes Insurance, located in the Dominion Shopping centre at the foot of the Norwood Bridge.  They are an insurance broker, meaning they deal with a variety of insurance companies, and can help you find the best fit for you. Owner Darcy Cook and his super friendly staff have been protecting your peace of mind, since 1929.....  (well, actually Darcy isn't THAT old...but the company was started by his family.)  Call Darcy at 204-837-1960 Their website is here https://boknows.homes/cc0d5fd0 Phone Interview with Mike Schroeder of Mortgage Architects Today we will talk with Mike about mortgage options for people who are 'New To Canada'.  Landed Immigrants and other statuses. Final thoughts and links I hope you've enjoyed listening to this podcast half as much as I enjoyed creating it.  And I really do love it.  So if you like receiving this information, here are a couple of things I'm asking you to do. Install the free podcast app, available for IOS and Android devices.  I've made it super simple...on your phone, go to boknows.homes/apps  and you will get the option for your device's app store downloads. Another thing you can do is go visit THIS show on the web at boknows.homes/142 and see the show notes and all the links.  Once there, you will also see the little microphone which enables you to leave me a comment or suggestions on how to improve this podcast. Lastly, if you really want to show me some love, give me a 5-star rating.  Again I've made it super simple, just go to  https://lovethepodcast.com/boknows  and you'll be able to review it easily. Money-Saving Tips for home owners The American Water Works Association Research Foundation conducted a study in 1999 and found that 27% of water is used in the toilet,  22% in the washer, 17% shower, 16% faucet and 14% lost thru leaks. New toilets , showerheads and cold water in washing machine will help reduce your costs. For more real estate info, check my blog at https://blog.winnipeghomefinder.com Never miss an episode. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube

(EP: 141) Buying Winter-Homes in the U.S. - Interview with Las Vegas Agent Debbie Drummond

Visit our new podcast home page at https://audio.winnipeghomefinder.com     Today we will speak with a real estate professional in the US about that market, and the process of buying vacation property in or near Las Vegas NV.  Welcome to Episode 141 of the Winnipeg Real Estate Podcast.   Winnipeg Real Estate News    Mid November, and our numbers of available homes are seriously dwindling.  Last year, mid November, we had 1,610 houses available in Winnipeg.  Today, that number is under 900.   In condos, last year we had 641 available,  this morning, 550.  That is the story of this covid-market.  Not enough listings, but a lot of buyer activity.  If you've missed it, check out podcast episode 139,  our November Market Update.   This Week on the Blog  Our latest article is perfect for your cellphone reading.  It's in a story format, so plays real nice on a vertical screen.  11 Insider Tips to help sell your home fast.... Top 2 tips:  Make it easy for buyers to see.  Don't throw up a bunch of blocks and barricades, like limiting the showing hours to a 2-hr window each day, or no showings after 5 pm...      And pick the right agent. https://boknows.homes/79f2dd70 Spotlight on Local Business  When you get a mortgage, the lender MUST offer you the option of taking 'mortgage insurance'.   This is really just life insurance by another name.  Repeat after me  : Thank you, but no thanks."...   Instead, get Life Insurance, which offers better coverage, has fewer hurdles, and is usually cheaper.  We talk about it in Episode 119, link here  https://audio.winnipeghomefinder.com/mortgage-insurance-of-life-insurance/   Call my good friend Thomas Johnson of Cascade Financial at 204-229-4405....   Link to his website is:  https://boknows.homes/dfd92540 Phone call with Debbie Drummond from Las Vegas  Interested in buying a vacation property down south?  Get away from our winters for a few months?  Las Vegas Nevada has a lot to offer.  We talk with award winning Luxury Home Agent Debbie Drummond about   The current state of the housing market Common price ranges What can you buy for $300K US? Tax implications for Canadian Buyers Mortgage options for foreign buyers   https://boknows.homes/0a02d520   Ms. Drummon's Tax Acct. recommendations is at  http://www.thetaxmanllc.com/ Download my free Podcasting App Whether you're on Apple or Android phone, its real easy to get my free podcast app by going here:   https://boknows.homes/apps For more real estate info, check my blog at https://blog.winnipeghomefinder.com Never miss an episode. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube

Condo Market Update - Condo Mortgage Questions - Sample Condo Building - EP: 140

Visit our new podcast home page at https://audio.winnipeghomefinder.com   In this episode we will give you the condo market stats for the past month, what makes condo mortgages different from house mortgages, and a look at one condo building in the south end of Winnipeg.    Winnipeg Real Estate News    Available condo listings are down from last year, while sales are up.  Not at the same rate as houses in Winnipeg, but still an increase in activity against a backdrop of lower inventory levels.   Phone call with Mortgage Mike  If a buyer is pre-approved for a $250K house, can they just go and buy a $250K condo?  Not so fast....condo mortgages have a few unique requirements.  We need to consider the condo fees, whether the condo building is an apartment-conversion and whether the condo is self-managed. Find Mike at https://boknows.homes/IVjg2j Spotlight on Local Business   Whether you're buying or selling, a house or a condo in Winnipeg, you will need a real estate lawyer.  I recommend Brad McClelland of McRoberts Law Office.  Here is a link to his website   Go to https://boknows.homes/b99b3d30   Spotlight on Tower 180 Condo in St Vital  180 Beliveau Rd is the location for a condo known as Tower 180 Condos.  Originally built as an apartment block in 1970, it was converted into condos by A&S Homes in 2014. 1 and 2-BR suites, priced bet 160-220k.  Generally about 20K to $40K below the price when they were new.   See more details on this building here  https://boknows.homes/6afb3270   Here is my post on Condo Fees vs. House Expenses   For more real estate info, check my blog at https://blog.winnipeghomefinder.com Never miss an episode. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube  

Mortgage Rates Forecast - How Do Buyers Get Their Keys? - Market Update - EP: 139

Visit our new podcast home page at https://audio.winnipeghomefinder.com   In this episode we will give you the housing market stats for the past month, and talk about what interest rates are predicted to do over the next few years.   Intro to new podcast website:   I am very happy to announce a new home for Winnipeg’s #1 Real Estate Podcast. You can find it at boknows.homes/podcast   Whats so good about it? All episodes are in one place, with easy access to all major podcast players, as well as links to the podcast apps for ios and android. More importantly, if you go to this site on your mobile device, it will load with a little icon at the bottom of your screen that will allow you to send me a voicemail question about real estate. Try it out, and I will answer those questions in an upcoming podcast.   🇨🇦 Canadian Real Estate News 📰   In an article in Canadian Mortgage trends the Bank of Canada is signaling that low interest rates are likely here to stay for another 2-3 years. This announcement affects both fixed and variable rates, and fixed rates might be falling further. In a recent survey by BMO, 57% of first time buyers said they’ll choose a fixed rate. The article ends with some economists predicting that rates might remain low well beyond the 2023 mark.   Link to the article is: https://boknows.homes/8cd5ea90   📆 This Week on the Blog 📭   Want to see the November real estate update in visual slide form? On your cell phone go to https://boknows.homes/market   The Winnipeg market report in a story format, easy to watch. a   🔦 Spotlight on Local Business 🏪   This winter, I believe a lot of people are going to forgo travelling, saving thousands of dollars in the process. Some will take that opportunity to put that money into their homes, in the form of renovations or upgrades.   Whether you want to simply improve your current home for your own benefits, or prepare for, what I believe will be a very hectic spring market, painting offers, in my opinion one of returns on your investment.   Painting your home’s interior SOUNDS like an easy diy project, but Ive seen them go very wrong. Unless you are an accomplished house painter, leave this to the pros.   Call my friend Rob White of urban Topcoat painting. Walls, ceilings, floors, …if it doesn’t move, he can paint it. I’m not charging for this shoutout, I am just recommending him because I’ve had a number of clients who used him and were very happy with the results.   Call Rob at 204-791-8024.   Or go to boknows.homes/painting   🏞️ Winnipeg Real Estate News 📰   Available listings are down roughly 40% over the same time last year, while sales are up 57%. That means a very hot sellers market, in nearly all price ranges from 200-500k.   👫 Answering Your Real Estate Questions ❓   How do buyers get the keys to their new home?   In Winnipeg, the key transfer is handled thru the lawyers. The seller gives a copy of the house key to their lawyer, who transfers it, under trust conditions, to the buyers lawyer. Once those conditions have been fulfilled, ie: the sellers lawyer has assurances that the money is there, the key will be released to the buyer   👪 🗯 Final Thoughts and Links 🖥   We’ve just heard how hectic Winnipeg’s market is. Over the next few months, here is what normally happens. Listings slow down, as does buyer activity. This is normally a good time to buy, but since listings are already low, there is no large selection of homes on the market for buyers to pick from.   After that, we will enter the spring market, which is traditionally a super hot sellers market to begin with. Will it be again in 2021? Or will there be an increase in forclosures and people needing to sell due to economic difficulties in the pandemic?   Next week we will take a look at the condo market in Winnipeg. How is it reacting to the pandemic, and could condos offer an alternative to shell shocked home buyers in Winnipeg?   For more real estate info, check my blog at https://blog.winnipeghomefinder.com Never miss an episode. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube

Turning Shipping Containers into pools, sheds and homes - Pre-Approval ’No-No’s’ EP-138

Welcome to this week’s episode.  We will have an in-depth interview with Brian Ross of Innovation Fabrication about turning shipping containers into pools, sheds, temporary houses and even tiny homes and offices. We will also talk with Mike Schroeder of Mortgage Architects about what to do, and what not to do, after you’ve been pre-approved. 🏞️  𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙜 Business Innovation Fabrication  📰              This very innovative local company started by converting shipping containers into pools and hot tubs.  They are expanding and creating covid-shelters, medical labs, man-caves and she-sheds, garages and tiny homes. IF Container website at:  https://boknows.homes/205e3d10 Boxx Pools website at:  https://boknows.homes/4ccc6320   ☎️  𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙠𝙚  💹              Some cautions about what NOT to do between the time you are pre-approved, and the time you take possession of your home.  Don’t change your credit rating, or credit history, don’t change jobs  and more info from Mike Mike’s website is at:  https://boknows.homes/IVjg2j  👪 🗯  𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨  🖥               We have all heard about how tight the Winnipeg Real Estate Market is right now.  This is due to the lack of available and listed houses.  For example, last year at this time, we had over 1,600 available homes for sale, while this morning that number is approx.. 40% lower.             On the other hand, condos are not facing this shortage.  Last year, 640 available compared to 610 this morning,  so just a 5% drop.             Next week, Nov 5th, we will take a closer look at the housing stats for October, and we’ll talk about the option of buying a condo instead of a house.  There are some advantages, and some disadvantages to condo ownership, and we’ll examine those as well. For more real estate info, check my blog at https://blog.winnipeghomefinder.com Never miss an episode. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube

Fixed or Open Mortgage? - Pandemic is motivating young Canadians to buy a home

This week we will talk to Mike Schroeder of Mortgage Architects about the differences between an open and a locked in mortgage, we’ll take a look at a really unique local business and a few surprises….all in the next 15 minutes or less   🇨🇦  𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨  📰              Interesting article on CanadianMortgageTrends.com indicating that the pandemic has motivated many young Canadians to buy a house. “The pandemic has caused many Canadians to turn their living rooms into classrooms, their dining rooms into offices, and their basements into home gyms,” said , Head of Real Estate Secured Lending and Scotia Mortgage Authority at Scotiabank in a release. “This is motivating many to consider investing more in their current homes or re-evaluating their living spaces altogether.” In addition, the lowered rates when compared to the a year ago, now can save the average home buyer around 13,000 over a 5- yr mortgage period. Go To https://boknows.homes/8dd0d4e0   🏞️  𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙜 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨  📰              So about 2 weeks ago I listed a house and the owners were wondering whether now was still a good time to list.  We got 7 offers and it sold for over 40K above asking price.   So yeah…it a great time to sell   ☎️  𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙠𝙚  💹              Let’s tackle the age old questions: Is it better to get a fixed mortgage, or to leave it open?  Lock it in for 5 years, or take a chance with a floating rate? Mortgage Mike Schroeder of Mortgage Architects says:             Even though the rates for an open mortgage are already lower than a fixed mortgage, buyers should consider that getting out of a fixed mortgage early can trigger significant penalties.  65% of home owners get out of their fixed mortgage earlier than expected. See this attached article via cbc news   https://boknows.homes/5d454f60    📆  𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙜  📭              Are you looking to add value to your home by doing some interior decorating, remodelling or updating?  Check out this great post, with a room by room guide of adding value to your home. Go to https://boknows.homes/94e0f600   🔦  𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨  🏪               Today I’m talking about one of the most unique businesses you’ll ever find.  It’s a local manufacturer, the brain child of an entrepreneur named Brian Ross.  Innovation Fabrication is  a metal fabricator who turns old shipping containers into just about anything you can think of. Pools, popup kitchens and bar yard bars, man-caves and she-sheds and even pop up medical labs and testing sites. We’re planning to have Brian on in an upcoming episode and tell us more.  You can find the link to his website in the show notes Innovation Fabrication here     http://wpgfab.com/    👪 🗯  𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨  🖥               I don’t always eat soup, but when I do…..it HAS to have meat in it.  One of my favorites is this meatball, tomato and pepper soup.  Its thick, hearty and has a little kick.  You can use beef or turkey, and a link to the recipe is in the show notes. Meatball, Tomato and Pepper soup:  https://boknows.homes/292ae8a0   hQtZZSWCHV5SN5Ct5Df6