Practice Makes Perfect

Let’s say your rent is $2000/mo and you’re considering a $2500/mo mortgage payment.

Before shopping for houses, spend 3-4 months practicing that payment.

When you go to pay your rent, immediately put $500 in a separate account. It’s gone with your rent.

How does the rest of your month feel?

Are you still living your best life or do things feel tight?

Adjust accordingly.

Bonus: now you have more $$$ saved for a down payment, closing costs or any other costs associated with buying your next home.

What’s Your Timeline?

When meeting with buyers I often get asked about timelines, concerned about how long I am willing to work with one person.

The answer: I have had some buy the first home they see and others have taken years to buy. I move at your pace. Sometimes what you need is super unique and it will take time to find that right place. Other times there are loads to choose from and we can come at it fast and furious and the journey will be done super quick.

But there are no rules, no timelines for what we will or won't work with. We love our clients and working with you is all that matters, not your timelines.

Let’s Talk About Homestead Rights

Some people can be confused when we are asking someone that isn't on title to sign off on the offer to purchase, whats more we have to do that in a private room without the person on title present.

It is a piece that gets some people's backs up, but also a piece that if not done properly can completely halt the sale of your home. Not everyone can gather the signature either, you have to have your commissioner of oaths to get that signature, which sometimes can mean the individual has to meet someone else at a later date to sign off if the Realtor doesn't have their commissioner of oaths.

It is a simple yet big and important thing, and if you have questions know that we are there for you.

This We Will Never Do

Things we will never do as your realtor:

Pressure you to buy - we are about you finding the right home for you, it is a big decision and that might take time. There is no timeline on how fast you have to buy when working with us.

Rent shame - we won't give you grief if you are renting. There is a time and a place for it, let's make sure you are buying when the time is right for you.

Take on business outside of our expertise - We know where we are great, and we know where you might be in better hands with someone else. We have great referral connections that we will send you to if it isn't an area that we are experts in.

Prioritize profit - we love you and will find what is right for you when it is right for you. It isn't about pushing you towards something that is right for us, it is about you.

Scared To Enter The Market

We hear it often, "I want to wait till rates go down" "It is too expensive to buy right now" "It feels scary I want to wait"

Lots of buyers are sitting on the fence, they don't want to pay these rates.... but let's sit down and talk, what do you think will happen when the rates go down?

When we saw a rate HOLD this past winter... just a hold... things went a bit bananas, everyone got super excited, let out a big sigh of relief and jumped into the market, and the price of homes went up. After that happened the Bank of Canada saw it and was like "We need to calm things down more" and we have now seen more rate increases.

So, in the future when rates go down, what will happen to home prices? Most likely they will go way up. All these buyers who have been sitting and waiting for the rates to go down will jump, both feet in and it will be a feeding frenzy again.

So.... buy now, do a short-term mortgage or a variable, and then wait for the rates to go down. Buy when the market isn't crazy, buy when others are sitting back scared, take advantage, and then sit back and relax in your new home when everyone else jumps into the market.

A Realtor… For Free??

A Realtor.... for FREE?? Yup... that's right... you can get a Realtor for FREE!! Help, advice, guidance, negotiations, and so much more all for zero dollars. DM us, we would love to help you buy your next home... and all for FREE!

Should You Stage Your Home?

Should you spend the money to stage your home?? I think nearly 100% of the time the answer is yes. It can be a hard one to wrap your head around, to spend that money in hopes of a return, but it is so worth it.

It helps the buyer envision themselves there

It helps add depth and warmth to the home

It makes the photos and videos look better

It shows the possibilities

It is amazing, and I almost always recommend staging.

Need contacts for staging? Have questions? We are here for you. DM us!

Interest Rate Are On The Rise Again

You heard the news and all the scary info and media headlines that the mortgage rates went up again right??

Now, calm down, don't panic...

1. We live in Winnipeg, and here our market is strong and steady, we don't have high peaks and valleys. When these changes happen we don't feel it as much as where these headlines are coming from

2. If you are a buyer and have already been pre-approved you likely have a locked-in rate, so you are good for a while yet to buy a home without having your rate go up

3. If you are in a fixed-rate mortgage right now you are unchanged, you can ignore the news

4. If you are in a variable (Like me) then your mortgage payments are going up, riding out the storm till it comes back down and you can enjoy the lower rates

5. If you are a seller, don't stress that the market is going to plummet, there are still loads of buyers out there looking for a roof over their heads, and all we need to worry about is pricing your home correctly.

Your Weekly Market Update For River Park South

What's happening in the real estate market in River Park South? Right now, more than ever, strategy is the key when selling your home. Reach out, talk to us and we can guide you through!

A Cohabitation Agreement Is A Good Idea

Are you buying a home with a friend? Venturing out to pool your resources to jump into home ownership together? It is smart and amazing, but you also need to protect yourself.

A cohabitation agreement is something that should be drawn up to make sure that both of you are protected if there is a split. What happens if one person wants out? If you have disagreements? This legal document will keep you both safe if anything goes sideways.

Let’s Talk About Aluminum Wiring

Did you know there are different types of wiring? The most common is copper, but aluminum is another option. It was commonly used in the 70s as it was more cost-effective. Generally, it is fine, but it does take a bit more work when it comes to home insurance to make sure that your provider is happy.

If you are buying a home from the 70s or have one and have questions, let me know, we are here to help you.

Connecting With Clients

This is what a team is all about, different personalities, people who work in different ways, and who connect with clients differently. ⁠

⁠On our team we try to connect you with the right fit for you, getting to know your style, how you like to communicate, and the type of person you are. We listen, and then we match you. We make sure you will be with the right person that you will get along with along your journey because sometimes the real estate journey can be long and hard, and if you are with the wrong person it isn't fun.

⁠So, DM us, let us know more about you, your hobbies, interests, and the kind of person you want to work with to sell or buy your next home, and we will match you up to make sure your journey is as close to perfect as it can possibly be.

Happy Faces & New Places

3 happy faces, especially the pup who is now off to a bigger and better yard in their new home.

I will forever be in awe of this couple and how hard and fast they worked to get their home ready for the market. It wasn't until after it was sold I found out that they nearly didn't sleep one day in order to get it all done.

Thank you for all the hard work you put in, your hard work helped lead to your success and I am so jealous of the new backyard that you are moving off to!

Make Sure Everything Is The Same

So you're buying a home (maybe it is this penthouse condo) You got your pre-approval done, and you are financially ready to start the search... so you're all in the clear.... right?? Well, that pre-approval was based on your current financial situation, which means you can't change it.

This means:

• Don't change jobs

• Don't get new credit

• Don't close credit

• Don't buy a car

• Don't make large deposits

Basically.... make sure you keep things the same... because even with that pre-approval a lender can change their mind and decline you if you have changed things up financially.

Home Buyer Tips: Should You Write Personal Letters?

Home buyers tips... Personal letters...This is a never-ending debate, should they be written? Are they an excellent tactic to win? Do they work?

The answer is yes, they can be a great tactic to help you win in multiple offers. We can help you decide what to put in it, but the best ones come from the heart.

If you need any other tips, follow us, or DM us, we would love to help you.

Big Dreams & Big Changes

This is what it looks like when families are on their way to making big dreams and big changes happen.

This super sweet family was a delight to work with. They worked hard, prepped their home, and are now off on new adventures! Thank you so much for trusting me with this adventure of yours, I can't wait to help with the 2nd half.

All Of The Things This Summer!

This pic... taken from the incredible penthouse bedroom of our listing on Roslyn! (and available for you to purchase!!)

What am I thinking... oooh about all the amazing things we have planned for you this summer!

Sidewalk chalk event (sign up in the bio)

Movie in the park (info coming soon)

Mini entrepreneur day (can't wait to share it with you)

Corn Maze (our VIPs.... stay tuned!)

A New Space Of Their Own

Being new to the country is hard, but this family got right to work! They had been living in a tiny apartment with their family of 5 and were ready for more space. They knew exactly what neighbourhood they wanted to be in, and wanted something new, so.... we set out to find just that, and it didn't take long! In no time they went from a signed contract to moving into their new townhome where the whole family will have space of their own.

Congratulations!! Super happy and proud of you for all that you have accomplished in the past year!

Let's Talk About Deposit Cheques!

This is one that many sellers ask questions about... where does it go? When will I get the money?

And the answer... well, you will get the money after possession. You don't get the money when the offer is made. That money sits in a non-interest-bearing trust account at the listing broker's office. From there it sits and waits.

The lawyers and offices talk and lawyers will request the funds when necessary. Often the money stays at the brokerage to pay commissions rather than sending it back and forth.

New Adventures In Their Forever Home

This is (hopefully) the last transaction I do with this amazing family as they settle into their forever home.

The initial phone call when they reached out to sell I was confused, it was vague, and then they revealed their master plans and I was so dang happy for them. It is so perfect in so many ways and I am glad I got to be a part of it. What is even better is they are family, and there is no better feeling than getting to work with the family to achieve great things.

Congratulations you guys, I am excited for you and your new adventures!