So Long, Old Friend!
Goodbye Candy Cane ice cream... till next year when we meet again...
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You Still Have Time!!
Open up your FHSA (first-time home buyers account) before the end of the year! Put 50 bucks in there... you don't have to put in the maximum of $8000, just get it opened!
Then... next year you have this year's room plus next year's room, so if you can, you can start putting more in there and save up for that down payment.
You may not be thinking of buying anytime in the near future, but open that account up so that you have the room and ability to save taxes while saving for a home.
This is your last tip of 2023!
Local Authors Need Our Support
I took "The Quiet Limit" with me on trek and wanted to take pics with it on all the monumental stops along the way. (this one in front of Cotopaxi and at 14,000 ft summiting Pasocha)Why did I do this? Because my neighbour wrote it, and when someone else achieves their dreams you support them. I also did this because I suck at reading, audiobooks are how I consume books, and so I had a goal of finishing this incredible story on trek, of really changing my habits and sitting down to read as often as I could.
Local authors need all the support they can get, so head over to @by.tristalundquist and pick up a book for you to start 2024.
Buying NOW? Or Buying LATER?
Similar to investing, timing the market is difficult. With a decrease in interest rates, buyer interest will probably surge, leading to an increase in house prices. So waiting for that low rate could cost you more in the end.
Start speaking to a lender now to figure out what your numbers will truly look like. Speak to @lambofgolf from RBC if you need a trusted mortgage pro!
*Please note that the calculation is only for illustrative and general informational purposes. It is not intended to offer specific financial advice and should not be relied upon as such
Congratulations You Did It!
We wrapped up this beautiful purchase, a 3 year journey, just days before I was leaving for Ecuador. I was so incredibly happy that I got to be there to see the whole process to the end and finish the journey with them. The fast possession meant that as soon as I got home to take the sold pic they were already moved in!! It was so awesome to knock on the door of their new home, see how they were settling in and take this amazing pic!!
Congratulations you guys!! You did it!!
Protect Your Foundation
It is a BEAUTIFUL day and all the snow is melting off your roof.... and all that water is coming down your downspouts....
Now if your downspouts are up or off, all that snow melting is going right to your foundation, and we want to protect your foundation!
So... get out and put them down or get a big attachment, make sure that water is flowing 6 feet away from your property. We don't want any unwanted cracks or seepage in your basement!
Proud Of Our Budding Entrepreneurs!
To all the kiddos that participated in the Kid Boss Market.
I am so very proud of you for putting yourself out there and bringing your businesses to the public. I am proud of you for all the hard work you put into it leading up to the event and for all the hours you put in working your booth at the event. Every one of you is amazing and I am so thankful that you chose to participate in the event!
Are You Racking Up Credit Card Debt This Holiday Season?
Are you headed out shopping and racking up that credit card bill? Are you also thinking of buying a home in Winnipeg? Keep an eye on that credit card bill, which affects your debit-to-income ratio and the higher that gets your credit can be damaged, especially if you miss payments.
The Kid Boss Market Was A Great Success
The little kiddos, their creations, the moments with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, and so much more made this even more incredibly special. I am thankful to every person who came out and supported our little vendors. Here's to next year and making it even bigger and better!
The End Of A Three Year Journey!
This photo here marks the end of a 3 year journey!!!
Often buyers ask me "How long does it take to buy a home" and I tell them.... "that is completely up to you."
For this couple, the journey was about 3 years, and there were lots of twists and turns along the way. Markets changed, budgets changed, jobs changed, heck... there was this thing called Covid... all of it kept throwing obstacles our way. We looked at plenty of homes that just needed to be corrected. We threw out the idea of home and shifted to cabins, and then back to homes.
Selling their current home was the last piece of the puzzle after we accepted an offer on an amazing home. We had to be speedy and on point, for it all to come together, and my goodness it came together beyond perfect. While some think that the market is down we had over 50 showings on their home, and a whopping TWENTY ONE offers on their home!!!! WOW!!
Congratulations to your family on ending the journey and moving into your new amazing future home.
WINNIPEG, December 7, 2023 – For the 17th consecutive month, active MLS® listings across the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board’s market region showed percentage gains over the previous year. All MLS® sales declined slightly but remained close to last November. MLS® statistics show the average price of residential detached homes and condominiums saw a dip while residential attached homes saw a gain when compared to November of last year.
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Don’t Buy A Home In The Winter Is The Worst Advice
Let's talk about buying a home in the wintertime.
There are a lot of misconceptions, one being that because you can't see the yard you shouldn't buy a home. But not seeing a bit of green is no reason not to buy I would argue that winter is a better time to buy.
I love seeing how a home performs in the wintertime, you can find all the cold spots and inefficiencies. Being able to see frost in an attic is a huge bonus, or what the windows look like on a -40 day.
So, go put some warm boots on, and let's look at homes while everyone else is cuddled up in their blankets waiting for the spring market.
