How To Choose The Right Realtor

๐Ÿค When you're interviewing multiple realtors in Winnipeg, it can be really hard to decide who's best for you. ๐Ÿค”

You're hearing a lot of different opinions on pricing ๐Ÿ’ฐ, commissions ๐Ÿ“Š, and suggestions on getting your home ready. ๐Ÿก

โœจ Here's what I promise you when you interview me:

You are going to get nothing but pure honesty โ€” even if that honesty is hard to hear. ๐Ÿ’ฏ

๐Ÿšซ I will NOT tell you that your home is worth more than it truly is simply to appease you and get your business.

๐Ÿ“ˆ What I WILL give you:

โœ… Data & numbers that are realistic

โœ… My gut feeling backed by 15 years of experience in this industry

โœ… A clear, honest strategy to move forward

Because the wrong price can cost you thousands ๐Ÿ’ธ โ€” and the right one gets you sold. ๐Ÿ”‘

๐Ÿ’ฌ Looking for an honest opinion on what your home is worth? DM me ๐Ÿ“ฉ and let's get together. โœจ

How to Choose the Right Winnipeg Realtor: Why Honest Advice Beats a Big Number

What should you actually look for when interviewing Winnipeg realtors?

The realtor who gives you the highest number isn't always the one who gets your home sold โ€” the one who gives you the most honest, realistic number usually is.

Why Interviewing Multiple Realtors Can Feel Overwhelming

If you're getting ready to sell your home in Winnipeg, chances are you're talking to more than one realtor before deciding who to work with โ€” and that's a smart move. But it can also leave you with your head spinning. Every conversation seems to bring a different opinion on pricing, a different commission structure, and a different list of suggestions for getting your home market-ready.

By the third or fourth conversation, it's easy to lose track of what's actually true about your home and what's just being said to win your business.

The Temptation to Tell You What You Want to Hear

Here's something worth knowing as you interview Winnipeg realtors: some agents will quote a higher listing price than the market supports simply because it's what sellers want to hear in the moment. It feels good to hear a big number. But if that number isn't grounded in real market data, it can lead to a home that sits on the market too long, price reductions down the road, and a much harder selling experience overall.

When you interview me, you're going to get something different โ€” pure honesty, even when it's not the easiest thing to hear. I won't tell you your home is worth more than it truly is to appease you and win the listing. My job isn't to make you feel good for one meeting; it's to help you make a confident, informed decision and actually get your home sold.

What an Honest Home Valuation Actually Looks Like

A realistic valuation isn't a guess or a number pulled out of thin air to flatter you. It's built from two things working together:

  1. Real data โ€” recent comparable sales, current market activity, and trends specific to your neighbourhood

  2. Experienced judgment โ€” the instinct that comes from years of watching how homes actually perform once they hit the market

After fifteen years working in the Winnipeg real estate market, I bring both to every conversation. The numbers tell part of the story, and experience fills in the rest โ€” things like how a home shows in person, what buyers are currently responding to, and how your specific property is likely to be received once it's listed.

What to Ask When You're Interviewing Winnipeg Realtors

As you meet with different agents, it's worth paying attention to more than just the price they suggest. Consider asking:

  1. How did you arrive at this number, and what data supports it?

  2. What would you recommend I do to get my home ready before listing?

  3. How do you handle it if the market shifts after we list?

  4. Can you walk me through your commission structure and what it includes?

A realtor who can answer these clearly โ€” and who isn't afraid to give you a number you might not love โ€” is being straight with you from day one.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a realtor is about more than finding someone who tells you what you want to hear. It's about finding someone who will tell you the truth, back it up with real information, and stand by you through the entire process โ€” even the parts that are hard to hear upfront. That honesty is what protects you from a longer, more stressful selling experience down the line.

Curious What Your Winnipeg Home Is Really Worth?

If you're looking for an honest, experience-backed opinion on your home's value โ€” not just a number designed to win your business โ€” I'd love to connect. Reach out today and let's talk about what your home is really worth in today's Winnipeg market.

โ€” Nicole, Winnipeg Realtor

Helping You Navigate Divorce

Divorce. ๐Ÿ’”

It's a hard word to say.

It's a hard emotion to feel.

It sucks, to put it plainly.

We've recently helped several clients going through a divorce or separation navigate the home sale process. ๐Ÿก

We know that divorce is already a difficult and emotional time, and we want to do everything we can to make the sale of the home as stress-free and smooth as possible. ๐Ÿค

We've learned a lot about how to navigate a home sale amid a divorce โ€” and we've found that communication and amicability between both parties are key. โค๏ธ

We work closely with our sellers to ensure everyone is on the same page and that the sale is handled in a way that feels fair and equitable to everyone involved. โš–๏ธ

We have "rules" in place for how we communicate and handle things during a divorce to ensure everyone is involved, listened to, and part of the process. ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

If you or someone you know is going through a divorce and needs help selling their home, we're here to support you. ๐Ÿ’›

Don't hesitate to reach out with questions or to talk more about the process from start to finish. ๐Ÿ“ฉ

Helping Clients Every Step Of The Process

Thank you so much for the kind words! It was truly a pleasure working with you through the home-buying journey. Helping clients navigate every step of the process, from start to finish, is exactly what we strive to do, and we're thrilled it made a difference for you.

Wishing you all the best in your new home, and don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything in the future!

Is Winnipeg's Real Estate Market Starting to Shift?

Winnipeg's housing prices just hit new July highs โ€” but sales are slowing down. That combination is a signal worth paying attention to, whether you're planning to buy or sell in the months ahead.

Record Prices, But a Cooling Pace

July 2026 set new average price records in Winnipeg for both detached homes and condos. The residential detached average price climbed to $454,264, up 2% from last July and 6% above the 5-year average. Condos followed the same pattern, averaging $290,522 โ€” also up 2% year-over-year and 5% above the 5-year average.

Here's the part that tells a different story: sales activity didn't keep pace. All MLSยฎ sales across the region came in at 1,475 for July, down 9% from last year. Detached home sales fell 7%, and condo sales dropped 21%. Meanwhile, active listings rose 9% year-over-year to 4,005 โ€” meaning there's more inventory sitting on the market than there was a year ago.

Put simply: prices are still climbing, but fewer homes are trading hands, and buyers have more to choose from. That's the shift.

President of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board put it this way: "While MLSยฎ sales fell below last year, sales have been within 5% of the 5-year average in every month of 2026 so far." So this isn't a market in freefall โ€” it's a market finding a new, steadier rhythm after a few frenzied years.

What This Means If You're Buying

More listings and a slower sales pace generally add up to a little more breathing room. You're less likely to be stuck in a bidding war on every property, and you may have more time to make a confident decision instead of a rushed one.

That said, don't mistake "more balanced" for "cheap." Prices are still at record highs, and the most active price range in July was $400,000โ€“$499,999, accounting for nearly a quarter of all detached home sales. Homes priced well and shown well are still moving โ€” the shift gives you leverage, not a discount.

What This Means If You're Selling

This is the moment when pricing strategy and presentation matter more than they have in the past couple of years. With active listings up 9% and buyers facing more options, homes that are priced realistically and market-ready will still sell โ€” but "list it, and it'll sell itself" isn't a safe assumption right now.

Winnipeg detached home sales specifically were down 8% from last July, even as the average price held essentially flat at $460,114. That tells sellers the market is still rewarding well-positioned homes, just not automatically.

A Few More Numbers Worth Knowing

  1. Year-to-date, all MLSยฎ sales across the region sit at 8,762, down 6% from 2025 but only 1% below the 5-year average โ€” this is a normalizing market, not a collapsing one.

  2. Total dollar volume for the year is over $3.6 billion, down slightly from 2025 but up 6% from the 5-year average.

  3. Twenty-one detached homes sold at $1 million or more in July, with the top sale over $2 million.

The Bottom Line

Winnipeg's market is shifting from the intensity of the past few years toward something more balanced โ€” rising prices paired with more inventory and a slower sales pace. For buyers, that means more options and a bit more room to plan. For sellers, it means pricing and presentation matter more than ever. Either way, this isn't a market to navigate on assumptions from a year or two ago.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in Winnipeg and want to talk through what these numbers actually mean for your situation, I'd love to help. Reach out anytime โ€” as your Winnipeg REALTORยฎ, I'm keeping a close eye on these shifts so you don't have to.

โ€” Nicole, Your Winnipeg REALTORยฎ

Source: Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board, July 2026 Monthly Market Analysis

Record High Prices KILLING Winnipeg Sales?

Winnipeg home prices just hit a new July record, but sales are slowing down. ๐Ÿ‘€

Here's what that actually means ๐Ÿก

๐Ÿ“ˆ Detached avg price: $454,264 (up 2% YoY)โ€จ

๐Ÿ“ˆ Condo avg price: $290,522 (up 2% YoY)โ€จ

๐Ÿ“‰ Sales: down 9% from last Julyโ€จ

๐Ÿ“ˆ Listings: up 9% โ€” more inventory hitting the market

Translation: prices are still climbing, but buyers finally have a bit more breathing room and choice. Sellers, pricing and presentation matter more right now than they have in years.

Whether you're buying or selling in Winnipeg, this is a good time to have a real conversation about strategy.

Drop a comment or send me a DM ๐Ÿ“ฉ

Practice Paying Your Mortgage

๐Ÿ’ก Let's say your rent is $2,000/mo ๐Ÿ˜๏ธ and you're considering a $2,500/mo mortgage payment ๐Ÿก.

๐Ÿ›‘ Before shopping for houses, spend 3-4 months practicing that payment. ๐Ÿ“…

๐Ÿ’ธ When you go to pay your rent, immediately put $500 in a separate account. It's gone with your rent. Poof! ๐Ÿ’จ

๐Ÿค” How does the rest of your month feel?

โœจ Are you still living your best life? ๐Ÿฅณ

๐Ÿ˜ฌ Or do things feel tight?

๐Ÿ“Š Adjust accordingly.

๐ŸŽ Bonus: now you have more ๐Ÿ’ฐ๐Ÿ’ฐ๐Ÿ’ฐ saved for a down payment, closing costs, or any other costs associated with buying your next home! ๐Ÿ”‘

Should You Renovate Before You Sell?

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Should you renovate before you sell? ๐Ÿก

๐Ÿค” It's one of the most common questions we get from sellers โ€” and the answer isn't always what you'd expect.

โœ… For some: it makes perfect sense and will get you more money in your pocket. ๐Ÿ’ฐ

โŒ For others: it's just time and hassle ๐Ÿ˜ฉ โ€” and you end up no further ahead than if you'd sold as-is.

๐Ÿ“Š There is no blanket answer. But with us, you get a custom approach and answers tailored just for you. โœจ

๐Ÿ’ฌ DM us ๐Ÿ“ฉ to book your own consultation and figure out your plan before selling your home! ๐Ÿ”‘

Selling Your Winnipeg Home This Winter? Take Your Photos Now

Should you shoot your listing photos months before you list?

If you think you might sell your Winnipeg home this winter, yes โ€” July and August, while your yard is at its best, is the right time to get your photos and video done.

Why Timing Your Photos Matters

Winnipeg winters are beautiful, but they don't do your curb appeal any favours. Snowbanks, bare trees, and grey skies hide the very things that make a property stand out: the flower beds, the mature trees, the green lawn, the deck you spent all summer on.

If you list in December or January and only have winter photos to work with, buyers are left guessing what your yard actually looks like. Some won't bother guessing โ€” they'll just scroll past.

Give Buyers the Full Picture

Shooting your photos and video now means buyers browsing your listing in the colder months get to see exactly what they're getting: a yard in full bloom, not a shot of snow and bare branches.

That matters more than it might seem. Buyers are picturing their life in a home, and a lush backyard photo does a lot more of that work than a mental "trust me, it's nice in summer."

One Less Thing to Stress About

There's also a practical upside for you. Once your photos and video are done, you don't need to worry about the state of your flowers, lawn, or landscaping when the actual listing date arrives. Winter can do what winter does โ€” your listing already tells the real story of the property.

A few things to keep in mind if you're planning this way:

  1. Book your photographer for a clear day in July or August when the yard is at its peak.

  2. Capture both photos and a video walkthrough of the exterior while everything is green.

  3. Keep the interior shots closer to your actual list date, so furniture, staging, and lighting reflect the home as buyers will see it.

  4. Ask your REALTORยฎ how far in advance photos can reasonably be used before they need a refresh.

The Takeaway

If a winter sale is even a possibility for you, don't wait until the ground is covered in snow to think about your listing photos. Booking them for July or August protects your curb appeal, gives buyers the full picture, and takes one more thing off your plate when it's time to list.

Thinking About Selling This Winter?

I'm Nicole Hacault, REALTORยฎ here in Winnipeg, and I help sellers plan โ€” including timing things like photography so your listing looks its best no matter when it goes live. If you're weighing a winter sale, let's talk through your timeline and get a plan in place before summer's gone.

Have You Budgeted For The Land Transfer Tax?

๐Ÿ’ฐ Have you budgeted for land transfer tax when buying your home? ๐Ÿก

It's one item that most people forget about โ€” or simply don't know about โ€” when they are buying a home. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

๐Ÿ“Š Here's what you need to know:

Your total closing costs (which include your lawyer fees โš–๏ธ) are usually about 2.5% of the purchase price ๐Ÿ’ต โ€” and this money is due just before possession of your new home. ๐Ÿ“…

๐Ÿšจ You need this saved up in addition to your down payment. ๐Ÿ’ธ

๐Ÿ™Œ The last thing you want is a surprise expense right before you get your keys! ๐Ÿ”‘

๐Ÿ’ฌ Want a 1-on-1 consultation and time to talk about your future move? DM us ๐Ÿ“ฉ and we'll walk you through all the steps. โœจ

I Look Forward To Working Together Again!

Thank you so much, Claire! Working with you on both your purchase and sale has been such a pleasure, and I'm grateful for the trust you've placed in me across both. Building lasting relationships with my clients is truly the best part of this job โ€” you're never just a transaction to me.

I look forward to working together again down the road. Until then, don't hesitate to reach out anytime!

๐Ÿก River Park South Weekly Market Update ๐ŸŒŸ

Hey everyone! Itโ€™s time for your weekly dose of real estate insights from River Park South. ๐Ÿ“ˆ

For this week:

๐Ÿ”ฅ  7 homes sold in River Park South

๐Ÿ   12 new listings have just hit the market

๐Ÿคฉ  18 homes on the market

The market is buzzing with activity! Whether youโ€™re looking to buy, sell, or stay informed, we have the latest trends and stats.

Have questions about the market or need personalized advice? Iโ€™m here to help! Feel free to reach out anytime.

๐Ÿ”— Watch the full video for all the details. And donโ€™t forget to like, share, and comment!

Join The Team!

Are you a Realtor whoโ€™s got at least 1 year under their belt and is ready to level up? Youโ€™re not afraid to prospect, you love chasing the deal, and youโ€™re the kind of person who makes things happen without waiting to be told what to do.โ  โ  

If youโ€™re tired of wasting time on paperwork and admin, weโ€™ve got that covered, so you can focus on what actually makes you money. Our team is tight-knit, collaborative, and always pushing each other to be betterโ€”no lone wolves here, but also no micromanaging.โ  โ 

๐Ÿ’ป You embrace tech.โ  

๐ŸŽฅ You love being on video, or at least youโ€™re excited to start.โ  

๐Ÿš€ Youโ€™re hungry to grow, not just coast.โ  

๐Ÿก You want to be part of a team thatโ€™s selling 100+ homes a year (and has fun doing it).โ  โ  

Sound like your kind of people? Send me a DM. 

The Kid Boss Mini Market Is Back!

Our Kid Boss Mini Market is back, and applications are officially open! ๐ŸŽ‰

Calling all young entrepreneurs ages 8-14 โ€” this is your chance to show off your business and sell your products at our market on November 29th from 10 am-2 pm (vendor setup starts at 8 am).

We want to see a variety of products and ideas this year, so get creative! Just a heads up: we're capping it at 2 businesses per product type, so don't wait to apply.

๐Ÿ“… Applications close August 21st at 5pm

๐Ÿ“ฃ Confirmed vendors announced August 25th

Is Now A Good Time To Buy Or Sell In Winnipeg?

๐Ÿค” Is now a good time to buy or sell a home in Winnipeg? ๐Ÿก

Every single neighbourhood is different, and there can be a lot of variables. ๐Ÿ“Š

๐Ÿท๏ธ For Sellers: If homes are priced properly, they are generally selling quite fast. โšก If you're ready to go, the market is waiting for you. ๐Ÿ™Œ

๐Ÿ”‘ For Buyers: Don't let social media scare you off! ๐Ÿ“ฑ๐Ÿšซ The bidding wars can be intense ๐Ÿ’ช, but there are a LOT of opportunities out there ๐Ÿ‘€ โ€” and interest rates aren't all that bad either. ๐Ÿ“‰

๐Ÿ’ฌ Thinking about selling or buying in Winnipeg? DM us ๐Ÿ“ฉ and let's have that one-on-one conversation for you to learn more. โœจ

House Hack With As Little As 5% Down

๐Ÿค” Many people get confused about the "2nd home at 20%" part. It isn't that if you are picking up and moving your family, you have to pay 20% down ๐Ÿ’ฐ โ€” it is when you are buying a rental property. ๐Ÿ˜๏ธ

But what if you could also get a rental property at just 5% down? ๐Ÿ‘€

Here is what you do... ๐Ÿ’ก

โœ… You keep your current home as the rental ๐Ÿกโžก๏ธ๐Ÿ’ต

โœ… Buy your next family home at 5% down ๐Ÿ”‘

โœ… And do that a few more times ๐Ÿ”

๐Ÿ“ˆ Here's how it works:

๐Ÿ  Buy a starter home at 5% down

โžก๏ธ Keep it & move up

๐Ÿก Buy the next one at 5% down

โžก๏ธ Keep that & move up again

๐Ÿ˜๏ธ And again... and again ๐Ÿ™Œ

Each time you move up, it's only 5% down. This way, you're acquiring rental properties as you go, moving up in the real estate world, and doing it all with the least amount down โ€” which helps to free up your cash! ๐Ÿ’ตโœจ

๐Ÿ’ฌ Reach out if this is something you may be interested in! We can help you determine if your current home would be a great rental property for you. ๐Ÿ“ฉ

3 Tips To Improve Your Offer Without Costing You Money

๐ŸŽฏ Getting an accepted offer isn't always about price. ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Here are three things you can do to help improve your offer without costing you extra money: โœจ

๐Ÿ“ 1. Write a beautiful letter to the sellers. โค๏ธ

Tell them why you love their home. Sellers often care where their home is going, not just how much they're getting.

๐Ÿ’ต 2. Increase your deposit. ๐Ÿ’ช

A stronger deposit shows sellers you're serious โ€” and financially ready to close.

๐Ÿ“… 3. Make sure the possession date is exactly what the sellers want. ๐Ÿ”‘

Flexibility on timing can be worth more than dollars in some situations.

๐Ÿ™Œ There are many other things you can do to help get your offer accepted, but these three can set you on the right path.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Want a full strategy โ€” and to make sure your offer gets accepted every single time it's written? DM me! ๐Ÿ“ฉ Let's sit down, meet, and plan your dream home. ๐Ÿกโœจ