The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and decluttering your home is a great first step. Sentimental clutter can be particularly hard to let go of, but with a few practical tips, you can create a more organized, peaceful space.

Start Small
Begin with a non-sentimental task, like organizing a junk drawer or getting rid of kitchen duplicates and expired items. This can help you ease into the decluttering process.

Sort Sentimental Items
Once you’re ready to tackle sentimental belongings, group them into four categories:

1. Keep

2. Donate or Sell

3. Toss

4. Undecided (set a date to revisit these items)

Ask yourself: Does this item bring joy or pleasant memories? Do you have space to keep or display it? Could someone else benefit from it?

Preserve Memories Without the Clutter
For items tied to cherished memories, consider taking a photo or writing down the story behind them. If you have multiple items tied to the same memory, keep just one.

Let Go of Guilt
Be honest about why you’re holding onto an item. Are you keeping it out of guilt or obligation? If it’s a family heirloom that doesn’t hold personal significance, consider passing it on to another family member who might appreciate it more.

Showcase What Matters
For items you truly want to keep, integrate them into your home’s décor. Display them on a bookshelf, gallery wall, or in a curated space that sparks joy.

As a homeowner, clearing out sentimental clutter not only refreshes your home but can also prepare you for future moves. A decluttered home appeals more to potential buyers and makes the transition smoother if you decide to sell.

This year, embrace the opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you. Create space for new memories while giving your treasured items a new lease on life—whether it’s with you or someone else who will appreciate them.

Looking to sell your Winnipeg home? Contact me for expert advice on preparing your home for the market!

The Winnipeg real estate market is thriving, but with its growth comes an unfortunate rise in mortgage scams. As a homebuyer, it’s crucial to protect yourself from fraudsters who prey on your dream of owning property. Here are some practical tips to avoid falling victim to a mortgage scam.

1. Work with Trusted Professionals

Always choose licensed mortgage brokers, lenders, and real estate agents with proven track records. Verify their credentials through organizations like the Manitoba Securities Commission or the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association. Check online reviews and ask for referrals from friends or family.

2. Beware of Unrealistic Offers

If a deal seems too good to be true—like an ultra-low interest rate or guaranteed approval despite poor credit—it probably is. Scammers often lure buyers with enticing promises, but legitimate lenders will assess your financial situation before making offers.

3. Don’t Share Sensitive Information Carelessly

Never provide personal details, like your Social Insurance Number or bank information, without confirming the legitimacy of the party requesting it. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls or emails offering mortgage deals.

4. Read Every Document Carefully

Before signing any contracts, read the fine print. Mortgage scammers often include hidden terms that can leave you financially vulnerable. If you’re unsure, consult a trusted lawyer or financial advisor in Winnipeg.

5. Verify Payment Requests

Scammers may ask you to send money via unconventional methods, like wire transfers, to secure your mortgage. Legitimate lenders in Winnipeg will use secure, transparent payment channels.

6. Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect a scam, report it immediately to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and notify local authorities. Taking quick action can help protect others in your community.

Navigating the Winnipeg real estate market can be exciting, but vigilance is key. By partnering with reputable professionals and staying informed, you can protect your investment and avoid mortgage scams.

As a seasoned real estate professional in Winnipeg with over years of experience, I’m here to help you navigate the complexities of the market safely. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, I can connect you with trusted lenders, ensure your transactions are secure, and guide you every step of the way.

Don’t let scams ruin your homeownership dreams. Let’s work together to find your perfect Winnipeg home safely and confidently!

Selling your home can be both exciting and overwhelming. One key to a smooth and successful sale is presenting your property in the best possible light. In Winnipeg’s competitive real estate market, decluttering and staging are essential—and that’s where short-term storage solutions come in.

Why Consider Short-Term Storage?

When selling your home, less is more. A clutter-free, well-organized space feels larger and more inviting to potential buyers. Removing excess furniture, personal items, and seasonal gear can help showcase your home’s best features. However, you still need a place to keep these items safe. That’s where short-term storage becomes invaluable.

Storage Options in Winnipeg

Winnipeg offers a variety of short-term storage solutions to fit your needs:

1. Self-Storage Units: Facilities like Access Storage, https://storageville.ca/, and Pockit Self Storage offer secure, flexible options for your belongings. Many units come in various sizes and are conveniently located across the city.

2. Portable Storage Containers: Companies like PODS and BigSteelBox deliver containers to your driveway. You can load them at your own pace, and they’ll store the container off-site until you’re ready.

3. Local Moving Companies: Many Winnipeg moving companies, such as Two Small Men with Big Hearts, provide temporary storage as part of their services. This can be a convenient choice if you’re combining moving and storage needs.

4. Specialty Storage: If you’re storing valuable or sensitive items, look for climate-controlled units available at select facilities in Winnipeg.

Tips for choosing the Right Storage Solution

• Assess Your Needs: Consider the volume and type of items you need to store. Bulky furniture may require a larger unit, while smaller items might fit in a portable container.

• Location Matters: Opt for a facility near your home or new property for easy access.

• Check Security: Ensure the facility offers 24/7 surveillance and secure access.

• Compare Costs: Request quotes from multiple providers to find the best deal.

The Winnipeg Advantage

Winnipeg’s storage providers understand the unique needs of local homeowners. With our city’s diverse real estate market and fluctuating seasons, short-term storage can be a game-changer when preparing your home for sale.

By investing in a temporary storage solution, you’ll not only create a more appealing space for buyers but also streamline your move. Ready to sell? Start by exploring Winnipeg’s short-term storage options and take the first step toward a successful home sale!

Getting ready to move this winter? While it may not be as easy a move as in other seasons, with a little preparation you can accomplish a move that goes off without a hitch. For some helpful tips, read on.

• Be prepared to be flexible – Check the weather in the days leading up to your move. If a storm is forecasted for your moving day, consider rescheduling your move date. Get any pre-move errands completed in advance of your move, so you don’t get stuck trying to accomplish them in bad weather at the last minute.

• Prepare both homes for winter moving – Ensure both your old and new homes have clear, wide paths for moving, plastic sheeting to protect floors, and if it will be dark during any part of your move, check that the exterior lighting works, and consider headlamps.

• Protect belongings –Temperature changes from the warmth of your home to the cold of the moving truck can cause items like glass to break and electronics to malfunction, so secure these items according to the manufacturer’s instructions and have them loaded onto the truck last or transport them in your own vehicle to keep a closer eye on them.

•Organize utilities – Schedule utility hook-up at your new home before you move so you aren’t stuck without the ability to control indoor temperatures in the height of winter.

• Prepare your vehicle – Especially if you are making a long-distance move, make sure your vehicle has been serviced recently and is stocked with gas, washer fluid, first aid and emergency kits, and blankets.

• Show your movers some appreciation – A warm drink and something to eat for your movers will be a nice gesture to show you care.

Don’t let Mother Nature make moving more stressful than it needs to be, and plan ahead if you have a winter move coming up.

What do you get when you have an onslaught of aging baby boomers, an affordability crisis, and a housing shortage? Granny pods – also known as guest suites, in-law suites, or accessory dwelling units. They are tiny homes that are either separate or attached to an existing home with shared utilities and are usually equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom, and living area. For more on why they are gaining popularity, read on.

• Avoids the downsides of a retirement home – A granny pod can be a lot more affordable than a retirement home, while also making it easier for family to stay connected.

• Aging in place – An elderly person can continue to live on their property and rent out the main house to caregiving family or renters, enjoying the comfort of familiar surroundings.

• Childcare - Aging parents, if still in good health, are just steps away to help with childcare for their grandkids, saving money.

• Multi-purpose revenue source - Despite the name, granny pods can also be a place for adult children to live or used as a rental property for passive income.

• Home value – For all the reasons above, granny pods can also increase the value of your home.

When considering a granny pod, take into account:

• Local zoning by-laws – There may be rules against additional dwellings on a property, but given the housing crisis many municipalities are moving towards more leniency with them.

• Family dynamics – Consider if everyone will get along overall. Discuss if meals will be separate or shared and if the grandkids can stop by anytime.

• Unexpected costs – You may need to upgrade utilities, ready your yard, and include accessibility features (e.g., ramps, grab bars) that may increase your costs more than initially expected.

If you’re interested in learning more about the granny pod movement, you can check online for visual ideas and more information, or give me a call - I’m always happy to chat!

Refinancing your mortgage is when you replace your existing mortgage agreement with a different one. While the most common reason to refinance your mortgage is to take advantage of significantly lower interest rates to lower your monthly payment, it’s not the only reason for refinance.

Some people refinance to access the equity in their home to provide flexibility to cover expenses, such as major home improvements, or to pay off higher-interest debt. It’s easier to qualify for the refinance if you have at least 20 percent equity in your home.

If refinancing is something you are interested in, start with a mortgage expert to see if it makes financial sense. Be sure you plan on owning the property long enough to break even on the closing costs of the refinance - that is the time it takes for the closing costs to be covered by the monthly savings.

If you have a credit score of 750 or more and a debt-to-income ratio of 36 percent or less, you will be more likely to get the lowest rates.

Making your money work for you is what refinancing is all about. It’s worth exploring to see if it makes sense for you, whether you want to lower your payments, pay off your mortgage sooner, or help fund a large expense like a home improvement project or retirement.

Deciding when to move can be a tough decision. If you are thinking about moving, consider the following:

• Length of time living in your next home - Would you be there long enough to recoup the initial costs of moving, such as the down payment, closing fees, and moving expenses?

• Mortgage penalties – Try to align selling with when your mortgage is up for renewal to avoid a penalty, or negotiate it with your lender. You may also have the option to port your mortgage and take on a blended rate combining your old interest rate with the new one.

• Your job situation – If you don’t have a secure job this could be an obstacle with a lender. • Non-monetary costs – Would you be moving mid-way through your child’s school year, or would they have to give up the sports team they are on if you moved? Consider disruptions to your routine and social connections, along with other stresses in your life, to determine if it’s the best time to move.

• Plans for the new home – Do you have plans for what you would want to do with your new home, and might there be any restrictions on what you can do (e.g. do you intend to renovate it, run a business out of it, or use it as a short-term rental)?

• Your future plans – Would your new home have enough space for your family or future family, including pets? Consider which schools are nearby if you have kids or plans to start a family.

• Your day-to-day life – Consider the neighbourhood you would want to live in, the monthly bills, and the lifestyle you would like to have.

If moving is on your mind and you are looking for advice to help with your decision, remember I’m always happy to help. Call or email today