Every corner of Winnipeg is packed full of character. Each area of the city has its own unique personality, amenities, activities and lifestyle, so it can be difficult to know where to settle down. As a couple, finding a new home means choosing a place that suits both of your needs, both in the present and looking ahead to future goals. Luckily, the city offers tons of options for established married couples, families and those couples that are just starting out.

There is never a bad time to relocate to Manitoba’s largest city. Tons of couples are leaving metro areas and flocking to Winnipeg for job opportunities, the affordable cost of living and easy access to art, culture and music scenes. If you and your partner are ready for a fresh start in a thriving city, let’s look at some of your options!

Where Should I Buy a Home in Winnipeg?

There are plenty of reasons that a couple might relocate to Winnipeg. Whether you are new to town or just aren’t familiar with the landscape of property types throughout the city, Winnipeg’s best REALTOR® is here to help you out.

The first thing that you should do when searching for a new place to call home is to ask yourself, what do I need? When you’re part of a couple it’s important to ask both parties this same question and then see where these values line up, where they differ and what it will take to compromise on both of them. For example, if you are looking to start a family within the next year, purchasing a high-rise condo downtown might not be the best option. However, if you’re a newly married couple looking to enjoy some fun and nightlife before settling down, somewhere exciting like the Exchange District will better suit your needs.

Let’s take a look at some of your options:

The Exchange District

For anyone who is interested in architecture, great food and classic details, like a cobblestone walkway, the Exchange District is the perfect place to call home. The majority of properties for sale in this area are townhouses, condos or lofts, making it perfect for anyone who is in the market for low maintenance. Enjoy some of Winnipeg’s highest rated restaurants like Deer + Almond and Clementine. With tons of art galleries, studio spaces, and boutique businesses, there is always something to do in the Exchange District.

West St Paul

For any couple that prefers the quiet of the country to the bright lights of the city centre, West St Paul offers a little bit of both. Located just outside of the city limits, West St Paul offers couples the option to put down roots without sacrificing access to social activities and night life. Access to highways and main routes make it easy to get to work but when you’re at home you can be kicking back in a larger house, on a larger lot, set in a beautiful country environment.

Amber Trails

Surrounded by acres of green space, this community is the ideal place for a couple to purchase their first starter house or a forever home. Classified as a purely residential area, Amber Trails has acres of green spaces, man made lakes and playgrounds making it perfect for anyone who loves to enjoy the outdoors or is looking to grow their family in a kid-friendly environment.

Tuxedo

The Tuxedo area is the ideal mix of green spaces, quiet neighbourhoods and tons of options for work, play and a bit of retail therapy. Entertain your kids in Winnipeg’s largest indoor arcade The Rec Room or outfit your home with the latest trends in home decor with a quick visit to Seasons of Tuxedo. The homes in this area have all the benefits of urban living with larger homes and bigger lot sizes. If you and your partner are looking to create an ideal oasis right at home, consider Tuxedo. Swim spaces, extra bedrooms and office space and the option for staying active right outside your front door, this neighbourhood has it all for professional, working couples.

St. Boniface

Historic St. B is a great place to experience Manitoba’s French history with annual celebrations,  tons of small businesses and restaurants that can’t be beat. From art galleries, theatres and cultural centres the arts are celebrated in every corner of this neighbourhood. Take a walk across the Provencher bridge or take a seat by the Red River and get a great view of the Forks. The homes in this area are primarily detached, single family homes and are often older construction with a ton of character. Even though a home is older it doesn’t mean that it can’t be outfitted with high-tech updates that suit your lifestyle.

Downtown

With the job market swinging from in-person to remote, or a hybrid of both, having a home downtown is a great way to accommodate both your working schedule and your partner. With the return of the NHL and growing sports culture, the downtown core has been experiencing a revival. This area is best suited for working couple who are looking to experience all of the nightlife and events that Winnipeg has to offer. Pop down the street to the Cube for Jazz Fest or make a night out of venue hopping during Fringe. The majority of properties for sale in this area are high-rise condos.

If you are looking to improve your quality of life and are sick of paying the high price of monthly rent, just give me a call! Let’s talk about your longterm goals as homeowners, what your plans for the future are and I can help you choose the best place to start your journey as owners or help to move you out of a starter and into your forever home.

You might know him from HGTV but Scott McGillivray is more than just a Canadian TV star — he is looking out for your best interests! One of the biggest reservations that Canadians have when entering the real estate market is deciding who to work with. Everyone has a cousin or a high school friend that has gone into real estate but hiring them as your agent might not be the best idea. In a volatile housing market choosing the right agent, broker and team will make a world of difference and that is why the McGillivray Trusted Program was created.  

McGillivray Trusted is a program offered by the McGillivray Group with the goal of creating a curated collection of real estate experts, agents and professionals across Canada. McGillivary is committed to connecting buyers, sellers and property managers to top industry experts in their area. When navigating the muddy waters of a volatile market, a reliable, knowledgeable and well-connected real estate agent should be your guiding light. For all of these reasons and more, we are proud to announce that Dino Stepic has been chosen as the McGillivray Trusted representative for Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Your Trusted Real Estate Agent in Winnipeg: Dino Stepic is Only Getting Better  

“Partner with the Professional I trust!” recommends Scott McGillivray, star of hit HGTV shows Scott’s Vacation House Rules, Income Property and Renovation Resort. 

Dino is incredibly grateful to the McGillivray Trusted Program for their endorsement and is looking forward to a long-lasting and successful partnership. Being part of the McGillivray Trusted Program involves an extensive review process to “determine their excellence in client satisfaction, depth of experience, marketing, and results.” Dino Stepic team is proud to offer excellent results for all of our clients but we aren’t going to stop there! 

Being included in the McGillivray Trusted program means access to a wide network of real estate professionals and industry experts and the Dino Stepic team will use those connections to benefit clients. As a REALTOR® your work is never done. There is always something new to learn, a new tool to master or new partnerships to build. Instead of focusing on sales as single transactions, it is important to view these as part of a greater whole, including renovations to existing homes, updating your portfolio with real estate investing and your overall quality of life.  

By being involved as both a REALTOR® member of CREA (Canadian real estate association), and expanding our reach with help from the McGillivray Trusted Program, Dino offers the best in real estate in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. 

Before you spend hours browsing MLS multiple listing services, think about all of the benefits of services rendered by realtors in your area. When you need help with a purchase, sale and commercial property lease in Manitoba, look no further than Winnipeg’s McGillivray Trusted Professional. 

As proud and appreciative as the Dino Stepic team is to be accepted as part of the Trusted Program, we owe it all to our clients. There is nothing better than helping fellow Winnipeggers find their forever homes and it is great to know that you like us, as much has we like you!

In order to better serve our customers, the Dino Stepic team has compiled a quick list of helpful ways that you can reduce household costs. Instead of offering the standard “meal planning cuts back on grocery costs”, “stop impulse buying” or “just change your spending habits” that aren’t effective, we have compiled a list of small, attainable fixes for any budget that will help to make a long-term positive impact. 

1.     Ditch Drafty Windows

 It might seem obvious that drafts around windows and doors are a major issue in Winnipeg but a draft does more than make you cold. Older homes are more likely to have older windows but replacing these can cost a small fortune. A large number of windows provide natural light and contribute to the overall ambiance but if they are drafty, the more windows that you have, the bigger the headache.

2. Update Your Lighting

Trading out traditional lighting options and bulbs for LED options is a great way to reduce energy consumption. This is a small investment with a big ROI (return on investment). LED lights aren’t just more-energy efficient, they also last longer and perform better.

3. Bundle Your Insurance

If you find yourself juggling multiple insurance policies and are paying monthly premiums on each, this is a great way to cut costs. Now more than ever providers are offering low-cost options for homeowners insurance, life insurance and more. You might have to put a bit of legwork into researching different providers, both locally and nationally but it will be worth it in the long run.

4. DIY Home Repairs & Improvements

Painting your home inside and out helps to boost your curb appeal and it can help to create a more comfortable environment for you to spend time in. It is easy to hire a contractor to paint your walls but a reliable and well-reviewed painting company will be priced accordingly. Taking on a simple fix like a paint job, yourself, can help to reduce costs while still getting the desired results. Now, a coat of paint is a simple home improvement but not all updates should be done with a DIY approach. For more in-depth repairs that involve electrical, plumbing or construction. It is always a better idea to leave these tasks up to the professionals. Some of the most common DIY updates include: 

•    Paint Doors

•    Paint Cabinets

•    Replace Light Fixtures

•    Add Window Coverings

•    Add Baseboards

•    Add Mouldings

•    Add faux backsplash using Peel n’ Stick tiles

5. Block Out Excessive Sunlight in Summer

In the same way that cold air sneaking in around windows can impact your heating bills in winter, sunlight coming in during summer can drive up cooling costs. On a hot, sunny day it is a good idea to use window coverings to prevent warm rays from shining in. Covering windows throughout the day while you are at work can mean coming home to a cooler space and will reduce your air conditioning costs and energy consumption.

6. Reconsider Cable Costs

Television is a huge monthly expense for any Winnipeggers and it is a cost that we can do without! With so many streaming services available on demand there isn’t any point in paying a cable provider $150-200 per month when most streaming services cost roughly $15 per month.

7. Insulate/Wrap Exposed Pipes

Older homes also often have exposed water pipes, particularly in the basement. These might add a bit of rustic charm that comes along with the visuals of exposed pipes but there is also a lot of energy loss. The goal of these pipes is to transfer water from water tanks to the faucets and showers around your property. When covered or wrapped, these pipes lose less heat than exposed ones that can lose between 2-4 degrees from start to finish.

8. Be a Big Fan of Your Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are low energy but create a big impact on air movement in your home. When used correctly, a ceiling fan can help to regulate interior temperatures by 1-2 degrees which might not seem like much but it makes a big difference for your utility bills and comfort. It is important to note that your fan should be directing air downward in summer and upwards in winter for the desired effects.

9. Consider Energy Efficient Appliances

Replacing older appliances with energy efficient models might not help with your cash flow in the moment but they will help you save money in the long run. It might not make sense to spend money in the moment but an old stove, outdated air conditioner or running toilet can increase your monthly payments on an on-going cycle.

10. Refinance For Your Future

Refinancing your mortgage might seem like a complicated process but at its core it is just the process of replacing an existing loan with a new one. This new loan can be with the same lender or a different one. Refinancing may be an appealing option if you find yourself dealing with high interest rate credit card debt or multiple loans. By pulling out your existing equity you can pay off multiple debts for lower and more manageable monthly obligations.

If you have done all you can to cut back on expenses but are still hoping to better manage household bills, try a few of these helpful options — or try them all!

In the past, realtors have spent their marketing budgets on billboards, bus benches and print ads but we have come a long way since then. There are plenty of realtors hard at work in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas and social media is the best way to stand out from the crowd. Realtors may work with an agency but ultimately are left to create their own brands, find their own leads and cultivate an approachable online presence.

Everyone knows that, when used properly, social media can be an effective and reliable tool to grow your business but what isn’t obvious is how to make the most out of these platforms. More than just throwing up a few photos or quick reels, making the most out of social media requires research, strategy, design and execution. It can take years of study and hands-on practical training to develop an effective social media strategy. During this period, time, effort and energy are taken away from daily operations and attention to your business.

Working with an experienced agency like Socialish Co. means being able to hit the ground running with an effective media strategy. In addition to creating dynamic graphics and captivating captions, a media agency is able to create catered content according to your target audience across multiple platforms for a more effective approach. As a generic realtor who only posts listings or open house announcements, you will get left in the dust — but Teah and her team won’t let that happen. Socialish Co. creates unique voices and distinct branding, as well as an effective pathway to communicate with clients.

Brand Development & Social Media: A Socialish Co. Strategy

Selling real estate is not a one-man show but relies on a team of committed and knowledgeable professionals and luckily for the Dino Stepic team, that includes Socialish Co. In the same way that social media strategies can help realtors reach customers and grow their business, effective media strategies benefit companies and contractors of all sizes, in all industries. The goal of any social media agency is to help businesses grow and that is a huge advantage to small businesses and corporations — but how do they do it?

Socialish Co. creates and manages social media accounts but that is a simplified way of looking at it. Experienced digital strategies also involve creating and scheduling ad campaigns to cast a wider net and put your brand front and centre in front of the desired audiences. Building a large following online isn’t just an easier way to engage with your current audiences, or connect with potential customers in real time, it adds legitimacy and credibility to your brand.

The team at Socialish Co. promote your business but they also oversee all of the seemingly minor details that make up your online presence. Teah and her team handle everything from hashtag research, content creation, content calendars, install conversion tracking pixels, create analytics reports and create engaging ad campaigns based on your budget.

Winnipeg Home Values: Why You Should Schedule a Home Valuation

For many Manitobans buying a home is the biggest investment that they will ever make. Whether you found your forever home last year or bought it in the 1980’s the value of that property will have changed — so, what’s it worth now?

The Winnipeg housing market moves in bursts and has been on a steady incline year after year. Even if you have no plans to list your home, there are plenty of reasons to stay informed about what your home is worth. When you know the value of your home it can help you decide what type of improvements or renovations can be made, ballpark your property taxes and insurance and can help you decide whether or not this is your forever home or you’d like to sell.

Why is a Home Valuation Important: Getting to Know the Benefits

You can’t just put a price tag on a property. In fact, even a similar home in the same neighbourhood may have a wildly different sales price. While there might be an average price for homes in different areas across the city there are a few unique factors that will contribute to overall pricing. For example, consider a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. An attached home of these specifications will have a much lower listing price than a detached home or the same size and style.

When Renovating: Renovating a home adds personality and curb appeal but it will also impact the overall value of your house. Depending on the current value of your house, as well as the potential value that can be added, you can create a renovation plan that maximizes both your budget and your return. A real estate agent can help to decide what upgrades will benefit your space the most. With the cost of living on the rise across Canada anything that can help to reduce utility bills and daily running costs are great ways to add value to your home and stretch your budget. In this case, updated windows, roofing and even solar panels might be your next big project while a can of paint might be the cheapest, easiest option nut does come with a lower ROI in the moment.

Pulling Equity: If you have held a mortgage on your current home over a period of years you will likely have equity built up. If you find yourself dealing with large amounts of debt or are looking forward to a major expense, you might consider remortgaging. A valuation makes it possible to go to the bank with hard figures that will expedite the application process.  

Property Tax & Insurance: Knowing the value of a property is beneficial across a wide range of industries. Understanding what your home is valued at can help to create a more informed insurance policy for peace of mind, as well as giving you an idea of how your property taxes are structured.

When Selling: For many homeowners in Winnipeg their first homes are starter homes. If you relocate for work or are looking to grow your family, there are plenty of reasons to move. It can be fun to spend a day browsing open houses but it you don’t want to get your heart set on something that you can’t afford. Pre-approval for a mortgage is a great starting point for building your budget but understanding the value of your home can help to determine the sales price of your listed property and provide a more clear view of what you can put toward a new house.

The size, property type, location and market conditions will all have an impact on the overall value of your property so it is always a good idea to consult a home appraiser regularly to stay informed. There are plenty of home valuation tools on the market but none of these will be as effective as a professional home appraiser. If you are struggling to find a reliable appraiser, just consult your real estate agent and/or a member of the Winnipeg regional real estate board to connect you with an industry Pro.

There are plenty of larger companies that make the bulk of their business through long distance moving services across North America — but what about the locals? If you are moving locally you might be in a tight spot with limited availability and surge pricing that makes hiring a reliable mover feel impossible. Winnipeg businesses understand that this is a huge problem that can put people at risk of unreliable movers, damaged items and having to blow their budget on last minute bookings with raised pricing.

Stress-Free, Full Service Moving in Winnipeg 

No matter who you are, you’ve probably had a bad moving experience at one time or another. It is incredibly stressful to bounce from friend to friend looking for a truck to borrow, collecting boxes from local stores and then the physical act of having to pack and move heavy items. On the other hand, maybe you’ve had a bad experience with a moving company that didn’t meet your needs or caused unnecessary damage to your things. Instead of dealing with a worst-case scenario it is important to create a list of moving requirements based on what you want, need and the type of property you are dealing with.

Residential Moving: Your things aren’t just stuff, they are full of sentimental value and they are very important. A good moving company will recognize that and will treat your belongings with care — in fact, they’ll even help you pack! When moving from one house to another, homeowners are going to feel a little out of sorts and that is what makes proper organization so important. Labelling boxes clearly can help movers transport your belongings to the right room, making the unpacking process simple and easy for you.

Commercial Moving: When you are dealing with a commercial move, you aren’t just dealing with items, you are putting your business in someone else’s hands — and that can be tough! In addition to moving standard office furniture like desks and chairs, moving an office means dealing with expensive machinery like copiers, computers, scanners and more. Moving an office also means moving confidential information. Moving customer files and financial information demands a high level of trust so it is important to put your faith in a reputable company and that is what makes referrals so great.

Aseme Moving: Your Local Winnipeg Movers 

The moving industry is incredibly competitive and more often than not you’ll experience moving companies in Winnipeg being rushed from one job to another, meaning they are frantic and less careful than they should be. We know that you have a ton of options throughout the Winnipeg area but Aseme Moving sets themselves apart from the rest by priding themselves on genuine care for their customers and their belongings. 

After working with a less than professional moving company, Thiery Niyubuhungiro saw a need for experienced, compassionate and affordable moving services in Winnipeg, he jumped into action to provide those services himself. With a mission in mind and an arsenal of moving equipment, Aseme Moving is ready to tackle residential and commercial moves of all sizes.

In addition to offering affordable moving prices, fully insured services and reliable crews, Aseme Moving sells competitively priced moving supplies. Aseme is your one-stop shop for prep, packing and peace of mind for local moves in the Winnipeg area.