When you're ready to dive into the real estate market, having a Realtor® by your side can be a game-changer. A Realtor® doesn't just help you find a house; they guide you through the entire home-buying process, making sure you find a home that fits both your dreams and your budget. I have outlined only a few way Realtor® can play a crucial role at every step of your home buying journey.

Finding the Right Home

The search for the perfect home begins with understanding your needs and what you can afford. A Realtor® will start by assessing your specific preferences, budget, and desired location. They have comprehensive access to listings through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), including some that may not be publicly available. This means you get a broader selection of homes that match your criteria, and you get to see them as soon as they hit the market.

Educating and Advising

The real estate market can be complex and ever-changing. A Realtor® keeps you informed about the current market conditions, which can influence your buying decision. They explain terms and processes that may be unfamiliar, such as contingencies, escrow, and closing costs. Their knowledge can help you make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls.

Pricing and Offers

Realtors® have their fingers on the pulse of the markets they serve, which is crucial when it comes to making an offer. They perform comparative market analysis to ensure the home you’re interested in is priced right. Based on this analysis and your budget, your Realtor® will help you come up with a competitive offer that has a good chance of being accepted, without overpaying.

Negotiating

One of the most critical roles a Realtor® plays is that of a negotiator. Whether it's negotiating the price, the terms of the sale, repairs to be made following an inspection, or contingencies in the contract, your Realtor® advocates on your behalf. They have the experience to know what is reasonable to request and what is not, helping to streamline the negotiation process and making it less stressful for you.

Navigating Paperwork and Closing

Buying a home involves a significant amount of paperwork. Your Realtor® ensures that all the necessary documents are completed correctly and filed on time. They help you understand the fine print and ensure you meet all legal requirements and deadlines. When it’s time to close, your Realtor® will be right there with you, making sure everything goes smoothly and that you understand every document you sign.

After-Sale Service

Even after the keys are handed over, your Realtor® can still be a valuable resource. They can recommend local contractors, help you understand tax implications, and provide advice on maintaining or increasing your home’s value. If you ever have questions about your property or thinking about a future sale, your Realtor® is just a call away.

In the end, a Realtor® does more than just facilitate the buying of a home; they ensure you’re informed, confident, and comfortable throughout the process. From the initial search to the closing table, your Realtor® is an indispensable advisor and advocate. In a complex real estate market, this professional guidance is not just helpful—it’s essential. If you’re venturing into the world of real estate, consider a Realtor® your ultimate partner in making the right investment in your future.

Gardening season is here! Are you wanting to do some planting in your yard this year? If so, we've put together a list of the hardiest plants—those capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -40 degrees or a long drought when you are at the lake in the summer. These are truly resilient choices worth considering for your garden:

Trees:

• Limelight Hydrangea (tree form).  Its creamy white flowers blossom in late summer and transition to green in the fall. This distinctive Hydrangea tree thrives under almost any conditions.

• Evergreens.  Incredibly hardy and a nice way of keeping colour in your yard throughout the year.

• Globe Blue Spruce.  This plant features striking blue foliage that emerges with a silvery blue hue in the spring. The needles are highly decorative and maintain their blue color throughout the winter.

• Skybound Arborvitae.  This majestic columnar evergreen boasts outstanding cold hardiness. Its narrow, upright shape and dark green foliage make it ideal for mass plantings, hedge creation, or as a privacy screen, all with minimal to no pruning required.

Shrubs:

• Annabelle Hydrangeas (available in various colors).  The Annabelle Hydrangea is a robust shrub known for its impressive blossoms that can grow up to 12 inches in diameter and is low maintenance.

• Ninebark (available in various colors).  Ninebark is a low-maintenance shrub that thrives with minimal pruning and feeding. It is exceptionally adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, including drought.

• Yellow Spirea.  In early spring, this plant's elegant branches burst into bloom with light, airy white flowers, well before the emergence of its bright yellow leaves. Acting like a chameleon, the foliage undergoes a striking transformation. As spring progresses, the leaves turn a vibrant chartreuse green, eventually giving way to a fiery orange hue that persists deep into the fall.

Perennials:

• Karl Foerster.  A cool-season grass that experiences the majority of its growth in the spring, before temperatures rise above 24 degrees Celcius, and again in the fall as temperatures decrease. They typically retain their color well throughout the summer, though they grow minimally during hotter periods.

• Daylily. The daylily is an exceptionally low-maintenance perennial. It is virtually immune to diseases and pests, resistant to drought, and thrives in a variety of soil types.

• Sun King Japanese Spikenard.  This distinctive golden-leafed plant is perfect for shaded areas. Its color shines as a brighter yellow in partial sun, while in full shade, it transforms to a chartreuse or lime green.

Do any of these beauties grace your garden?

The Crucial, Yet Most Overlooked Step in Preparing Your Home for Sale

If you're considering putting your home on the market, you've probably done some research on maximizing its appeal. From simple DIY projects promising the highest returns to strategic updates like fresh paint, enhancing curb appeal, flooring upgrades, hardware swaps, and professional staging – the list is extensive and yes still very relevant. However, amidst these projects lies a commonly neglected aspect- the cleanliness of your home. In short: PRIORITIZE A DEEP CLEAN!

When guiding my clients through the process of preparing their homes for sale, I often stress the significance of a deep clean. It's remarkable how such a relatively inexpensive step can profoundly impact the presentation of your home and set it apart from the competition. Consider it from the perspective of a prospective buyer.

During property viewings with my buyers clients, I can typically categorize homes on the market into three cleanliness tiers:

1. The Dirty Third

These homes often exhibit signs of neglect. Upon entering, one might notice the lack of a cleaning regimen – dirty floors, unkept bathrooms, and pet hair galore. Perhaps having served as a rental property with tenants who didn’t take care of things. The first impression to a buyer is often not great. It leaves buyers wondering "If the owners haven't maintained cleanliness, what else might they have neglected?"

2.The Lived-In Third

This category encompasses homes that are generally well-maintained. This is how most homes look during typical day to day living. A few pet hairs on furniture, a few dishes in the sink, some streaks on the windows, or sand tracked into entryways. While not necessarily off-putting, these homes are deemed 'average' and don’t stand out in terms of cleanliness.

3. The Pristine Third

Here lies the holy grail of cleanliness – I often joke, homes so immaculate you could eat off the floors! While it may seem like an unrealistic standard for everyday living (don’t worry, you only have to keep it this pristine for the showing period), these homes convey a profound sense of care and attention from their current owners. Basically seeing a home in that is pristinely clean screams well maintained. These homes make a great first impression to prospective buyers.

The key takeaway? Aim to position your home in the top tier – the pristine category. Doing so often means you have an edge over two-thirds of the competition!!! Achieving this level of cleanliness is entirely feasible with a bit of effort and minimal expense. However, if undertaking a deep clean isn't something you want to take on, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to ensure your home shines from top to bottom.

If you have any questions or require further guidance on preparing your home for the market, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help!

#AgentSam

Samantha Scribilo

Tel: (204) 960-8851
Email: Sam@JenniferQueen.com

The real estate market in Windsor Park has shown some interesting dynamics over the past month, reflecting broader trends in the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board's market region. Let's dive into the details and see what April 2024 had in store for local homeowners, buyers, and real estate enthusiasts.

Key Trends and Insights from April 2024

1. Increasing Average Sale Price

The average sale price in Windsor Park for April 2024 stood at $384,705, marking a significant increase from $361,288 in March 2024 and slightly above the average over the last quarter ($369,539). This uptick is indicative of a strengthening market that could benefit sellers looking for a favorable exit.

2. Sales and Listings Dynamics

Though the number of sales slightly decreased to 12 in April from 16 in March, the sales-to-active listings ratio remained high at 90%, consistent with last year’s figures. This high ratio underlines a market where demand continues to match up robustly against the supply.

3. New Listings and Active Listings

There has been a noticeable adjustment in new and active listings, with new listings at 13 for April down from 20 in March, and active listings at 20, more than double the previous month's 9. This growth in active listings provides more options for buyers, even as the market remains competitive.

4. Price Ratios

A very telling statistic in April was the sold price to list price ratio, which stood at an impressive 104%. This is a clear indicator that properties in Windsor Park are not only selling at their asking price but often exceeding it, suggesting strong buyer competition and a seller's market.

5. Days on Market

Homes in Windsor Park are selling faster, with the average days on market at 8 in April, down from 9 in March and significantly faster than the 16 days in the last quarter. This swift turnaround is great news for sellers, indicating that well-priced homes are likely to sell quickly.

Broader Market Perspective

The Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board reports a 27% increase in all MLS® sales in April 2024 over March, and a 29% increase over last April, with total MLS® dollar volume up by an impressive 41%. This robust activity indicates a healthy, buoyant market. Furthermore, the year-to-date statistics for residential detached homes show a 17% increase in sales and an 8% rise in average prices, painting a picture of sustained growth and demand.

 Conclusion

The Windsor Park real estate market is vibrant and dynamic, characterized by rising prices, competitive selling conditions, and a relatively quick turnover of listed properties. For prospective buyers, the market demands decisiveness and readiness, given the high sale-to-list price ratios and fast-selling conditions. Sellers, on the other hand, can look forward to potentially favorable conditions if they decide to list.

As we move further into 2024, keeping an eye on these trends will be crucial for anyone engaged in the Windsor Park real estate market, whether you're buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on the market.

Amy McDermid

Amy@JenniferQueen.com

204-470-5356