As a resident of this city, I often hear people complaining about having “nothing to do” in Winnipeg. So I decided to dedicate a blog post every month with a list of things to do in the city in the upcoming month. I’m going to affectionately call this series “What up Winnipeg!?”, because I once saw a show called “What up Waddena” when I was 15 and I thought that was the funniest thing ever. No one said I had a great sense of humour.

Without further ado, here’s what’s happening in our lovely city this month:

Canada Day at the Forks presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Where: The Forks

When: Wednesday, July 1^st  9:30AM-11:30PM

What: Looking for a cheap, fun way to spend your day off with the kids? Head down to The Forks! With countless kid friendly activities including an obstacle course, Grey Cup festivities and a free photo booth, to name a few, you can keep your kids entertained for hours! And for those looking to take in a little music, there will be three stages offering entertainment from the likes of Leanne Pearson to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. Finish the day off with a spectacular firework show starting at 11:00PM. For more information, follow this link: http://www.theforks.com/events/signature-events/canada-day-at-the-forks

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Sioux City Explorers

Where: Shaw Park

When: Wednesday, July 1 @ 4:00PM

To purchase tickets, follow the link: http://goldeyes.com/tickets/

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Home Opener

Where: Investor’s Group Field

When: Thursday, July 2 @ 7:30PM

What: Come watch the Blue and Gold take on the Tiger Cats on home turf for the second time this year in the 2015 home opener! To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.bluebombers.com/single-game-tickets

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Sioux City Explorers

Where: Shaw Park

When: Thursday, July 2 @ 7:00PM

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Ottawa Champions

Where: Shaw Park

When: Friday, July 3 @ 7:00PM

Shoot4Shine in support of Shinerama

Where: Siddall Park

When: July 3^rd & 4^th

What: This year marks the 3^rd annual Shoot4Shine soccer tournament. This a 6 on 6 format tournament with a guaranteed 3 wins. Registration is $30/player or $210/team. There will be prizes for first and second. All proceeds collected will go towards the University of Manitoba's Shinerama campaign in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. For more info or to register, contact Austin (acoombes9@gmail.com) or Felipe (fflores@cc.umanitoba.ca).

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Ottawa Champions

Where: Shaw Park

When: Saturday, July 4^th @ 6:00PM

WWCFL Championship

Where: Investor’s Group Field

When: Saturday, July 4^th @ 2:00PM

What: Come watch as the Regina Riots take on the Edmonton Storm for the title of 2015 WWCFL Championship at the home of the Blue Bombers. The event is hosted by Manitoba Football and the Winnipeg Wolfpack. Tickets can be purchased at The Bomber Store for $10.

WWE Live: SummerSlam Heatwave Tour

Where: MTS Centre

When: Saturday, July 4^th @ 7:30

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/139625

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Ottawa Champions

Where: Shaw Park

When: Sunday, July 5^th @ 1:30

Journey

Where: MTS Centre

When: Tuesday, July 6^th @ 7:30PM

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/139625

Wiz Khalifa

Where: MTS Centre

When: Thursday, July 8^th @ 8:00PM

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/139625

Rainbow Stage: Les Miserables

Where: Rainbow Stage

When: July 9^th-27^th

What: This year’s production features the musical phenomenon known as Les Miserables. This blockbuster hit musical combines an uplifting story with unforgettable lyrics that will leave you feeling overcome by song and emotion. It is advisable that this play may not be suitable for children under the age of 10. Tickets can be purchased through this link: https://tickets.rainbowstage.ca/TheatreManager/1/online

Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Montreal Alouettes

Where: Investor’s Group Field

When: July 10^th @ 6:00PM

For tickets: http://www.bluebombers.com/single-game-tickets

Rockin’ on the Red

Where: The Half Moon Drive-In, Lockport, MB

When: July 10^th-12^th

What: Rockin’ on the Red in association with Steeltown Ford and Children’s Rehabilitation Centre presents a 3-day music festival offering activities for the whole family including face painting, Amusements Midway Rides, and a Classic car show. For more information, follow: http://j1design.ca/halfmoon_rockinonthered/index.html

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints

Where: Shaw Park

When: Friday, July 10^th @ 7:00PM

Reebok Spartan Race

Where: Grunthal, MB

When: July 11^th

What: This race is a 5km race with waves of 250 athletes released every 30 minutes starting at 8AM. Entry registration is $75-$85 depending on category and Spartan Kids can be registered for $20 or $25 on race day. Team discounts can be set up through customer service and parking is a $10 cash charge on race day. Spectators can be sold on race day for 1 for $10, or 4 for $20, these prices are also  cash only. For registrations details, follow the link: http://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/735/overview

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints

Where: Shaw Park

When: Saturday, July 11^th @ 6:00PM

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints

Where: Shaw Park

When: Sunday, July 12^th @ 1:30

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints

Where: Shaw Park

When: Monday, July 13^th @ 7:00PM

The Full Flex Express Tour

Where: Adrenaline Adventures

When: Tuesday, July 14^th @ 4:00PM

What: Union Events Presents Full Flex Express Winnipeg featuring: Jack Ü (Skrillex and Diplo), Zed's Dead, ASAP Ferg, Kiesza, Tycho, Hundred Waters, Anna Lunoe, and Mija. For tickets and more information, follow: http://fullflexexpress.com/

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Gary South Shore Railcats

Where: Shaw Park

When: Wednesday, July 15 @ 7:00PM

Winnipeg Fringe Festival

Where: Various Venues around Winnipeg

When: July 15^th – 26^th

What: Winnipeg hosts North America’s second largest Fringe Theatre Festival featuring 120 companies from around the orld to present comedy, drama, dance, improv, musical shows and more all centering around Winnipeg’s Old Market Square. With shows for all ages and a fantastic outdoor venue, you’ll find all types of entertainment. For more information, visit: www.winnipegfringe.com

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Gary South Shore Railcats

Where: Shaw Park

When: Thursday, July 16^th @ 7:00PM

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Gary South Shore Railcats

Where: Shaw Park

When: Friday, July 17^th @ 7:00PM

MTS Super Spike

Where: Maple Grove Rugby Park

When: July 17^th & 18^th

What: This unique two-day event combines Western Canada’s largest outdoor beach volleyball tournament with a concert series all wrapped up in a festival atmosphere. This year’s concert line up will include talents from The Trews, The Revival, and more! For more information and registration info, follow this link: https://www.superspike.ca/about/introduction

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Gary South Shore Railcats

Where: Shaw Park

When: Saturday, July 18^th @ 6:00PM

One Direction:

Where: Investor’s Group Field

When: Friday, July 24^th @ 7:00PM

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/one-direction-on-the-road-again-winnipeg-manitoba-07-24-2015/event/11004D54B5FE983A

Folklorama Kick-Off

Where: Festival Park Stage – The Forks

When: Saturday July 25^th 4:00PM-11:00PM

What: Folklorama Kick-Off is a free event held at the Festival Park Stage at The Forks hosted by Manitoba Liqupr and Lotteries. The free event offers fun for the whole family, including a marketplace with interactive children's activities and cultural demonstrations. The mainstage show will showcase both local and international performing groups which will kick off at 7:00PM.

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Amarillo Thunderheads

Where: Shaw Park

When: Wednesday, July 29^th @ 7:00PM

5 Seconds of Summer: Rock Out with Your Socks Out Tour

Where: MTS Centre

When: Wednesday, July 29^th @ 7:30PM

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/139625

Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the B.C. Lions

Where: Investor’s Group Field

When: Thursday, July 30^th @ 7:30

For tickets: http://www.bluebombers.com/single-game-tickets

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Amarillo Thunderheads

Where: Shaw Park

When: Thursday, July 30^th @ 7:00PM

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Amarillo Thunderheads

Where: Shaw Park

When: Friday, July 31^st @ 7:00PM

Should you sell first and buy later? Or Vice-Versa?

When you’re thinking of selling your home and buying another, you face the inevitable question: Should I list my property first or buy my new home first?

Let’s take a look at both options.

If you attempt to buy a property before listing your home, you run into a couple of challenges. First, sellers may not take you seriously as a potential buyer. After all, you haven’t put your own home up for sale. As far as they’re concerned, you might merely be testing the market. Second, your property might not sell as quickly as you thought it would. If there is an early closing date on the home you purchased, you might end up owning, and paying a mortgage on both properties, at least until your home sells.

If, on the other hand, you list your property before buying a new home, sellers will know you’re serious. That puts you in a competitive position in the event of multiple offers. Also, if your home sells quickly, you’ll have the peace-of-mind of knowing exactly how much of a new home you can afford. You’ll be able to shop with confidence.

Of course, like the first option, there is a chance that the closing dates won’t match and you’ll end up owning two properties for a period of time. However, solutions such as bridge financing are available to help.

So, there is no perfect answer. But in this market, where average days on market for listings in Winnipeg are sitting at 29 days, you may opt for the "peace of mind" route and sell your house first, knowing you can shop with confidence for your new home,

WINNIPEG -       While still a large influx of new listings came onto the market in May, it was the first decrease over the same month the previous year in over two years. Just this year alone monthly increases have been significant (e.g. 33% spike in March over March 2014). 

 One month does not make a trend. However, due to less inventory going into June and higher sales activity occurring in the spring market, the Multiple Listing Service® inventory has a supply of four months.  Altus Group, a leading national housing consulting firm which tracks local markets every month, states five months inventory of resale product is considered to be a “normal” market.

“Overall our local market is balanced and offers plenty of choice for discerning buyers to find their preferred property,” said WinnipegREALTORS® president David MacKenzie.  “Sellers on the other hand need to be realistic in their pricing as there is lots of competition from other similar properties.”

After five months of MLS® activity one in five single family home sales are achieving above list price results. Condominiums are more like one in ten with another 15% selling at list price.

Year-to-date MLS® sales of 4,993 are slightly ahead of last year while 1,455 sales recorded in May were 7% off the pace set in May 2014. MLS® inventory remains healthy at 5,751 listings while new listings coming on the market of 2,726 were down 1% over last May.

Residential-detached property sales this year are up 7% despite suffering a 5 % setback in May. Condominium sales are off 20% from 2014 but experienced 10% or half the annual percentage decrease in May. In terms of total MLS® market share, residential-detached sales represent 76% while condos are 12%.

May dollar volume of $410.0 million is one of only five months in WinnipegREALTORS® 112-year history to eclipse $400 million. It decreased 6.5% from May 2014. Year-to- date dollar volume of $1.37 billion is up 2% over last year and is the highest on record for the first five months.

President David Mackenzie said we should be pleased with another solid year so far. “The numbers speak for themselves and it is not trite to say ideal conditions exist within our local market to take advantage of such favourably low mortgage rates. Your REALTOR® can help you find what property best suits your needs.”  

The most active price range in May for residential-detached sales was $250,000 to $299,999 (23% of sales), followed by the $200,000 to $249,999 (16%) and the $300,000 to $350,000 (15%).

Average days on market was 25, the same as May 2014. The highest priced residential-detached sale was $1,405,000 and the least expensive sale was $35,000.

The most active price range for condos was $150,000 to $199,999 (31% of sales) followed by the $200,000 to $249,999 and the $250,000 to $299,999 price ranges (both at 18%). Days on market for condos was 41, compared to 30 last year. The highest priced condo went for $950,000 and the lowest priced sale was $60,000.

**Established in 1903, WinnipegREALTORS® is a professional association representing over 1,850 real estate brokers, salespeople, appraisers, and financial members active in the Greater Winnipeg Area real estate market.  Its REALTOR® members adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) designed exclusively for REALTORS®. WinnipegREALTORS® serves its members by promoting the benefits of an organized real estate profession.  REALTOR®, MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® are trademarks owned and controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association and are used under licence.