Fernan Apilan Realtor

06/05/2026

May MLS® real estate sales rise above the 5-year average for the first time in 2026
By Jeremy Davis

All MLS® sales of 1,707 in May 2026 were down 4% from last May and 1% above the 5-year average. Active All MLS® listings of 3,739 were up 2% from last year and the 5-year average. Total MLS® dollar volume of over $729 million was down 1% from May 2025 and up 8% from the 5-year average. Residential detached MLS® sales of 1,200 decreased 4% from last year and were 1% above the 5-year average. The residential detached average price of $477,313 in May 2026 decreased 4% from April but increased 4% from May 2025 and was up 7% from the 5-year average. Condominium MLS® sales were up 6% from last May and even with the 5-year average. Condominium average prices decreased 1% from May 2025 and increased 5% from the 5-year average.

“This was the highest May residential detached average price on record while the condominium average price fell just short of the record set in 2025,” said Dan O’Brien, 2026-2027 President of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board. “May represents the first month in 2026 when All MLS® sales rose above the 5-year average, and also the first month when active listings were higher than last year and the 5-year average. Condominium MLS® sales in May were above last year for the first time in 2026.”

Year-to-date All MLS® sales of 5,594 were down 8% from 2025 and down 2% from the 5-year average, total MLS® listings of 9,511 were down 4% from last year and down 1% from the 5-year average. Total dollar volume of over $2.3B was down 4% from 2025 but up 6% from the 5-year average. Year-to-date residential detached MLS® sales of 3,685 were down 9% from last year and down 4% from the 5-year average. The average price of $474,837 was up 4% when compared to 2025 and up 9% from the 5-year average. Year-to-date condominium MLS® sales of 839 were down 7% and the average price of $289,964 was up 4% from last year and up 7% from the 5-year average of $272,172.

Residential detached homes in May saw MLS® sales of 1,200 which is 4% below the 1,256 seen in May 2025 and 1% above the 5-year average of 1,184. Residential detached homes saw active MLS® listings of 1,729 which is even with last May and 2% below the 5-year average of 1,772. The average price of $477,313 for a residential detached home was up 4% from the $458,880 seen in May 2025 and increased 7% from the 5-year average of $444,838.

For May, Waverley West was the neighbourhood in Winnipeg which saw the most residential detached homes sold followed by St. Vital, River Park South and West Kildonan. Outside Winnipeg, the Steinbach area saw the most residential detached homes sold followed by the Niverville Ritchot area.

The most active price range in May was the $400,000-$499,999 range which saw 266 MLS® sales, representing 22% of all residential detached MLS® sales. The $300,000-$399,999 price range was the second most active with 240 MLS® sales representing 20% of all residential detached MLS® sales in May.

There were 24 residential detached homes sold at or above $1 million in May, with the highest priced at over $2.3 million. May 2025 had 23 residential detached homes sold at or above $1 million with the highest priced at just over $3.1 million.

MLS® sales of 247 for condominiums in May were 6% above the 232 seen in May 2025 and even with the 5-year average. Active MLS® listings of 481 for condominiums were 7% above the 451 seen last May and 3% above the 5-year average of 465. The average price of $294,703 for a condominium in May was 1% below last May’s $297,864 and 5% above the 5-year average of $279,766.

For May, the Osborne Village area was the neighbourhood in Winnipeg with the most condominium MLS® sales followed by Waverley West. Outside Winnipeg, the La Salle and Morden/Winkler areas had the most MLS® sales in May followed by the Steinbach area.

The most active price range for condominiums was the $200,000-$299,999 range with 68 MLS® sales which represents 28% of all condominium MLS® sales in May. The $100,000-$199,999 range was the second most active with 67 MLS® sales in May, representing 27% of all condominium MLS® sales.

“The Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board is the voice of organized real estate in our market region and advocates on public policy issues that impact housing affordability and supply while supporting the growth of residential and commercial real estate development,” said Crystal Hollas, CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board. “Our Winnipeg Regional Real Estate News Market Matters column reports on the performance of real estate and elevates priorities important to the development of housing, owning a home, the buying and selling process, and why using a REALTOR® can prove invaluable.”

Jeremy Davis is the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board’s Director of External Relations & Market Intelligence.

Published on 06 / 05 / 2026

06/02/2026

9 upgrades every new homeowner should tackle first. Read more page 4: https://ow.ly/ZS5850Z5Any

05/30/2026

9 upgrades every new homeowner should tackle first

So you just bought your first home and now you’re ready to start upgrading it the way you’ve always dreamed? Not so fast! There are other priorities that you might not have considered yet.

This is where the advantage of working with an experienced REALTOR® comes into play. Your REALTOR® should be able to help you determine what’s in good condition and what needs to be upgraded ASAP, especially if you chose to waive the home inspection to make your offer more appealing to a seller.

While it’s less exciting to spend money on replacing a furnace or roof than modernizing an out-of-date bathroom or kitchen, it’s critical to do so to protect your investment. Regular maintenance can also help lower heating and cooling bills and pare down other costs. It’s important not to put off repairs that may become more expensive if ignored.

You may already have experience fixing up a house, but if this is your first home, it’s best to hire a professional to get it done right. Your REALTOR® likely has a list of trusted professionals who can help.

Inspect the roof

Unless it’s a simple case of a few missing shingles, a home’s roof can become an expensive repair if it’s old or badly damaged. Buyers should ask sellers the age of the roof and how it was constructed. A roof that’s installed correctly should also have a good underlayment over solid wood decking underneath.

Flashing, the plumbing stack, chimneys and skylights should also be inspected before purchase because rain, animals and debris can find their way into any openings. It’s useful to have an annual roof inspection to check for storm damage you can’t see from the ground, but you can perform your own visual inspection by noting curled or missing shingles.

Keep the rain off

During heavy storms, homes without good eavestroughs (or gutters) and downspouts may have problems with interior leaks and standing water in the yard. A home’s eavestroughs should be pitched away from the house and be wide enough to carry water without leaves getting clogged. Downspouts should extend 5 feet from the home’s foundation so water won’t pool around the home and leak inside.

Eavestroughs should be cleared annually or semi-annually. An expert should periodically check the wood fascia boards behind them, which can rot over time. Installing a drip edge to the roof’s plywood decking (under the shingles) to keep water from getting behind the eavestrough helps too. In addition, the landscape should be regraded if the yard has settled and slants down toward the house.

Stabilize the foundation

Cracks in a foundation require prompt attention so they don’t spread and cause more severe problems. Cracks develop for all sorts of reasons, from climate fluctuations to age to property grade.

A structural engineer should be hired to do an assessment and help develop a solution, such as waterproofing a basement and foundation down to the footings, adding reinforcement, or installing a sump pump and battery backup system to remove future water ingress. Telltale signs of a wet basement may be stains or efflorescence (white salt deposits) on concrete walls or floors, or bad odours caused by mould.

Tighten the envelope

Homes that are not well sealed allow warm air to escape in winter and cool air in summer. It also makes it easier for bugs and rodents to find their way inside. Contact a service organization that can conduct an EnerGuide evaluation that can provide expert recommendations, an official efficiency rating, and a clear roadmap for cost-saving upgrades.

Insulating a space doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are rebates available for homeowners if they upgrade their insulation to today’s standards. For more info about rebates, and to find an EnerGuide service organization near you, visit www.efficiencymb.ca

Update the lighting

Old incandescent lightbulbs increase energy costs and have a short life span. LEDs are an easy, affordable upgrade that require far fewer changes and are much more efficient. Choose LEDs with a 2,600 to 3,000 K (kelvin) measurement that produces a warm colour, similar to 60-watt incandescent. Because LED bulbs come in a wide variety of colour temperatures, it’s a good idea to try one to see if it appeals to you before buying enough for the entire house. Avoid compact fluorescent lights, which take time to warm up and can be overly bright, almost like a floodlight.

Add air conditioning

Yes, we have long, cold winters in Manitoba, but we also have very hot summers, and fans aren’t that good at cooling an entire house. Window air conditioning units work, but don’t cool a house efficiently, are noisy, and are less visually appealing. A quality central air conditioning system will not only keep you comfortable wherever you are in the house, but provide a good return on investment at resale.

A split system to lower energy costs is a great option, since each room can be separately controlled. However, the costs are greater than one central system — sometimes 50 percent more — though they will help save money over time. If your home is heated using a hot water boiler system via radiators, the split system is your only option since you don’t have the heating ducts in place that go with a furnace.

Maintain wood surfaces

Wood adds charm to a home, whether through siding, flooring, railings, a porch or a deck. But wood also requires regular maintenance. Boards — even new ones — can rot due to weather and insects.

Another culprit is the type of wood used today. A century ago, the center of trees was used for boards, which made them sturdier than today’s wood planks that are made from the entire tree and its pulp. Old wood was also kiln-dried. That means that today’s wood carries more moisture, and therefore can rot faster. To prevent this, scrape off all peeling paint, or pressure wash the wood to remove any mould, before sealing it well with quality outdoor paint.

Inspect your chimney

A stately chimney adds elegance to an older home, the equivalent of icing on a cake. But if it’s not tended to, moisture can enter, along with animals and other debris. If you have a fireplace, whether in an older home or a newer one, keep it well maintained.

A cap will help, as will regular inspections to pinpoint crumbling mortar and problems with flashings, flue liners and the flue itself. Keeping all parts in good shape will also improve the air quality in your home by allowing smoke to exit more freely and the fuel to burn more efficiently when the fireplace is in use.

If a chimney has significantly deteriorated, you’ll have to decide whether to have it repaired or remove it entirely. The deciding factor may be cost.

Don’t ignore your trees

Trees are a beautiful addition to a property, providing shade in summer and picturesque snow-covered branches in winter. They also add curb appeal and resale value. But they should not be overlooked by homeowners when it comes to their care.

Trees require ongoing maintainance just like houses do. Branches may come down during storms or rub against roof shingles, insects can feast on wood, and spreading roots may clog sewers or damage foundations. You should hire an arborist to examine your site’s trees when you move in and prune damaged or diseased limbs regularly. Diseased trees should be promptly removed to prevent spread to healthy ones.

Buying a home is a significant investment, so ongoing maintenance is a non-negotiable. By getting the important upgrades done right away, you’ll ensure many years of happiness in your forever home.

Published on 05 / 29 / 2026

05/26/2026

Why you should always use a real estate lawyer when buying or selling a home

While there are many professionals you’ll encounter during the purchase and sale of your home, the top of the list typically includes your REALTOR® and a real estate lawyer.

Real estate lawyers are responsible for ensuring the transaction is in your best interest and clear of any legal issues. They help stickhandle everything from leading the title search and registration process, providing title insurance and drawing up mortgage documents, to prepping the deed and statement of adjustments, and ultimately handing you the keys to your new home.

We spoke with a real estate lawyer to get answers to the most common questions about what they do.

When do you need a real estate lawyer?

Both buyers and sellers should work with a real estate lawyer as soon as their home search becomes serious.

Jeffrey Kahane, a real estate, wills, and estates lawyer with Kahane Law Office in Calgary, Alberta, encourages buyers and sellers to consult a lawyer “as soon as they have any questions or concerns.”

“We prefer — and don’t charge more — to get called on when people have questions so we can ensure the contract properly protects them,” Kahane says, adding they “typically don’t get called upon until the contract is firm, but we are happy to help at any stage to ensure things run smoothly for our clients.”

How do you choose a real estate lawyer?

There are a few factors to consider when you’re ready to choose a lawyer. Using a few screening questions could help you decide which lawyer or firm to use:

• How long have they been practicing real estate law?

• Will they be working alone or with a team?

• How will they be billing you?

• How long will it take to get things moving?

• Can they provide references?

Your REALTOR® can provide a list of contacts they trust and have worked with before, to help narrow down your search, but you’re not obligated to use their recommendation.

How much does a real estate lawyer cost?

Lawyer fees will vary depending on the firm, how they charge (flat rate or hourly), and any disbursements incurred. Disbursements are the costs associated with title searches, any photocopies made, or anything else the lawyer does with a cost attached to it. Lawyer fees are what you pay for the lawyer’s actual time. Canadians can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $3,000 (again, depending on your situation) in fees and disbursements during the entire process. Their payment will be required at the end of the closing process.

What do lawyers do for buyers and sellers?

Lawyers can represent both the buyer and the seller, “but both parties have to agree, ensuring there is full disclosure between buyer and seller,” shares Kahane.

Why buyers need lawyers

When it comes to what real estate lawyers do for buyers, Kahane explains they “draft purchase documents and the mortgage, as well as get funds from the lender, ensure there are no debts associated with the property, and facilitate payment for the property.”
He adds “it’s also our job to ensure the survey complies with the contract.”

Real estate lawyers are required no matter what kind of property you’re buying. New build, resale, condo, freehold, land, commercial — a real estate lawyer will help ensure you receive a fair, legal contract.

New builds

When purchasing a new build, your real estate lawyer will review your Agreement and Purchase of Sale, which typically includes Statement of Critical Dates, conditions, rights and obligations, occupancy, termination clauses, early termination conditions, and list of closing adjustments the vendor proposes. Your lawyer will also review clauses and conditions to see what can be negotiated, reviewed or added for your benefit. They’ll also identify any hidden purchase restrictions, or anything that’s important to note before taking possession of your home.

Buying land

When buying land, you’ll want to find a lawyer who specializes in property law. They’ll conduct a title search to make sure there aren’t any issues with the land you’re looking at, review your contract to make sure conditions are in your favour, ensure all zoning and land use regulations are compliant with any applicable laws, and will conduct an environmental assessment before purchasing a property to make sure all regulations are met.

Condos

For condo purchases, real estate lawyers will review the Status of Certificate to make sure the reserve fund is healthy and identify whether any major repairs or renovations will be required in the near future, which could mean big costs coming up for all owners.

Joint tenancy

Your lawyer will also help you understand the ins and outs of owning property with another person. There’s joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, which means if one owner dies, their share is passed on to the other owner — in this case, it doesn’t go through the deceased’s estate. There’s also tenancy in common, where each owner decides who will get their portion of the property should they pass away. A real estate lawyer will be able to help navigate how you want to manage your share of the property, if applicable.

Why sellers need lawyers

In terms of supporting sellers, real estate lawyers similarly assist them in the smooth progress of the transaction. Kahane shares that their role entails “drafting sale documents and sending them to the buyers’ lawyer on trust conditions, payout debts on title, real estate commissions, and net funds to the client.”

Why lawyers benefit both parties

“Without our involvement, lenders won’t simply hand the funds over to a buyer or seller — they require the security,” Kahane stresses, adding “including a lawyer is also the only way to ensure buyers get the property free of debts and the sellers get their money.”

What do real estate lawyers do at closing?

While real estate lawyers are great resources throughout the entire buying and selling process, lawyers play an active role in the remittance at closing, ensuring money and asset transfers are done safely and successfully.

“If there’s a problem on closing, the lawyer can try to resolve it between the parties,” shares Kahane.

Remember, your REALTOR® is a great asset and can help connect you with a dependable real estate lawyer when you’re ready to sell or purchase a home. As they are an important component in the transaction as a whole, and particularly in the area of closing, relying on your REALTOR® to introduce you to a real estate lawyer can give you peace of mind that you’ll be connected with a reputable professional.

— Realtor.ca

Published on 05 / 22 / 2026

05/23/2026

Find the REALTOR® who's right for you. Gain expert home buying advice,selling tips, and investment strategy from real estate professionals.

05/19/2026

Read how the Bank of Canada's interest rate announcement impacts housing markets on page 3: https://ow.ly/2QIQ50Z0ac0

05/19/2026

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05/15/2026

April 2026 Snapshot: Condominium Sales Activity. Read the full market update: https://ow.ly/N25G50YWFmM