Winnipeg Real Estate News Letter - February 2021

Tips, News & Advice For Home Buyers, Sellers And Owners
Winnipeg
Real Estate Times
February Newsletter 2021
Inside
The Art of
Manny Martins-Karman

Newsletter February 2021
About the Author
In 2005, after completing an exciting
career as a Police Officer for the City
of Winnipeg, Bo joined RE/MAX
Performance Realty, Winnipeg’s
largest and most successful Real
Estate Brokerage.
In 2006, wanting to learn how to
better serve his home buying clients,
he earned the designation of
A.B.R.®, Accredited Buyer
Representative. Over the years, Bo
developed a strong passion for
working with buyers and sellers of
houses and condos in Winnipeg.
In 2019, Bo received the RE/MAX
Lifetime Achievement Award,
presented to agents who have sold
over $120 Million Dollars worth of
homes. By this time, Bo Kauffmann
had helped over 500 buyers and
sellers of houses and condominiums
in Winnipeg.
In 2020, again wanting to expand his
knowledge and expertise, Bo became
a Certified Luxury Home Marketing
Specialist.
This passion helped him to be
inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of
Fame in 2010, awarded to agents who
have sold over $40 Million Dollars of
real estate.

February 2021
2021
Look out for These
Home Inspection
Red Flags
A home purchase is likely the biggest
investment you will ever make. To protect
your investment and your personal health and
safety, you want to be aware of red flags that
could signal significant problems with the
home that you wish to buy.
Structural red flags are the most serious
because they threaten the integrity of the
home. Look for large basement floor cracks
and bumps. Doors and windows that are out
of alignment, along with steps that have
separated from the foundation, are all
indications of settling of the home.
Mold-related issues are often detected in older
homes with deferred maintenance and may
not have easy fixes. Keep an eye out for
patches of black mold in the house as well as
any mold-related odor, unventilated
bathrooms or bubbled paint.
Even an untrained eye can uncover red flags
associated with destructive pests. Powdery
residue around wood elements, grinding
sounds, and hollow areas in floors and walls
are indicators of wood-destroying pests.
Droppings and bug body parts are also signs
of insect infestation.
Defective roofing can present you with
several threats to a home’s integrity. Beware
of a roof that is over 20 years old and displays
cracked and missing shingles or has evidence
of previous repairs. Once inside the home,
keep an eye on the ceiling, where there may
be staining or patchy paint.
Our team will help point out red flags like
these so your home-buying process will result
in fewer risks to your health, safety and bank
account.
Meeting Change and Certainty
with Ease and Skill
If there’s anything that 2020 taught us, it’s that change and uncertainty are part
of the very foundations of life. One thing that is certain, however, is that we all
go through these times of upheaval at some point. Often, we’re told by loved
ones to “be strong” or that we’ll “get through this,” but how do we practically
achieve this?
The answer is resilience. It’s the ability to bounce back and successfully recover
from trauma or painful experiences, and it can do a lot to make life a little easier,
especially if you make a concerted effort to build up your reserves.
According to psychotherapist Joshua Miles, resilience is important for several
reasons. Not only does it enable us to develop protection mechanisms, but it also
helps us maintain balance by improving learning skills, increasing physical
health and boosting the immune system.
There are several ways you can work on developing your resilience. Start with
making small lifestyle changes that feed positively into your mental well-being.
This can take the form of meditation, walking, listening to music, developing
your hobbies and making time for family and friends. Practice being
straightforward and assertive with others. If unreasonable demands are made of
you, be prepared to say how you feel. It’s okay to say no.
Look after your physical health by developing regular sleeping patterns,
exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Lastly, be less hard on yourself
and celebrate your wins. If you don’t achieve what you aim for, forgive yourself.
Remember that resilience is about dusting yourself off and trying again.
Are You a First Time Buyer?
Get My Free Guide
Buying your first home is a big
step, and one that is likely to
impact your financial future
for years to come.
Make it easier by requesting
my free guide, “How First-
Timers Can Make a Wise
Buy.”
Reach out to 204-333-2202
and I’ll send it right out to
you.

7 Household Hacks to Make
Your Life Easier
Coming up on March 17 is the anniversary of the 1845 invention of the
humble rubber band, an often-unsung hero of our day-to-day lives. Able to
bind bank notes, letters, newspapers and herbs together, they also give jars of
preserved food an airtight seal and can even be found as the mounting for hard
drives in computer housing. Inspired by its ubiquitous usefulness, here are
seven household hacks featuring versatile items that’ll make your life easier.
Don’t cry over spilled paint. Stop paint from running down the can by
placing a heavy rubber band around the vertical height of the can. This way,
you can wipe off excess paint without making a mess.
Keep the tape rolling. Slip a rubber band over the “ears” of your tape
dispenser. Because the tape doesn’t stick to rubber, it keeps the end from
falling through the slot and back onto the roll.
Give garden gloves a go. Pop on a pair of cotton garden gloves, and voila!
You’ve turned your fingers into gentle cleaning tools for dust-gathering
knickknacks.
Flexible coffee filters. Another dust buster is the coffee filter. The thin, clothlike
paper can easily clean your monitor or TV screen.
Clean your keys. Easily remove dirty marks from your computer keyboard
with a standard eraser.
Let the music play on. If you want to listen to music but your Bluetooth
speaker’s died, put your phone in a drinking glass or bowl to boost the volume
level.
The old wooden spoon trick. This one is an oldie but a goodie. Put a wooden
spoon over the top of your pot to keep it from boiling over. It pops the bubbles
and keeps it from overflowing.
What Are Tenants in Common?
“Tenants in common” is one of several ways to take title to a property when
more than one person is to be on the title. It is a legal arrangement between two
or more people, each with an ownership interest in a property.
Even though the percentage of ownership can be different between owners, title
taken as tenants in common gives each tenant an undivided and equal use of the
property.
When title is taken in this manner, each tenant can separately bequeath his
ownership to anyone at any time. If a tenant in common dies, that ownership
interest automatically becomes an asset of that tenant’s estate.
In order for the property to be sold, there must be a consensus to do so from all
tenants on the title. When it’s sold, each tenant in common will walk away with
a share that is equal to his or her percentage of ownership interest.
Thank you for
your referrals!
I succeed when people like you
refer me to your friends,
neighbours and loved ones. It’s the
best kind of feedback I can receive.
So thanks for continuing to pass
this newsletter on to people you
care about.
Heart Ice Cream
Sandwiches
The flavours and decoration choices for
these are endless. Get creative! Super easy
and fun to make, kids can join in too.
Yields 6
12 cookies (from scratch or ready-made)
tub of slightly softened ice cream
decorations of choice in shallow containers
(such as red and white sprinkles, heart
sprinkles, chopped nuts or chocolate chips)
Using a heart cookie cutter, carefully cut out
heart shapes from cookies.
Place 6 cookies on parchment paper.
For each heart, first place a mini scoop of
ice cream onto each round part of the heart
and then one mini scoop on the bottom
section of the heart. Squish ice cream down
and together a bit to fill in heart completely.
Place another heart cookie on top. Make
sure it is securely stuck down so it doesn’t
slide around.
Dip sandwich in sprinkles and gently roll
around until ice cream is covered. Place in
freezer-safe container with parchment paper
in freezer to set. Repeat for each heart. If
you need to layer them, parchment paper in
between stops them from sticking together.

Tips for Budgeting and Saving
for a House Down Payment
Worth Reading
Prior to buying a home, you need to assess the amount and source of your
down payment funds and check in with a lender of choice to determine what
kind of loan is best for you.
You should work on getting your credit score as high as possible and create a
reasonable budget so you can save the needed down payment funds.
There are down payment assistance programs that will help keep the size of
your down payment to only 5 percent of the purchase price.
Plan on buying a home that fits your savings plan of an amount equal to 5
percent of the price. You can always move up to a larger home later as your
equity grows.
It is not uncommon for all or part of a down payment to be gifted from a
family member. This option may allow you to buy a home sooner than
expected because your funds are immediately available.
To help save money to buy a home, have your bank set up an automated
transfer of at least 10 percent from every paycheck to a separate account that
is reserved for your down payment funds.
Have your budgeting plan include reducing some of your more luxurious
indulgences. Eat out less often, shop for more affordable getaways and
evaluate how much you are spending on items you could really live without.
If you can find a way to increase your income, even if only temporarily, your
down payment fund will grow even more quickly.
You may have a hobby that could be a marketable commodity, or freelancing
your skills could supplement your income.
Reach out to learn how you can put yourself in the best possible position to
purchase a home.
Quick Quiz
For an answer, email me at
boknowshomes@gmail.com
or call 204-333-2202.
Where was Michael Jordan born?
6 Easy Ways to Organize Your
Kitchen That’ll Make Cooking
Less Stressful
By Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Huffington Post
If you’d like to cook more or perhaps
streamline your current cookery
process, this article has a few handy
tips and tricks. From using a
whiteboard to keep track of what’s in
your fridge to organizing your
kitchen drawers, to the Zen-like
practice of “mise en place,” its
organizational wisdom will get you
cooking like a pro in no time. More:
https://tinyurl.com/worth022021a
7 Easy Hacks that Turn Your
Smartphone into the Ultimate
Productivity Tool
Ambition & Balance
This article will give you all the
tools to give your smartphone a
productivity makeover. Keep an eye
out for tips that’ll revolutionize your
phone usage, such as Google Voice
transcriptions, intermittent use of the
Do Not Disturb function and
replacing addictive time wasters like
Instagram and Facebook with
wellness, current events and
productivity apps. More:
https://tinyurl.com/worth022021c
This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or
medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any
time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with
respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter.

Brought to you free by Bo Kauffmann
Inside Your Newsletter:
Look out for These Home Inspection Red
Flags
Meeting Change and Certainty with Ease
and Skill
7 Household Hacks to Make Your Life
Easier
Tips for Budgeting and Saving for a House
Down Payment
Wondering What’s
Happening in Your
Neighbourhood?
Sudoku instructions: Complete the 9 × 9 grid so that each row, each column
and each of the nine 3 × 3 boxes contains the digits 1 through 9. Contact me
for the solution!
We can’t make this stuff up!
A 59-year-old Russian man accidentally found a novel way to hide his
money: up his nose! The unfortunate gentleman recalls he was age six
when he wedged a coin up his right nostril and forgot about it. It was
retrieved after 53 years.
A Minnesota woman’s video of an inebriated squirrel has gone viral. Katy
Morlok fed the furry critter an old pear from her fridge, not realizing it had
fermented into a boozy tidbit.
Firefighters in Massachusetts pulled a man to safety after he got stuck
chest-deep in mud. It took 75 man-hours to free the man after he had fallen
into the disused pond. They finally succeeded after placing ladders on the
ground to help their footing and using a sled to pull him free.
An Australian woman won the lottery but only bought her winning ticket to
meet a minimum purchase requirement. The Queensland veterinarian won
$10,000 after choosing an animal-themed scratch card.
How has the price of your home changed
in today's market? How much are other
homes in your neighbourhood selling for?
These are all critical questions that
shouldn't be overlooked when thinking
about buying or selling your home.
Whether you're curious about prices in
your area, whether it's an excellent time to
sell, or just need an expert to answer your
questions, I can give you the tools and
offer guidance through the entire buying
or selling process.
Let me know how I can help by simply
giving my office a call at 204-333-2202
to set up a time to connect.
Contact me today:
Bo Kauffmann
Remax Performance Realty
942 St. Marys Road
Winnipeg Manitoba
204-333-2202
boknowshomes@gmail.com
WinnipegHomeFinder.com

Luxury Living in Crescentwood

2 Level Luxury Condo
near Corydon Village
1453 Sq Feet of spacious, bright
luxury condo living.
3 Balconies, 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bath
Close to the action and restaurants
of Corydon Ave. Enjoy evening
dining and walks along tree-lined
streets in Little Italy.
Very bright rooms in this highquality
building. Low
maintenance, steel roof, tri-pane
italian windows, hand-hewn
bamboo floors, lots of space for
entertaining your friends and
family.
Welcome Home!

February 2021
Because we all need to be uplifted and enjoy a good laugh...
Potty-mouthed parrots. Zookeepers in Lincolnshire, England,
had a dilemma on their hands when five of their prized African
grey parrots picked up a bad habit that could make a sailor blush.
After adding a few choice words to their already advanced
vocabulary, Billy, Eric, Tyson, Jade and Elsie egged each other
on in front of visitors. This resulted in their separation for the
sake of younger zoo visitors. Meet the foul-mouthed fowls here:
https://tinyurl.com/uplift0221a
Hitting all the high notes. Up-and-coming composer Grace
Moore is poised for greatness. The New York muso achieved a
huge milestone when she entered the New York Philharmonic
and had her work performed by professional musicians in the
orchestra. Entitled Summer, her pastoral work enjoyed its world
premiere in October 2020. What makes this breakthrough all the
more remarkable is the fact that Grace is only in seventh grade.
Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/uplift0221b
Give us a wave! Just as the COVID crisis dawned in
February 2020, Dell tech analyst Sam Waring prepared to
hunker down and shield due to health issues. Part of his
lockdown preparation included heading to a neighbourhood
sign shop and picking up a custom-made sign that read “If
the Curtain’s Open, Give Us a Wave, Eh?” It wasn’t long
before the sign, Sam’s heartfelt gesture and his regular
“waver” went viral. Sam tells the story from his point of
view here: https://tinyurl.com/uplift0221c
Brought to you by Bo Kauffmann
boknowshomes@gmail.com | 204-333-2202
Links You Can Use Now
We’ve all had to get familiar with a “change environment”
in 2020; how we knew the world to operate has had to come
to a screeching halt. In this spirit, here are some ideas and
resources to help you boldly adapt to change in a few simple
areas of your life.
Not all advice is good advice. As it turns out, some of the
old wives’ cleaning tales may indeed make a “sticky”
situation even worse. Here are some of the most common
erroneous cleaning hacks you may have once heard and what
you should do instead: https://tinyurl.com/uplift022101
This pandemic has changed the way we vacation. Here’s the
latest data on the newest trends and top-rated travel advice
along the way: https://tinyurl.com/uplift022102
Endorphins play a critical role in maintaining our overall
happiness and well-being. Here are 13 ways to boost your
body’s endorphins: https://tinyurl.com/uplift022103
The physical stress of a workout can actually help let off
steam! Here are 10 stress-relieving workouts that promote
relaxation: https://tinyurl.com/uplift022104

How to Relax and Beat the
Winter Blues
In the winter, spending more time indoors means plenty of time to catch up on rest
and relaxation. This is great news for mental health, considering the stress 2020 has
brought forth.
However, while this forced R&R is a blessing to some, with the gloomy weather
and even further reduced activities, others can experience a depressive condition
called SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
The good news is that by both prioritizing and forming a strategy around downtime,
we can flip the script on seasonal blues. Here are some tips to help you unlock the
therapeutic powers of tailored relaxation.
Schedule “you” time. The best restorative results come from intentional relaxation.
Get as specific as possible about what benefit you want to get out of your time.
Schedule weekly relaxation appointments with yourself to stay ahead of the burnout
curve.
You deserve it. You don’t have to “earn” rest. We live in a world that is focused on
productivity, so we forget that we deserve rest and require it to stay at peak
performance. Instead of feeling guilty or anxious about everything we’re not doing
while relaxing, shifting this mindset allows us to truly unwind.
Set stimuli boundaries. Block out any stimuli that does not serve your relaxation
intention. Oftentimes, scrolling through social media, watching the news or
checking email is extremely counterproductive to relaxation.
Create a ritual. For many, the commute between the office and home helps to cue
the brain to go into relaxation mode. Working from home blurs those lines between
when it’s time to work and relax.
Try creating your own daily transitional rituals, such as taking a walk, going to the
gym or turning on some tunes. Experiment to find what works best for you.
If you know of any local families or organizations that are especially in
need at this time, please give me a call at 204-333-2202 or email
boknowshomes@gmail.com. I will do my best to spread the word. If there
is anything I can do to support you at this time, please let me know.
942 St. Marys Road
Winnipeg Manitoba
From a Single
Push-Up to a
World Record
At the age of 15, Chris Nikic learned how to
ride a bike, which was no mean feat,
considering he’d been unable to walk
without assistance for many of his formative
years. Growing up with Down’s syndrome
certainly had its highs and lows. But the
determined teen found solace from the
isolation and exclusion he faced in sports. In
no time, he was running sprints, swimming
and playing basketball in the Special
Olympics.
After Chris graduated in 2017, his dad, Nik,
noticed his son was becoming increasingly
inactive and encouraged him to get 1% fitter
each day. A single push-up was how his
training began. It wasn’t long before he set
his sights on the Ironman competition.
Undaunted by the race’s 2.4-mile openwater
swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-
mile run, he began training with a local
endurance group.
In November 2020, race day dawned. With it
came unforeseen challenges. Chris was
unable to balance well enough to drink water
while cycling, so he had to stop to take a
drink. He unfortunately stood atop a
mountain of red ants during one such break,
resulting in bites and swollen ankles. A
series of bike crashes left his knees bloody
and grazed.
After 13 grueling hours, Chris was ready to
quit. But somehow, he tapped into a well of
patience and perseverance, summoning the
strength to run the last 16 miles by focusing
on each single step ahead.
He crossed the finish line in 16 hours and 46
minutes, becoming the first-ever athlete with
Down’s syndrome to complete the race and
setting a Guinness World Record in the
process.
In a post-race interview, Nik’s pride for his
son shone through. "Ironman has served as
his platform to become one step closer to his
goal of living a life of inclusion, normalcy
and leadership….If Chris can do an
Ironman, he can do anything."
WinnipegHomeFinder.com
This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical
advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any
errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter
discussed or published in this newsletter.

6 Tips To Sell Your Home In 2021
If you have decided to put your home
on the market, you have probably
spent many a sleepless night
wondering how long the sale will take,
how many prospective clients you will
have to meet, and how disrupting to
your life the process will be.
If you are contemplating the sale of
your home, or even if you have already
begun the advertising process, you will
certainly benefit from some of the tips
we bring you, about speeding up the
sale of your property. Read on to find
some awesome home selling tips!
Call Your Agent Now
That’s right, get your agent to walk
thru your home and get a feel for it.
Then ask them for their 'Honest'
feedback on what needs to be
improved. This is perhaps the hardest
thing for agents to do, and for home
sellers to hear.
But having unvarnished feedback is
critically important. Ask the agent
what, if anything, you should fix or
replace before putting it on the market.
Time to upgrade
Sellers often shy away from doing
upgrades. This is understandable
considering that the ROI is seldom
100%. Then again, buyers are picky and
tend to avoid homes that require a lot
of work. Note that you do not have to
do major remodels, as small updates
can make a big difference. Start by
fixing problems such as leaky roofs and
faucets, and ensuring that plumbing
and electrical systems work like a
charm. Make the necessary repairs and do
not let typical red flags fly and turn people
away.
Spend the winter time to upgrade or repair
anything that is required.
Rethink the Interior
Strive to spruce up the home. Set your own
preferences and taste aside: strip the
interior of any personal items and enable
the buyers to visualize themselves in your
space. Streamline the décor and do away
with clutter.
Bear in mind that a fresh coat of paint and
quality new rugs make an instant visual
impact and refreshes the space. Potted
plants and functional shelves are also a
safe bet. Of course, you get the best results
when you put in some extra cash and hire
professionals. Let them handle the
property styling and wow buyers as sure as
eggs.
Prepare for hunting season
Many buyers overlook one crucial aspect,
the timing. Namely, serious buyers may
shop all year round, but others are prone
to the influence of good weather. Hence,
spring is traditionally the time when many
individuals and families see a smooth
transition. Therefore, get your home in
impeccable shape and gain an edge over
the competition when it most matters.
Enhance the street appeal
One of the most surefire ways to attract
buyers is to improve the curb appeal of
your property. There are several ways to
pull this off and the chief goal is to make

your home appear clean, attractive,
and well-maintained.
Give it a facelift with a new façade
and deal with any defects, cracks,
and peeling paint. Install a highquality
doors and paint the windows.
Get into the art of landscaping and
present a well-groomed lawn. Keep
walkways, porches, and entryways
tidy and free of clutter. Finally,
invest in some outdoor lighting and
take the beauty to new, luminous
heights.
Price it right
You have to boost the appeal of your
home in the eyes of sellers. They will
not come by a stroke of chance and
offer you a great deal. One of the first
things to consider is the realistic
price of the home. You do not have to
be cheaper than the others, but you
do have to come up with a
competitive listing price. Feel free to
rely on a real estate professional.
This decision involves extra costs,
but it should be more than worth it in
the long run. In case you do not know
the market backwards and forwards,
you could make a costly mistake.
A dream come true
In order to find someone who will
love your home as much as you do,
and going through the entire process
with the least hassle possible, make
use of some of our advice, and have
fun while showcasing your interiors.
Don’t settle for a deal you are
unhappy with just to make a sale.
Create a clean, welcoming, blank
canvas that buyers can easily paint
their dreams on.

Recent Articles For You
BIRDNESTING – A
NEW CONCEPT IN
DIVORCE-HOUSING
When you got married, you likely
had every intention that it would
be forever. And when the kids came
along, that commitment likely
only increased. After all, as a
parent, the thing you want most in
the world is to give your kids the
best possible life. You want them
to have happiness and security.
You want to shield them from life’s
troubles and make whatever path
they must travel as smooth and
easy as possible.
6 REASONS TO BUY A
CONDO
If you plan on buying a home, then
you should know that there are
plenty of options available. Variety
is one aspect the real estate
market is definitely not lacking in.
One of the options you have
is buying a condo. This is a great
alternative if you want your own
place, but can’t quite afford or simply
aren’t interested in buying a house.

HOME BUYERS
TIMETABLE
One of the most common questions
we receive is “What is a good time to
buy a home?” While the answer is
“Anytime OTHER THAN the spring
time”, the reality remains
that home buyers come out into
the real estate market during the
months of March – June. So if you’re
thinking of buying a home in 2021 or
beyond, here are a few things you
should be doing right now – to
prepare.
WINNIPEG LUXURY
HOME MARKET
REPORT JAN-FEB 2021
Real Estate Market
Update for Luxury Homes in
Winnipeg, January 2021. Listings,
sales and available stats for luxury
houses and luxury condos in Winnipeg
THE CONDOS OF
WELLINGTON
CRESCENT
8 of Winnipeg’s most recognizable
and luxurious condos along
Wellington Cr. Luxury Condos in
Winnipeg, including sales and listing
stats

Trusted Professionals
Click on their heading to go to their sites!
Painting & Coating
Life & Disability
Insurance
Mortgage Broker
Insulation
Home Insurance
Heating & A/C
Click On The Headings To Go To Their Site