Resale Homes – Winnipeg Free Press

Character-filled starter home checks all the boxes for families

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

When it comes to ranking oxymorons, the term, “move-in-ready starter home” has to be close to the top of the list, or at least in the top five.

That’s because it’s very rare to find a starter abode that’s truly in move-in-ready condition.

However, there are exceptions.

A character-filled one-and-three-quarter-storey home found at 635 Ashburn St., in the city’s West End is as close to turn-key as you’ll find, says Eric Neumann of Real Brokers.

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The home’s living room is huge, and flows into both the kitchen and dining area.

Transcona bi-level offers up potential and value

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Transcona bi-level offers up potential and value

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

It would be an understatement to say these are very challenging times for homebuyers, especially young families.

Just a few short years ago, a solid, relatively contemporary starter home could be purchased for somewhere around $300,000. That is no longer the case today due to two factors.

First, homes have naturally appreciated in value over the last three years. And second, home inventory is very low.

This second factor has created bidding wars. Homes — whether move-in-ready or in need of work — are routinely selling for as much as $80,000-$100,000 over list price, leaving many young families licking their wounds after losing out on listing after listing.

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

A rare find, the three-bedroom, two-bath condo is situated in a quiet, two-storey concrete and steel building in one of Charleswood’s best and prettiest spots.

Apartment-style condo offers spacious livability with a view

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Apartment-style condo offers spacious livability with a view

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

The decision to down-size around the age of 55 is never an easy one.

There are several reasons for this, the first that it can be a highly emotional time.

After living in a single-family home for 30-plus years, it can be difficult to leave a familiar residence that’s served as the anchor point where you raised kids and hosted countless family gatherings.

Second, there are the financial implications associated with making the move. The reality is, not all 55-plus couples have unlimited budgets after selling their home. In many instances, it may have been a modest but functional residence that sold for a good, but not massive price.

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Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

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A rare find, the affordable two-bedroom suite has been fully updated, offers a gorgeous river view and is close to everything.

Updated Wellington Crescent suite offers character and value

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Updated Wellington Crescent suite offers character and value

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

When people think about two-bedroom condominiums on Wellington Crescent, they typically think of three things.

First, they visualize a fancy high-rise building that comes with amenities like a 24-hour concierge, luxurious foyer, a gym and more.

Second, they think the condo will be unattainable due to high condo fees, ridiculous property taxes, and of course, a price tag that resides somewhere in the stratosphere.

And third, there’s the chance (and a pretty good one at that) a condo on Wellington Crescent will feel dated.

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Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Rebuilt and re-imagined in 2022, the 2,409-sq.-ft., two-storey home is a character-filled masterpiece from top to bottom.

Overhauled Kingston Row gem offers heritage charm, modern utility

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Overhauled Kingston Row gem offers heritage charm, modern utility

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

No matter how great a vintage home is, it can always be improved upon.

That’s exactly the case with a venerable 1938-built dwelling found on a fetching riverside lot at 207 Kingston Row in storied Elm Park, says Amber van den Broek of Re/Max Executives Realty.

“The home was re-imagined, expanded and rebuilt to modern standards by Macanta Design Build in 2022,” she says of the 2,409-sq.-ft., two-storey residence. “It was a complete rebuild from the studs from the ground up. The thought put into the design of the home is exceptional.”

That attention to detail is on display from the moment you set eyes on the house.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

The beautifully designed home offers over 3,600 total square feet of space.

Space and style abound in Oak Bluff West bungalow

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Space and style abound in Oak Bluff West bungalow

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

There are times when luxury homes can be a bit puzzling in terms of how they were designed.

One of three things can happen when you walk in.

First off, a dwelling’s entrance, while functional, may be somewhat bland and disappointing. Then again, an entrance could be over-the-top in its design, offering lots of wow factor but little usability.

The entrance to an 1,898-sq.-ft. bungalow found at 43 Blacksmith Rd. in Oak Bluff West falls into a third category, says Viktoria Fazekas of Re/Max Executives Realty, with its well-considered design making a statement in a more subtle, elegant way.

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Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

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The 1,820-sq.-ft. bungalow is in like-new shape inside and out and offers around 3,500 sq. ft. of total living space.

Seven-years Old, like new

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Seven-years Old, like new

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Two scenarios tend to play out when a family home has been inhabited for going on a decade.

The first is that it could look well-used, particularly inside. After all, things happen with families — frenetic early mornings with work and school days intertwining, not necessarily in smooth, orderly fashion.

Then, there are pets and entertaining, both of which — like high-paced family life — can cause wear and blemishes, no matter how careful family members might try to be.

Next comes scenario No. 2. Somehow, some way (yes, miracles do happen) a home manages to come through seven years of controlled chaos, emerging in near-pristine condition.

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Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

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Todd Lewys / Free Press
Situated on a huge, mature corner lot in the heart of Tuxedo, the 3,511-sq.-ft., two-storey home is full of updates and modern functionality.

Tuxedo treasure

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Tuxedo treasure

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

As cherished an area as Tuxedo is with its mix of grand homes and expansive, mature lots, homebuyers often have one objection about the way many of the homes are designed.

That quibble is the stately homes often lack flow — both in terms of light and the navigability through and between spaces.

This is certainly not the case with a stately two-storey home found at 34 Birkenhead Ave., says Garrett Parker of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate.

“I think the first thing that hits you about this home is how wide-open it is,” he says of the 3,511-sq.-ft. residence, which was built in 1966. “When the outgoing owners got the home, it was quite chopped up and dark. They did a wonderful job of opening the home up to improve flow from space to space.”

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Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Todd Lewys / Free Press
The 2,290-sq.-ft., two-storey home, which was built in 2012, features a fabulous floor plan and contemporary finishes from top to bottom.

Updated in style

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Updated in style

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026

There are two key issues that can crop up when purchasing a home built a decade and a half ago.

The first is that the finishes could reflect the design trends at the time which it was built. Back then, the trend was for both flooring and cabinets to be of darker shades — either cappuccino or espresso.

Then, there’s the issue of how the dwellings of that era were laid out.

Today, many homes have a flex space next to the front door that can be used as either a home office or bedroom. In 2012, most homes didn’t have this convenient design feature.

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Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026

Todd Lewys / Free Press
Immaculate outside and inside, the extensively updated 1,700-sq.-ft., four-level split possesses the livability, style and value young families are looking for.

Spacious split-level design is move-in-ready

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Spacious split-level design is move-in-ready

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

With home prices steadily increasing, young families looking for a move-up dwelling are after two things.

Not surprisingly, the first is value. If you’re going to pay somewhere between $450,000 and $550,000 (or more) for a house, it should have a lot to offer in the sense that it should be largely move-in ready.

The second requisite is functionality.

When a family is young and growing, it’s crucial that a home’s layout possesses the flexibility to meet the needs of every family member.

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Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Move-in-ready townhome great for budget-minded buyers

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Move-in-ready townhome great for budget-minded buyers

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026

To say the least, the phrase, “affordable starter home” has become an oxymoron, of late.

And it’s something many young families searching for such a dwelling know from first-hand experience, as many such prospective buyers have a limited budget of $350,000 or less.

Consequently, if a home is affordable — say the price tag is somewhere around $275,000-$300,000 — chances are it will come with a lengthy list of upgrades and renovations that need to be addressed.

Those projects can involve much more than cosmetic fixes, with costly repairs to foundations and roofs redlining already-stretched budgets. In many instances, young families find themselves living in homes they can’t afford to repair — a horrible fix to be in.

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Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026

Situated on a gorgeous one-acre riverside lot in Headingley, the three-year-old home offers over 7,000 sq. ft. of total livable space.

Headingley haven: Resplendent riverside residence offers custom-built comfort with a view

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Headingley haven: Resplendent riverside residence offers custom-built comfort with a view

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

It’s something everyone dreams about at one time or another: possessing an unlimited budget with which to build your dream home.

That would entail several things. First, there’s the lot — and, of course, its location.

For most people, the lot would be large enough to provide good separation from potentially noisy neighbours.

It would also possess irrefutable beauty, surrounded by mature trees. If possible, water — whether it be a river, lake or pond — would also be present.

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Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

The remodelled Arts and Crafts-inspired home catches your eye the instant you see it.

River Heights two-storey smartly melds contemporary and classic

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

River Heights two-storey smartly melds contemporary and classic

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

Once upon a time, a one-and-a-half storey home was built in 1927 on a choice 50-by-120-foot lot at 1493 Wellington Cres.

Then, some 85 years later, in 2012, its owner decided to give the home a dramatic facelift both outside and in.

“Its unique Arts and Crafts-inspired design begins with a gorgeous wood and stone exterior that catches your attention the instant you see it — it doesn’t look like it’s 85 years old,” says Scott Moore of Century 21 Bachman & Associates (the Moore Group). “That’s just the start. When you step inside you can hardly believe what you see.”

What you see, it turns out, is a stunning entryway.

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The solid, well-loved bungalow offers exceptional value and livability throughout.

Solid affordability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Solid affordability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Young families with a modest home-buying budget have never struggled so hard to find a solid, affordable starter house.

It’s easy to see why. These days, starter homes in the $250,000-$300,000 price range — whether they need work or not — tend to sell fast, with bidding wars the norm in sought-after neighbourhoods.

That being the case, it’s all too easy for young couples to experience multiple bidding battles without a sniff of success.

In many instances, missing out on a dwelling might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Why?

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

The spacious bungalow condo offers a contemporary updated interior and great location.

Smartly updated bungalow condo modern and move-in ready

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Smartly updated bungalow condo modern and move-in ready

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

When a home is 25 years old, it’s neither old nor young in terms of its design and relative age.

That said, there’s a chance it could reflect the era in which it was built. Which is to say it could be, well, somewhat dated.

Val Miller of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate says her new listing — a 1,450-sq.-ft. bungalow condominium found in a tidy, well-designed complex at 12-123 Victor Lewis Dr. in Linden Woods — definitely does not fall into that category.

“Pride of ownership shines in this beautifully maintained unit,” she says. “Not only have the original owners kept it in wonderful condition, but they’ve also updated it tastefully over the years.”

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Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Todd Lewys / Free Press
The four-year-old custom-designed modular home delivers over 1,500 sq. ft. of wonderfully livable space in a quiet country setting less than 15 minutes from the city.

Value-packed Sanford bungalow a refuge for empty-nesters

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Value-packed Sanford bungalow a refuge for empty-nesters

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

These days, affordability is a huge issue for empty-nest couples with budgets that fall short of the magical $400,000 mark.

Next to affordability, the two most important issues are condition and livability.

Which is to say a home should ideally be in move-in-ready condition, as absolutely no one — especially buyers on a modest budget — wants to sink another $20,000 to $30,000 into renovations just after purchasing a property.

Meanwhile, the home must also be functional, offering a user-friendly layout.

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Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

March 24, 2026

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