Your furnace works hard to keep your home warm during Winnipeg’s long winters, and your filter plays a surprisingly big role in keeping it running efficiently. But how often should you actually change it? The answer depends on your home, your furnace, and your lifestyle.

Why Furnace Filters Matter

Furnace filters trap dust, allergens, pet dander, and other debris. A clean filter means:

• Better air quality inside your home

• Improved furnace efficiency (lower heating bills)

• Longer lifespan for your furnace system

A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder, which can lead to breakdowns or higher energy costs.

General Guidelines

Most manufacturers recommend changing furnace filters every 3 months, but this isn’t one-size-fits-all. Consider the following factors:

1. Type of Filter

• Standard fiberglass: change every 1–3 months

• Pleated high-efficiency: 3–6 months

• HEPA filters: check manufacturer guidelines; usually 6–12 months

2. Home Environment

• Pets: Homes with cats or dogs may need filter changes every 1–2 months

• Allergies: If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, check monthly

• Dust levels: If you live in a construction-heavy area or near dirt roads, change more frequently

3. Furnace Usage

• Winter months: filter may clog faster due to heavy use

• Summer months (if furnace is off but air conditioning uses the same system): check at least once per season

Signs You Need to Change Your Filter

Even if it hasn’t been 3 months, replace your filter if you notice:

• Visible dirt, dust, or discoloration

• Decreased airflow from vents

• Higher heating bills

• Furnace running longer than usual to maintain temperature

Quick Tips for Winnipeg Homeowners

• Mark your calendar or set a reminder every 1–3 months.

• Keep spare filters handy—running out during the middle of a cold snap is never fun!

• Always check your furnace manual for manufacturer-specific guidance.

My Take

Regular filter changes are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to keep your furnace and home in top shape. In Winnipeg winters, a clean filter isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for comfort, efficiency, and safety.

Selling your home is exciting, but living in it while it’s for sale can feel like a full-time job. Between keeping the house show-ready, managing schedules, and staying out of the way of showings, the process can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not prepared for what daily life actually looks like.

Knowing what to expect — including the hidden stressors and costs — can make the experience far more manageable.

One of the biggest mental shifts sellers face is realizing that, for a short time, their home stops being purely personal space and becomes a product. Buyers are walking through, evaluating every detail, and imagining their own life there. That can feel uncomfortable, especially when feedback comes in. Learning to separate emotion from strategy early on helps sellers stay grounded and make better decisions throughout the process.

Another reality many sellers don’t anticipate is how often they’ll be out of the house. Showings typically happen in the evenings and on weekends — exactly when families are home. With short notice requests, it’s common to find yourself grabbing the kids, the dog, and heading out the door. Over time, this often leads to eating out more than usual. Whether it’s quick drive-thru meals, coffee shop stops, or last-minute dinners, these small expenses add up. It’s a good idea to factor a bit of extra spending into your budget while your home is on the market.

If you have pets, they add another layer to the equation. While many buyers love animals, pets during showings can be distracting and sometimes stressful for everyone involved. If possible, arranging for pets to stay with family or friends during busy showing periods can make the process smoother. If that’s not an option, having a plan — such as quick exits, designated crates, or scheduled walks — can help reduce stress for both you and your pets.

Cleaning is another underestimated part of selling. When your home is listed, “normal clean” usually isn’t enough. Floors, bathrooms, kitchens, and high-touch areas need frequent attention, especially if you’re living in the home day-to-day. For many sellers, this means cleaning far more often than usual or even bringing in professional cleaners to maintain that just-listed feel. While it’s an added cost and effort, a consistently clean home makes a strong impression and can directly impact buyer perception.

Flexibility also becomes essential. Plans may change last minute, showings may interrupt routines, and privacy can feel limited. Sellers who approach this phase knowing it’s temporary — and with systems in place — tend to feel far less overwhelmed. Simple habits like keeping clutter contained, having a quick tidy routine, and planning easy meals can go a long way.

The key to surviving the selling process isn’t perfection. It’s preparation, realistic expectations, and support. Selling a home is disruptive by nature, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right guidance and a clear plan, sellers can move through this season with far less stress and a lot more confidence.

If you’re thinking about selling and wondering what the process will really feel like, having these conversations early can help you plan properly — and avoid surprises along the way.

When temperatures drop fast and stay there, small issues can turn into expensive problems. If winter has already settled in, these are the most important things homeowners should be paying attention to now.

1. Keep your heat consistent
Avoid large temperature swings inside your home. Turning the heat way down at night can increase the risk of frozen pipes, especially in older homes. A steady temperature protects your plumbing and your furnace.

2. Watch for frozen pipe warning signs
Low water pressure, strange noises in the pipes, or no water at all are red flags. If a faucet isn’t working, don’t ignore it. Shut off your main water supply and call a professional before a small freeze becomes a burst pipe.

3. Let warm air reach vulnerable pipes
Open cabinet doors under sinks along exterior walls to allow heat to circulate. In extreme cold snaps, letting faucets drip slightly overnight can help prevent freezing.

4. Clear snow away from your foundation
Snow piled against the house can melt and refreeze, increasing the risk of foundation leaks and ice buildup. Keep snow cleared a few feet away from your home where possible.

5. Prevent ice dams on the roof
Watch for thick ice forming along roof edges. Ice dams trap melting snow, forcing water under shingles and into the house. If you notice them, address them safely or call a professional — this isn’t a DIY ladder situation in winter.

6. Change your furnace filter now
A clogged filter reduces airflow, increases heating costs, and strains your system during the coldest time of year. This is one of the easiest and most overlooked winter fixes.

7. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
With furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters working overtime, functioning detectors are essential. Replace batteries immediately — don’t wait for the chirp.

8. Be careful with space heaters
If you’re using them, keep them away from curtains, furniture, and walkways. Plug directly into the wall, never into power bars or extension cords.

9. Check doors and windows for ice buildup
Ice around frames can prevent proper sealing and cause drafts or water intrusion when it melts. Gently clear buildup and keep an eye on condensation forming indoors — it can be a sign of ventilation issues.

10. Have an emergency plan
Know where your main water shut-off is. Keep a basic winter emergency kit on hand: flashlights, batteries, ice melt, and contact info for a plumber and furnace tech.

Winnipeg winters test every home. Staying ahead of small issues now can save thousands later and protect your home’s value. If you ever have questions about winter maintenance, renovations, or what buyers pay attention to during cold months, we’re always happy to be a resource.

The biggest mistake Winnipeg homeowners make when selling in 2026 isn’t pricing too high, choosing the wrong realtor, or missing the perfect week to list.

It’s waiting too long to prepare.

Every year, sellers underestimate how much planning, strategy, and groundwork goes into a successful sale. Then they scramble, overspend, or leave money on the table—all because they assumed there was “plenty of time.”

Why Waiting Is So Costly in the Winnipeg Real Estate Market

Winnipeg’s real estate market rewards preparation. Homes that sell quickly and for strong prices don’t happen by accident—they’re positioned that way.

When homeowners wait until the year they want to sell:

• Repairs become urgent instead of strategic

• Renovations are rushed or unnecessary

• Pricing decisions are made emotionally, not analytically

• Listings blend in instead of standing out

Spring markets move fast in Winnipeg. If your home isn’t ready when buyers are actively searching, you lose momentum before you even start.

Preparation Is About Strategy, Not Renovation

Many sellers assume preparing means spending tens of thousands of dollars. That belief alone causes hesitation and delay.

In reality, the most impactful preparation focuses on:

• Fixing visible maintenance issues

• Improving how the home shows, not how it’s redesigned

• Creating confidence for buyers

Buyers in Winnipeg are cautious and well-informed. They don’t expect perfection, but they do expect honesty, care, and homes that feel well maintained. Those expectations are easier—and cheaper—to meet when you plan ahead.

Deferred Maintenance Hurts More Than Outdated Style

Older homes are common in Winnipeg, and buyers know that. What they’re far less forgiving about is neglected maintenance.

Issues like:

• Aging furnaces or roofing concerns

• Poor insulation or drafty windows

• Plumbing or electrical red flags

These don’t just affect inspections—they affect buyer perception. When buyers sense risk, they protect themselves with lower offers or stronger conditions.

Taking care of these items early gives you control over costs and prevents deals from unraveling later.

Pricing Without Context Is Another Costly Error

One of the most damaging mistakes sellers make is relying on outdated or surface-level pricing expectations.Online estimates and neighbour comparisons don’t account for:

• Condition differences

• Buyer behaviour at the time you’ll list

• Inventory levels in your specific area of Winnipeg

Preparation gives you time to understand market trends, refine expectations, and choose a pricing strategy that attracts buyers instead of pushing them away.

Decluttering Late Limits Your Home’s Potential

Decluttering is often underestimated, yet it directly impacts how buyers feel in a home.

When it’s rushed:

• Rooms feel smaller

• Storage looks insufficient

• Showings feel chaotic

When it’s done early:

• Space becomes a selling feature

• Buyers focus on the home, not belongings

• Staging becomes easier and more effective

This is one of the simplest changes—and one of the most powerful.

Final Thoughts

Selling your home in 2026 doesn’t start in 2026—it starts now.

The biggest mistake isn’t doing the wrong things. It’s doing nothing and hoping for the best. With the right preparation and guidance, selling can be controlled, strategic, and rewarding.

Thinking about selling your Winnipeg home in 2026?
Let’s create a clear, realistic plan that helps you avoid costly mistakes and puts you in the strongest possible position when you’re ready.

A new year has a way of forcing big questions to the surface. For many Winnipeg families, one of the biggest is this:

Should we move this year… or stay put?

The right answer isn’t about trends or timing the market perfectly. It’s about whether your home still supports the life your family is actually living.

When Your Home No Longer Fits Your Life

Families change faster than houses do.

Some of the most common signs it may be time to move include:

• You’ve outgrown your space—or you’re rattling around in too much of it

• Your layout no longer works for daily life

• Storage is constantly an issue

• You’re planning major life changes (new baby, aging parents, work-from-home needs)

If your home creates daily friction instead of ease, that’s worth paying attention to.

Location Still Matters

A home can be beautiful and still be wrong for your lifestyle. Location impacts:

• School catchments

• Commute times during winter

• Access to parks, childcare, and amenities

If your current location no longer supports your routine or values, moving can improve quality of life more than any renovation ever will.

Can You Fix the Problem Without Moving?

Not every frustration requires a move.

Before making a decision, ask:

• Could renovations realistically solve the issue?

• Would the cost of updating outweigh the cost of moving?

• Would changes still leave you compromised on location?

Renovating makes sense when it improves functionality and aligns with long-term plans. Moving makes sense when renovations feel like a workaround instead of a solution.

The Financial Side: Comfort Over Maximum

A smart move isn’t about buying the most expensive home you qualify for. It’s about financial comfort.

Consider:

• Monthly payments that still allow for savings and lifestyle

• Property taxes, utilities, and maintenance

• Stability if interest rates or life circumstances change

In Winnipeg, affordability is still a strength—but only if the numbers work comfortably for your family, not just on paper.

What a Smart Move Actually Looks Like

A thoughtful move usually includes:

• Clear reasons for moving (not pressure or fear)

• Financial clarity

• A realistic plan for selling and buying

• Support from professionals who prioritize your goals

When those pieces are in place, moving feels intentional instead of stressful.

Final Thoughts

A new year doesn’t mean you have to move—but it’s the perfect time to evaluate whether your current home still serves your family.

The right decision isn’t always obvious. It becomes clear when you slow down, look at the full picture, and focus on what truly matters.

When most people think about buying a home in Winnipeg, they picture spring lawns, summer showings, and packed open houses. January rarely makes the list. And that’s exactly why it can be one of the smartest times to buy.

If you’re willing to look past the snowbanks and cold temperatures, January offers advantages that buyers simply don’t get during peak season.

Less Competition = More Leverage for Buyers

January consistently has fewer active buyers in the Winnipeg real estate market. Many people pause their home search over the holidays or decide to “wait until spring.”

That drop in competition matters.

Fewer buyers means:

• Less chance of multiple-offer situations

• More time to think through decisions

• Greater negotiating power on price, possession dates, and conditions

In a market where competition can heat up quickly, buying when others are on the sidelines gives you a serious edge.

January Sellers Are Often Highly Motivated

Homeowners who list in January are rarely testing the waters. In Winnipeg, winter listings often come from sellers who:

• Are relocating for work

• Have already purchased another home

• Need to sell due to life changes

These sellers are typically more flexible and open to negotiations. That can translate into better pricing, smoother terms, or faster agreements—things that become much harder to secure once spring demand ramps up.

Winter Shows You the Real Condition of a Home

One of the biggest advantages of buying in January is that Winnipeg’s winter doesn’t hide problems—it exposes them.

Cold weather reveals:

• Drafts and insulation issues

• Furnace performance and heating efficiency

• Ice buildup, condensation, or ventilation concerns

• How well the home handles snow and winter conditions

A house that performs well in January is far less likely to surprise you later. From a long-term ownership perspective, this insight is incredibly valuable.

More Time, Less Pressure

Spring markets in Winnipeg move fast. Listings appear and disappear quickly, and buyers often feel rushed to make decisions.

January is different.

Homes tend to stay on the market longer, allowing buyers to:

• Review documents thoroughly

• Book inspections without stress

• Have real conversations about strategy and affordability

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Slowing the process down isn’t a weakness—it’s a smart move.

Who January Buying Is Best For

Buying in January isn’t for everyone—but it’s ideal if you:

• Want to avoid bidding wars

• Value negotiation and flexibility

• Prefer a strategic, calm buying experience

• Are financially prepared and ready to act

If that sounds like you, January deserves serious consideration.

Final Thoughts

January may not look like the “perfect” time to buy a home in Winnipeg—but strategically, it’s one of the strongest.

Less competition, motivated sellers, clearer insight into a home’s condition, and better negotiating power all work in the buyer’s favour. By the time spring arrives and everyone else is jumping back into the market, many January buyers are already settled—and glad they didn’t wait.

Thinking about buying a home in Winnipeg this year?
A smart purchase starts with a smart strategy. Let’s talk about whether January buying makes sense for you and how to position you for success in today’s market.

As Thanksgiving weekend arrives, we can’t help but reflect on what home really means.
For most of us, home isn’t just four walls and a roof — it’s where family gathers, laughter fills the kitchen, and memories are made. As realtors, we have the privilege of helping people find those spaces where life unfolds, and that’s something we’re incredibly grateful for this season.

This year has been full of change and growth — both in the real estate market and in the families we’ve been honoured to serve.

🏡 Winnipeg Market Snapshot — October 2025

The fall market has been strong across Winnipeg.
According to the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board, September saw 1,391 home sales, which is up about 12% from last year and 7% higher than the 5-year average. That’s a clear sign that buyer demand is holding steady, even with mortgage rates keeping some people cautious.

Detached homes continue to move well, especially in the $350,000–$500,000 range, and we’re seeing renewed confidence among both first-time buyers and those looking to move up. With more balanced inventory compared to earlier in the year, it’s a healthy time to make a move — whether you’re buying or selling.

💛 A Season of Gratitude

This Thanksgiving feels extra special for our family. We are beyond grateful for the newest little member of our family, who has brought so much joy, laughter, and love into our home. Every day reminds us of why home is so much more than just a place — it’s where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and love grows.

We’re also incredibly thankful for our amazing clients, friends, and community. Being part of your journeys, whether helping you buy your first home, sell, or move into your forever space, is truly a privilege. Your trust and stories inspire us every day.

From our family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude, and good company.

– The Penner Team
Helping you love where you live.