If there is one thing Winnipeg is known for, it’s our frosty winters. Don’t get us wrong – this is actually one of the most beautiful times of the year! Even known winter-haters who relocate to Winnipeg for our affordable housing market and thriving career opportunities often fall in love with the pristine snow-covered fields and trees. The unspoiled beauty is postcard-worthy!

Still, our chilly winters can be harsh, but only if you’re not prepared for them. In this post, we’ll talk about how to get your house and your family ready so you can enjoy the upcoming colder season.

Are you ready to weather the cold and relocate to Winnipeg? Our relocation specialists can help. Get to know us better right over here.

Winterizing Your House

When temperatures plunge, your home is an oasis of warmth and comfort. Whether you’re coming home from a long day at work or from a skiing or skating vacation, nothing beats settling in under a fuzzy blanket and enjoying a hot coffee or cocoa. You can laugh as you look out over the frosted wonderland from your bastion of coziness.

However, if you get caught unprepared, all of this goes out the window. Before the freezing temperatures arrive, you want to be sure your house is set to withstand the cold.

Protecting your house during winter is also a great way to retain its value if you decide to sell. To learn more about selling a Winnipeg home, check out the posts below:

• Is Staging Really Necessary When Selling Your Winnipeg Home?
• Should I Renovate My Home Before Selling?
• How Much Does It Cost To Sell A House In Winnipeg?

Simple Winter Survival Tips

Taking simple steps to protect your home during the winter doesn’t just make you and your family more comfortable. It can also maintain and elevate the value of your house should you decide to sell it later. The checklist below will help ensure you and your property make it through to springtime unscathed.

• Check that your furnace works. It might seem strange to turn on the heat when it’s sunny and 20 degrees outside. However, you want to make sure it will run just as well when it drops to minus 20.
• Bring outdoor furniture inside a garage or shed if possible. If not, protect your summer belongings with a strong, weatherproof tarp. Be sure to weigh it down for the wind.
• Turn off exterior water faucets. Pro tip: Turn off the tap on the interior, but allow the exterior to drain. This will help to protect your pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Inspect your eavestroughs and gutters to be sure they are clear and unobstructed. A frozen pile of leaves in the middle of January is the last thing you want!
• Seal any gaps around your windows and doors to lock in heat and save energy costs.
• Replace your furnace filters regularly. This will help heat flow more freely while improving the quality of the air you breathe.
• Check that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have updated batteries. It’s a good idea to inspect these every season, not just in winter.
• Keep salt on hand for the driveway and walkways. Freezing temperatures can turn your walkways into an unintended skating rink. Keeping them clear and salted ensures everyone’s safety.
• Change your ceiling fan direction to clockwise. This pulls the warm air upwards and can help save on heating costs.

Why consider Winnipeg for your next home? The posts below provide just a few great reasons to start packing your bags:

• 5 Reasons To Move To Winnipeg Right Now
• Our Top 6 Luxury Neighbourhoods In Winnipeg
• Why Recent Graduates Are Relocating to Winnipeg

Change Your Decor

You’ll be surprised at how a few changes in decor can make your house seem warmer and more inviting. You don’t need to invest a lot of time or money, but a few tweaks can help you transform your surroundings inside and out. For example:

• Adding some solar lights can create a warmer atmosphere while illuminating the exterior of your home.
• Investing in a patio heater or fire table can increase the amount of time you spend outdoors.
• Decorative wreaths and other simple decor pieces aren’t just for the holidays. They add a touch of character and personality anytime.
• Frosty temperatures don’t mean you can’t still enjoy some greenery. Consider placing some weather-resistant pines and conifers near your front door and porch. You can also bring your more delicate plants and flowers inside so you can enjoy them all season long.
• Colourful throws add visual interest to any room of your home. Plus, few things are cozier than warming up under a soft and fuzzy blanket.

Now that your house is warm and protected, you can get outside and experience all that winter in Winnipeg has to offer! The posts below will give you some ideas:

• Another Snow Day In Winnipeg? Here’s How To Keep Yourself Busy
• A Guide To Winnipeg’s Entertainment District
• Our Favourite Winnipeg Brunch Spots

Take Advantage of Winnipeg Winter Fun

For us long-time Winnipeggers, winter isn’t a thing to be endured; it’s a season to enjoy! The city is full of parks and trails that turn into scenic wonderlands from the very first snowfall. Outdoor lovers will soon fall in love with the many activities available, like skating, tobogganing, and even cross-country skiing at Assiniboine Park.

Alternatively, you can take up fat biking at the Forks, another one of Winnipeg’s most popular attractions. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you can always cross the frozen river while taking in the spectacular scenery.

No matter how much you love the cold, sometimes you just want to enjoy some toasty indoor fun. Here, too, Winnipeg delivers! Fantastic shopping malls, cozy cafes, and fun-loving bistros are all ready to welcome you. You can delight your taste buds and indulge in a little retail therapy while you warm up for another adventure.

With your house protected from the elements and your long list of exciting activities to enjoy, you may just find yourself wishing winter could last another month or two. It’s all part of the fun when making your home here in the Heart of Canada!

Do you want to know more about Winnipeg real estate? Our passionate and knowledgeable agents are happy to fill you in! Give us a call at 204-224-2551 or email info@goodfellowrealty.com.