With a new year approaching, many of us take the time to review our financial goals and investment opportunities. If you’re looking to make changes to your investment portfolio why not consider an investment in rental property? Rental properties have proven to be a stable investment option in the Brandon area and are a good addition to your portfolio that may already include investments in Registered Retirement Savings Plans or a Tax-Free Savings Accounts. There are a number of advantages and benefits to investing in rental properties. In terms of dollars and cents, you receive a monthly cash flow, which is secure and predictable as long as the rental property is occupied. As well, you pay less tax as certain expenses such as mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management, capital cost allowance (depreciation) and utility bills, as all of these items are allowable expenses for tax purposes. In addition, if you have losses for tax purposes on your rental property, you can deduct it from other sources of income. From a community economic point-of-view, an investment in rental properties means that you are contributing indirectly to the economy through job creation (construction jobs, maintenance, etc.) and are having a positive impact on the community by creating much needed housing options. These socially responsible actions go a long way! As you look to the future and other advantages, you quickly learn that you are earning equity in the property as you pay down the mortgage. This equity that you build in the investment will allow you to sell the property or borrow against it to purchase more real estate or invest elsewhere. As well, with the cost of construction increasing each year, the value of your property will increase as well. This is generally based on cash flow generated at market rental rates. If you are at all concerned with the day-to-day challenges of dealing with rental properties, one of the best options is to enter a contract with a licensed property manager. For a small fee, a property manager will take care of screening tenants, showing the units, scheduling move in or move out appointments or maintenance, collecting rent and handling after hours complaints or emergencies. The end result is that you end up with a great, stress-free investment with all the benefits. To find out more about investing in rental property real estate, contact a local property manager or real estate agent.

A small collection of photos of Christmas light displays in Brandon.  Photos courtesy of Shae Hedley and Cesha Hedley.

Brandon Tourism is pleased to announce that the Brandon Tourist Greeter program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year! What began with just a handful of members visiting campgrounds in 1988, has flourished into a dynamic and busy program with over 40 active volunteers! This unique volunteer based program is one-of-a-kind in North America, sending local Tourist Greeters to special events throughout the city - such as Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and the Arabian Horse Show – where the Greeters distribute Brandon Visitor’s Guides, city maps and hospitality packages that include community event listings, coupons to local businesses, and much more! The Greeters also continue to work a very busy summer schedule visiting our local campgrounds to hand out hospitality packages and welcome the campers to our community! Sponsored by Brandon Tourism/ Brandon Riverbank Inc. this program plays a key role in the promotion of the city and is a definite asset to the community.

On Sunday, February 4th 2018, the 10th annual Westman Wedding Expo will take place at Brandon’s Keystone Centre.  Featuring a trade show style display from 11 am to 4 pm, a live fashion show at 3:00, and a grand prize of $25,000, organizers are expecting a huge turnout to this year’s event. Celebrating 10 years in 2018, the Westman Wedding Expo is joint collaboration between three local businesses involved in the wedding industry.  Bryan Podworrney from Expressions Entertainment is the original partner and has seen the expo grow exponentially in the last decade. “The first year we hosted 37 vendors and had around 130 brides.  This year we’ll be close to 100 exhibitors and we anticipate 800+ people through the door.” He laughs as he says “so its safe to say we’ve grown a little bit”. Featuring a wide range of exhibitors, brides and their guests will have the opportunity to meet wedding professionals face to face as they gather information and make plans for their special day. Everything from wedding day transportation to custom signage will be on display from over 90 exhibitors.  Podworrney says “it’s a one stop-shop for everything a couple needs for their wedding. Its also a chance to showcase the talent that is located in Westman. Everything you need for your wedding is available locally.” Britt Lawson Corbett from Muse Boutique & Bridal Studio is the fashion show producer. “The fashion show is such a fun part of the day, and everyone looks forward to it every year. We showcase the latest in bridal, bridesmaid, and formal ladies wear fashion. This year we’re excited to include some mens wear, as well as intimate apparel from other local retailers. “ When this year’s fashion show comes to a close, the expo grand prize will be given away to one lucky bride.  With a value of $25,000, Katrina Sigurdson of Party Professionals is confident the Ultimate Wedding Giveaway will be a major event draw. “It’s a chance to win a wedding beyond your dreams, and work with the some of the most talented wedding industry professionals in the province!” This colossal prize features all of the staples wedding needs: Décor, music, venue, make-up, and more. Early bird price tickets are now available for $12 from wetsmanweddingexpo.com.

You’ve just finished your final exams and you are exhausted. You walk through the door of the four-bedroom animal house in which you live only to find both sinks full of dishes, a stack of pizza boxes, the garbages overflowing and four months worth of empty beer bottles stacked haphazardly in the front entrance. You flop down on the torn, stained sofa and contemplate your current housing situation. Do you suffer in this madhouse for one more semester or is it time to let your roommates know that you are getting your own pad? One more look around the room, confirms that you really only have one choice. Without delay, you call your new landlord to confirm that you’ll take the one-bedroom apartment that you looked at last week. You feel a sense of relief but also dread. It’s the middle of winter — not an ideal time to move when you live in Manitoba. With some careful planning however, even a cold weather move can go smoothly. Consider these tips to save your sanity: 1. Hire a professional moving company or recruit as many family members and friends as you can. This will minimize the number of trips per person from your current location to the vehicle, and from the vehicle to the new location. 2. Consider covering the floors with old sheets (perhaps from a second-hand store) or plastic to keep the snow, salt and sand from tracking into your new place and wrecking the flooring. 3. Send your pets to the pet spa or daycare for the day. Moving is stressful enough for humans, if you remove pets from the equation you know that they will be warm, relaxed and cared for, which means you can fully concentrate on the tasks at hand. 4. Take the time to clear all pathways. By making sure the path that you’ll be using to carry furniture and boxes is free of snow and ice, you and your movers will avoid unnecessary slips and falls. 5. Wear suitable footwear that will keep your feet warm and dry, as well as provide good traction on the ice and snow. 6. Choose a good pair of gloves to keep your hands warm and dry to prevent items from slipping out of your hands. Be sure to have a few extra pair on hand for those who are helping with the move. 7. Don’t pack away your bedding. Things such as blankets and sheets can be used to protect large items on stairways and in tight spaces. This will help to prevent damage to the walls, as well as damage to the furniture. You can also use large towels and blankets to protect electronics from snow and extreme temperatures. 8. Keep warm beverages handy to help keep everyone warm. A cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate can quickly take the chill out after being in and out of the cold. 9. Double pack fragile items, cold temperatures make already fragile items even more fragile and likely to break. Items that are particularly sensitive to the cold should be transported in the cab of the vehicle. 10. Reward those who took the time to help you move. Order pizza or have gift cards handy as a way of saying thanks. End the day on a positive note by eating dinner together, celebrating a successful move and enjoying your new home!