Being a property owner has its merits, however if you’re a hands-on owner, then you are also familiar with the challenges that come along with having investment property. There’s maintenance, odd requests from tenants (yes, we do mean ‘odd’), seasonal yard care, early morning/late night call and vacancies. In a perfect world, one tenant would move out and another would move in as soon as the property has been cleaned and inspected. Of course, that is not always the case. There are times when you may have a waiting list of approved tenants and then there are times when the phone doesn’t ring, especially when you’re eager to fill a vacancy. If you’re faced with this problem on an ongoing basis, consider these simple tips to ensure you fill all your vacancies immediately and continue to reap all the benefits of being a property owner. This may seem basic, but do you have the units priced competitively? Be realistic and consider the current marketplace and other units that are similar in age, size, amenities and location. People like stability and they like to get a bit of a deal when they can. Consider offering qualified tenants a discount or incentive for long-term occupancy, such as one year lease. Canadians love their animals. According to 2014 statistics from the Canadian Pet Market Outlook, almost 60 per cent of the Canadian population own pets. With that in mind, perhaps you should consider allowing pets within your property. You may have a good sized property at a good location, but if it’s not in great shape it can be a difficult sell. Consider making improvements such as updating the paint colour, changing the flooring or appliances, or even adding additional appliances (laundry or dishwasher) to make the unit more appealing to potential tenants. If a potential tenant has a limited rent history or bad credit history, perhaps you need to take a little extra risk with them if they can provide a qualified co-signer. They might prove to be your best tenants ever! Value the opinion of others. If you’ve shown the property several times, but weren’t successful in renting it - perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the situation. Call the prospects that did come to view your property to get their feedback on why they choose not to live there. If the feedback is consistent, be proactive and make the changes that people are looking for. Choose your advertising message carefully. If you’re targeting an ideal tenant for a particular location, then create your advertising messages based on that targeted audience. For instance, if you’re trying to attract students, mention the proximity to the local post-secondary institutions and other amenities that students might be attracted to i.e. nightlife! Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management.  VHP currently has over 2,500 units under management in Manitoba.

In the words of Lou Gramm lead singer of Foreigner. Ooh yeah, I get caught up in the action Gotta find the main attraction now Gotta get some satisfaction You better take me to the heart of that Night life, looking for some Night life, need a little Night life, living in the daylight Just don't agree with me Ooh night life BDNMB.CA has compiled a local listing of lounges and restaurants for you to go out an enjoy some apps and drinks and save a few bucks. Sorted by day of the week Restaurant Day of Week Special Applebees Monday to Sunday After 8 pm $5 for snack size appetizer Double Decker Tavern Monday & Tuesday Poker Night 7 pm - 10 pm win gift cards Pizza Hut Mon & Tue & Wed All you can eat Wings and Pizza 5:30 - 7:30 pm Prairie Firehouse Monday & Tuesday Paint Night Mondays & Trivia Night Tuesdays The Keg Mon to Fri 4 - 6 pm and Sat & Sun 9 pm - midnight All APPS on special during those hours Echo Tuesday and Thursday $5 Flatbread and 50% off Nachos Joe Beeverz Tuesday & Wednesday Taco Bar 11:30 am - 1:30 pm / $15 Tuesday / 2-4-1 Wings Ribs Wednesday Montanas Wednesday All you can eat Ribs for 29.00 per person Smittys Sportsline Lounge Wednesday BUCK UP - Make a single and double for an extra $1 plus APP specials 34th Street Bar and Grill Thursdays or when the Wpg Jets play 1 pound of Wings $9 Boston Pizza Thursday Ribs $13.00 half rack $20.00 full rack The Dock Thursday $7.50 schooners of Keiths / 20% off burgers after 4 pm / 50% off desserts Huggys Sunday 2 for 1 APPS and Beer and Shots $3.32 Lady of the Lake Friday 5-9pm $15 Steak ‘n ‘Shrooms with all the fixings.$10 Meatloaf dinner (5-9pm) If we are missing your business please let us know - darryl@bdnmb.ca Sorted by business name Restaurant Day of Week Special 34th Street Bar and Grill Thursdays or when the Wpg Jets play 1 pound of Wings $9 Applebees Monday to Sunday After 8 pm $5 for snack size appetizer Boston Pizza Thursday Ribs $13.00 half rack $20.00 full rack Double Decker Tavern Monday & Tuesday Poker Night 7 pm - 10 pm win gift cards Echo Tuesday and Thursday $5 Flatbread and 50% off Nachos Huggys Sunday 2 for 1 APPS and Beer and Shots $3.32 Joe Beeverz Tuesday Taco Bar 11:30 am - 1:30 pm / $15 Tuesday / 2-4-1 Wings Ribs Wednesday Montanas Wednesday All you can eat Ribs for 29.00 per person Pizza Hut Mon & Tue & Wed All you can eat Wings and Pizza 5:30 - 7:30 pm Prairie Firehouse Monday & Tuesday Paint Night Mondays & Trivia Night Tuesdays Smittys Sportsline Lounge Wednesday BUCK UP - Make a single and double for an extra $1 plus APP specials The Dock Thursday $7.50 schooners of Keiths / 20% off burgers after 4 pm / 50% off desserts The Keg Mon to Fri 4 - 6 pm and Sat & Sun 9 pm - midnight All APPS on special during those hours Lady of the Lake  Friday 5-9pm $15 Steak 'n 'Shrooms with all the fixings. $10 Meatloaf dinner (5-9pm) If we are missing your business please let us know - darryl@bdnmb.ca

The Clarion Hotel & Suites will play host to the second annual Vintage Toy & Collectibles Show this Sunday, October the 15th. Organizer Darcelle White tells bdnmb.ca that this year she has 48 tables confirmed, up from 23 last year. Vendors will be coming from all over the province including Winnipeg, Souris, Brandon, Portage, and Morden. Items for sale include brand names like Tonka, Barbie, Fisher Price, G.I. Joe, Disney and others. In addition to the vintage toys vendors will be carrying many other items including antiques, sports cards, comic books, vinyl records and coin & paper money. Admission is free and the show runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Check out their Facebook event page for more details.

Here are a series of photos local photographer Caley Brown took around Brandon today right after supper when the storm hit.

Brandon’s Victoria Wilke could soon have a life changing event as the Crocus Plains graduate is in Toronto competing in the Miss Universe Canada contest. Wilke, who has recently moved to Alberta, will compete with 71 others from across Canada and the event will wrap up October 7th. Victoria has only been actively modelling for the last 7 months, as she felt like she needed to get out of her “comfort zone”. The entire modelling process has been odd at times for Wilke.  “It’s funny because I’ll be walking in heels in the garage and then there is a giant tractor in my way”. For more information on the Miss Universe Canada pageant, please visit missuniversecanada.ca.