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I just seen an ad in the classifieds, a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house for $1675 a month PLUS utilities!! Am I the only one who thinks this is utterly insane?! I'm looking for a 3 bedroom place as a single mother and it just blows my mind. If someone could afford that much a month would they not be better off buying a home? Does anyone gear their rentals towards families? Or even single parent families? What options does one have besides Manitoba housing? Yes this is basically a rant post, but I am also looking for answers. I mean no offence to anyone.

The mortgage costs plus insurance plus the maintenance plus taxes ought to be high I can't see them actually making any money with the price tag of buying a house around here. I've seen ads that are $2000+ for a 4 bedroom but also point towards students sharing costs. I would say tho if you're able to afford that a month by yourself you're better off finding something cheap while you save a down payment

The property taxes of 2015 are at $3,025.50. That''s almost two months rent right there. Throw in the water bills and that landlord is probably sitting at two and a half months before seeing anything coming towards him/her as income. Who knows what kind of mortgage is sitting on it that will take most of rent directly out of their hands and sent to the mortgage holder? And lets not forget that the rental in question has many ''perks'', like central air, washer/dryer/dishwasher, 75' wide/extra deep lot, attached two car garage and pet friendly. $1,675.00 seems about right to me. Most decent looking two bedroom apartments sit between $900 to $1100 with no yard, one open parking spot, under 700 square feet and stuffed in cheaply constructed apartment blocks in less than family friendly neighborhoods.  
 
The price is acceptable for what it is. ....And if not... It will be adjusted if it sits vacant for too long. The property was just sold last year, so there may be some growing pains involved with this property becoming a rental. But, I''m sorry, Starblanket, if you feel priced out in finding a suitable home to rent for your family. The rental market is tight and the landlord business is becoming an higher risk investment with smaller profit margins. These rates have to be set much higher than from years past, to make these ventures to become a landlord, worthwhile.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.  
 
Edited by snowman5, 2016-05-18 13:04:20

i know what u mean, im single with a dog and 2 cats and i have been looking for a month, everything is way to pricey its frusrtating dont know how people can do i these days

$1675 for a house? I would say that is reasonable. The landlord has to pay property taxes, which was mentioned to be $3,000. So there goes almost 2 months of his/her income. If it was an apartment I would say that's a bit high, but for a house with a yard, not high at all.

Going by the specific ad mentioned, water is not i:ncluded, taxes would be 250$ a month which I totally understand is pricey! The area is less than favourable, in my circumstance and I imagine anyone else who has kids who doesn't want to bus them. I understand the risk/ expense landlords face, but that doesn't make things any easier unfortunately. What I don't understand is why is Brandon so expensive (I know it's not compared to other big cities, but let's be real Brandon is not a big city and lacks quite a bit)

It's expensive because that's what the market will bear. If it's overpriced, it won't rent. But based on what it costs me to own my house, I'd say $1,600 is about right, and that would turn very, very little profit (if any) unless they had little to no mortgage. Houses are not any cheaper just because you intend to rent them out.

1600/month is easily within the budget of any typical professional full-time employed individual.  
There's lots of reasons why somone would rent vs purchase, like having a plan to relocate elsewhere in the near future, saving for down payment, waiting for a house to be built, bad credit, etc.  
 
The price of something isn't based on what you think its worth or even what it should be worth, its based simply on what people are willing to pay, the market decides the price, look at house and rent prices in Toronto or Vancouver for example.

Enfyre said "1600/month is easily within the budget of any typical professional full-time employed individual.   There's lots of reasons why somone would rent vs purchase, like having a plan to relocate elsewhere in the near future, saving for down payment, waiting for a house to be built, bad credit, etc.     The price of something isn't based on what you think its worth or even what it should be worth, its based simply on what people are willing to pay, the market decides the price, look at house and rent prices in Toronto or Vancouver for example. "

I was a typical full time employee making $19.00/hr, single. Figure out for me how that is easily within my budget?

in your case a 3 bed 2 bath house for that amount is not within your budget.  
 
A person making $32 per hour will easily afford that rent. I think I would prefer to own if I were to pay that much per month.  
 
Keep in mind though-3 students can rent this house for not much over $500 each per month-and in a university town student housing does affect rental amounts

Brenda said "    Enfyre said "1600/month is easily within the budget of any typical professional full-time employed individual.   There's lots of reasons why somone would rent vs purchase, like having a plan to relocate elsewhere in the near future, saving for down payment, waiting for a house to be built, bad credit, etc.     The price of something isn't based on what you think its worth or even what it should be worth, its based simply on what people are willing to pay, the market decides the price, look at house and rent prices in Toronto or Vancouver for example. " I was a typical full time employee making $19.00/hr, single. Figure out for me how that is easily within my budget? "

$19.00/hr would not be a typical or in other words average income of a [b]Professional[/b], which was the key word there.  
 
Whats the average income of white collar professionals? Lawyers, Teachers, accountants, chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, nurses, managers, etc,? 35-40/hr+ ?  
 
Or the average income of blue collar professionals, like electricians, plumbers, mechanics, carpenters, oil workers, etc. I dont think any journeyperson wage is less than 25-30/hr, and consider for many trades 50-60 hr+ weeks are normal, also consider that many trades are self-employed, so in many cases you can double or triple those wages.  
 
Anyway, point I'm trying to make is there many many people who can easily afford to pay 1600 rent out there.

All I hear is people saying professionals are nurses lawyers and plumbers, what about your health care aides, groomers, child care providers ? Are they not professionals who deserve a good home ? Because those people do not make over $20.0 an hour. So yes it is hard to be a single professional person trying to make a living.

Kudos RainaRo , my thoughts exactly. Yes people are paying the prices, but it's not easy on the regular person/professionals that aren't paid higher wages. Do we do it? yes because there's no other options.

the landlord gets a free house in the end, how much more do they need.

Enfyre said "    Brenda said "    Enfyre said "1600/month is easily within the budget of any typical professional full-time employed individual.   There's lots of reasons why somone would rent vs purchase, like having a plan to relocate elsewhere in the near future, saving for down payment, waiting for a house to be built, bad credit, etc.     The price of something isn't based on what you think its worth or even what it should be worth, its based simply on what people are willing to pay, the market decides the price, look at house and rent prices in Toronto or Vancouver for example. " I was a typical full time employee making $19.00/hr, single. Figure out for me how that is easily within my budget? " $19.00/hr would not be a typical or in other words average income of a [b]Professional[/b], which was the key word there.     Whats the average income of white collar professionals? Lawyers, Teachers, accountants, chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, nurses, managers, etc,? 35-40/hr+ ?     Or the average income of blue collar professionals, like electricians, plumbers, mechanics, carpenters, oil workers, etc. I dont think any journeyperson wage is less than 25-30/hr, and consider for many trades 50-60 hr+ weeks are normal, also consider that many trades are self-employed, so in many cases you can double or triple those wages.     Anyway, point I'm trying to make is there many many people who can easily afford to pay 1600 rent out there. "

I knew I could not afford that, but you said average professional worker which I consider myself.  
 
Your theory of who can afford these apartments, electrician, plumbers, etc can afford to buy their own house, so don't think they will be renting this either.

JessieJay said "in your case a 3 bed 2 bath house for that amount is not within your budget.     A person making $32 per hour will easily afford that rent. I think I would prefer to own if I were to pay that much per month.     Keep in mind though-3 students can rent this house for not much over $500 each per month-and in a university town student housing does affect rental amounts "

Certainly I knew that was not in y budgt, either would be buying a house. I suppose one could live outside of town in the smaller communities that don't charge as much, but then the price of gas negates that. Roommates - no thank you!

Everybody always complains about high rent prices.... yknow what? I bought a starter home and paid about $800/month on my mortgage.Yah, it doesnt i:nclude property tax or maintenance, but I could have pets, parties, and smoke if i wanted. And when i sold it, i kept the money i paid into it.

not many younger people looking for apartments have the funds for a down payment on a starter home. God for you for doing what you were able to do. Who really wants to throw all that rent money away.  
 
Enfrye - I bet at this point, there is more younger people looking for affordable housing, than your so called professionals.

https://www.rentfaster.ca/calgary-townhouse-for-rent/vista-heights/3-bedroom-townhouse-condo-142950  
 
a few things that are on the list are not in this rental like 2 bathrooms, but so much more affordable than here.  
 
Edited by Brenda, 2016-05-19 07:32:26

I make 18$/hour and cannot afford that. I mean if me and my children didn't have to eat, if I didn't buy diapers and pay for daycare, then maybe there's the off chance I would be able too.

I suppose "professional" is an ambiguous term, open to personal interpretation, what one might call a profession, others might call a menial or semi-skilled job.  
 
Again, all I was pointing out is that there's LOTS of people who can easily afford this on their own, nevermind households with two working adults, and again, as I listed above, there's plenty of reasons why somone with a decent income would rent vs purchase.

You are a snob. Menial or semi-skilled job!! way to look down on hard working people. I hope you have a lovely day.

Brenda said "https://www.rentfaster.ca/calgary-townhouse-for-rent/vista-heights/3-bedroom-townhouse-condo-142950     a few things that are on the list are not in this rental like 2 bathrooms, but so much more affordable than here.     Edited by Brenda, 2016-05-19 07:32:26"

Try finding a listing like that 2 years ago, you know before the city nose-dived into recession, all the jobs dried up, and thousands of people packed up and left.

Gizmo29 said "You are a snob. Menial or semi-skilled job!! way to look down on hard working people. I hope you have a lovely day. "

Yes, many decent hard working people out there have menial or semi-skilled jobs. That's a fact.  
 
It doesnt make them less of a person, its not looking down on them, your the one seemingly drawing the link between ones job and value as a human, by saying it's looking down on them, not me.

Brenda said "https://www.rentfaster.ca/calgary-townhouse-for-rent/vista-heights/3-bedroom-townhouse-condo-142950     a few things that are on the list are not in this rental like 2 bathrooms, but so much more affordable than here.     Edited by Brenda, 2016-05-19 07:32:26"

These two listings are not even comparable. How do you compare a townhouse located inner city calgary, to a big house with large yard, deck, swing sets, double attached garage, etc, that is located in a nice decent area at the edge of the city ( so it''s nice and quiet).  
There are rentals in Bdn for the same price (or close to the same price as the townhouse you listed, just not full on houses.  
 
I have a super tiny house, pay $900/month mortgage as well as $300/month for my property taxes. That''s $1200 right there without adding maintenance, water, insurance, etc. So to me, a house that size with so many things with it (garage (we don't have one), 2 bathrooms (we have one), location,etc) would be priced right.  
I started out in manitoba housing as a single parent and slowly worked my way out. So it can be done.  
But I do think that more low income housing does need to be made available in manitoba as well.  
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2016-05-19 09:49:53

Semi-skilled is just a term used for workers who aren't unskilled labour, such as entry-level jobs or jobs people can do with little experience. Usually minimum wage jobs.  
Semi-skilled is a step up, requires some training, skills and experience but not as much as a skilled worker.  
Skilled labour is typically someone who went to a trade school, got a diploma or has worked in the field for enough years that he acquired the skills as someone who went to school for the same job.  
 
The term semi-skilled isn't an insult or put down, it's just what you call workers who make more than minimum wage but don't have the skills to be in a job or trade that makes skilled wages. (Plumbers, police, managers, nurses)

Higher prices are also another for a landlord to (legally) screen renters they don't want to rent to without causing a big fuss. Nobody who takes pride in their property wants to rent to a bunch of yahoos who are going to throw parties and kick in walls and disturb the neighbours by doing drugs outside and blasting bass music. By keeping the price on well maintained homes above a certain level, landlords weed out the majority of the problem cases. It might seem unfair if you're a good tenant who is stuck financially, but there's no way for a landlord to know who's who. Money speaks loudest.  
 
There's lots of worthless tenants in Brandon who would jump on a decent 3 bedroom home for 1000 a month and utterly ruin it without a second thought. The laws are not on the landlords side in these cases. If I had a nice place to rent in this city, I'd definitely be charging at least 650 a bedroom too.

perspective & yes I know I am comparing Brandon to another city. We rent a 4bd, 1.5 bath townhouse in Fort Sask. Ab, for roughly $3000.00/mth. The back yard has about 10' x 10' of grass, has a "huge" patio off the kitchen that is big enough to fit a BBQ and 2 garbage cans on it. The ginormous parking for the townhouse is big enough to fit 1 Austin Mini (go figure for Alberta when everyone owns trucks), so it is parking on the street....if there's room. The real fun time is when you get neighbors that don't care about anyone else and are banging around at all hours or the night/day. Their kids use the front stairs (which are wooden) to launch their scooters off of which shake the whole house (I love hearing kids play, but the sound of wooden steps being jumped on gets old quick). And if anyone one of the neighbors is having a party/get together there is no parking for anyone else, so you are walking a block or 2 with your bags.  
Now as I said, this is comparing Brandon to another town, but Fort Sask is basically a smaller Brandon and very little shopping in the actual city. The majority of stuff you need is an hour drive (depending on the time of day) to get to a mall. While it looks close on the map to Edmonton (and it is) there are days where you could drive from Brandon - Winnipeg quicker. So $1600.00 for a completely detached house with a yard where you could have a life without neighbors looking in on you is WELL worth it. And while not all can afford it, if you need a good place, you will find a way to afford it.

Starblanket01 said "I just seen an ad in the classifieds, a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house for $1675 a month PLUS utilities!! Am I the only one who thinks this is utterly insane?! I'm looking for a 3 bedroom place as a single mother and it just blows my mind. If someone could afford that much a month would they not be better off buying a home? Does anyone gear their rentals towards families? Or even single parent families? What options does one have besides Manitoba housing? Yes this is basically a rant post, but I am also looking for answers. I mean no offence to anyone. "

just reading your post - reminded me that back in 1997 I was renting a house for $1,000.00 per month - I had 3 sons to raise at that time - yes, I was a Single Mother too - my sons wore Nike runners, totalled 2 of my cars - and I worked my ASS OFF to raise my 3 sons. I was self employed, could write off my Rental costs during Tax season, all the costs - and I MADE IT!!! My sons were on the Honour Roll - the elite of their athletic teams - all graduated and have gone off to College -  
 
What I want to say is that this amount of rent does not seem out of point at this time - and I really hate how you want sympathy just because you have kids -  
 
sounds like you just need to get your head around the fact that you need to be dedicated to make a life for your kids and yourself - you may be more qualified for DOTC Housing, I don't know. But, please STOP using the "Single Mother Card" . . . and I would advise you to get your name on the list for Manitoba Housing, check out Friendship Centre Housing, and definately search out some DOTC Housing options.  
 
Just saying . . .