The local housing market was not immune to the challenges of COVID-19, though experts say the area continues to be surprisingly resilient.

Dave Kasdorf with Choice Realty notes the Spring Market Report provided by MLS (Multiple Listing Service) reveals Winkler saw 88 residential and condominium sales between January 1 and May 31, down from 99 during the same period last year.

In Morden, sales were 74, down from 83 in 2019.

Kasdorf says while the year started off like usual, COVID-19 sent ripple effects across the industry. Activity was especially down in April, a time when home sales are usually ramping up. The result was more homes sitting on the market for longer than usual.

The average Days on the Market (DOM) for January 1 to May 31 in Winkler was 72 days compared to 45 days during the same period last year.

In Morden, the DOM was 92, up from 83 in 2019.

Southern Manitoba's overall DOM was 98 this spring compared to 78 last year.

However, he notes prices have not dropped, and activity increased in May.

He notes the first-time homebuyer price range of $200,000 - $260,000 continues to be in the highest demand. The difference between 2020 and last year is the average sale price has increased significantly.

In Winkler, the average home price jumped to $259,000 this spring compared to $235,500 last year.

In Morden, the average price jumped to $254,500 from $221,000 last year.

Overall in Southern Manitoba, the average price rose to $244,000, up from $217,500 last spring.

Kasdorf says with June picking up again "it almost feels as if we're back to normal."