The Portage la Prairie housing market saw its fair share of movement during the past year. Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce President Guy Moffat says the market overall, was up and down more than really trending in a certain direction.

"It was sort of a mixed bag in 2018," says Moffat. "The housing market, as far as sales go, at the start of the year it was quite hot. There was a lot moving, it was a very exciting time. Then, over the summer, which is when it's normally supposed to be busy, things kind of dried up a bit."

Moffat notes in the past month and a half the market has shown an upward trend, most likely the result of an increased amount of inventory. He notes the main issue appears to be finding appropriate prices for the market.

In 2019, Moffat says the biggest news will be the massive influx of inventory into the rental market.

"We've got two large-scale apartment complexes that are coming up," notes Moffat. "The one next to Arthur Meighen School, one behind the clinic and there's another developer who is looking at putting up some apartments closer to Wal-Mart."

The increase in reliable and affordable rental units could spur on homeowners who are looking to downsize to finally take the plunge and move, thus opening up even more inventory for the housing market. He notes the majority of the rental units will most likely be used by new residents coming to Portage to work in the burgeoning industries like Roquette, Simplot and McCain as well as the secondary businesses coming to Portage.

Moffat notes 2019 will likely see the beginning of this trend while the real moving and shaking will most likely be reserved for late 2019 into 2020.