Winnipeg's real estate market stumbled though its slowest February in six years.

According to the Winnipeg Realtors Association, sales nosedived last month, dropping 14 per cent from the same period last year. In all, just 660 units were moved, making it the slowest February since 2003. That was the last year that February sales dipped below 700.

'Contrast our 32 days in February to Vancouver's 67-day average days on market and we should not feel overly concerned about our current market situation.'—Deborah Goodfellow

Although buyers are more hesitant this year due to global economic uncertainties and a drop in consumer confidence, the unusually harsh February weather was also a factor in lower sales, a news release from Winnipeg Realtors Association stated.

On the other hand, February dollar-volume remained strong, finishing as the third-highest amount on record. The explanation, according to Deborah Goodfellow, president of Winnipeg Realtors, is that although sales in price ranges below $200,000 were noticeably down, sales over $200,000 were close to the level they were last year.

The average days on market for homes selling in February was 32 days, a 10-day improvement over January and only a week off February 2008, when more brisk conditions prevailed, she said.

"Contrast our 32 days in February to Vancouver's 67-day average days on market, and we should not feel overly concerned about our current market situation," she added.

The slower sales last month, however, have the inventory at the end of the month 58 per cent higher than the same period last year.

That means there's lots of good choice out there, said Goodfellow.