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Saskatoon-Fastest Growing City in Canada
Saskatoon is growing-fast! For the third year in a row Saskatoon is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada. This includes our bedroom communities of Warman, Martensville, Dundurn and Dalmeny and in the year long period ending in July we grew by 4.1% from 272, 771 to 284, 008 according to numbers released by Stats Canada last week.
The city of Saskatoon alone grew by about 3-3.5% to about 243,000 people. If this current growth rate in Saskatoon continues we will see a quarter of a million people living in Saskatoon by next year. I think many cities in the country would envy to have these numbers so we are in a great position. The city manager acknowledges that if the city continues to grow up to 4% a year that we have a plan in place for the next few years but that the city will have to adjust its long term plans.
Despite the trend they are still looking at an average of 2-2.5% growth rate in the years to come which will means they will not make any adjustments yet to their plans.
Saskatoon also boasts that we are one of the youngest CMAs with our median age now at 34.9 years old. Some of the factors keeping us young are the returning youth, immigrants and high birthrates. Lets not forget that there is always an increasing amount of elderly who will need different support so all demographics will need to be looked after.
As a REALTOR in Saskatoon I am always staying informed about our economy and our market but I was surprised about our median age. I am headed to the CMHC Housing Outlook for Canada this week and will be curious what they say about Saskatoon.
Real estate in Saskatoon continues to be busy and the market remains strong. I have heard of many houses for sale in Saskatoon selling at or slightly above list price right now as the demand grows and good product goes quickly.
I am also looking at real estate in Regina and quite surprised that their prices seem to be higher than Saskatoon despite Saskatoon being the fastest growing CMA in Canada. The inventory levels in Regina are about half of that of Saskatoon and demand is high so for now it would appear the real estate market in Regina is even stronger and more of a sellers market than a buyers market.
The Saskatoon real estate market is still, for the most part, a balanced market which means there are enough houses for sale in Saskatoon to prevent too much pressure and competition. If a house for sale in Saskatoon is priced appropriately it may sell relatively quickly in this current market if there is enough demand.
If you are considering buying a house for sale in Saskatoon or looking to sell your house I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your needs and the Saskatoon real estate market and how I, a trusted Saskatoon REALTOR, can help you achieve those goals.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Convicts! Please Come Shovel In My Neighbourhood!
I would LOVE to see convicted criminals in my neighbourhood as long as they are there for the right reason! As a REALTOR in Saskatoon I have had the pleasure of greeting various crews of criminals when I am out and I always enjoy their energy, despite the fact that they are criminals.
Have you ever seen an unmarked van in the winter with men dressed in reflective vests and snowsuits chipping away at ice and shovelling snow? You have very likely seen this and not necessarily known what was going on and who these ‘snow angels’ are but they have been doing this for many decades. Urban Camp in Saskatoon has been around for more than 30 years in Saskatoon which uses prison labour to do jobs like snow removal, shovelling driveways for seniors, and setting up for festivals such as Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. In the summer you may also see them clearing ditches, cutting grass and cleaning up public parks.
For the most part the people of Saskatoon are accepting but I am sure there are the odd few who shut their blinds and won’t answer the door. I recall when I lived in Caswell Hill seeing these crews in my neighbourhood and thinking it was a great idea and helpful to the community. I never felt uneasy (except for the occassional overappreciation of seeing a woman, but hey, they are men!)
I have been out showing houses for sale in Saskatoon and run into these crews on several occasions and have found them to work hard, to be happy to be doing what they are doing, and respectful. I think it is important to give them credit and appreciate that they are there because, while they have committed a crime, they have proven themselves within the system to be trustworthy enough to be in a minimum security environment so hopefully they will make better choices in the future so that they can actually get paid more than $5/day to do such hard work!
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
Kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
The End of the Penny
It is time. The penny is on its deathbed. While the Royal Canadian Mint stopped making pennies last year the process of rounding up those copper beauties will begin now to melt them down. The Mint estimates six billion pennies will be recovered even though 35 billion pennies have been produced since 1908.
The penny costs more to produce than it is actually worth which is why they are not being made anymore.
Will the recovery of pennies have a huge impact on our economy? Probably not. Will the death of the penny negatively impact many Canadian charities? Sadly, yes. One of those is the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. They use life-sized coin collectors shaped like golden retrievers and Labradors to collect coins and a large portion of the $300,000 they collected last year was pennies. Hopefully they will see more nickles after the pennies are all used up. They are appealing to people to donate their pennies but so are Free the Children and other charities. Free the Children believes that 2500 pennies is enough to give someone in a developing country drinking water for life.
The Regina Humane Society is hoping that people will just want to offload their pennies in their change boxes around liquor and convenience stores. Habitat for Humanity in Regina is also holding a penny funeral in the hopes to raise $100,000 in pennies by May. They are having a penny drive and the money will go towards building a house for a Regina family who couldn’t otherwise afford to buy one. Imagine, living in the first house built by pennies! As a Saskatoon real estate agent who is also selling in Regina I would love the chance to market that house down the road! Unforgettable for certain.
Is it worth holding onto any of those pennies as a ‘collectable’? Not likely if it is a 2007 penny of which a billion others were minted in that same year. If you happen to have a rare 1936 “dot cent” then yes, but there hasn’t been a sighting of one of these elusive money makers in years. The last one was auctioned off for $402,500 US in New York in 2010.
Many retailers are looking forward to the change and some have already embraced it by including the tax in their prices such as a coffee shop in Regina. Naked Bean, a coffee shop in Regina, didn’t even have any prices that weren’t rounded numbers and also included the tax to make it that much easier as they knew the penny was going out when the opened. It will cost some businesses extra money and extra work to phase them out as they will have to update their payment systems to round prices, some as much as $100,000.
Good thing we don’t have to deal with too many pennies when it comes to real estate in Saskatoon! If you are considering putting your house for sale in Saskatoon or area contact me. If you are thinking of spending all those hard earned pennies and buying a house for sale in Saskatoon I would be glad to help you make that dream come true.
Kari Calder
Century 21 Fusion
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Saskatoon Tax Notice Reassessments Explained
Don’t panic! This is the message from the City of Saskatoon regarding the new property assessment notices that were mailed out last week. Many homeowners are stressing that their Saskatoon taxes are going to double or, in some cases, even triple based on the value of their homes going up since the last assessment in 2006.
In some areas of the city there will be an increase in property taxes in Saskatoon while in other areas taxes will be going down, according to Coun. Randy Donauer. He also states that the number of people who will be paying a lot more is fairly small.
As we all know with the Saskatoon real estate market the price of homes in Saskatoon jumped significantly from 2006 with the booming economy in Saskatchewan in 2007 so throughout the city and the province home values have increased a lot since the 2006 assessment. The city has a statistic that the average home price went up 83% from 2006 to 2011 and they base it on this average. If a property value in Saskatoon went up more than 83% compared to the 2009 assessment then taxes will go up. If the opposite is true then taxes will go down.
Apparently the areas that will be hit the hardest are Saskatoon’s west side where values jumped significantly in the past few years. Some home values doubled and some even tripled whereas newer neighbourhoods won’t see much of an increase as the value of homes in new areas was already accurate. The homeowners whose taxes will be going up were likely not paying as much as they should have been for the past few years.
The City isn’t doing the best job to explain this reassessment and the implications it may or may not have. They direct people to their website but, for anyone who has tried to use the City of Saskatoon website, it is not very user friendly and it is like a maze to try to find the correct information. I am personally excited to see what the new website will look like and operate like as right now, even for a person who is tech savvy, it is a nightmare to try to use. Instead of directing people to the website they should have likely sent along an explanation before or with the reassessments to clarify. At least the Star Phoenix is publishing a lot of information on the subject but not everyone has access to the paper or their online version.
If you don’t agree with your reassessment you have 60 days to appeal it at the City of Saskatoon so make sure to check it out carefully. As a REALTOR in Saskatoon I am definitely curious to see the changes as it is hard to explain to potential home owners why some areas have taxes that are, in some cases, almost double that of other older areas. Saskatoon taxes are a very confusing subject but important for potential homeowners to know when they are budgeting for their purchase.
One example was a family who lives in Dundonald whose previous assessment showed their home to be valued at $117,000 but the most recent assessment showed $240,000. I am sure the homeowner panicked and worried that their taxes would double but this is not the case. Their taxes will go up approximately $200/year.
Apparently areas such as Arbor Creek, Erindale, Willowgrove, Silverspring and Evergreen may be seeing a decrease, on average about 9%. I sure hope so as my taxes on my home in Willowgrove are super high! I also have lots of Saskatoon real estate clients in these areas so it would be nice if I could tell them that their taxes may be going down.
If you are thinking about putting your house for sale in Saskatoon or are looking to buy a house for sale in Saskatoon contact me, your trusted Saskatoon REALTOR (r) for information and to ensure you are represented by a professional who will look out for your best interests.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Saskatoon North Bridge-To Become a Reality Soon?
As a Saskatoon REALTOR® I am happy to hear that we may be one step closer to getting another bridge across the river but especially one heading to the North End of the city. I read an article in the Star Phoenix that reported that City Council is being asked to spend more than $100,000 on geological services which is the first step in finalizing the route for the proposed bridge on the NE side of the city. The initial money will go towards preliminary geotechnical and environmental investigations that will determine feasibility of the proposed alignment of the project that would connect Marquis Drive in the north end to extensions of Central Avenue and McOrmand Drive on the east side.
There will be a lot of work to be done in 2013 according to councilman Zach Jeffries, who has been a major supporter of the bridge since being elected to council in October. He is hopeful that shovels will be in the ground in 2014. The city estimates the total bridge cost to be $86 million and could be open in 2016. I think that is an aggressive timeline, especially given the big delay of the Circle South bridge in Saskatoon that was meant to be open in 2012 yet it is still a construction zone. They recognize that this is an ambitious timeline but they also know that our city is growing fast so we need to be ambitious.
City council wlll be asked to hire Clifton and Associates, a Saskatoon based engineering company that provides technical solutions to problems involving soil, rock, water and air, to do the preliminary work. They also have has offices in Regina, the Battlefords, Calgary, Edmonton and Lloydminster.
There is $7.6 million budgeted for the bridge in 2013 and the majority of this will be spent on acquiring land in the Marquis Industrial and University Heights areas, where the river crossing will be built. The city estimates that the new bridge will hold up to 30,000 vehicles a day and is absolutely required to address the increasing demands of our growing city as we quickly grow towards half a million people.
As a Saskatoon REALTOR® I know I am excited about another bridge as it will make my job easier. I can also guarantee that the residents of my area, Willowgrove in Saskatoon, as well as the rest of the subdivisions nearby will be happy to see another bridge.
As a REALTOR® in Saskatoon who tries to be as environmentally conscious and aware as possible I am also happy to read that the city and Meewasin Valley Authority have studied the protected area, the northeast swale which is a biodiverse 26 km stretch of protected swampy riverbed that goes along the north part of Silverspring and Evergreen. They had to study the area to find where the least impact would be on the protected area. The crossing they came up with means McOrmand Drive will veer towards the river, looping north for about 4kms before turning west to the river. Central Avenue will be extended to the north to meet McOrmand about 1km from the river crossing and Marquis Drive will be extended to the river and all the way to Idylwyld Drive which means a direct route to the Credit Union Centre and Costco for residents in the Northeast corner. I can’t wait! But I will have to!
If you are thinking about buying a house for sale in Saskatoon make sure to check out my website for loads of information about Saskatoon and real estate in Saskatoon as well as the process of buying. If you are thinking about putting your Saskatoon house for sale you should also use my website to learn more about how I can help you with your home sale and how I work for you.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Saskatoon Real Estate Update For December
The Saskatoon real estate market remained strong in December, despite our early and very cold winter. We experienced a year over year increase of 7% in the average sales price and and increase of 5% in units sold. The average home price in Saskatoon is currently just under $332,000 at the end of December while the median price was around $325,000.
In areas surrounding Saskatoon home prices didn’t change much with the average home price in communities outside of Saskatoon up only 1% for the year. Home sales in the rural market were up 5% from 2011 and the new listings in communities outside Saskatoon dropped by 4%.
At the end of December we had 1793 houses or condos for sale in Saskatoon and surrounding communities which is down 8% from the same time last year however we had 920 active listings within Saskatoon which is 100 more than last year at this time. We are still in a more or less balanced real estate market in Saskatoon as we are seeing unit sales slightly outpacing new listings which obviously means less product to choose from. Saskatoon home builders are also trying to fill this small gap with putting out more product which is welcome when working with Saskatoon home buyers.
There are currently 602 REALTORS in Saskatoon with 542 of those being residential Saskatoon REALTORS which is up 10% from the same time in 2011. I have also noticed a few real estate agents in Saskatoon getting out of the business in the past few weeks as it is not for everyone but I continue to love what I do! Century 21 Fusion in Saskatoon is, in my opion, an incredible team and an incredible brokerage to work for.
If you are considering putting your house for sale in Saskatoon please call me before you decide on a real estate agent. With 5.5 years in the businss and more than 325 successful transactions I would say my experience is above average to help you with selling your Saskatoon home. If you are thinking about buying a house for sale in Saskatoon also think of me first as I have the knowledge necessary to ensure you are taken care of.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Some Major Life Changes in 2013
Due to the amount of info around this exciting news I decided to write a blog announcement. I’m very excited to announce that my husband will be the newest President and CEO of SaskTel International. For those of you who are from Saskatchewan know SaskTel to be our primary telecommunications company. SaskTel International is a subsidiary of SaskTel and provides telecommunications consulting and software services to companies and governments around the world. With his experience, enthusiasm and leadership skills he is a great fit to run this company and I couldn’t be more proud of him. They announced it today and I have already had notes from some of my friends who work there who are sending their congratulations.
This is a great opportunity for him but it does mean a move to Regina for him to be able to successfully step into this role. To my dear and loyal Saskatoon real estate clients, not to worry as I will still be living in Saskatoon most of the time therefore I will still be selling real estate in Saskatoon. I have been a REALTOR(r) in Saskatoon for 5.5 years now and I have built strong relationships here with my clients and fellow agents so I plan to keep selling houses in Saskatoon…but I will also expand into Regina.
As a REALTOR(R) in Saskatoon I can also sell houses in the Regina real estate market as well. We will be purchasing a house in Regina plus keeping a house in Saskatoon so we are doing our part in keeping the real estate market in Saskatoon and Regina strong. Not like our booming Saskatoon real estate market needs any help though and I know that the Regina real estate market is just as strong and at times, even stronger. So, to my REALTOR(R) friends across Canada you can refer business to me for either Saskatoon or Regina now.
So I want to thank all of my Saskatoon real estate clients for their continued support and know that I am still here for you and your Saskatoon real estate needs. Please keep the referrals coming as I may find myself in need of keeping even busier while Sean is working away. I look forward to working with some new clients in the Regina real estate market as well! It will be a busy year of travel for both Sean and I, although he will get to see more of the US and abroad while I will just be seeing more of Regina and the highway between.
So don’t forget to get in touch with me for all of your Saskatoon real estate needs as well as very soon any Regina real estate needs!
Kari Calder
Century 21 Fusion
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Life Of Pi-Saskatoon Author Sees Vision on Big Screen
Saskatoon author, Yann Martel, is definitely having a great year! One of the big stories of the year in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix (and world wide) is the major motion picture of the famous book, Life of Pi.
Yann Martel wrote the book while living in Montreal but he has been living here for quite a long time. He and his partner, Alice Kuipers, moved out to Saskatoon where he would be the public library’s write in residence. They have 2 children and are expecting their 3rd.
The book has sold over 14 million copies but, despite its success, Martel is still a down to earth man who still gives his home number to reporters and is a member of the Saskatoon Library Board. He also does interviews at moment’s notice and appears at book clubs of all sizes. A typical Saskatoon man. He also hosted a pre-screeing at the Galaxy Theatre here in Saskatoon two days before the worldwide debut where he personally greeted his guests in the lobby. His partner, Alice, was at the front table handing out tickets and directing people to get their free popcorn. Sounds bizarre to some but to Saskatoon people it just shows how simple, honest and real we are here.
Costing a reported $70 million dollars and directed by famous Ang Lee (who won an Academy Award for the best director for Brokeback Mountain and was also nominated for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) this adaption of Martel’s novel will be huge! I can’t wait to see it. I have a Saskatoon real estate client who has already gone and LOVED it so I definitely cannot wait.
I recall a couple of years ago I sat down to attack the book but my mind wasn’t ready for it. Earlier in 2012 I broke out the book again and loved it. It was a nice break from my work as a REALTOR in Saskatoon as it put my mind somewhere far away. Then I found out they were making a 3D movie about it and, like many others, I wondered how they could make a 2 hour movie out of the book so I am super excited to watch this. Almost 10 years has passed since film rights were obtained as many did think it was not filmable.
Sounds like time to book a date night with my husband to check out one of the few movies I will see this year in Saskatoon!
Kari Calder
Century 21 Fusion
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
Saskatoon Real Estate Market Update for November
The Saskatoon real estate market for the month of November continues to show strength with the year to date sales up 7% from 2011. The number of homes for sale in Saskatoon listed this year is on par with the number a year ago but a slight increase in selling activity puts a slight pressure on the average house price in Saskatoon.
A year ago the average house price in Saskatoon was $309,500 and this year at the end of November the average price of a house in Saskatoon was up to $331,500. This may have something to do with more expensive houses selling lately though as well. Our Saskatoon real estate market is considered balanced overall.
The average sale price of houses outside of Saskatoon is almost the same as it was at this time in 2011 at $283,606. The good news is that the new listings in the areas outside of Saskatoon were down 5% from last year and the sales were up 4% so this should help keep this market strong.
There are currently 1063 houses for sale in Saskatoon which is down 2% from the same time last year. There are 805 houses for sale in the areas surrounding Saskatoon which is up 2% from 2011.
There are currently 538 REALTORS in Saskatoon which is up 7% from the same time last year and 43 affiliate members (Saskatoon home inspectors, appraisers etc) which is up 13% from the year before. If you consider that there are 538 real estate agents in Saskatoon and only 1063 houses for sale in Saskatoon this means that, on average, each REALTOR in Saskatoon should have 2 listings. This is not the case, there are several real estate agents in Saskatoon who have 10 or 20+ listings therefore many more real estate agents in Saskatoon without any listings at all. So why work with me as your Saskatoon REALTOR? I have been in the business since 2007 and have helped approximately 350 people buy or sell houses in Saskatoon and a lot of my business is repeat or referral.
If you are thinking about selling your house in Saskatoon make sure to check me out online as your trusted Saskatoon real estate agent. I work hard to get my sellers the best price possible but I am also honest with sellers about pricing. There are many agents who will ‘buy’ your listing by telling you what you want to hear however I don’t like to set us all up for disappointment so I will do a thorough analysis and, if you agree to list your home with me, I will show you a detailed assessement of value and where the house should be priced.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
Kari@saskatoonrealestate.net
