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7 Ways to Save on Your Closing Costs

Buying property isn’t cheap and involves more than just the cost of the property. Associated fees can start to add up so, for some tips on how to cut down on your closing costs, read on.

  1. Comparison shop lenders. Besides shopping for the best interest rate, also research the vendors each lender uses for things like the survey fee, title search, and title insurance. Compare prices on these vendors and ask to switch vendors if you find a better price.
  2. Shop around for different real estate lawyers.
  3. Compare home insurance quotes.
  4. Negotiate with the seller and find out if they will cover some of the closing costs. This is only likely to happen with a property that has been challenging to sell.
  5. If you are a first-time home buyer, investigate incentives.
  6. Try to close at the end of the month to reduce the amount of interest applied before the first mortgage payment.
  7. Ask lenders if they offer any incentives for choosing to borrow with them – such as cash back or waiving fees.

While some closing costs are fixed, such as taxes, there are several ways you can reduce the amount of your closing costs, so you can walk into your new place with a little bit more in the bank than you would otherwise.


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Renting Done Right: Tips for Renting Your Property

Securing a trouble-free tenant is every landlord’s wish, and to do that requires treating the position of landlord as a professional job. As a landlord you should:

  • Familiarize yourself with your area’s landlord-tenant laws.
  • Tend to anything broken or hazardous and ensure the appropriate number of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in the appropriate places (Pro tip: swap the batteries every daylight saving time).
  • Research what comparable properties in your area are renting for to determine a fair rent, factoring in all your property-related bills. Increase the rent annually to the legal amount to keep up with the market.
  • Use a government-issued lease agreement template and include any additional rules you have. Consider having a real estate lawyer look it over.
  • Screen potential tenants by doing an interview, credit check, calling work and landlord references, and checking work history.
  • Make sure your property is insured and encourage your tenant(s) to get their own insurance.
  • Report rental income on your taxes and take advantage of relevant tax credits.
  • If you want to rent your condo, check if it’s permitted and what the condo rules are to ensure you are covering all the bases.

With proper due diligence, you stand a greater chance of enjoying a passive income, without a big headache.


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SASKATCHEWAN HOUSING MARKET OFF TO A STRONG START IN 2025
Saskatchewan’s housing market is off to a strong start in 2025, with 782 sales across the province in January—up one percent year-over-year and over 17 percent above 10-year averages. Strong January sales led to the nineteenth consecutive month of above-average sales in the province, a streak of robust sales that dates back to June 2023.
 
New listings declined by two percent year-over-year and were down nearly 28 percent compared to long-term averages. Declining new listings continue to be met with strong demand, which failed to provide any supply relief to begin the new year.
 
Inventory levels were down 19 percent year-over-year and currently sit over 44 percent below the 10-year average, with over 600 fewer units available than this time last year. Notably, of the 3,925 available units reported at month’s end, over 700 had already accepted a conditional offer and are set to leave the market once those transactions close.
 
“While market activity in the coming months will provide a clearer picture of trends for 2025, monthly sales figures continue to outperform expectations,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “We’re picking up right where we left off after a near-record 2024.”
 
Tighter market conditions continue to place upward pressure on home prices across the province, as Saskatchewan reported a residential benchmark of $342,600 in January - up from $337,800 in December and nearly seven percent higher than January 2024.
 
“Until recently, Saskatchewan was braced for another strong year in 2025. That outlook has become less certain given the threat of tariffs, coupled with potential Canadian retaliation and uncertainty with the Bank of Canada,” said Guérette. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on these external factors and their potential implications on Saskatchewan’s housing market in 2025.”
 
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Regional Highlights
The Regina-Moose Mountain, Saskatoon-Biggar, and Swift Current-Moose Jaw regions all reported monthly sales that well outpaced historical averages—leading the province to a nineteenth consecutive month of above-average sales. While market activity in the coming months will provide a clearer picture of trends for 2025, there continues to be significant demand for housing despite limited inventory in many markets across the province.
 
The Regina-Moose Mountain region (down 27 percent) saw the largest year-over-year inventory decline in January, while the Saskatoon-Biggar region is again reporting the tightest market conditions across the province.
 
Price Trends
Significant demand and persistent inventory challenges continue to drive price gains throughout the province—with all areas of the province reporting year-over-year price gains in January.
 
The City of Moose Jaw led the way in year-over-year price growth for the sixth consecutive month, with prices over 15 percent higher than January 2024. Other notable gains include the cities of Melfort (12.3 percent), Humboldt (11.5) and Prince Albert (8.3).
 
City of Regina
Following a record-breaking sales year in 2024, the City of Regina reported 172 sales in January, down four percent year-over-year but 17 percent above long-term, 10-year trends.
 
There were 279 new listings across the Queen City in January, down 10 percent year-over-year and nearly 22 percent below historical averages. As a result, inventory levels remain nearly 50 percent below the 10-year average. At month’s end, just 537 were units available on market, down nearly 225 units from this time last year.
 
Regina's residential benchmark price was $316,300 in January, up from $313,400 in December and over five percent higher than January 2024.
 
City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon reported 253 home sales in January, a year-over-year increase of over 3 percent and the second-strongest January on record.
 
Despite a surge in new listings, Saskatoon’s months of supply remains under 2.5 months, with inventory levels down 15 percent year-over-year and over 50 percent below long-term trends. Notably, less than 450 of the 618 available units at month’s end were not already conditionally sold.
 
Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $403,400 in January, up from $395,300 in December and over seven percent higher than January 2024.
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