City listings fell four per cent to 724, down from last August’s 757, while the month’s 325 sales were almost on par with last year’s 329 — the same number sold in 2017, as well. Year-to-date, listings are down three per cent to 5,676 (from 5,873) while sales have risen six per cent to 2,551 (from 2,410).
Active listings in the city are down five percent to 1,916 from 2,019 at the same time last year.
“It’s always a good thing, especially in the time we’re in, when listings are declining — and they have been the last three years. If you want to see prices remain stable or even go up slightly, you have to see less supply,” said Jason Yochim, CEO of SRAR.
“Consumers are aware of the market and if they’re not serious about buying or selling, you’ll see fewer of them just testing the market. When the market is moving upward, and a bit hot, you’ll see people kicking the tires and consider selling. With prices remaining stable and even down slightly over the last few years, you have the serious sellers because they need to make a move.”
Slightly lower prices likely contributed to August’s dollar volume of $105 million, down four per cent from the previous year’s $109 million. The average sales price came in at $323,024, down three per cent from last August’s $331,374. Year-to-date, however, dollar volume is up five per cent to $843 million from $805.5 million on stronger sales.
The Saskatoon region, including communities such as Warman, Dalmeny and Martensville, saw 237 listings in August, down 15 per cent from 280, while sales were down 13 per cent to 93 from 107. However, the average sales price rose eight per cent to $294,237.
“The bump in the average price is a bit of an indicator that more higher-end properties are moving, which is a positive at the end of the day,” said Yochim. Year-to-date, the region has seen 2,195 homes hit the market, down three per cent from 2,255, and 679 sales, a five per cent drop from last year’s 712. The average price is down three per cent to $294,369, and active listings are down five per cent to 1,158 from 1,218.
Media Release: September 2019 Jason Yochim, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS® “In any market, there are people who want and need to buy a home. The important thing is to have good advice, to price to the market in their neighbourhood based on the condition of their home, conscious of the competition they’re against. This is so fundamental. Price is everything,” said Yochim. “No homeowner wants to sit on the market and have 40 showings and multiple open houses.”
In Saskatoon and region combined, August listings fell nine per cent to 1,051 from 1,155; sales were down five per cent to 437 from 461; and the dollar volume was down eight per cent to $138.6 million from $151.5 million. Year-to-date, listings are down three per cent to 8,774 from 9,055; sales are up three per cent to 3,403 from 3,304; and the dollar volume is up one per cent to $1.1 billion. ~ September 2019 SRAR News Release