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When buyers view your property, they’re likely to visit each room and look around. Their imagination is turned on high. Often, within just a few moments in a space, they’ll form an impression — ideally, a positive one!

 
So, how do you ensure each room shows well? Here’s what buyers want to see:

1. Space. Buyers will often mentally fit their furniture into a room when they see it. So, make sure each room is uncluttered and staged in a way that showcases its spaciousness.

2. Functionality. Buyers want to see the room for what it is. So, if it’s a bedroom, but you’ve turned it into an exercise room, it might become a distraction to buyers. Consider restoring the room to its original purpose.

3. Themselves. Buyers want to imagine the room as part of their home, not yours. They want to see themselves in it. That’s why it’s smart to depersonalize the space as much as possible. For example, replace the family picture on the wall with a landscape print.

Anticipating how buyers will view each room will help you stage your property effectively.

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Worried about Finding a Home if You Sell First?

There are many reasons why selling your current home before buying another one may be a good idea. But, once you’ve made that decision, you may still worry that you won’t find another home to buy after you sell.


Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to minimize that possibility.

For example, if you sell first, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be able to put towards a new home. Having that specific number in your back pocket will enable you to target your search and jump on buying opportunities right away. When you see a home you like, you won’t have to wonder, “Can we afford it?”

Creating a buying plan will also help ensure that you find the home you want, quickly.

Ideally, it should have a shortlist of neighbourhoods or areas you are considering. Narrowing your search in that way actually increases the likelihood of finding a “right fit” home. You should also create a profile of the kind of home you’re looking for — type, number of bedrooms, etc. — as well as the features you need, such as a spacious kitchen.

Being open-minded about the homes you see is also crucial. If the “perfect” home isn’t coming up in the listings, be flexible. Often, a less-than-perfect home can become a dream home with just a few improvements.

So, replace worry with planning and action. Then, once you sell, the home you want will be out there – and you’ll find it!

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There were 854 sales recorded across the province in February, a year-over-year decline of 19 per cent. However, while sales are down year-over-year, sales activity remains stronger than pre-pandemic levels and above long-term, 10-year averages.

As seen in prior months, Saskatchewan continues to report new listings and inventory levels significantly below long-term trends. There were 1,360 new listings in February, down 18 per cent year-over-year and nearly 28 per cent below 10-year averages. While the months of supply did push above six months, inventory levels were down 6 per cent year-over-year and 31 per cent below 10-year averages.

“We continue to see higher lending rates and supply challenges contribute to a pullback in sales,” said Association CEO Chris Guérette. “I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but our biggest concern is still inventory levels, specifically in the more affordable segment of our housing continuum.”

The provincial benchmark price reached $318,500 in February, slightly higher than the $317,400 recorded the month prior and 0.4 percent higher than February 2022.

“Year-over-year sales declines were to be expected as we returned to a more balanced market where sales activity is more consistent with the historical 10-year averages,” said Guérette. “Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable jurisdictions in the country with a resilient market that is well-positioned for stable demand in home ownership.”

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Regional Highlights

Year-to-date sales and new listings have slowed compared to the previous year across all regions apart from Prince Albert. Melfort, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Swift Current all reported below-average year-to-date sales as inventory levels remained below long-term trends.

A shift in sales when compared to inventory levels have resulted in increased months of supply in many regions across the province. However, every region in the province apart from Swift Current is reporting months of supply well below 10-year averages.

Price Trends

February price trends varied across the province, with prices increasing in Melfort, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Yorkton. In most regions, price adjustments are relatively small as we continue to return to more balanced conditions.

North Battleford saw a year-over-year price decline of over 14 per cent in February. There are a number of factors that may be impacting prices in the area and it is too early to tell if this trend will continue to play out over the next several months.

City of Regina


Sales activity slowed for the second consecutive month, contributing to a year-to-date decline of 21 per cent. Despite the decline, sales activity remains consistent with long-term trends for this time of year. While both sales and new listings have improved over January levels, the monthly gain in new listings did not change the inventory situation. February inventory levels fell to the lowest level reported for the month since 2013 and the months of supply once again fell below four months.

Regina reported a benchmark price of $310,200 in February, slightly below the $312,200 reported in January but well above the February 2021 price of $295,900.

City of Saskatoon

 

Sales activity slowed for the second consecutive month, contributing to a year-to-date decline of 19 per cent. Further declines in new listings kept inventory levels 36 per cent below 10-year averages for the month and the months of supply remained under four months.

Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $372,400 in February, up from $366,000 in January and nearly three per cent higher than this time last 

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There are few certainties in this world, but there are surefire ways to sell your property faster regardless of market conditions. These strategies have been proven time and time again. So, if you’re thinking of selling this year, take a good look at these recommendations:


  1. Clean and tidy up. Making your home “guest ready” is the easiest way to ensure buyers are impressed during a viewing.
  2. Declutter. The more spacious your home looks, the more impressive it will be to buyers. You can box items and give them away, sell them or put them in storage.
  3. Price it right. Deciding on the right listing price is crucial. If it’s too high, you’ll discourage otherwise qualified buyers from seeing your home. If it’s too low, you might send the wrong message to the marketplace.
  4. Optimize curb appeal. The better your home looks from the street, the more buyers will become interested. Curb appeal is important because it’s the first impression a buyer makes, and that impression lasts. 
  5. Stage your home. You don’t necessarily need to replace all the furniture. However, studies consistently confirm that a well-staged home sells significantly faster than a comparable un-staged property.
  6. Leverage the latest marketing and selling tactics. You want the marketing of your home to bring in the most qualified and interested buyers. You then want sales strategies that turn those buyers into offers and negotiation skills to turn the right offer into a sale.

Keep these proven strategies in mind when putting your home up for sale.

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The more consumers increase their use of online shopping using a variety of sites and payment methods, the more susceptible they become to fraud, including false threats or enticements from scammers posing as retail, bank and credit card companies.

With personal profiles being shared more frequently, it stands to reason that hackers will gain increased access to email addresses and other contact information. In addition, the scammers’ methods of “phishing” for personal information has become increasingly sophisticated, with correspondence that is often difficult to distinguish from legitimate business communications.

Disguised as a legitimate business or bank, they can send phony alerts that act like an electronic Trojan horse. The consumer is tricked into divulging additional more sensitive data such as an account number or a password. We all need to be wary of any unexpected emails and phone messages that may implore us to act on impulse by clicking or replying. Always ensure you are not giving away personal information to criminals.

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Pullbacks in both the attached and detached sectors resulted in 631 sales being recorded across the province in January, a year-over-year decline of nearly 16 per cent. While January sales are lower than the activity reported over the past two years, sales remain consistent with pre-pandemic levels.

Despite gains in new listings, January inventory levels were at their lowest levels reported in over a decade. While inventories did improve in homes priced above $300,000, it had little impact on the low inventory situation that continues to be experienced across the province.

“Rising lending rates paired with ongoing inflationary pressures are impacting what individuals can afford, and our market has struggled to see improvements in supply levels in lower-priced homes,” said Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association CEO Chris Guérette. “Prospective buyers impacted by rate hikes are also faced with less choice in the more affordable segment of our market. Without question, these factors are contributing to a pullback in sales activity.”

Following two consecutive years of price growth, the total residential benchmark price remained relatively stable in January. However, apartment condominiums reported further gains in benchmark prices due to rising demand, relative to supply, in apartment-style products.

“As our market continues to return to pre-pandemic sales levels, it’s important to remember that we typically see fewer transactions occur in January,” said Guérette. “As higher commodity prices and a strong agricultural sector continue to support our economy, Saskatchewan remains resilient and well-positioned for stable demand in home ownership.”

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Regional Highlights

Many regions across the province experienced a year-over-year decline in sales, apart from Moose Jaw and North Battleford. Inventory gains in Melfort, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Yorkton were not enough to offset the declines in other regions, as inventory levels remain far below long-term trends.

While the months of supply have trended towards more balanced conditions across all regions outside of Moose Jaw and North Battleford, all other regions across the province continue to report months of supply lower than 10-year averages.

Price Trends

Year-over-year price gains ranged from a low of just under one per cent in Estevan to a high of over three per cent in Swift Current. Meanwhile, prices eased in Meadow Lake, Melfort, Regina, North Battleford, and Yorkton, with the largest year-over-year price decline occurring in North Battleford.

 

City of Regina

 

Regina reported 134 sales in January, slightly below long-term trends for the month. The dip in sales can be attributed to declines in detached activity and ongoing supply issues. With less than 300 new listings this month, January levels are at their lowest level since 2010. Additionally, the pullback in new listings ensured that inventory levels remained well below long-term averages, with much of the inventory decline being driven by homes priced below $300,000.

 

Regina reported a benchmark price of $312,200 in January, down one per cent compared to January 2022 and above the $291,300 reported in January 2021.

 

City of Saskatoon

 

Saskatoon reported 201 sales in January, relatively consistent with long-term trends for the month. While higher lending rates are impacting sales, a lack of new listings and low inventory levels also remain a challenge. New listings eased to 415 in January, the lowest level since 2008 and over 35 per cent below levels typically seen this time of year. As seen in other areas of the province, inventory declines have been mostly concentrated in the more affordable segment of the market.

Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $366,000 in January, up nearly two per cent compared to January 2022 and above the $336,600 reported in January 2021.

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Remember the last time you were in a furniture store or other major home retailer? Remember the fully decorated displays of furniture, appliances and other products? Some of those may have even been organized as model rooms.

What did most of those displays have in common?

Chances are, they were well lit.

In fact, in the retail industry, there are professionals who specialize exclusively in display lighting. It plays such an important role in showcasing and selling home products successfully that the stores are willing to absorb the expense.

The same holds true for your home.

If you want to show your home well, and sell it quickly and for the best price, make sure every room is well lit.

There are probably some rooms in your home where the lighting is adequate, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, and perhaps the foyer. But there are other areas where the lighting may be mediocre. Take a close look at:

  • Closets
  • Storage areas
  • Bedrooms
  • Laundry rooms
  • Hallways
  • The garage

If there are areas in your home that are dark or shadowy, the solution may be as simple as installing higher wattage bulbs, provided your fixture can accommodate them. Keep in mind that brightness can vary significantly from one type of bulb to another. Your goal is to make the room feel bright yet comfortable on the eyes.

Also, don’t forget to open drapes and blinds. Often the best and most pleasant source of light for a room is the sun shining through a window.

Want more tips on showing your home well? Call today.



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When you purchased your current home, chances are it was a good match for your lifestyle. It had the space you needed, the features you wanted, and a location that worked for you.

But for most people, lifestyle and needs evolve through the years. Kids get older. Jobs or careers change. People take on new hobbies and other interests.

As a result, the home that was ideal a few years ago may not fit with your current lifestyle.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to shop for a new home! However, it may mean that it’s worth taking a look at the market and seeing what’s possible.

Think about the kind of home that would support your lifestyle today. Ask questions like:

  • How many bedrooms do we need?
  • How easy is it to travel to work each day?
  • What special features do we want in our home? (Big backyard? Rec room? Quiet neighbourhood?)
  • What do we want nearby? (School? Playground? Walking and biking trails? Shopping? Entertainment? Golf?)
  • What else does our home need in order to support our lifestyle?

After asking yourself some of these key questions, ask other family members for their opinions too.

You may, in fact, find that the property you have now is still ideal for your lifestyle.

If, however, your home is no longer a good fit, you have options. You can stay in your current home despite it no longer being ideal; you can make some changes (a renovation, perhaps); or, you can see what’s available in the housing market.

If you need help with any of these options, call today.

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Record sales of apartment condominiums were not enough to offset declining sales in detached homes, resulting in a 12 per cent decline in residential sales in 2022. While sales have eased relative to last year, a record year, the 15,334 recorded sales in 2022 were 15 per cent higher than long-term averages. As many markets across the country are experiencing a strong shift in demand, Saskatchewan continues to report sales that are stronger than pre-pandemic levels.

There were 25,089 new listings in 2022, a seven per cent decline from the year prior and well below long-term trends. While the pace of inventory decline did ease over the second half of the year, 2022 inventory levels were 11 per cent below levels seen last year and 25 per cent below 10-year averages. Much of the decline in supply was driven by properties priced below $500,000, resulting in tight conditions in the lower-priced segment of the market.


“Without question, higher lending rates are contributing to the pullback in sales. We saw the Bank of Canada raise interest rates seven times in 2022,” said Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association CEO Chris Guérette. “When paired with declining inventory levels, particularly in homes priced below $500,000, we do see that having an impact on sales.”


Following strong growth throughout the spring, benchmark prices began to ease toward the end of the year. While many regions have recently reported downward price adjustments, home prices rose on an annual basis. Overall benchmark prices for 2022 were over four per cent higher than the year prior.


“The housing market is changing as consumers adjust to higher lending rates and rising costs of living. That said, Saskatchewan continues to fare better than many regions across the country and we expect that to continue in 2023” said Guérette. “With prospective buyers having to qualify at higher rates, our biggest concern heading into the new year is the lack of supply in homes priced below $500,000.”

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Regional Highlights

Sales eased across all regions of the province this year, with declines ranging from 27 per cent in Melfort to two per cent in Swift Current. Despite the pullback in sales relative to 2021, a record year, all regions reported sales that were either consistent with or above long-term trends. All regions across the province also saw a pullback in both new listings and inventory levels. Average annual inventory levels not only declined relative to last year but were well below long-term trends across all regions.

Price Trends

While many regions have experienced recent downward price adjustments, home prices rose on an annual basis. Annual benchmark price gains ranged from a low of one per cent in Moose Jaw to a high of seven per cent in Warman. The growth in prices in 2022 saw many regions set new record highs, with the exception of Estevan, Swift Current and Weyburn.

 

City of Regina

 

Easing sales in December contributed to a year-to-date decline of three per cent. The decline in sales was driven by pullbacks in the detached sector, as sales activity improved in every other category. While total residential sales have eased relative to a record 2021, the 3,609 sales reported in 2022 is over 23 per cent higher than long-term trends and well above pre-pandemic activity.

Both new listings and inventory levels experienced a pullback in 2022, with the decline in inventory largely in products priced below $500,000. Shifts in both sales and supply resulted in increasing months of supply when compared to levels experienced early in 2022. While this did take some pressure off prices, especially in Q4 2022, the benchmark price increased by over three per cent on an annual basis.

City of Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon reported 4,587 sales in 2022, a 15 per cent decline over last year’s record high but over 12 per cent higher than 10-year trends. Supply continues to be a challenge, as new listings have eased significantly and were 14 per cent below long-term averages in 2022. Meanwhile, inventory levels eased even further, resulting in average supply levels 31 per cent below long-term trends.

While a pullback in sales relative to inventory levels in the second half of the year did allow the months of supply to rise, the market remains far tighter than what we would traditionally see in Saskatoon. On an annual basis, benchmark prices rose nearly five per cent over 2021 levels.

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Usually, a home inspection is done after an offer is made to buy a home. The offer will typically include a condition that the property must pass such an inspection. The buyer then hires the inspector, who goes through the home, top to bottom, inside and out, looking for issues.

However, you can also get an inspection done as the seller. In this case, you are paying for an inspector to produce a report on your home — before you sell. In fact, this is often called a pre-sale home inspection.

Why would you do this?

A pre-sale home inspection can make your property more attractive to buyers. This is especially helpful if you’re selling in a buyer’s market, where there are more homes like yours for sale than there are buyers. The report serves as an enticing feature of your listing because it reassures buyers that there are no unknown issues.

So, getting a pre-home inspection is something worth considering. For a buyer deciding between your listing and another home for sale, it can be a determining factor.

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Want to save money in 2023? There are many money-saving opportunities — including tax savings — that you can realize if you take action before the year ends. Here are just a few examples of what to consider:

  • Do you own a business? Even if it’s just a side-hustle to make extra money, you can save on taxes if you make planned purchases this month. For example, if you need a new printer, buy it in December. That way, you may be able to take a deduction this year.
  • Check your subscriptions. Many types of subscriptions — publications, online apps, memberships — automatically renew in December. If you subscribe to something you no longer want, cancel it this month. Otherwise, you might be stuck paying the renewal fee.
  • Review your investments. Sit down with your advisor and go over your investments and other savings. You may be able to take advantage of year-end opportunities. Also check for investments or financial instruments that may be set to automatically renew this month.
  • Watch for price hikes. It’s common for companies to raise prices at the beginning of a new year. Review your bills for announcements of fee increases. Some of those may be negotiable. You might also want to make other changes to reduce the impact.

Taking time this month to review expenses and investments could save you a bundle in 2023. It’s worth the effort!

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There were 924 sales recorded across the province in November, a 32 per cent decline over last year’s record high. While sales continue to slow when compared to 2021, a record year, year-to-date activity remains over 16 per cent above long-term trends in the province.

The ongoing pullback in new listings continues to be driven largely by homes priced below $500,000. While new listings improved in higher priced product, the decline in sales and new listings has prevented inventory gains. For the second consecutive month, inventory levels remain over 25 per cent below 10-year averages.

“Higher lending rates and inflationary pressures are impacting housing demand across the country,” said Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association CEO Chris Guérette. “That said, our market remains resilient, and the biggest concern is a lack of supply in homes priced below $500,000. It’s increasingly clear that the lack of supply is in the more affordable segment of our continuum.”

Market conditions remain relatively tight for lower priced homes while supply gains in the upper price ranges are resulting in more choice for buyers. While the benchmark price has trended down from levels reported earlier in the year, prices remain nearly two per cent higher than levels reported this time last year.

“Market conditions vary significantly across the country and unlike other markets, we continue to report sales levels well above long-term trends,” said Guérette. “Positive long-term fundamentals have Saskatchewan on track to continue to fare better than many markets across the country.”

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Regional Highlights

Sales activity eased across all regions of the province, contributing to year-to-date declines as high as 26 per cent in some regions. Despite sales adjustments, sales have outperformed long-term trends in all regions.

As seen in prior months, inventory remains a challenge province-wide. All regions are reporting easing inventory and levels well below 10-year averages.

Price Trends

Monthly price adjustments varied significantly across the province. Moose Jaw and Yorkton were the only regions to report a year-over-year decline in prices in November. Most regions have seen prices ease from the highs experienced earlier this year, with the exception of Meadow Lake, which reported a record high, nearly seven per cent higher than last year.

 

City of Regina

November sales eased relative to last year’s record monthly high but remain consistent with 10-year averages. Year-to-date sales fell below the record levels experienced last year yet remain 25 per cent above long-term averages. Easing sales were met with a pullback in new listings, causing inventories to decline by 17 per cent when compared to last November.

As the decline in sales outpaced the decline in inventories, months of supply has improved slightly when compared to levels seen earlier in the year. The City of Regina reported a benchmark price of $314,300, slightly higher than prices seen last November.

City of Saskatoon

Easing sales activity resulted in a year-to-date decline of 15 per cent in Saskatoon. Much of the decline in sales continues to be driven by a pullback in detached sales. Though sales have eased from record highs, levels remain higher than pre-pandemic and 10-year averages.

New listings continue to ease, and November inventory levels fell to the lowest level reported in over a decade. The City of Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $367,800, nearly three per cent higher than prices reported in November 2021.

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