Saskatoon single-family home sales continued to show remarkable strength gaining twenty-nine percent over the same month last year to finish September at two hundred and thirty-six units, twelve percent lower than August. Active house listings continued to slide, falling to just six hundred properties, eight percent lower than the close of August, thirty-three percent lower than this year’s peakof eight hundred and ninety, and forty-three percent lower than last September when 1,053 Saskatoon houses were for sale. Technically, while inventory continued to fall in real numbers, seasonally slower sales moved the months of inventory slightly higher from 2.4 months to 2.5 months.

The average sale price of a house slipped about thirty-four hundred dollars on a month-over-month basis to finish September at $303,028, more than sixteen thousand dollars lower than the same month last year and more than thirty-six thousand dollars off of the peak price of $339,548 which was reached in June of 2008. The median sale price recovered to $295,000, up nearly five thousand dollars from last month and matching last September’s number. The three-month average gained four hundred dollars over the previous month and finished just over eight thousand dollars lower than it was in September of 2008.

The average price per square foot of a Saskatoon house returned to July levels as it slid back to $246 after an August bump pushed it higher to its peak for 2009 of $252. That’s roughly eight percent lower than it was in September of last year, and about thirteen percent off of the peak of $280 that we saw in May of last year.

If house sales were “strong,” condo sales were through the roof. The number of Saskatoon condos that sold last month doubled over the same month last year reaching ninety-seven units, approximately thirteen percent below the month of August when one hundred and twelve condos traded hands. The inventory of condos fell eight percent from last month, finishing at three hundred and fifty-one properties, down thirty-two percent from the same time last year. “Months of inventory” grew slightly more in the condo category than single-family detached houses did, rising to 3.6 months from 3.4 months at the close of August.

The average selling price of a Saskatoon condominium lost some of its August gains falling roughly five thousand dollars to $226,271, sixteen thousand dollars lower than it was in September of last year. The median price fell eight thousand dollars from the month before to $217,000, twelve thousand dollars behind the same month last year. The three-month average actually took some gains to finish up about thirty-six hundred dollars from August at $225,597, about nine thousand dollars lower than it was last year at this time.

The average cost per square foot for a Saskatoon condo remained unchanged on a month-over-month basis at $219, roughly ten percent lower than September of 2008 when it sat at $240, and about sixteen percent below the peak in May of 2008 when it reached $262.

Remember, averages and cost per square foot numbers can provide some useful insights into pricing trends but they’re not as useful when engaging in an actual transaction. If you’re buying or selling you should be seeking current information on active listings and recent sales, which are most comparable to your property in terms of location, size, features and amenities.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions.  All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra

Established in 1969 with the help of the Catholic diocese and the InnerCity Council of Churches, the Friendship Inn currently serves an average of 500 meals daily. In the past year, the organization has served more than 180,000 meals to transient, homeless and less fortunate men, women and children.

The Friendship Inn is at 619 20th Street West in the Riversdalearea of Saskatoon.

Star Phoenix story is here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions.  All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra

The real estate market in Saskatoon and surrounding area was brisk in the month of September. REALTORS® assisted 351 homebuyers in the purchase of a home, that number up 43% from September 2008 when 242 homes were sold. Year to date, residential unit sales stand at 3048, up 3% from 2008 when 2996 homes changed hands.

The average residential selling price in September was $279,457, that number down 6% from September 2008 indicating more activity in the low to middle price range homes. The average selling price has remained steady throughout 2009 beginning in January at $278,545.00 reaching a high in July of $283,871.00. The strongest sales activity remains in the $300,000 to $350,000 dollar price range.

REALTORS® sold $98,089,304.00 of residential real estate in the month of September, up 34% from 2008. Year to date dollar volume stands at $848,202,479.

Listing inventory continued to correct with fewer properties being listed and more current inventory being sold. REALTORS® placed 516 properties on the market in September that number down 37% from September 2008 when REALTORS® listed 825 homes.

Home buyers had 1097 properties to choose from at the end of September.

Sales activity in surrounding communities remained strong with 119 homes being sold, up 65% from September 2008 when 72 homes changed hands. The average selling price was $271,401, up 18% from September 2008 when the average selling price was $229,271.

Similar sales activity is expected throughout the fourth quarter of 2009. Market stability will continue to improve as inventory levels decline. The resale and new home market are being fueled by low interest rates, product availability and consumer optimism in the local economy.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions.  All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra