A $3.7 million plan to beautify the 25^th Street entrance to Saskatoon’s Central Business Districthas been approved by the city’s planning and operations committee and received strong support from city councillors Tuesday.

The project, which is scheduled to take shape over two years following the extension of 25^thStreet to Idylwyld Drive calls for lush landscaping including trees, hedges and flowerbeds, benches, lighting and public art exhibits.

City planner Jeanna Smith told the committee that the goal in planning was to create a distinct identity and a pedestrian friendly corridor for the 25^thStreet entrance.

More from the Star Phoenix about this and other news on changes in north downtown is here. Learn more about Saskatoon’s Central Business District here. Interesting in living downtown? Homes for sale in the area can be found 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.

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

Last month, Saskatoon REALTORS® assisted 283 home buyers with the purchase of their dream home. This number was up 12% from November 2009 when 253 homes were sold. The year to date sales number stands at 3,396 down 7 % from the same time last year when 3,609 units had sold. The $300,000 to 350,000.00 price range continues to be the most active. The average number of days to sell in the month of November was 42.

Click the image for a larger version of the graph.

The average residential selling price in November was $312,893. This number is up 13% from November 2009 when the average selling price was $277,766. The average price year to date is $296,136. That’s up 7% from 2009 at this same time when the average was $278,002.

Click the image for a larger version of the graph.

Home buyers had 1,045 homes to select from at the end of November, up from November 2009 when 877 homes were on the market. REALTORS® listed 403 homes in November, up 13% from November 2009 when 356 properties were listed for sale.

Click the image for a larger version of the graph.

In areas surrounding Saskatoon sales activity was steady with 75 homes selling, on par with November 2009. Year to date, REALTORS® have sold 857 homes in these areas, down 5 % from 2009 when the year to date figure stood at 903. REALTORS® listed 154 properties in these areas in the month of November. That number is up 20% from November 2009 when 128 properties were placed on the market for sale. The average number of days to sell in areas around Saskatoon during the month of November was 78.

Fourth quarter unit sale activity is performing as forecast. The new home market remains strong with steady city lot sales taking place. Interest rates have edged up slightly but seem to have had little impact on home sales. Job creation in the Saskatoon area remains steady. The forecast for the remainder of 2010 is for listing and sales numbers to continue to balance and for prices level as well.

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.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra