Last week, I wrote a brief post providing details on the Saskatchewan Party’s plan to provide a tax credit to first-time home buyers that would save then up to $1,100 when purchasing their first home. I’ve just been reviewing the housing strategy for the New Democratic Party (NDP), which is substantially more comprehensive. According to their platform brochure, the NDP plans to implement the following housing initiatives should they end up forming a government following the November 7 election.

• Rebating the PST on construction materials for new houses to be priced under $280,000; and
• Rebating the PST on the first $10,000 in repairs to homes more than ten years old.
• Investing $20 million into co-operative and community organizations to buy land for housing.
• Providing first-time homebuyers a $2,000 grant to cover closing costs and other related expenses for homes purchased for under $280,000.
• Offering interest-free loans to co-operatives and community organization building new housing stock.
• Ending unfair rent increases through next-generation rent control. We will  introduce rent control that makes allowances for new construction and non-corporate landlords.
• Investing $230 million to create 2,500 new public rental units, with 1,000 units dedicated to student accommodation, and to upgrade existing units by working with community organizations and co-operatives.
• Making a commitment to end homelessness with $20 million targeted to a “Housing First” approach, based on the belief that a stable place to live is a basic right and a critical building block to helping individuals gain stability in their own lives.
• Adding 750 new subsidized affordable assisted-living units, with special attention paid to building these onto long-term care homes so that couples who require different levels of care can stay together.
• Providing a property tax rebate of $500 per year to senior homeowners and renters.
• Introducing the Credit for Caring refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 per year to individuals providing care to elderly or disabled relatives or friends.
• Guaranteeing Saskatchewan residents the lowest-cost bundle of utilities in the country.

Read the NDP’s platform brochure here. Read the Saskatchewan Party’s platform brochure 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

Tenants at Saskatoon’s Milroy Apartments served notice to civic administrators Friday of their intentions to seek a judicial review of council’s recent decision to approve an application for a condominium conversion at the downtown apartment building.

Represented by fellow tenants Martin Been and Barbara Henderson, Milroy residents will ask a Court of Queen’s Bench judge to overturn the decision and to grant an order prohibiting the city from issuing an approval certificate “unless and until the City of Saskatoon determines, upon evidence” that the conversion meets the requirements of Saskatchewan’s Condominium Property Act.

One section of the Act states the following with respect to condominium conversions:

On an application for a certificate pursuant to clause (1)(b), the local authority shall direct the issue of a certificate if it is satisfied that:

(e) Where the application relates to the conversion of existing premises used for apartments, flats, or tenements into units:

i) the conversion will not significantly reduce the availability of rental accommodation in the area;

ii) the conversion will not create significant hardship for any or all of the tenants of the existing premises.

The most recent Rental Market Report released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation placed Saskatoon’s vacancy rate at a record low of just 0.6% following a busy year of condo conversion applications in the city of Saskatoon. Through 2007, over 1,500 rental units were approved for conversion, more than we’ve seen in the last ten years combined.

Councillors Bob Pringle, Pat Lorje, Darren Hill and Charlie Clark all voted against the application for conversion because of concerns over the tight rental market and the impact that a conversion would have on the buildings tenants.

I suspect that the city will argue that the Milroy tenants are interpreting the Condominium Property Act incorrectly. They’ll argue that this section of the Act provides municipalities with power to reject applications should they choose to do so, but does not limit their authority in granting applications under any circumstances which they deem appropriate.

Related articles include;

City of Saskatoon to consider proposed changes to condo conversion policy

Milroy Apartments in Saskatoon will become condos

Saskatoon City Council approves condo conversion policy change

NDP calls for “freeze” on Saskatoon condo conversions

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

The “smallest house in Toronto,” measuring just 300 square feet is being offered for sale at $173,000. That’s $577 per square foot.

Sitting on a narrow lot which measures in at 7.25 feet by 113.67 feet, this little charmer has been completely renovated from top to bottom. It features a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and a decent back yard.

I was most impressed by the initiative taken by the listing agents, Christina Lopes and Louise Ruggiero of Sutton Group Security Real Estate Brokerage. These two go-getters have enhanced their listing to the fullest on MLSOnline including a sales brochure and a virtual tour which offers eighteen still images and four 360 degree panoramic images.

It’s hard to find an agent who will provide such a rich presentation on house ten times the size.

The virtual tour for the property is here.

Tip of the hat to Matthew Collinge of Vancouver who originally posted about this property on his blog.

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

My day to day work takes me in and out of a lot of homes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that many people struggle with organization. A terribly disorganized home might feel homey to you, but it does little for showings at your property. In fact, many home buyers have difficulty looking past clutter. Often, their eyes dart back and forth from one pile of stuff to the next and completely overlook what’s most important; your home. Clutter robs your home of space, which everybody needs and it creates a feeling of chaos in many people, not an ideal feeling when you want them to feel at home.

Disorganization will not only have a negative impact on your Saskatoon real estate sale. For many people, being disorganized causes stress. Perhaps you’ve felt it yourself. Is 2007 your year to get organized? If so, I’ve found a website that could be your best friend. Life Organizers is all about helping you get your stuff together. It’s packed with great ideas on organizing almost every area of your life.

• Your home
• Office or home office
• Clutter
• Finances
• Time management
• Mind, body, and spirit
• Cleaning
• School and family
• Wires and cables
• Moving
• Weddings

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra