Selecting a neighbourhood that you think you’ll be comfortable in isn’t easy, particularly if you’re trying to do it from half way across the country and you’re more or less unfamiliar with Saskatoon.

I’d like to introduce you to a resource which I think you’ll find helpful. I call it Saskatoon Neighbourhoods, Profile and Price Trends. In this section of the Saskatoon Real Estate Resource Centre website, there’s a separate page for each area of Saskatoon. On the most developed pages, you’ll find the following information about neighbourhoods which you may want to consider.

• Photos taken around the area schools, parks, etc. (a work in progress).
• Real estate data from the previous year including the number of units sold (houses & condos), the low selling price, the high selling price and the average selling price.
• The six months rolling average selling price of both houses and condos in the area.
• A house price trend chart which shows how prices have changed over a ten year period, comparing changes in neighbourhood values to Saskatoon in general.
• The kinds of occupations that area residents are involved in.
• Household income statistics for residents of the area.
• Some information about the types of homes which exist in the neighborhood.
• A chart which shows the history of development for the neighbourhood.
• Some information on the percentage of homes which are owner occupied
• Links to schools in the area.
• A Google map of the neighbourhood (zoom out to see exactly where the area is situated).
• In some cases, one or two reviews of the area written and submitted by residents.

If you currently live in Saskatoon, I have a favour to ask of you. I’d really appreciate it of you’d visit the page for your neighbourhood, scroll way down to the bottom of the page and jot me a few words about your area in the provided form. There’s nothing that tells a story like somebody’s story. I know that people will find your words helpful.

Click through to the Saskatoon Neighbourhoods, Profiles & Price Trends page here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions.Feel free to drop me an email.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

Anger was the dominant emotion at Monday’s city council meeting when the application by Viking Developments to convert Saskatoon’s Milroy Apartments to condos was approved.

Current bylaws require conversion applications which affect more than 100 units be approved by council who have the discretion to deny them if vacancy rates in the area are sufficiently low that tenants may have difficulty finding alternative accommodations. According to CMHC’s recently released “Rental Market Report,” apartment vacancy rates in the immediate vicinity of the Milroy have dropped to 1%, and as low as .6% across the city of Saskatoon.

The Milroy Apartments consist of 156 living units. Viking has promised to retain 40 of the units as rental properties which will be offered to long-term tenants at “market rents.” Like most promises, there is no legal obligation to deliver.

Of course, the fly in the ointment here is the tenants who will be impacted, “many of whom are over 70 years of age and coping with limited mobility and health issues,” according to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

In the past, I’ve taken the position that the market should be allowed to work and I appreciate the complexity of the decision that council was faced with. That said, I can’t imagine a worse time to force at least 116 tenants, many of them elderly, to find a new home. We could have justified putting this one off until rental conditions improve.

Perhaps “the market” will grow a conscience and bite Viking in the ass!

Read also: Star Phoenix - Milroy conversion gets OK from city council

Read also: Gerry Klein of the Star Phoenix – Few options for city renters

Read also: CMHC Rental Market Report for 2007, Saskatoon

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

They expected schools and playgrounds would eventually occupy the vacant space that sits at the center of Saskatoon’s Briarwood neighbourhood and some paid a premium for the opportunity to be close. Now that those plans have been scrapped by both school boards there are some lingering questions about what will become of this land.

North Ridge Development Corporation and Boychuk Construction Corporation are both proposing a rezoning of that land to accommodate residential development. North Ridge would like to develop 17 lots in the northeast corner of Briarwood Park and Boychuk has their eye on a parcel across the park for 27 new homes.

Residents seem most concerned that the city takes some measures to soften the blow of the lost schools by insisting that the development takes into account the fact that many of these homes were constructed to enjoy a park view and not the backyards of neighbouring homes.

They’d like to see some green space to provide a bit of a buffer between the new and existing homes. The Municipal Planning Commission seems to be somewhat onside and has sent a memo to city administrators saying they won’t support the plan without changes which include adjusting North Ridge’s proposed orientation of the new homes and incorporation of linear or pocket parks.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

You might say that residents of Saskatoon’s Nutana area have their “shit in a knot” over proposed plans to build a new sewer lift station in Rotary Park and who could blame them. The idea of dealing with raw sewage in your back yard isn’t exactly appealing to anyone. City administrators are recommending council approve plans for the construction of the new lift station near the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge in Rotary Park.

It seems that there are concerns about the ongoing viability of the existing lift station located across the river in Victoria Park. It’s been in operation for close to a century and the underwater pipe which transports sewage across the river hasn’t been inspected since 1911. City administrators favour the new location because the estimated cost comes in about $600,000 lower on that side off the river.The annual cost of operation will also be lower by approximately $15,000.

The new lift station would include public restrooms and the city plans to landscape to prevent the station from becoming an eyesore. Odour control equipment would be installed in an effort to minimize foul smells but it’s doubtful that it could be eliminated totally.

Councillor Charlie Clark who represents the area on City Council says he will not support the move.

Councillor Pat Lorje who represents Riversdale where the current lift station operates is fully behind the change. “Words fail me,” she said. “I understand the ‘not in my back yard’ syndrome….when you have professional engineers recommending a specific location, they’re not doing it for frivolous reasons…I don’t think it will have that large of an impact on the neighbourhood.”

I could go either way on this, as long as they keep it operating in a public park. :) Sheesh!

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

Over the past 16 years, Patrick Wolfe quietly purchased a block of decrepit residential properties, one at a time, in the Pleasant Hill area of Saskatoon. A wiser investor may have wondered what the hell he was up to. Few would have ever thought that his investment would be a key component in renewing the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood but last night his plan became clear as Wolfe saw his land sale proposal to the City of Saskatoon move forward in a deal which netted the savvy investor $1.4 million dollars, and a $365,000 donation receipt to boot. City Council approved a deal to purchase 29 properties from Wolfe with the intent to clear the land for use in a Pleasant Hill renewal project which will ultimately include new housing development, a much needed elementary school, some green space, and a possible community group space.

Earlier this month, Mayor Don Atchison, Premier Lorne Calvert, and National Revenue Minister Carol Skelton announced the details of a cooperative initiative between the city, the province and the federal government to begin some much-needed redevelopment in the Pleasant Hill area.  The renewal project will be funded through the Urban Development Agreement with $1.71 million coming from the City of Saskatoon. The province and the federal Department of Western Economic Diversification will each pick up $789,471 of the cost.

Negotiating the purchase of the only three properties on the block which are not owned by Wolfe is underway. Once complete, the wrecking ball will start to swing and some new life will find its way into the Pleasant Hill area.

Let’s hope that this new development provides an opportunity to rejuvenate a community that could really use a boost.

Congratulations Pleasant Hill residents.

Congratulations Mr. Wolfe.

Norm Fisher

Royal Lepage Vidorra

Born just minutes before she was discovered and still sporting an umbilical cord, the girl was “red and wrinkled” and “her little hands were like ice,” said Lee Anderson who happens to be a registered nurse. The temperature was close to -30C (-22F) on Saturday morning.

According to the Globe and Mail, the couple called 911. Mr. Anderson explains, “After I said that we had a crying baby at our house, the operator said, ‘So what’s the problem with that,’ well, it’s not mine. I found it abandoned by my back door.”

An ambulance arrived at the scene within minutes. The baby is in fine condition and in the custody of the Department of Community Resources.

Saskatoon Police used dogs to try to track the person who dropped the child off but had no luck. They spent the balance of the day canvassing the area looking for clues as to how the child ended up at Anderson’s home.

Police remain concerned about the child’s mother and they are encouraging her, and anyone else who may know what happened to come forward.

The Globe reports that the Anderson’s had planned to shop for a new car on Saturday, which just goes to show you that you never really know what the day is going to bring.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

Until now, it has been just rumour and speculation that something fairly big was about to happen for the Pleasant Hill area of Saskatoon. Now, it’s official.

Mayor Don Atchison, Premier Lorne Calvert, and National Revenue Minister Carol Skelton have finally announced the details of a cooperative initiative between the city, the province and the federal government to begin some much-needed redevelopment in the Pleasant Hill area. The renewal project will be funded through the Urban Development Agreement with $1.71 million coming from the City of Saskatoon. The province and the federal Department of Western Economic Diversification will each pick up $789,471 of the cost.

The plan involves leveling 29 properties, including commercial buildings on 20^th Street between Avenue O and Avenue N, and the homes located on the 300 and 400 blocks of both of these avenues. Some cash will be invested in improving the infrastructure throughout the entire neighbourhood to bring it up to today’s standards for commercial and residential development.

Once the land has been cleared it will be sold to Saskatchewan Housing for $1 so that it can be developed for affordable housing. Mayor Atchison estimates that new development could pump $20 to $30 million into the Saskatoon economy.

There was no further word on much-needed improvements to St. Mary Community School, the venue for this special announcement; however, Premier Calvert did bring hope that a result may not be far off. “I know full well that there are plans in the works for the replacement of the school.”The land which is being redeveloped surrounds the school and community leaders are hopeful that a “community centre” can find a place in the plan.

This is the second major initiative undertaken in the Pleasant Hill area by the three levels of government. Last year, they funded the demolition of an old strip mall and a warehouse. The three parcels of land which were liberated through the project will eventually become home to Station 20 West, a multi-purpose development that is expected to be home to a public library, a grocery store, and various other area amenities.

Both of these initiatives will be great for Pleasant Hill homeowners who haven’t seen nearly as much growth in property values as most other areas in Saskatoon over the last decade. In 2006, the average selling price of a home in the area was under $70,000, while the average for Saskatoon topped $170,000.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

A number of my clients have asked me how homes in their neighbourhoods have appreciated relative to the Saskatoon real estate market in general. The question sparked an idea for my neighbourhood profiles page. I have prepared and posted a graph for each Saskatoon neighbourhood that shows the average house price trend for that area over a ten year period and compares it to the average house price trend for Saskatoon.

Are you curious about how values are changing in your area? 

Visit our Neighbourhood Profile page and click on your neighbourhood.

I am always looking for ways in which I can improve our website. If you have ideas or suggestions which I might use to provide prospective home buyers and sellers with information about Saskatoon, or the Saskatoon real estate market, I would love to hear them. Please, drop me an email at the link below.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

I have completed my updates to the TeamFisher’s neighbourhood pages for 2006. Each neighbourhood page includes details on sales of houses and condominiums in the area including the low sale price, the high sale price and the average sale price for 2006.

I did something a little different this year in that I also included the average selling price of houses and condominiums for the last six months. I plan to update those numbers on a monthly basis so that a more accurate reflection of what’s happening in the Saskatoon real estate market, and within your neighbourhood can be seen at any time. With the sharp increases in our market experienced through 2006, the annual average from the previous year was almost useless as we approached the close of the year. The averages shown didn’t really give an accurate picture of current Saskatoon real estate values.

We get a lot of visits from people who live outside of the province, who are considering a move to Saskatoon so these updated profiles are helpful in determining which areas meet their price objectives.

Another feature which will be added soon (hopefully before the New Year) is a graph which shows the change in average selling prices for each area over a ten year period. I have the data put together and we just need to prepare and post the graphs.

Do you know someone who is moving to Saskatoon? Why not refer them to our website? They’ll find it a great resource in their search for Saskatoon real estate.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

They say, “all good things must come to an end.” However sad, it’s true. On the front page of this morning’s Star Phoenix, an image of the smiling Mr. Hinitt appears with the headline, “Bob Hinitt Hangs up His Hammer. (story now removed)”

The announcement marks the end of what became a Saskatoon Christmas tradition. For the past 59 years, Bob Hinitt gave us all a gift that brought us joy year after year. Thousands have driven by his Adelaide Churchill area home to enjoy the fabulous Christmas displays which he has constructed on his front lawn faithfully since 1947. A Bug’s Life, 101 Dalmatians, The Lion King, Winnie the Pooh and 54 other magnificent displays of this man’s magical spirit of giving all brought a smile to our chilled faces as we stood and marveled at their brilliance; his brilliance.

According to the Star Phoenix, Mr. Hinitt, who is 80 this year, realized that he could no longer manage this challenging project following a knee replacement surgery this year. “I’m depressed and blue, because, to me, that’s what Christmas was” he is quoted as saying. “What I feel bad about is that (the organizations) won’t have that money this year. The animals need that. They need someone to fend for them.” Mr. Hinitt’s yard display always contained kettles for voluntary donations which were contributed to the Saskatoon Zoo and the SPCA. Last year, he managed to raise $3,000 for the two organizations; another year saw $12,000 land in the kettles.It occurred to me this evening that a donation to one or both of these fine causes would be a beautiful gift to Mr. Hinitt; kind of a fitting way to say “thank you for what you’ve given us.” Can you find a few dollars to give in Mr. Hinitt’s honour? I think I can.

Mr. Hinitt, thank you for all you’ve given this community. Merry Christmas sir!

Saskatoon Zoo Society

Saskatoon SPCA

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

The Saskatoon and Region Home Builders Association is arguing that the City of Saskatoon is not making enough new lots available for single-family detached homes and that argument rings true to my ears.

Alan Thomarat, executive director of the association points out that while housing starts in 2006 are clearly ahead of last year (37%) they remain 15% lower than those achieved in 2004. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports 1,384 housing starts including 886 single-family detached homes for the Saskatoon region over the first 11 months of the year. Thomarat says that the Saskatoon area should be able to build 2,000 homes a year and that the market could handle as many as 2,500 to 3,000 per year “within the decade” if the land is available.

City land branch manager Rick Howse expressed skepticism that Saskatoon could support 2,000 lots saying, “Any CMHC report I’ve seen doesn’t indicate that kind of growth.” However, he did explain that the city fell short of its lot servicing objective for 2006 due to wet weather in the spring and a lack of capacity for Saskatoon construction companies to meet objectives.

Thomarat points to the fact that 35% of new single-family home starts are now happening outside of the city as an indication that the city is not making enough lots available. Significant residential developments are currently underway in Warman and Martensville; others are planned for Corman Park and Clavet. Are people actually turning to bedroom communities because of a scarcity of lots in Saskatoon? It is apparently so. November saw 91 new starts for each Saskatoon and Regina. In the Saskatoon area, only 52 of those starts were within city boundaries while Regina captured 76 of the 91 stars in that area.

Thomarat links the lack of city building lots to the increasing prices of existing residential real estate in Saskatoon. “These price increases will have the largest impact on entry-level homes, reducing affordability for populations within Saskatoon that can least afford it.”

It’s hard to argue with his logic. Resale prices have risen as much as 15% in some neighbourhoods over the past year and resale inventory continues to shrink. As of today, there are 309 active residential listings available within the city limits. 265 of those are single-family homes and 44 are condominiums. This is the lowest number of listings which I have seen in 14 years of business. At the same time, demand continues to remain strong and you don’t have to be an economist to understand that these factors together mean increasing prices for Saskatoon real estate. Without more development in new housing, resale inventories are likely to remain low, pushing prices higher. People are not going to sell their existing homes if they don’t have a place to go.

Meanwhile, the Saskatoon economy is strong with many small business owners indicating an appetite for expansion. The only real problem is finding people to help manage the growth. My colleagues and I have a sense that the people want to come home but we’ve really got no place to put them. I can’t help feeling that Saskatoon isn’t in an ideal position to fully capitalize on a growing interest in our fine city. Somebody, find us a way to build some houses or hang the no vacancy sign.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

You might say that some residents of Briarwood in Saskatoon are getting a little “tired” of the racket that seems to be prevalent in this prestigious area at all hours of the night.

Topping the list of noisy culprits was the city of Saskatoon who thought it was okay to run bobcats around the clock at a snow dump located just outside of the area. The trains which run along the East side of the area aren’t exactly singing a sweet lullaby either as they rip along the area’s border three to four times a night, blowing their whistles at full blast.

One can hardly blame Darryl Gerwing, one of Briarwood’s newest residents for being a little testy. He’s been awoken by the incessant noise every night, several times a night since he moved to Briarwood about three months ago. “If you have your windows open, you can get the train whistle two, three times a night,” Gerwing recently told a Star Phoenix reporter. “All hours of the night. It’s really loud.”

Gerwing has been in touch with Canadian Pacific Railways and has requested a “whistle cessation” for the crossing located at Eight Street and Zimmerman Road. Apparently, the city of Regina has such a policy in place and Gerwing obviously feels that there’s no good reason Saskatoon shouldn’t do the same. He’s right!

Gerwing has also been in touch with and expressed his concern surrounding activity at the snow dump to his city Councillor, Tiffany Paulsen who confirmed that the city has ceased operating at night as a result of the complaints and will relocate the snow dump to an area outside of city limits soon.

Mr. Gerwing, thank you for your efforts to bring about some peace and quiet in your area. Train noises are not new to the area and I’m sure your willingness to take this issue on is appreciated by your neighbours.

Briarwood is located along the southeast border of Saskatoon. Primarily developed after 1990, the area had the highest average selling price in Saskatoon through 2005.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra