January home sales held steady in the face of some recent gloomy economic reports with 174 properties changing hands in Saskatoon. This is comparable to results a year ago and only 17 percent below the five-year average for January. The market experienced a decline in the number of homes added to the MLS® in January with a 5.5 percent decrease, for a total 683 new listings. A decline in new building permits coupled with home sellers deciding to wait until spring to go to market, has helped to relax inventory levels.
The average selling price of a Saskatoon home was virtually unchanged year-over-year at $354,000, down 1.2 percent. "Focusing on the average price can be very misleading," according to Jason Yochim, CEO with the Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®. "An average is just that, it can be skewed based on a change in the number of homes selling in a particular price range." A more accurate barometer of pricing than the average is the composite Home Price Index, (HPI) which was $305,400 at month end, a 1.4 percent decrease over the same time last year. This is the first levelling of the HPI since a steady decline started in September. This is a positive sign when it comes to the trend in home prices. According to a recent survey by Praxis Analytics, Saskatchewan residents remain optimistic about the economy in spite of economic challenges.
Although there are currently 1,612 active listings, the decline in new listings so far this year coupled with steady demand will help ensure that inventory levels remain below the overall 2015 average of 1,856 active listings. Condominiums in Saskatoon accounted for roughly 40 percent of the active properties with 634 units currently on the market. Of these active condos, it is estimated that about 20 percent are new units. By comparison, less than a third of the single-family homes available on the market are new construction.
On average it takes 50 days to sell a home in Saskatoon at approximately 97 percent of the asking price. This is a typical exposure period for this time of year. "The seller is really the deciding factor in determining how long a home will sit on the market. The higher they choose to price above market the longer the home will sit," he cautions. "It is important to keep in mind that every property is unique, every situation is unique and every micro market is unique. It only makes sense to have a professional REALTOR® provide sound advice when it comes to pricing competitively in this market."
Sound pricing and timing advice can be provided by one of the 640 professionally licensed and trained REALTOR® members of The Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®. REALTORS® also subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are dedicated to developing professional standards and continuing education in the real estate profession.
For further information, please contact:
Jason Yochim CAE, CRAE Chief Executive Officer - Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®
End of release.
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
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