Uncategorized September 6, 2023

Energy Assistance Program

Our Energy Assistance Program is easy to join and completely FREE!

High utility bills can be stressful for lower-income households. And it can be costly to make energy efficient upgrades to your home. We’re here to help you save money on utility bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

All Saskatchewan residents who meet the program eligibility below can apply. This program is offered in partnership with the Government of Canada, the City of Saskatoon and the City of Swift Current Light and Power.

Why Apply?

Icon Save Money

Save up to $230 a year on your utility bills!

Enviromental Impact

Make your home energy efficient for free!

Want to Participate?

Our Home Energy Advisors will come to your home and complete a walkthrough.They’ll upgrade your home with FREE energy efficient items to help you save money, like:

  • Smart thermostat
  • ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs
  • Smart power strip
  • High-efficiency showerheads
  • Aerators (kitchen and bathroom)
  • Drying rack

The Home Energy Advisors will also give you simple everyday tips to help keep your energy use down. This will help you save money on your utility bills.

To qualify for the program, you must:

  • Own or rent a single-detached home or semi-attached home
  • If you’re renting, get the consent of your landlord to participate
  • Live in the home year-round
  • Be a customer of SaskPower, Saskatoon Light and Power or Swift Current Light and Power
  • Have a household income of $70,000 or less (exceptions apply – contact us for details)
  • Live in a multi-residential unit building: i.e. apartment or condo (some conditions may apply)

Hear from a participant

“There are so many small ways to save and they’re all right under our noses! It took someone like this energy coach to point them out to me. The process was eye opening to me and it was great to have this specialist come into my home and provide this all to me for free!”

– Chris Tessmer

Apply Today

 

Due to the high number of applicants, it’s taking longer than normal to process Energy Assistance Program applications. We ask you only submit 1 application. Applying more than once slows things down more. We thank-you for your patience and understanding as we work as fast as we can! Questions? Email us or call us at 306-910-7304.

September 6, 2023

RECORD SALES IN AUGUST, TIGHTEST MARKET CONDITIONS HEADING INTO SEPTEMBER SINCE 2007

Saskatchewan reported a record-high 1,631 sales in August, a year-over-year increase of 11 per cent and nearly 25 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages.

Strong August sales were met with a pullback in new listings, contributing to a decrease in inventory levels for the month. As seen in prior months, the inventory decline was largely driven by homes priced below $400,000, as the more affordable segment of the market remains highly competitive.

“Saskatchewan is once again reporting strong sales despite ongoing inventory challenges, inflationary pressures and higher lending rates,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “Higher interest rates are pushing more purchasers to seek out more affordable options in the market, and, as a result, we continue to experience significant supply challenges in the lower price ranges of our market. These persistent supply challenges are likely preventing even stronger sales activity in August.”

Record sales and low inventories caused the provincial months of supply to drop below four months – below three months in Regina and below two in Saskatoon – reflecting the tightest market conditions seen heading into September since 2007. Despite tighter market conditions, Saskatchewan’s benchmark price eased slightly in August, primarily due to declines in the more expensive detached and semi-detached markets. Notwithstanding price adjustments following months of steady growth, prices remain comparable to levels reported last year.

“Our province continues to benefit from its affordability advantage, record population growth and gains in international migration. Unfortunately, when housing supply fails to meet the increased demand, as seen in other jurisdictions across the country, inventory challenges become a real concern and affordability can be eroded,” said Guérette. “We continue to keep a very close eye on inventory levels, specifically in the more affordable segment of our market.”

Market Updates August 4, 2023

STRONG SALES CONTINUE IN JULY DESPITE PERSISTENT INVENTORY CHALLENGES

August 3, 2023For immediate release:

Saskatchewan reported 1,560 sales in July, a year-over-year increase of 9 per cent and nearly 13 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages. Much of the increase was driven by property priced below $300,000, as the more affordable segment of the market remains highly competitive.

As seen in prior months, inventory levels remain a significant challenge in many areas of the province. Despite a slight increase from last month, inventory levels were 11 per cent below levels seen in the previous year and over 30 per cent below the 10-year average. While inventory challenges continue to impact the more affordable segment of the market, there have been slight inventory gains in properties priced above $300,000.

“Higher lending rates continue to impact both buyers and sellers, with many consumers seeking more affordable options in our market,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “Potential move-up buyers are less likely to list in the current rate environment. When paired with persistent inventory challenges, the more affordable segment of the market remains extremely competitive.”

Despite a modest gain in the months of supply, which reached over four months in July, conditions remain tighter than last year and significantly below long-term trends. Tighter market conditions again resulted in month-over-month price gains, as Saskatchewan’s benchmark price reached $333,100 in July, up from $331,500 in June and $329,600 in May.

“While inventory levels remain a concern for us, Saskatchewan is once again reporting sales levels well above long-term trends,” said Guérette. “Our market continues to benefit from a strong economy and record population growth, which is proving to help offset some of the impact caused by another policy interest rate increase by the Bank of Canada.”

Regional Highlights

As seen in prior months, year-to-date sales activity has eased across many regions of the province. Despite the year-to-date decline, many regions are reporting sales levels above long-term trends.

Adjustments in inventory levels continue to vary across the province. However, many regions continue to report inventory below long-term, 10-year averages. The Saskatoon-Biggar region is experiencing the tightest conditions in the province, with less than three months of inventory.

Price Trends

The benchmark price varied across Saskatchewan communities in July, with many regions reporting year-over-year and monthly price growth.

The City of Estevan was the only region to report both yearly and monthly price decreases. In contrast, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Yorkton, and Meadow Lake all reported record-high benchmark prices in July.

City of Regina

The City of Regina reported 352 sales in July, a year-over-year decline of less than 1 per cent. Despite the slight year-over-year decline, July sales levels were nearly 17 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages.

A pullback in both sales and new listings prevented any significant change to the inventory challenges being experienced in Regina. Despite a slight month-over-month improvement in the months of supply, market conditions remain tight in the Queen City.

Regina reported a benchmark price of $319,200 in July, up from $318,700 in June and $316,100 in May.

City of Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon reported 497 sales in July, a year-over-year increase of 11 per cent and nearly 16 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages.

Strong sales levels prevented any significant change in inventory levels in July. Despite a slight increase in the months of supply, conditions remain extremely tight in the City of Saskatoon.

Saskatoon reported a record benchmark price of $384,200, up from $381,400 in June and $380,100 in May.

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For more information:

Cole Zawislak

Director of Public Affairs and Communications

cole@sra.ca

Market UpdatesMarket Updates July 6, 2023

SASKATCHEWAN REPORTS STRONG JUNE SALES AS INVENTORY CHALLENGES CONTINUE

July 06, 2023For immediate release:

There were 1,691 sales reported across the province in June, a year-over-year decline of six per cent. While year-over-year sales were down, Saskatchewan again reported sales levels well above long-term, 10-year historical averages.

As seen in prior months, inventory levels remain a significant challenge in certain regions of the province. Despite a slight increase from last month, inventory levels were nine per cent below levels seen in the previous year and over 30 per cent below the 10-year average. Inventory challenges continue to impact the more affordable segment of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 reporting a 17 per cent decline in inventory in June.

“While higher lending rates are impacting sales activity, continued employment growth and Saskatchewan’s relative affordability advantage are preventing a significant pullback in sales,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “Our province continues to report strong sales despite persistent inventory challenges, specifically in the more affordable segment of our housing continuum.”

The slight monthly inventory increase did support a modest gain in the months of supply.  However, with just under four months of supply, conditions remain lower than levels traditionally seen in June. Tighter conditions again resulted in month-over-month price gains, as Saskatchewan’s benchmark price reached $331,500 in June, up from $329,600 in May.

“Our market continues to demonstrate resilience amid interest rate hikes, ongoing inflationary pressures, and concerns over a national recession,” said Guérette. “We continue to keep a close eye on inventory levels and how tighter market conditions may impact prices moving forward.”

City of Regina

The City of Regina reported 367 sales in June, a year-over-year decline of nearly 10 per cent. While year-over-year sales levels eased, they remain over 11 per cent above long-term, 10-year trends.

A pullback in sales and new listings resulted in inventory similar to levels reported last month. Inventory levels in Regina remain nearly 30 per cent below long-term trends, the lowest levels reported in June since 2014.

With only 2.8 months of supply in the Queen City, current conditions are the tightest they’ve been in June over the past decade. Tighter conditions are contributing to monthly price gains as the benchmark price in Regina reached $318,700 in June, up from $316,100 in May.

For more information:

Cole Zawislak

Director of Public Affairs and Communications

cole@sra.ca