As seen in prior months, supply challenges continued to persist across many regions of the province in October. Inventory levels fell by over 15 per cent compared to last year and remain over 30 per cent below the 10-year average. Adjustments to sales and inventory levels, paired with declining new listings, resulted in the province reporting below five months of supply in October, a 23 per cent year-over-year decrease and over 40 per cent below long-term, 10-year averages.

“Higher lending rates continue to impact both demand and new listings in our market, which is likely preventing even stronger October sales numbers,” noted Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “Prospective move-up buyers are facing challenges amid higher interest rates and ongoing inflationary pressures, and we’re seeing a trickle-down effect with limited supply growth in the lower price ranges, which remain extremely competitive.”

With 4.5 months of supply, the province is reporting the tightest conditions heading into November since 2007. Despite tight market conditions, home prices remained relatively stable this month. Saskatchewan reported a benchmark price of $327,300 in October, down from $328,000 in September and up nearly 2 per cent from October 2022.

“Our market continues to demonstrate its resilience, as many have predicted, and we’re once again reporting strong sales despite inventory challenges, inflationary pressures, and higher lending rates,” said Guérette. “Saskatchewan is affordable, we’re growing at the fastest pace in over a century, and we’re well positioned for stable demand in home ownership.”

Regional Highlights
Apart from the Melville-Yorkton Region, all regions across the province continues to report year-over-year sales activity above long-term, 10-year trends. Additionally, on a year-to-date basis, the Northern Region of the province is the only region not reporting an increase in sales.

With just over three months of supply reported in October, the Saskatoon-Biggar region continues to experience the tightest conditions in the province, along with the highest year-to-date growth in benchmark price.

Price Trends
Benchmark prices continued to vary across Saskatchewan communities in October, as Humboldt, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Melville, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon reported year-over-year price gains. Meanwhile, the cities of Estevan, North Battleford, Regina, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton reported year-over-year price declines.

Despite some monthly variations, year-to-date price movements have ranged from a decline of over five per cent in North Battleford – to a five per cent gain in Humboldt.

The City of Saskatoon reported 382 sales in October, a year-over-year gain of 20 per cent and 12 per cent above long-term, 10-year trends. New listings failed to offset a sixth consecutive month of above-average sales, resulting in the lowest October inventory levels reported in the Bridge City since 2007.

With just over two months of supply in Saskatoon, we continue to see upward pressure on home prices. The benchmark price reached $382,700 in October, up from $381,900 in September and nearly 4 per cent above October 2022. Year-over-year price gains were reported in all property types, ranging from one per cent in semi-detached properties – to an eight per cent increase in townhouse/row-style properties.

November 6, 2023/SRA Media Release