Regina's affordable housing market is piquing the interests of buyers from across Canada
With a minimum down payment and closing costs of $17,850, Regina is on top in terms of affordable cities in Canada to purchase a single family home.
Although the Queen City has been crowned Canada’s most affordable city, it can make the market even more competitive. Moon Green is currently in the market alongside her husband, for a family home.
“It’s been war out there. Because the market is so competitive out there, people are buying stuff that aren’t even in like the best condition. So you’re just kind of getting the leftovers,” Green said.
While Regina came out on top, an expert in the housing market explained that Saskatchewan as a whole is recognized for its affordability.
“If you have an adventurous spirit, if you are looking to uproot and look elsewhere, especially in areas that are very welcoming, communities that are very attractive because of their low cost of living, Saskatchewan is really that place,” Chris Guérette, the CEO of Saskatchewan Realtor’s Association, said.
Apparently, homeowners are noticing this trend as Saskatchewan reported 776 sales in January. That puts the numbers 24 per cent higher than this time last year.
With many taking notice of this desirable market, it doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise to Guérette, who explains that this competition may become a trend.
“We do know that we are an attractive place, we do know that immigration will continue to increase, and so we’ll have to make sure that our supply can keep up with that demand because when it can’t is when you’ll start to see those slips in houses,”Guérette explained.
As Green and her husband continue to look for a home, she explains that the process can be disheartening at times.
“It sounds like it’s an affordable market and everything but you have to, you know, overbid $20,000, $30,000 over asking price just to get into it
We love Regina because we have all of our friends here and everyone is great but it just seems impossible to get into the market,” Green said.
If you were wondering who takes the cake in terms of the most expensive city, that title goes to Vancouver with minimum down payment and closing costs being $255,647.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sindy Hooper dies after battle with pancreatic cancer
An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Will Conservatives roll back dental care if elected? House Leader Scheer won't say
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer won't say whether his party will scale back or fully scrap Canada's federal dental care program, despite new data showing nearly 650,000 Canadians have used the plan.
Jane's Addiction concert ends early after Perry Farrell throws punch at Dave Navarro
A scuffle between members of the groundbreaking alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction came amid 'tension and animosity' during their reunion tour, lead singer Perry Farrell’s wife said Saturday.
A landslide triggered a 650-foot mega-tsunami in Greenland. Then came something inexplicable
It started with a melting glacier that set off a huge landslide, which triggered a 650-foot high mega-tsunami in Greenland last September. Then came something inexplicable: a mysterious vibration that shook the planet for nine days.
New evidence upends contentious Easter Island theory, scientists say
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, never experienced a ruinous population collapse, according to an analysis of ancient DNA from 15 former inhabitants of the remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
Air Canada, pilots still far apart as strike notice deadline approaches
Labour talks between Air Canada and its pilots are approaching a midnight deadline, when either side could trigger the start of a shutdown for Canada's largest airline.
MPs to face new political realities on their return to Ottawa
On Monday, Parliamentarians will return to the familiar stone walls of West Block in Ottawa to find the political landscape has shifted significantly.
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.