Affordability is the main draw. At $444,700, Saskatoon sits well below the benchmark price in most other major Canadian cities, so a first-time buyer's down payment and mortgage insurance premium go further here than in many comparable-sized markets.
The tradeoff is selection during a busy season. With 446 sales reported in a recent month and new listings up 12.3 percent year over year, well-priced homes in good condition still move quickly, so a first-time buyer should have financing sorted before they start touring.
Joel Dyck works with a steady stream of first-time buyers and knows which neighbourhoods fit a starter budget. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.