Joel DyckReal Broker SK Ltd.
Saskatoon · From the topic map

Should a first-time buyer consider a 2-family house in Saskatoon?

Yes, a two-family house is worth a serious look for a first-time buyer, mainly because a legal secondary suite can turn part of the mortgage into rental income. The City of Saskatoon requires a building permit for a secondary suite, covering egress windows and fire separation, before any lender will count that rent toward qualifying.

Saskatchewan REALTORS Association figures put the citywide benchmark at $444,700, and a two-family property usually costs more upfront than a comparable single-family home, so the rental income has to justify both the higher purchase price and the added responsibility of having a tenant.

That responsibility is real and comes with obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, from handling a damage deposit correctly to following the rules for entry and notice, a different skill than simply owning a house you live in alone.

If the numbers work and the suite is legal, a two-family purchase can meaningfully lower a first-time buyer's real monthly cost of ownership. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.

Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.

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