Saskatchewan·Feature

Saskatchewan renter's big question: do I have the income to buy a house?

These are pretty good times for Saskatchewan renters trying to make the jump to home ownership, a survey of prices suggests.

Average house price falls $13,863, Rentseeker.ca says

According to this Rentseeker.ca infographic, to afford an average house in Saskatoon, you'd need an annual income of $50,904. In Regina, an average house with a mortage would require an annual income of $48,276. (Rentseeker.ca)
The average house price is $323,138 in Regina and $344,527 in Saskatoon. (Rentseeker.ca)

These are pretty good times for Saskatchewan renters trying to make the jump to home ownership, a survey of prices suggests.

That's because the average house price in the province has fallen over the past year, according to Rentseeker.ca.

While the average Saskatchewan home price was $306,812 last year, this year it's $292,949, says the website which lets people find rental accommodations around the country.

Prices higher in Saskatoon

The company's statistics show home prices are higher in Saskatoon than Regina.

The average home price in Saskatoon was $344,527 in 2015. To buy that average house, you'd need an income of $50,905, the company says.

In Regina, the average price was $323,138 this year. Rentseeker says you'd need an income of $48,276 to afford that.

Prices also fell in Alberta

The site says home prices rose in some provinces, but fell in others, including Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The affordability is based on a five-year, fixed-rate mortgage with a 25-year amortization, a 2.5 per cent interest rate and a 20 per cent down payment.