Saskatoon Real Estate

WestJet announced late last week that starting in September of this year they will start to offer direct flightsto Las Vegas from Saskatoon.  Previously the only way to get to Vegas via WestJet was to fly to either Calgary or Edmonton and then catch a connector flight.  This is just one more sign that Saskatoon is making its mark and attracting large companies to bring more services to our city.

Initially WestJet says that the flights will be seasonal and only operating in the fall, winter and early spring.  This tend to be the busiest times for people to head done to Vegasand escape the Canadian winter.  If the service is popular than we could see it potentially running year round.  Recently WestJet also added a direct flight from Saskatoon to Toronto.

Saskatoon is in huge a huge growth phase, which can be shown by the Saskatoon real estate market.  As our city continues to grow more services such as direct flights that once weren’t an option will become readily available.  I know I for one am excited about the addition of flights to our city.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.

The Saskatchewan Crownsthis year have recorded record earnings however the promise made by the NDP government that Saskatchewan residents would have the lowest bundled utilities across Canada could end in the near future.  The SaskParty has said in news paper articles that they won’t up hold this promise to Saskatchewan residents as it was a campaign promise made by the NDP.  I for one enjoy the fact that our utilities are cheaper than the rest of Canada and I believe it’s one of the many benefits of being a resident in Saskatchewan.  A potential increase for utilities in the province of Saskatchewan could have a huge affect on home owners.  With the sudden increase of real estate prices across our province, affordable utilities are something that everyone needs.

It will be interesting to see what happens down the road especially considering Saskatchewan Crown Corporations are reporting record profits.  I am hoping the SaskParty government will realize and keep the cost of utilities down for all residents.  As a Saskatoon real estate owner myself, higher increases in utilities will have a big affect on what people can afford down the road.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.

On May 1, 2008 the minimum wage in the province of Saskatchewan will increase from $8.25 an hour to $8.60.  This is only the second stage of a plan to increase minimum wage to $9.25 by 2009.  The recent increases in our minimum wage are starting to bring us at par with other provinces in Canada.  This is vital to continue the growth of our economy.  With the recent rise in Saskatchewan real estate prices it is important that wages increase with it.  It will be some time until salaries and wages across the province catch up to the huge growth we have seen in our real estate market but all the indications are there that they will.  Our province is in the best shape it has ever been financially and there is an endless amount of opportunities here for people.  Over the past year we have seen a large amount of people relocating to Saskatchewan from Alberta and other provinces.  This has had a direct impact on our province and the Saskatoon real estate market.  By 2009 we will reach over $9.00 per hour which is incredible.  I still remember getting my first job and thinking that $5.00 an hour was incredible money.  If you are one of the many people looking to relocate to Saskatchewan or are interested in getting involved in the Saskatchewan real estate market be sure to contact me and I would be happy to assist you.

To find out more visit the Star Phoenix article.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.

It appears that winter is not quite ready to give up in the city of Saskatoon.  It is expected that a spring blizzard will be rolling into Saskatoon starting Saturday evening with the potential of reaching up to 50cm of snow.  Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Thursday warning people of the potential storm.  It is recommended that people do as little travelling as possible during the storm.  For those of you who are currently active in the Saskatoon real estate market, it may mean that you need to put your open house visits on hold until next weekend.  I for one am hoping that the storm will miss us but we have already seen the temperature start to dip quite a bit.  Weather reports from Alberta indicate the storm is on its way so bundle up this weekend and be safe.  Be sure to check the weather network for the latest weather updates.  For more information on the upcoming blizzard check out this article.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.