TeamFisher.com » neighbourhoods

Uptown Market, Saskatoon’s only downtown grocer closes

Norm Fisher — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:48:37 +0000

The Uptown Market, Saskatoon’s only downtown grocery store has closed its doors after less than three months of operation.

The store, operated by British Columbia businessman Rexy Silva and his daughter Tabitha, opened its doors on April 5th of this year in the retail level of the 2nd Avenue Lofts. Saskatoon had been without a downtown grocer since Extra Foods closed their 3rd Avenue location in 2004.

News is difficult to come by on the closure but Lyndon tells me he heard that the owners are seeking investors and hoping to reopen the store after some “re-vamping.” I’ve also heard that product selection and merchandising were both weaknesses for the store. Perhaps the Uptown Market can find a second life with some help in those areas.

Thanks to Ginger for the heads up on this.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Theme change for the North Park “graffiti wall”

Norm Fisher — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:55:38 +0000

The North Park “graffiti wall” takes on a new life as artists work at a theme change from Where the Wild Things Are to “Old Town Cartoons.” Every other year, the home owner who erected the privately owned concrete sound attenuation wall at Warman Road and Empress invites select graffiti artists to ply their skills and display their work along one of Saskatoon’s busiest traffic corridors.

What was initially a concern for a community taken by surprise seems to have become a cherished neighbourhood treasure as evidenced by dozens of honking cars and waving drivers who showed their support as artists diligently worked at the transformation today.

A few more at my flickr.

There’s a great gallery of the previous theme, Where the Wild Things Are, at the Digital Expressions blog if you haven’t had the chance to see it.

Check out our North Park neighbourhood profile.

I hope that you’re enjoying this gorgeous Saskatoon weekend.

Norm

South Caswell Concept Plan moves forward

Norm Fisher — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:10:59 +0000

City council gave the proposed South Caswell Concept Plan the nod at last night’s meeting. If the remaining obstacles are overcome the seven million dollar plan will see a relocation of the Saskatoon Transit barns to make way for the redevelopment of two whole city blocks. The plan proposes affordable housing initiatives, some commercial space, a dog park of approximately 8,000 square feet and a 65,000 square foot neighbourhood park space.

Lots of work remains to rid the Caswell Hill area of the smell and noise generated by the constant coming and going of buses. Council is awaiting a report outlining options for the relocation of the bus barns, which is expected to be complete by the end of May. Following the move, an extensive environmental cleanup would be undertaken to prepare the land for development.

Saskatoon, join us on facebook for an opportunity to win a free MacBook.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

River Landing fat lady refuses to sing

Norm Fisher — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:32:34 +0000

Lake Placid Developments CEO Michael Lobsinger appeared before Saskatoon City Council last night and made an appeal seeking resurrection of a deal his company had made with the city to purchase “Parcel Y” in Saskatoon’s Central Business District. Lake Placid had plans to build River Landing Village, an upscale hotel and condominium development. That deal died on October 30 of last year when the company failed to meet the payment deadline for the land following a number of extensions granted by the city. Lake Placid ultimately faced challenges in securing financing for the project after the global economy went south and lenders tightened the purse strings.

So, what has changed and why should we care?

Well, most importantly, the money is reportedly in the bank according to Lake Placid’s new partner, Dr. Karim Nasser who also attended the council meeting and provided assurances that he has the goods to immediately deliver up full payment for the parcel and to see the project through to its completion. Dr. Nasser is best known to be a respected professor and a generous philanthropist having donated $12 million dollars to the University of Saskatchewan. That kind of gesture should provide some assurance that the guy has access to cash. People don’t often give $12 million bucks away, and those that do probably feel some measure of confidence that money won’t be a big problem for them in the future. I think this guy is the real deal.

Also on hand at last night’s meeting was Manilo Marescotti, vice president of development for Marriot Hotels. Mr. Marescotti has indicated publicly that Saskatoon is a “development priority” for the upscale chain of hotels, and more importantly, that the chain is keenly interested in this particular development. This also strikes me as good news, and if I may say so, a darned good fit for this awesome project.

So what’s a city council to do?

After all, they did give Lake Placid its very “last chance” back in August of 2009 with a pay up or get lost kind of ultimatum, and who can blame them for that? At almost every given moment through the final months of the last chapter, Lobsinger claimed that Lake Placid was just days away from coming through with the cash. He said it like he believed it. I suspect he probably did. Still, council could only stand behind the guy for so long before they all started to look like clowns who had completely misread the situation. They finally dropped Lake Placid like the proverbial hot potato and brought Parcel Y back to the drawing board seeking new appraisals and beginning preparation for a new “request for proposals.” They had little choice at the time.

But…but…here he his again and this time he apparently has the cash!

I say, “Take the money baby! Take the money and run!”

Why?

1. Well, for starters, Saskatoon could really use another $200 million dollar project right now, and apparently cash is still hard to come by, at least at the quarter billion dollar level.

2. We’ve been trying hard to get something going on this land for a long, long time. Starting the process from scratch could easily take another 3 years, if someone else steps forward who wants to take a bite of this one. If it fails again, you and I could be long gone before this parcel sees further improvements. We’ve already jumped through the hoops to make this deal fly. What realistic benefit could we see by turning this opportunity away? It seems like a big risk to float given the history of “Parcel Y.”

3. Lake Placid has an ultra cool plan that has already been approved for the site and it appears that they’re ready to turn some dirt. In the world of $200 million developments, it doesn’t get much better than that.

4. The other guys don’t appear to be lining up to stake a claim. I mean, for goodness sakes, 200 million dollars doesn’t grow on trees, ya know?

5. Michael Lobsinger deserves this project. I know he really pissed us off when he kept promising to show up with the cheque but this is what we ought to expect from passionate people who put everything they have into really big ideas. They get so deeply invested that they can’t accept that they might fail. This is the kind of brain that you must have to get huge projects like River Landing Village off the ground. This is the kind of spirit and determination that it takes to crack tough nuts and do big stuff. Those failed promises weren’t lies. They were the words of a committed man who had already invested millions of dollars and hundreds of hours. Lobsinger is the kind of person who has the ability to believe even when he’s facing of the worst kinds of adversity, and that’s exactly what he faced when we fell into what many have called “the greatest financial crisis since the great depression.” And, while we were busy kicking him back to Calgary, telling him that the deal was dead, and that he’s a deadbeat, he was still getting up every day looking for $200 million dollars. He still believed that he could pull this thing off. That takes a lot of guts! There’s a certain coolness factor to that, so I love this nearly perfect ending.

Sure, let’s make them pony up with today’s fair market value. Let’s have a look at those books and make darned sure these people can pull this thing off. Let’s double check, and heck; let’s even have our smartest accountants count the cash. If and when we’re satisfied that they can do it, let’s let them go build us a village.

How was 2009 for property values in your Saskatoon neighbourhood?

Norm Fisher — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:55:41 +0000

Are you at least a little bit curious about the current price trends for real estate in your neighbourhood? We’ve been putting in some OT over the past couple of days to bring you the latest look into the trends for each Saskatoon area. Those numbers are now available on our “Saskatoon neighbourhoods” pages, but please check out the highlights below before you go.

While most areas produced six-month rolling averages that exceeded the overall averages for the year, indicating that the current trend is upward, the majority of neighbourhoods experienced some decreases through 2009. More often than not declines were in the 3%-10% range.

Exhibition, Hudson Bay Park, Kelsey-Woodlawn, Meadowgreen and North Park all bucked the general trend to record small increases in the average selling price of a house.

A few areas saw declines in the average house price that were out of step with the rest of the city. In Greystone Heights the average selling price of a single-family home dropped $55,000, and the median sale price dropped $53,000. Lakeview saw it’s average drop the most in real dollars by $81,261, while the median price for the area moved down $50,000. Montgomery Place saw a $60,000 drop in the average and a $63,000 drop in the median. Nutana’s average came down significantly falling $80,000, but the median price for the area moved just $10K. Briarwood, Avalon and Erindale also saw average house price declines that were higher than average at $69,445, $63,914 and $48,971 respectively.

This year’s biggest surprise may be Stonebridge, an area that our more bearish readers wrote off as hopeless, bound to become an open range of rickety shacks with garbage and tumbleweeds everywhere. Sorry folks. The average price in Stonebridge declined less than $11,000 over the year as a ten-month supply of inventory nearly vanished.

In the stupid prizes categories, Lakewood condos win for coming closest to the overall condo average in Saskatoon while Holliston wins for most closely following the average Saskatoon house price over the last ten years.

See what happened in your neighbourhood here. While you’re there, please jot us a short note about your area in the comments section of the page.

The same details for Saskatoon can be found here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @norm_fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Proposed Hampton Village re-zoning not popular with some area residents

Norm Fisher — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:41:43 +0000

A city of Saskatoon proposal to rezone a parcel of undeveloped land to accommodate high-density housing in Hampton Village has some area residents crying foul.

Joel Anderson, “a new resident of Hampton Village” is quoted in a story in today’s Star Phoenix. “It’s hard to say it without sounding a little snobbish. You want to live in a nice area that equals what your income is, and you don’t want to be surrounded by low-income housing. That’s why we didn’t buy something down in the Riversdale area.”

310 Hampton Circle (in red)

The undeveloped land located at 310 Hampton Circle is currently zoned RMTN and accommodates townhouse developments at low to medium densities. The proposal, which has already passed through the municipal planning commission and will soon be heard by council calls for a zoning change to RMTN1 which can accommodate higher density developments that can generally be sold for less, raising some concern that the homes may become a target for real estate investors seeking cheap rental property.

“If you look out my backyard and you see the tops of these cheap townhouses, it’s definitely going to take away. It may not hurt the value too much, but it will definitely make it harder to sell,” Anderson said.

Read the Star Phoenix story, Hampton area rezoning plan draws criticism here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @norm_fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Google Street View now available for Saskatoon and on our home search tool

Norm Fisher — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:15:19 +0000

Google began rolling out its “Street View” functionality for Canada earlier this year but Saskatoon wasn’t included in the initial release. Well, today we got caught up with other major Canadian cities and Street View for Saskatoon is now functional.

You’ll probably want to start by checking out your own haunts to see if you can find yourself captured on a Google map. Start by searching for an address, click on the map placement pin that identifies the location and then select the “Street View” link for a closer look. If you find something fun please share it in the comments.

Click image for a larger view

You can also find the Street View feature live and functional on all of the listings featured on our website, including the MLS listings database available under the Saskatoon Homes tab of the navigation bar. To use the Street View tool on any MLS listing, click the “Map/Walkscore” tab and then follow the “Street View” link just above the map image in the upper right hand corner.

Click image for a larger view

The map placements seems to be less than perfect but it’s pretty easy to move around and it’s kind of a cool way to get a look up and down the block of any home that you might be interested in.

It just keeps getting better. Have fun!

A tip of the hat to @dcramps for the heads up on the availability of Street View for Saskatoon, and a big thank-you to @billskrypnyk, Technical Director at MyRealPage for making it all work.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @norm_fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Central Avenue improvements pitched to Saskatoon City Council

Norm Fisher — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:18:39 +0000

As the Sutherland area approaches its 100th birthday the Sutherland Business Improvement District (SBID) is hoping that Saskatoon city council will recognize the need for a facelift on Central Avenue and approve funding for the proposed project in its 2010 capital budget.

According to a story in today’s Star Phoenix, the SBID presented a report to council last night and proposed three improvements for the main thoroughfare that separates Sutherland from neighbouring Forest Grove. SBID is recommending a “sound and dust attenuation wall” adjacent to the CP rail line, the design and construction of a “public plaza,” and an active pedestrian crossing at the 110th Street intersection.

Ward 1 councillor Darren Hill stands with the business group hoping to help make Central Avenue “more pedestrian friendly.”

Several business closings in recent years have led to a perception of a deteriorating Central Avenue. SBID and councilor Hill believe that the proposed improvements will revitalize the area.

Read the Star Phoenix story here.
Visit our Sutherland neighbourhood profile page.
Visit our Forest Grove neighbourhood profile page.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @norm_fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

$5 million dollar renovation planned for E.D. Feehan High School

Norm Fisher — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:15:45 +0000

E.D. Feehan High School will undergo a major renovation through 2010 and 2011 with a more suitable environment for career training being the primary objective.

Planned renovations include a day care facility, a space switch between the cafeteria and the library, a reworking of the administration and student services area, a community room, an upgraded visual arts and media room and the addition of six new classrooms.

The provincial government will provide $3.75 million in funding and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools will be responsible for the remaining $1.25 million.

E.D. Feehan High School is located at the corner of Avenue M North and Rusholme Road in the Westmount area of Saskatoon.

Janet French covered the story for the Star Phoenix here if you’re interested in more details and a thorough overview of the planned improvements.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

If you live in Saskatoon we’d sure appreciate hearing your comments about your neighbourhood. Please visit our “Saskatoon Neighbourhoods” page and let us know what you love about your community.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Grocery store to open in downtown Saskatoon

Norm Fisher — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:05:16 +0000

Renovations are already underway on the main level of the 2nd Avenue Lofts in downtown Saskatoon. According to a media release issued by The Partnership yesterday, the retail space located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 23rd Street East will be home to the Uptown Market, a full service independent grocery store which will also house a deli and a coffee shop.

A British Columbia businessman, Rexy Silva and his daughter, Tabitha will operate the Uptown Market and offer a full selection of fresh produce, meats, eggs, dairy products and other essentials. They hope to have the 5,200 square foot grocery store open by Christmas of this year.

Saskatoon’s Central Business District has been without a grocery store since late 2004 when the Extra Foods on 3rd Avenue North closed its doors.

Learn more about the Central Business District.

If you live in Saskatoon we’d sure appreciate hearing your comments about your neighbourhood. Please visit our “Saskatoon neighbourhoods” page and let us know what you love about your community.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre to undergo major expansion

Norm Fisher — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:24:43 +0000

The trades training centre at Mount Royal Collegiate will undergo a $3.6 million dollar expansion in a joint effort between the federal and provincial government according to a story on the Star Phoenix website. Nearly $3.2 million dollars in funding will be provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada while the province contributes roughly $366,000.

“In order to ensure we continue our economic growth and to build a more diverse, dynamic and cosmopolitan community, both in Saskatoon and right across the province, we need to make sure that more people have more education and more skills training and that way they can help to sustain the growth. The Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre Inc. will help meet the demand for skilled tradespeople in the province and expand Saskatchewan’s economic opportunities,” said Rob Norris, minister of advanced education, employment and labour.

Star Phoenix story here.Learn more about the Mount Royal area of Saskatoon.
Visit the Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre website.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Completion of Willowgrove school likely delayed

Norm Fisher — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:49:32 +0000

Willowgrove residents who have been hoping to send their kids to school closer to home may be waiting more than three years for the planning and construction of schools in the growing Saskatoon neighbourhood.

According to a story in today’s Star Phoenix a public elementary school was originally planned to start construction in April of 2010 with completion and opening slated for the fall of 2011. Originally, the public school board planned to build a joint facility with a City of Saskatoon recreational centre. The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has decided that they would like their school to be part of the same complex. A report to the public school board says delays could push completion beyond January 2013 while construction costs escalate at a projected $600,000 to $750,000 per year.

Public school students living in Willowgrove are currently taken by bus to Forest Grove School, while students in the catholic system are driven to Saint Volodymyr School.

Learn more about the Willowgrove area here.

Update: From the October 20, 2009 Star Phoenix – Willowgrove school project waits for government funding.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Neighbourhood pride is alive in Caswell Hill Saskatoon

Norm Fisher — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:43:50 +0000

I’ve visited the Caswell Hill area on several occasions over the past month. I have to say that I’m impressed with the renewal that is happening in what is arguably one of Saskatoon’s most beautiful and charming residential subdivisions. Sure, the area has its challenges and some of the homes have been neglected over time but there is a real sense of community pride that is evident almost everywhere in the neighbourhood. If you haven’t been there in some time you might enjoy a visit, and autumn is the perfect time to drive Caswell’s tree-lined streets.

Renewal has been underway in Caswell Hill since Saskatoon city council adopted a local area plan in late 2001. City planners developed the plan in cooperation with dedicated members of the community. In the years that followed, several commercial buildings saw serious facelifts and some notable residential developments have been completed in recent years. The T. Eaton Warehouse was successfully converted to luxury lofts, and phase two of that development, the SoCa Lofts is now complete and for sale.

More recently, city planners unveiled the new South Caswell Concept Plan, which will see the bus barns relocated, making way for the redevelopment of two whole city blocks. The plan calls for a number of affordable housing initiatives, some commercial space, a dog park of approximately 8,000 square feet and a 65,000 square foot neighbourhood park space.

It seems to me that some of the bigger challenges for the completion of this renewal lie within a stone’s throw of the city bus barns. When buses are no longer running in and out of this part of the area, and the South Caswell Concept Plan is complete, the few holdouts that remain will surely come along for the ride to renewal.

Congratulations to all who have contributed to the hard work of planning these improvements.

Information from the City of Saskatoon on the South Caswell Concept Plan is here.
Check out Courtney Johnson’s South Caswell Concept Plan blog here.
Caswell Hill ideas ‘brilliant’ by Janet French for the Star Phoenix here.
Check out our neighbourhood profile for Caswell Hill here.
Take a photo tour of the Caswell Hill neighbourhood here.
View homes for sale in Caswell Hill here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon’s Friendship Inn to double its size and capacity

Norm Fisher — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:45:08 +0000

According to a story in today’s Star Phoenix, Saskatoon’s Friendship Inn has purchased the property next door to its current location with an eye on expanding the size and capacity of the facility. An architectural firm has been hired to plan the expansion, which will commence following a spring possession date. The one million dollar fundraising campaign to finance the expansion is underway.

Established in 1969 with the help of the Catholic diocese and the InnerCity Council of Churches, the Friendship Inn currently serves an average of 500 meals daily. In the past year, the organization has served more than 180,000 meals to transient, homeless and less fortunate men, women and children.

The Saskatoon Friendship Inn will expand into neighbouring Westside Clinic

The Friendship Inn is at 619 20th Street West in the Riversdale area of Saskatoon.

Star Phoenix story is here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

City council caves on Grover’s demand for more money

Norm Fisher — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:20:29 +0000

In a five up, five down decision, Mayor Don Atchison broke the tie between Saskatoon city councillors to move forward with a purchase contract for one of Jack Grover’s properties at a higher price than the two parties originally agreed to. Approximately six weeks ago Jack Grover agreed to accept $104,000 for the house at 408 Avenue P South from an undisclosed buyer. Upon learning that the City was the buyer Grover claimed that the deal was not done in good faith and threatened to withdraw from the agreement unless the City agreed to a higher price of $119,000.

City administrators recommended that council agree to the higher price to avoid the costs of litigation, as well as the time that could be lost to such an action.

Apparently the Avenue P house was the last holdout on land that has been set aside for an affordable housing project as part of the Pleasant Hill revitalization project.

Some things are worth paying for.

Star Phoenix story here.
Pleasant Hill Revitalization Project Blog here.
Pleasant Hill Local Area Plan here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Sutherland residents push council for area traffic solutions

Norm Fisher — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:52:27 +0000

Some Rutherford Crescent residents are pushing city council for a solution to what they call “a recipe for tragedy,” claiming that the high density development on this Sutherland street is creating a dangerous situation for children playing in the area.

They contend that a number of illegal suites are contributing to a problem caused by the large number of single-family homes that were built in the area just a few years ago. Often, cars line both sides of the street creating dangerous conditions in an area with a high population of children and a park that attracts them in droves.

Residents are calling for speed bumps, crosswalks, a reduction in the speed limit, an elimination of parking in front of the playground, and a clamp down on illegal suites.

Ward 1 councillor Darren Hill will present his ideas on solving the problem to council this evening.

See the Star Phoenix story here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Update: At the September 28 council meeting Ms. Elizabeth Cooney was heard and “expressed concerns regarding the speed of traffic and parking issue in the Rutherfor infill area and provided suggestions on how to help alleviate traffic congestion.” It was moved by councillor Hill, and seconded by Councillor Paulsen that the matter “be referred to Administration,” and that motion was carried.

Meeting minutes can be found here.

Tell us what you love about your Saskatoon neighbourhood

Norm Fisher — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:39:20 +0000

I’m feeling pretty good about completing the first phase of a project that I’ve wanted to get at for the past three years. It wasn’t a lack of enthusiasm for the project that kept me from completing the work before now, but rather, the scale of the work involved. At every given moment over the past few years the job just felt so overwhelming that I was often tempted to just forget about it. I’m glad I didn’t.

Over the past sixty days I have visited every school in Saskatoon, and I’ve walked every single park in every neighbourhood of our great community. It has been an excellent way to re-connect with the city that I grew up in, and that I love, but that was really a side benefit unrelated to my original reason for going. I went to take pictures. I went to capture these areas in images, hoping that they might be helpful to someone trying to choose a neighbourhood from afar in a city that they’re largely unfamiliar with.

Phase two of this project is a pretty major overhaul of our “Saskatoon neighbourhoods” pages to include some of the best information available on every area of the city as well as a decent photo tour that gives the visitor a bit of a feel for the area. We’ve put a good dent in the work on most of the area pages, and a number of them are already complete. Over the next sixty days we will finish them all.

Our City Park page provides a pretty good idea of what we’re ultimately after for each Saskatoon neighbourhood if you’re interested in having a look.

Generally, I’m pretty happy with the way these are turning out but I can’t help think about how much better they could be with a little help from you. I can write about my impressions of an area, and even share some photos that provide a limited view of the neighbourhood, but nothing could be as helpful to a newcomer as the comments of someone who has lived in and experienced an area firsthand.

May I call on those of you who live in Saskatoon to share some of your thoughts on the neighbourhood that you live in? You can do that in the comments section of the page for your area. You’ll find your area on a list here. Feel free to tell us what you love about your neighbourhood, and don’t be shy about sharing something that you wish was different. No neighbourhood is perfect and all of your impressions have the potential to be helpful to someone.

Thank you for helping me with this project.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Real estate geeks can follow our daily updates on Twitter @Norm_Fisher.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Tips for staying safe in your community and in your home

Norm Fisher — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:29:27 +0000

Perhaps you’ve already heard that it’s Realtor® Community Safety Week in Saskatoon. If you haven’t, let it be known that His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison has declared it so, and so it is.

You’ll be reminded that it’s Realtor® Community Safety Week by a series of safety tips airing on C95FM and Rock102. I’ve also noticed some service announcements in the Star Phoenix. The highlight event for the week is a Neighbourhood Safety Fair that happens on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. It will be held at Sonnenschein Way, just south of the Farmer’s Market. If you can find the time, it’s probably worth attending. Apparently, there will be children’s activities and prizes, self-defense demonstrations, home safety products and lots of good safety related information.

Whether or not you can attend you should check out a free publication that’s being offered by the City of Saskatoon. It’s called “Safe at Home” and it contains about a dozen pages of great tips for staying safe in your community and in your home. Please read it and be safe, this week and every other.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Search Saskatoon MLS listings the way you want to search

Norm Fisher — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:29:12 +0000

I suppose I’m a little biased. After all, I did choose it, but I have to say that this website now has the slickest MLS listings search tool available to Saskatoon home buyers. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do. I’d love to hear what you think.

Located under the “Saskatoon Homes” button on the navigation bar, this powerful home search tool provides access to Saskatoon MLS listings represented by all local real estate brands. Regular data feeds typically result in new listings appearing here within hours of hitting the agent MLS, and well ahead of realtor.ca.

You’ll have options to search by selecting neighbourhoods, by drawing out a preferred geographic area on a Google map, by address, or by known MLS numbers.

Search results are delivered quickly and with a number of viewing options. Results can be easily sorted to display by price, by listing date, or even by house size.

Without a doubt, the detailed listing view provides more information than you’ll be accustomed to seeing on any other public home search site, including realtor.ca.

The search tool works and provides full details on MLS listings with no registration required, but there is additional functionality if you don’t mind throwing your name and email address into a registration form. You have my promise that we won’t treat your registration as an invitation to spam you. If you need something, just ask. Otherwise, we’ll leave you to browse on your own.

Registered users can save searches to a private portfolio so they don’t have to be executed each time they return, but rather, selected from their list of searches. They can save their favorite properties to separate lists, rank listings using a star rating system, make notes on listings, and opt in or out of email notifications on changes to their saved searches (price changes and new listings).

There’s an awesome mobile component for iPhone and Android devices. Rumour has it that a Blackberry version is in the works.

Check out one of the quick search links that reside on the side bar under “Search Saskatoon MLS Listings” or customize your perfect search here.

Hats off to MyRealPage who developed and market the tool. Technical Director Bill Skrypnyk, along with his crew of top-notch programmers have been busting their butts to bring some huge improvements to the product over the past few months.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon neighbourhoods, profiles and price trends

Norm Fisher — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:11:41 +0000

Selecting a neighbourhood that you think you’ll be comfortable in isn’t easy, particularly if you’re trying to do it from half way across the country and you’re more or less unfamiliar with Saskatoon.

I’d like to introduce you to a resource which I think you’ll find helpful. I call it Saskatoon Neighbourhoods, Profile and Price Trends. In this section of the Saskatoon Real Estate Resource Centre website, there’s a separate page for each area of Saskatoon. On the most developed pages, you’ll find the following information about neighbourhoods which you may want to consider.

Photos taken around the area schools, parks, etc. (a work in progress).
Real estate data from the previous year including the number of units sold (houses & condos), the low selling price, the high selling price and the average selling price.
The six months rolling average selling price of both houses and condos in the area.
A house price trend chart which shows how prices have changed over a ten year period, comparing changes in neighbourhood values to Saskatoon in general.
The kinds of occupations that area residents are involved in.
Household income statistics for residents of the area.
Some information about the types of homes which exist in the neighborhood.
A chart which shows the history of development for the neighbourhood.
Some information on the percentage of homes which are owner occupied
Links to schools in the area.
A Google map of the neighbourhood (zoom out to see exactly where the area is situated).
In some cases, one or two reviews of the area written and submitted by residents.

If you currently live in Saskatoon, I have a favour to ask of you. I’d really appreciate it of you’d visit the page for your neighbourhood, scroll way down to the bottom of the page and jot me a few words about your area in the provided form. There’s nothing that tells a story like somebody’s story. I know that people will find your words helpful.

Click through to the Saskatoon Neighbourhoods, Profiles & Price Trends page here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. Feel free to drop me an email.

Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

School’s out for Saskatoon Briarwood residents

Norm Fisher — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 23:57:29 +0000

They expected schools and playgrounds would eventually occupy the vacant space that sits at the center of Saskatoon’s Briarwood neighbourhood and some paid a premium for the opportunity to be close. Now that those plans have been scrapped by both school boards there are some lingering questions about what will become of this land.

North Ridge Development Corporation and Boychuk Construction Corporation are both proposing a rezoning of that land to accommodate residential development. North Ridge would like to develop 17 lots in the northeast corner of Briarwood Park and Boychuk has their eye on a parcel across the park for 27 new homes.

Residents seem most concerned that the city takes some measures to soften the blow of the lost schools by insisting that the development takes into account the fact that many of these homes were constructed to enjoy a park view, and not the backyards of neighbouring homes.

They’d like to see some green space to provide a bit of a buffer between the new and existing homes. The Municipal Planning Commission seems to be somewhat onside and has sent a memo to city administrators saying they won’t support the plan without changes which include adjusting North Ridge’s proposed orientation of the new homes and incorporation of linear or pocket parks.

Proverbial poo hits the fan in Nutana, Saskatoon

Norm Fisher — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 23:09:40 +0000

You might say that residents of Saskatoon’s Nutana area have their “shit in a knot” over proposed plans to build a new sewer lift station in Rotary Park and who could blame them. The idea of dealing with raw sewage in your back yard isn’t exactly appealing to anyone. City administrators are recommending council approve plans for construction of the new lift station near the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge in Rotary Park.

It seems that there are concerns about the ongoing viability of the existing lift station located across the river in Victoria Park. It’s been in operation for close to a century and the underwater pipe which transports sewage across the river hasn’t been inspected since 1911. City administrators favour the new location because the estimated cost comes in about $600,000 lower on that side off the river. The annual cost of operation will also be lower by approximately $15,000.

The new lift station would include public restrooms and the city plans to landscape to prevent the station from becoming an eye sore. Odour control equipment would be installed in an effort to minimize foul smells but it’s doubtful that it could be eliminated totally.

Councillor Charlie Clark who represents the area on City Council says he will not support the move.

Councillor Pat Lorje who represents Riversdale where the current lift station operates is fully behind the change. “Words fail me,” she said. “I understand the ‘not in my back yard’ syndrome….when you have professional engineers recommending a specific location, they’re not doing it for frivolous reasons…I don’t think it will have that large of an impact on the neighbourhood.”

I could go either way on this, as long as they keep it operating in a public park. Sheesh!

Pleasant Hill land deal nets Patrick Wolfe $1.4 million

Norm Fisher — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:42:22 +0000

Over the past 16 years, Patrick Wolfe quietly purchased a block of decrepit residential properties, one at a time, in the Pleasant Hill area of Saskatoon. A wiser investor may have wondered what the hell he was up to. Few would have ever thought that his investment would by a key component in renewing the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood but last night his plan became clear as Wolfe saw his land sale proposal to the City of Saskatoon move forward in a deal which netted the savvy investor $1.4 million dollars, and a $365,000 donation receipt to boot. City Council approved a deal to purchase 29 properties from Wolfe with the intent to clear the land for use in a Pleasant Hill renewal project which will ultimately include a new housing development, a much needed elementary school, some green space, and a possible community group space.

Earlier this month, Mayor Don Atchison, Premier Lorne Calvert, and National Revenue Minister Carol Skelton announced the details of a cooperative initiative between the city, the province and the federal government to begin some much needed redevelopment in the Pleasant Hill area. The renewal project will be funded through the Urban Development Agreement with $1.71 million coming from the City of Saskatoon. The province and the federal Department of Western Economic Diversification will each pick up $789,471 of the cost.

Negotiating the purchase of the only three properties on the block which are not owned by Wolfe is underway. Once complete, the wrecking ball will start to swing and some new life will find its way into the Pleasant Hill area.

Let’s hope that this new development provides an opportunity to rejuvenate a community which could really use a boost.

Congratulations Pleasant Hill residents.

Congratulations Mr. Wolfe.

More about the Pleasant Hill renewal project here.

Surprise! It’s a baby! Saskatoon couple finds newborn on doorstep

Norm Fisher — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:03:16 +0000

A Saskatoon couple got a huge surprise when they opened the back door of their Lawson Heights home on Saturday. Apparently, the family dog was barking continuously so Ed Anderson went to investigate and found a newborn baby girl wrapped in towels and a sleeping bag on the doorstep.

Born just minutes before she was discovered and still sporting an umbilical cord, the girl was “red and wrinkled” and “her little hands were like ice,” said Lee Anderson who happens to be a registered nurse. The temperature was close to -30C (-22F) on Saturday morning.

According to the Globe and Mail, the couple called 911. Mr. Anderson explains, “After I said that we had a crying baby at our house, the operator said, ‘So what’s the problem with that,’ well, it’s not mine. I found it abandoned by my back door.”

An ambulance arrived at the scene within minutes. The baby is in fine condition and in the custody of the Department of Community Resources.

Saskatoon Police used dogs to try to track the person who dropped the child off but had no luck. They spent the balance of the day canvassing the area looking for clues as to how the child ended up at the Anderson’s home.

Police remain concerned about the child’s mother and they are encouraging her, and anyone else who may know what happened to come forward.

The Globe reports that the Anderson’s had planned to shop for a new car on Saturday, which just goes to show you that you never really know what the day is going to bring.

Read the story here

Pleasant Hill area of Saskatoon scores funding for area renewal

Norm Fisher — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 13:11:35 +0000

Until now, it has been just rumour and speculation that something fairly big was about to happen for the Pleasant Hill area of Saskatoon. Now, it’s official.

Mayor Don Atchison, Premier Lorne Calvert , and National Revenue Minister Carol Skelton have finally announced the details of a cooperative initiative between the city, the province and the federal government to begin some much needed redevelopment in the Pleasant Hill area. The renewal project will be funded through the Urban Development Agreement with $1.71 million coming from the City of Saskatoon. The province and the federal Department of Western Economic Diversification will each pick up $789,471 of the cost.

The plan involves leveling 29 properties, including commercial buildings on 20^th Street between Avenue O and Avenue N, and the homes located on the 300 and 400 blocks of both of these avenues. Some cash will be invested in improving the infrastructure through out the entire neighbourhood to bring it up to today’s standards for commercial and residential development.

Once the land has been cleared it will be sold to Saskatchewan Housing for $1 so that it can be developed for affordable housing. Mayor Atchison estimates that new development could pump $20 to $30 million into the Saskatoon economy.

There was no further word on much needed improvements to St. Mary Community School, the venue for this special announcement; however Premier Calvert did bring hope that a result may not be far off. “I know full well that there are plans in the works for replacement of the school.” The land which is being redeveloped surrounds the school and community leaders are hopeful that a “community centre” can find a place in the plan.

This is the second major initiative undertaken in the Pleasant Hill area by the three levels of government. Last year, they funded demolition of an old strip mall and a warehouse. The three parcels of land which were liberated through the project will eventually become home to Station 20 West , a multi-purpose development which is expected to be home to a public library, a grocery store and various other area amenities.

Both of these initiatives will be great for Pleasant Hill home owners who haven’t seen nearly as much growth in property values as most other areas in Saskatoon over the last decade. In 2006, the average selling price of a home in the area was under $70,000, while the average for Saskatoon topped $170,000.