What to Know Before Buying a Home with a Basement Suite in Saskatoon
Adding a basement suite to your real estate purchase is a smart way to offset your mortgage, boost resale value, or house extended family. In Saskatoon, homes with secondary suites are in high demand—but not all suites are created equal. Whether you're buying your first home or adding to your investment portfolio, here's what you need to know.
Legal & Regulatory Considerations
Before anything else, confirm whether the basement suite is legal or non-conforming. The City of Saskatoon has specific zoning requirements (R2, R2A, RM, etc.) that determine whether a home can have a secondary suite. Always ask the seller or your REALTOR® for building permits, suite registration, and fire code compliance documents.
Quick Tip: Legal suites have separate entrances, proper egress windows, fire separation, and often their own utility setups.
Financial & Investment Benefits
One of the biggest draws of a basement suite is rental income. Many lenders allow a portion of rental income to be considered when qualifying for your mortgage—potentially increasing your purchasing power. However, you'll need to account for insurance, tax implications, and tenant management. Consider long-term value and how a suite affects resale potential.
Construction, Safety & Functionality
A suite needs more than just a kitchenette and bedroom to be considered safe and livable. Ensure the ceiling height meets code (at least 6’5”), there are proper egress windows in each bedroom, and ideally, soundproofing is in place between units. Parking is also a key issue—most areas require off-street parking for each dwelling.
Lifestyle Considerations
Are you comfortable living above (or below) tenants? Will the layout allow for privacy? Does the area support good tenant demand (think: proximity to the University of Saskatchewan or downtown)? These are lifestyle factors to weigh as you assess your comfort level with owning and managing a basement suite.
For more guidance on legal suites in Saskatoon or available homes with rental potential, contact me here.
Saskatoon homes with basement suites
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All Listings
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$100,000 - $200,000
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$200,000 - $300,000
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$300,000 - $400,000
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$400,000 - $500,000
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$500,000 - $600,000
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$600,000 - $700,000
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$700,000 - $800,000
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$800,000 - $900,000
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Over $1,000,000
$749,900
819 6th Avenue N, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,530 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019768
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$709,900
238 Stromberg Court, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,634 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019617
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$429,900
2 Young Cres, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
960 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019670
Derrick Stretch Realty Inc.
$549,900
61 Sparling Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,735 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019615
Royal LePage Varsity
$649,000
307 Klassen Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,276 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019446
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$499,900
1328 Main Street, Saskatoon
5
Beds
2
Baths
1,120 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019365
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$489,900
50 Rupert Drive, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
995 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019414
2 Percent Realty Platinum Inc.
New
$349,900
↓ $20,000
517 Isabella Street W, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
850 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019225
eXp Realty
$659,900
↑ $11,000
486 Mcfaull Cres, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,780 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019172
eXp Realty
$619,900
559 Kloppenburg Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,495 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019161
eXp Realty
$729,900
115 Leskiw Lane, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,903 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019108
Century 21 Fusion
$541,000
#lot 3 - 855 Kensington Boulevard, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,500 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019080
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$399,900
↓ $20,100
306 Main Street, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
1,075 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018899
Century 21 Fusion
$419,900
134 O'neil Cres, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,034 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK019018
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$579,920
851 Brighton Boulevard, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,390 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018989
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$686,570
339 Taskamanwa Street, Saskatoon
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,045 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018922
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$1,099,000
715 Nazarali Lane, Saskatoon
7
Beds
5
Baths
2,426 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018601
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$214,900
↓ $12,800
121 L Avenue S, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
1,299 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018880
Coldwell Banker Signature
$559,900
↓ $23,600
350 Hassard Close, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,556 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018830
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$150,000
412 V Avenue S, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
758 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018787
Royal LePage Varsity
$352,500
520 8th Street E, Saskatoon
2
Beds
3
Baths
1,476 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018636
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate
$699,900
↓ $20,000
782 Labine Court, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,566 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018571
Royal LePage Varsity
$749,900
2126 Ste Cecilia Avenue, Saskatoon
6
Beds
2
Baths
1,190 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018519
Coldwell Banker Signature
$855,000
↓ $15,000
2227 Rosewood Drive, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,521 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018229
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
FAQs
Do I need permits for a basement suite in Saskatoon?
Yes, legal basement suites require proper building permits, fire code compliance, and must meet zoning requirements.
Can I use rental income from the suite to qualify for a mortgage?
In many cases, yes. Lenders often consider a percentage of expected rental income when assessing mortgage qualification.
What is the difference between a legal and a non-conforming suite?
A legal suite meets current building codes and zoning, while a non-conforming suite may have been built prior to changes in regulations.
Is a separate entrance required for a basement suite?
Yes, most legal suites must have a private entrance, along with fire separation and egress windows for safety.