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
$385,000
542 Fisher Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,139 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018046
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$719,900
104 Stehwien Street, Saskatoon
6
Beds
4
Baths
1,091 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018104
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$546,900
102 Stehwien Street, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,234 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018101
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$569,900
103 Stehwien Street, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,433 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018098
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$544,900
↑ $15,000
101 Stehwien Street, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,091 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK018034
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$799,000
145 Johns Road, Saskatoon
6
Beds
4
Baths
2,176 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017654
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$544,900
438 Kinloch Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,091 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017638
eXp Realty
$499,900
↓ $50,000
327 S Avenue S, Saskatoon
8
Beds
4
Baths
1,960 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017602
Royal LePage Varsity
$300,000
302 M Avenue N, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
884 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017373
eXp Realty
$395,000
325 W Avenue N, Saskatoon
5
Beds
2
Baths
980 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017526
Coldwell Banker Signature
$581,000
↓ $18,000
403 Childers Way, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,805 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017366
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$438,900
↓ $36,000
1009 Mcpherson Avenue, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,144 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017175
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$619,000
755 Labine Court, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,218 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017245
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$1,125,000
↓ $24,900
327 Woolf Bay, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
2,481 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK017215
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$224,900
↓ $15,000
1114 C Avenue N, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
822 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016630
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$499,000
1020 Eastlake Avenue, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
1,515 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016566
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$389,000
↓ $6,000
2616 20th Street W, Saskatoon
5
Beds
2
Baths
1,204 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016616
Realty Executives Saskatoon
$229,900
1306 E Avenue N, Saskatoon
2
Beds
2
Baths
600 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016503
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$649,999
2001 37th Street W, Saskatoon
7
Beds
4
Baths
1,375 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016468
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$749,900
106 Kenaschuk Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,416 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016411
eXp Realty
$649,900
#131 - 315 Dickson Cres, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,525 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016452
Coldwell Banker Signature
$429,900
↓ $9,100
1320 B Avenue N, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,360 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016409
RE/MAX Bridge City Realty
$824,900
307 Sharma Cres, Saskatoon
6
Beds
4
Baths
2,241 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016166
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$219,900
710 Walmer Road, Saskatoon
4
Beds
2
Baths
803 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK016258
Coldwell Banker Signature
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.