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
$384,400
↓ $5,500
336 X Avenue S, Saskatoon
5
Beds
2
Baths
1,064 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK015982
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$779,900
↓ $20,000
206 Flynn Bend, Saskatoon
6
Beds
3
Baths
1,606 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK015878
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$479,900
↓ $20,000
1023 G Avenue N, Saskatoon
5
Beds
2
Baths
1,613 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK015746
Coldwell Banker Signature
$539,900
534 K Avenue N, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,463 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK015357
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$1,169,900
144 Forsey Avenue, Saskatoon
7
Beds
5
Baths
2,619 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK014432
Derrick Stretch Realty Inc.
$634,900
↓ $15,000
419 Pichler Cres, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,649 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK014926
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate
$879,900
158 Haverstock Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,902 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK014303
Century 21 Fusion
$657,900
818 Bentley Manor, Saskatoon
6
Beds
4
Baths
1,587 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK014196
Choice Realty Systems
$749,900
727 Nazarali Lane, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
1,762 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK013635
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$469,000
319 H Avenue S, Saskatoon
0
Beds
4
Baths
2,950 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK012723
Saskatoon Real Estate Services Inc.
$359,500
↑ $10,500
1721 E Avenue N, Saskatoon
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,410 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK012694
eXp Realty
$329,900
1111 23rd Street W, Saskatoon
5
Beds
3
Baths
1,144 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK011436
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
$724,900
503 Kinloch Court, Saskatoon
6
Beds
4
Baths
1,816 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK010022
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$799,900
↑ $20,000
371 Sharma Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,660 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK009860
eXp Realty
$374,900
217 H Avenue S, Saskatoon
2
Beds
4
Baths
1,875 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK009436
eXp Realty
$1,145,000
↓ $50,000
1339 Osler Street, Saskatoon
4
Beds
4
Baths
2,153 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK009269
Coldwell Banker Signature
$559,900
570 Kinloch Court, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,517 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK008857
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$649,000
↓ $5,900
215 Ells Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,445 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK006959
RE/MAX Bridge City Realty
$679,703
222 Sharma Lane, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,500 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK006371
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$685,000
↑ $21,100
206 Sharma Lane, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,435 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK000182
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$709,900
↓ $9,000
126 Sharma Lane, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,540 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK997116
RE/MAX Saskatoon
$724,900
↑ $35,000
550 Sharma Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,620 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK992870
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
$724,900
↑ $35,000
355 Sharma Cres, Saskatoon
5
Beds
4
Baths
1,620 SqFt
Residential
MLS® # SK992869
Realty ONE Group Dynamic
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.