When is an apartment-style condo not the right choice? If monthly condo fees and possible increases would strain your budget, you want full control over renovations, pets or renting, you can't absorb a surprise special assessment, you need quiet and privacy, or you're worried about resale. Before you buy, review the condo documents and confirm the actual fees, which aren't always what the listing says.

Updated November 2026 by Clayton McNally & Jessica Hamel, REALTORS®, RE/MAX Saskatoon

Is an Apartment-Style Condo Really Right for You?

For many buyers it is, but not for everyone. Condos offer lower maintenance, great locations, amenities and a more affordable entry point (here are 5 reasons to live in an apartment-style condo). We've also seen buyers discover, too late, that condo life wasn't what they expected. The goal here isn't to steer you away; it's to help you decide with your eyes open. (Not sure which home type suits you? Try the Find Your Home Match Quiz.)

1. Can Your Budget Handle the Condo Fees?

Check carefully, because fees range from a couple of hundred dollars to over a thousand a month, and they usually rise as a building ages. They typically cover building insurance, common area maintenance, property management and reserve fund contributions. Many buyers work out their mortgage without properly adding the fee — a costly mistake. Estimate your payment with our mortgage calculator, then add the condo fee to see your true monthly cost.

A real example from our files: The information on a condo listing isn't always correct. When we were helping one buyer purchase a condo, we found the actual condo fees were $200 higher than the listing stated! Always confirm the fees, the parking stall and any special assessments in the documents.

2. Are You Comfortable With Condo Rules?

If you want full control, condo bylaws may feel limiting. As an owner, you're part of a collective governed by a board and bylaws that apply to everyone. Renovations, pets, renting your unit, short-term rentals like Airbnb and noise rules may not be entirely your call. In a condo, majority rules, so read the bylaws before you commit.

3. Could a Special Assessment Hurt Your Finances?

It could, if the building's reserve fund is low. When a building needs a major repair — a roof, elevator, parkade or structural work — and the reserve fund can't cover it, the cost is split among owners. These special assessments can run from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. That's why the reserve fund study and financial statements matter so much. Our guide to Schedule C condo documents shows where to look.

4. Do You Need Quiet and Privacy?

Then shared walls may bother you. Sharing walls, floors and ceilings is part of apartment living. If you work from home, have young children, sleep lightly or simply love quiet, it can become a daily frustration. Sound travels differently in every building, so visit at different times of day and ask about soundproofing. If you want condo convenience with more separation, townhouses or the bungalow condos on our Bungalows page may be a better fit. Compare the options in the different kinds of townhouses in Saskatoon.

5. Is Condo Resale Harder?

It can be, depending on the building. A building's reputation, fees and owner-to-renter mix all affect resale. Buildings with many investor-owned units, a history of special assessments or ongoing maintenance issues can be harder to sell. Condo supply and demand can also move differently from the house market; right now Saskatoon has plenty of condos for sale, so buyers have choice. Our Saskatoon real estate market page tracks the latest trends.

How Do You Check a Condo Building Before You Buy?

Read the documents and ask the right questions. Request the financial statements, meeting minutes, reserve fund study and bylaws, and ask:

• Are the finances healthy? Look for a well-funded reserve.
• Are there ongoing disputes or lawsuits? Meeting minutes often reveal them.
• Have fees risen sharply in recent years?
• Are major repairs coming? Ask directly and read the documents carefully.

See also our condo inspection red flags and essential condo buyer tips. Clayton and Jessica, your trusted REALTORS®, can help you spot red flags in the documents and compare buildings.

Ready to Find the Right Fit?

Whether a condo turns out to be the perfect match or another home type suits you better, the key is going in informed. Explore current listings, or browse condos and every home type. Talk to Clayton and Jessica, your trusted REALTORS® with Trusted Realty, Powered by RE/MAX Saskatoon: call or text 306.341.4401 or get in touch here.