First-time buyer · Saguenay · 2026 programs and QPAREB Q2 figures
How much you need to earn, how much you need set aside, which programs to stack and which sectors to look at: the first purchase in Saguenay in 2026, in numbers.
A first purchase in Saguenay in 2026 starts under $400,000: a house in Jonquière ($348,250 median in the second quarter, 24 days), Chicoutimi-Nord ($360,000) or the periphery ($334,500), a condo at $290,000 in the city. At $300,000 with 5% down, the monthly payment is about $1,450 at 4.24% over 30 years and the household must earn about $67,000 to pass the stress test; at $400,000, $1,933 and $88,000. Saguenay is Quebec's cheapest large market ($370,500 for the house, $150,000 below the province), but prices rose 67% in five years and 8% in 2026: the first-time buyer who waits pays more.
The City of Saguenay sold its median house for $370,500 (+8%) and its condo for $290,000 in the second quarter of 2026, in 34 days for the house, with 332 sales and 293 listings; the region, $370,000 with 480 sales (+3%) and supply up 18%. For a first-time buyer, the entry point is the house between $300,000 and $400,000 (Jonquière, Chicoutimi-Nord, the periphery, then Chicoutimi) and the condo between $250,000 and $320,000. The table puts numbers on the minimum down payment, the premium, the monthly payment and the income required; under $500,000, Saguenay's welcome tax (only 2.5% above) is fully refunded to a first-time buyer.
| Purchase price | Minimum down payment | CMHC premium (added to the loan) | Monthly payment at 4.24 %, 30 years | Payment at the stress-test rate (6.24 %) | Gross household income required (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $12,500 | $9,500 | $1,208 | $1,506 | $57,000 |
| $300,000 | $15,000 | $11,400 | $1,450 | $1,808 | $67,000 |
| $350,000 | $17,500 | $13,300 | $1,692 | $2,109 | $78,000 |
| $400,000 | $20,000 | $15,200 | $1,933 | $2,410 | $88,000 |
| $450,000 | $22,500 | $17,100 | $2,175 | $2,712 | $98,000 |
Assumptions: five-year fixed rate of 4.24 % (September 2026), stress test at 6.24 %, 30-year amortization (allowed for first-time buyers on insured loans), CMHC premium of 4 % for a down payment under 10 %, municipal and school taxes estimated at 0.9 % of the price, heating $1,800 a year, gross debt service ratio capped at 39 %. Every file differs; the pre-approval gives the real number.
| Program | Amount | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| FHSA | $8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime, deductible at contribution, tax-free withdrawal, never repaid | open the account now to accumulate room; see the FHSA maximum |
| HBP | up to $60,000 withdrawn from the RRSP, repayable over 15 years; combines with the FHSA | contribute to the RRSP at least 90 days before the withdrawal |
| Welcome tax refund (Quebec) | up to $5,875 for a first residence, since January 1, 2026 | the claim is filed after the tax bill; see the welcome tax refund |
| First-time buyer tax credits | about $2,900 (federal and Quebec together) | claimed in the year of purchase |
| 30-year amortization | on first-time buyers' insured loans and on new homes | simulate the effect on qualification (table above) |
| GST eliminated on new homes | up to one million in purchase price | compare new and resale for an equal budget |
| Down payment | 5 % up to $500,000, 10 % on the portion from $500,000 to $1.5 million (since December 15, 2024) | count the CMHC premium and its 9 % tax payable in cash |
Note: since Finances Québec's Information Bulletin 2026-2 (April 2026), the $5,875 credit is reduced by 2.35 % of the portion of the price above $750,000 and disappears at $1,000,000 ($4,700 at $800,000, $2,350 at $900,000).
The full list and conditions are in first-time buyer programs in Quebec 2026; the first-time buyer guide (free PDF, in French) gathers the steps.
| Segment and sector (QPAREB, Q2 2026), cheapest first | Median price | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| House, Saguenay periphery | $334,500 | 24 days | 67 |
| House, Jonquière | $348,250 | 24 days | 113 |
| House, Chicoutimi-Nord, Canton Tremblay | $360,000 | 40 days | 61 |
| House, Chicoutimi | $385,000 | 40 days | 101 |
Jonquière ($348,250 in 24 days, the city's fastest), with Arvida, Kénogami and the CEGEP, is the family entry level and the sector where first-time buyers compete for houses: pre-approval is mandatory. Chicoutimi-Nord and Canton Tremblay ($360,000), across the Dubuc Bridge, offer recent neighbourhoods and lots. The periphery (Saint-Honoré, Larouche, Saint-Fulgence, $334,500, -2%) sells the country house for less, with a car. Chicoutimi ($385,000 in 40 days) and La Baie ($385,000) are the top of the city, still within reach of a first-time buyer couple earning $85,000.
Before making an offer in Saguenay, our figures drawn from actual sales:
All four pages are built on listings sold over the last twelve months, not on regional averages. They exist to put a number on an offer rather than guess at one.
Before you sign: Certificate of location in Saguenay: cost, timing and when to redo it
The owner-occupant's plex: Plex prices in Saguenay: $150,000 per door, GRM 12.3x
Bungalow or two-storey home in Saguenay:
Single-storey homes make up 76% of sales in Saguenay over ten years; our page gives both price series, the second-floor premium and who the bungalow is for.
What one more bedroom costs in Saguenay:
Three price series (3, 4, 5 or more bedrooms) over ten years, the fourth- and fifth-bedroom premiums, and the size that rose the most in Saguenay.
What one more bedroom costs in a condo in Saguenay:
The median price of 1-, 2- and 3-plus-bedroom condos over ten years, the second- and third-bedroom premiums, and the size that rose the most in Saguenay.
Days on market in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Median days for a house and a condo by year since 2016, the decade's four markets and what today's delay changes when selling in Saguenay.
The number of sales in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Houses, condos and plexes sold per year since 2016, the record year, the high-rate trough and what today's volume changes when selling in Saguenay.
Plex prices in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The median price of a plex per year since 2016, next to houses and condos, the frenzy, the rate brake and what the plex-to-house ratio tells a buyer in Saguenay.
How many homes are for sale in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Month-end inventory and new listings per year since 2016, the frenzy trough, absorption, months of inventory and why prices doubled in Saguenay.
Sale price relative to asking price in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
At what percentage of asking houses have sold since 2016, the 2021 bidding wars, the return of negotiation and what the gap is worth in dollars in Saguenay.
Houses that do not sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, average days next to median days and what today's rate tells a seller in Saguenay.
The average house price in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The average sale price per year since 2016, next to the median and the asking price, why the average is higher and which of the three prices to use to set yours in Saguenay.
How many dollars of houses sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The total sale prices per year since 2016, next to the number of sales and the average price: whether the rise comes from price or from the number of buyers in Saguenay.
House appreciation in Saguenay by year of purchase:
What a house bought in 2016, 2019, 2021 or 2024 is worth today at the median price, in dollars, in percent and per year, house and condo, and what is left for those who bought at the peak in Saguenay.
From condo to house in Saguenay, the gap to close:
The median price of the house and the condo year by year since 2016, the gap between them, and whether the gain on a condo bought in 2016, 2019, 2021 or 2023 covers the jump in Saguenay.
The Saguenay market in one table:
Price, growth, sales, volume, days on market, inventory, over-asking, unsold, condo and appreciation, each with the city's rank among 50 and ten years of detail in Saguenay.
How much down payment to buy in Saguenay:
The legal minimum on the median house, the 20% that avoids the CMHC premium, the premium at the minimum, what a FHSA and an HBP cover, the condo, and ten years of perspective in Saguenay.
How many condos are for sale in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Condominium inventory at each month-end and new listings per year since 2016, absorption, months of inventory, and the comparison with single-family houses in Saguenay.
When to sell in Saguenay, ten years of sales month by month:
The month with the most home sales, the quietest month, spring versus winter, the best-paying month and when to list to sell at the right time in Saguenay.
Condos that do not sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Condo listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, the same rate for houses, and what it tells a condo seller in Saguenay.
How many plexes are for sale in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Plexes for sale at each month-end and new listings since 2016, absorption, months of inventory, and the comparison with houses and condos in Saguenay.
When to sell a condo in Saguenay, ten years of sales month by month:
The month with the most condo sales, the quietest month, spring versus winter, the best-paying month, houses alongside and when to list in Saguenay.
Plexes that do not sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Plex listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, the same rate for houses and condos, and what it tells a building seller in Saguenay.
How much buyers negotiate a condo in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Sale price as a percentage of asking for condos, year by year since 2016, the ratio on the original price, houses alongside and the dollar gap on the median condo in Saguenay.
How much buyers negotiate a plex in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Sale price as a percentage of asking for plexes, year by year since 2016, the ratio on the original price, houses and condos alongside and the dollar gap on the median building in Saguenay.
What the median house costs a month in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The monthly payment on the house in the middle every year since 2016 with the Centris price and the 5-year rate actually charged, the share of price and the share of rate, the renewal shock and the income it takes in Saguenay.
What the house really gained in Saguenay, once inflation is removed:
Each year's median price converted to 2026 dollars with the Quebec CPI, the real increase, the years of real decline, the peak in purchasing power and the condo alongside in Saguenay.
What the median condo costs a month in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The monthly payment on the condo in the middle every year since 2016 with the Centris price and the 5-year rate actually charged, the share of price and the share of rate, the renewal shock and the income it takes in Saguenay.
How long to sell a plex in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Median and average days on market of plexes year by year since 2016, the house and the condo alongside, market periods and the weight of buildings that sit in Saguenay.
How much is a duplex, a triplex, a quadruplex in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The median price by building type year by year since 2016, the number of sales, the price per unit, what the extra unit costs and the house alongside in Saguenay.
How much is a lot in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The median price of lots and land sold on Centris year by year since 2016, the number of sales, the 2021 peak and the weight of the lot in the price of a house in Saguenay.
Saguenay or the city next door: where to buy in 2026, matchup by matchup:
Each matchup puts Saguenay and a neighbouring city side by side over ten years of Centris sales: house and condo prices, gap, days on market, inventory, bidding, unsold listings and monthly payment.
How much is a semi-detached or row house in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The median price by house type year by year since 2016, the number of sales, the shared-wall discount and how it moved in Saguenay.
How many houses still sell under $500,000 in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Sales under $500,000 and under $400,000 year by year since 2016, their share, the tipping year and what is still available under the threshold in Saguenay.
At what price houses sell in Saguenay, range by range:
The distribution of sales by price bracket in 2020, 2023 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $500,000 and above $750,000 in Saguenay.
How long to sell by price in Saguenay:
Median days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying in Saguenay.
How much the lot is worth in a house price in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The median price of houses on small lots and on large lots year by year since 2016, the large-lot premium and how it moved in Saguenay.
How many dollars of condos sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Condo sales volume year by year since 2016, the number of sales and the average price behind it, and the condo's share of the market in Saguenay.
The average condo price in Saguenay, and why it exceeds the median:
The average sale price of condos year by year since 2016, beside the median price and the asking price, and the gap between the two in Saguenay.
How long to sell a condo by price in Saguenay:
Median condo days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying a condo in Saguenay.
How long to sell a plex by price in Saguenay:
Median plex days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying a plex in Saguenay.
At what price plexes sell in Saguenay, range by range:
The distribution of plex sales by price bracket in 2020 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $450,000 and under $600,000 in Saguenay.
The average plex price in Saguenay, and why it exceeds the median:
The average sale price of plex year by year since 2016, beside the median price and the asking price, and the gap between the two in Saguenay.
How many dollars of plex sell in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
Plex sales volume year by year since 2016, the number of sales and the average price behind it, and the plex's share of the market in Saguenay.
Where the real estate money goes in Saguenay:
Sales dollars split between houses, condos and plexes every year since 2016, the category that weighs the most and the one that grew the most in Saguenay.
What sells at what price in Saguenay:
The 2026 sales crossed by price range and category: what sells under $300,000, who holds the million, where houses, condos and plexes compete in Saguenay.
Which sells fastest in Saguenay, house, condo or plex:
Days on market of houses, condos and plexes compared price range by price range over twelve months in Saguenay.
At what price condos sell in Saguenay, range by range:
The distribution of condo sales by price bracket in 2020 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $300,000 and under $400,000 in Saguenay.
The plex in Saguenay, the 2026 file:
Prices, door, days on market, volume, down payment and what the median does not say, on Centris sales.
Is a plex profitable in Saguenay in 2026:
The full math on the duplex, triplex and fourplex at the 2026 median price and the median rent in Saguenay, labelled assumptions.
Duplex or triplex in Saguenay, the 2026 comparison:
Prices, price per unit, minimum down payment to live in it and days on market, on Centris sales by type.
House or plex in Saguenay, ten years face to face:
Prices, change, days on market, negotiation, plex-to-house ratio and price per door, on Centris sales.
The market in Saguenay this month:
Days on market, sold against asking, inventory and September 2026 verdict in Saguenay, over the past twelve Centris months.
The condo market in Saguenay this month:
Days on market, sold against asking, median price and September 2026 verdict for the condo in Saguenay, compared with the house, over the past twelve Centris months.
The welcome tax on the median house in Saguenay, 2016 against 2026:
The tax computed year by year on the Centris median price with the city's 2026 grid, and what a first-time buyer pays net in Saguenay.
Which houses linger by price in Saguenay:
Average against median days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the ratio between the two and the bracket where listings linger the most in Saguenay.
How many foreclosures in Saguenay, ten years of perspective:
The number of houses sold as foreclosures year by year since 2016, their share of sales, their median price against all sales and the rebound from the trough in Saguenay.
Split-level, storey-and-a-half, bungalow or two-storey in Saguenay:
Four house types side by side over ten years: median price, gap between types, share of sales and the one that rose the most in Saguenay.
How much buyers negotiate on a house by price in Saguenay:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Saguenay.
How much buyers negotiate on a condo by price in Saguenay:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Saguenay.
How much buyers negotiate on a plex by price in Saguenay:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Saguenay.
Where the money goes by price in Saguenay:
Share of dollars against share of sales by price bracket over the past twelve months, the average ticket and the bracket that weighs the most in Saguenay.
How much condo sellers cut their price before selling in Saguenay:
Condo sale prices as a percentage of the original and of the last asking price, by price bracket over twelve months, and the bracket where sellers adjust the most in Saguenay.
What one more bathroom costs in Saguenay:
Three price series (1, 2, 3 or more bathrooms) over ten years, the second- and third-bathroom premiums, and the class that rose the most in Saguenay.
What the waterfront costs in Saguenay:
Median price of houses bordered by a body of water versus all houses, year by year since 2018, the waterfront premium and the share of sales in Saguenay.
Property taxes in Saguenay:
The tax bill, increase and rate published by the city for 2026, the assessment roll year and the school tax, with sources.
The Loaa & Manseur team, led by Lotfi Manseur and Loaa Al Daow, is the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 of large residential teams according to the official RE/MAX ranking, computed on actual transactions. Its Google profile counts 221 reviews with a 4.9 rating. Its offices are at 55 avenue de l'Équinoxe in Brossard, one bridge from the island, and every broker's licence can be checked in the OACIQ public register. Three things to verify yourself before calling us, and to demand of any other broker.
Our pages on the Saguenay market, Jonquière, the welcome tax in Saguenay (French) and the FHSA maximum complete the file.
About $67,000 in gross household income for a $300,000 house, $78,000 for $350,000 and $88,000 for $400,000, with 5% down, a 30-year amortization and the stress test at 6.24%.
The periphery ($334,500) and Jonquière ($348,250) for the house, then Chicoutimi-Nord ($360,000); the condo at $290,000 in the city, in Q2 2026.
Yes: up to $40,000 from the FHSA (never repaid) and $60,000 from the RRSP through the HBP (repaid over 15 years), per person, for the same property. A couple can therefore gather up to $200,000 in tax-sheltered down payment.
Published forecasts (Desjardins, QPAREB, CMHC) expect stable to moderately rising prices in 2027 and a policy rate around 2.75%; waiting does not lower the price, but it gives time to fill the FHSA. Our page buy in 2026 or wait until 2027 puts numbers on both scenarios.
Also available in French: version française de ce guide.
Published September 7, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.
Équipe no 1 de RE/MAX Platine en 2024 et en 2025, 6e au Québec, 15e au Canada et dans le top 50 mondial au classement officiel RE/MAX. Réponse en moins de 24 heures, sept jours sur sept.