Two-thirds of Canadians will compromise to buy a home says fall outlook

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The REMAX Fall 2026 Canadian Housing Market Outlook finds 65% of Canadians would make at least one compromise to afford a larger or more suitable home, including living further from a city centre.

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Another 63% would move to a home that better suits their needs, including 47% who would move within an hour of their current community, while another 16% would move even further.

The report found that 31% live further from a city centre, and 21% live further from shops, restaurants and other amenities.

The outlook also found that 41% would reduce discretionary spending to afford a home, while 24% would extend their mortgage amortization.

“People are showing a willingness to relax where they want to live,” said Don Kottick, president of REMAX Canada.

“What they’re willing to do is give up discretionary spending to get into the game or just go a little further in terms of recruiting to find the house that meets their criteria.”

Buyers are also considering the properties themselves, with 20% willing to buy an older home or one that requires renovation.

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One in five Canadians would take money from a family member to buy a house

The report says that 20% would accept financial help from family, and 17% would take on a second job or additional source of income, and another 17% would put aside retirement or other long-term savings.

“Once again, this report just confirms that home ownership is close to the culture of Canadians to the point that even though it’s kind of hard to get into the game — if there’s an affordability aspect — people are kind of willing to go in creative ways to try to get into the housing market,” Kottick said.

“Regardless of what we hear out there. Most Canadians aspire to home ownership to one degree or another.”

Buyer-favorable conditions have become more widespread, with 32% of the markets analyzed expected to sit firmly in the buyer’s territory this fall, compared to just 15.2% a year ago, while 22% expected to be a seller’s market.

According to data and insights from REMAX brokers and agents reviewed for the report, home sales decreased year-over-year in 81% of markets analyzed between January 1 and July 31, 2026, while average home prices increased cents in 56% of markets.

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Affordability remains the top consideration when choosing where to buy, cited by 60% of respondents, followed by neighborhood safety at 47%.

REMAX Canada’s fall outlook adjusted for sales ended approximately 2% below 2025 levels, based on expectations provided by REMAX brokers and agents.

“I think we have some big headwinds that we need to look at,” Kottick said. “If we could ever get our government to resolve the tariff issues that would go a long way for the market to see. I think the other aspect is the price of oil, so if the war is ever resolved that would remove another major headwind. And the other thing is interest rates. 2027 so maybe we’ll see some savvy buyers see this as an opportunity as well.

Regionally, the GTA remains a buyer’s market, with average home prices down 5.1% year over year and sales essentially flat.

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