Canadians willing to make trade-offs to afford a home, Re/Max survey finds

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Defence Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Defence Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Defence Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeReal EstateCanadians willing to make trade-offs to afford a home, Re/Max survey findsMore than 60% would relocate to find a home they can affordSixty-three per cent of Canadians were willing to relocate to buy a home that better meets their needs, the survey said. Photo by PostmediaAffordability pressures are changing the path Canadians are willing to take toward homeownership, with some open to compromising to afford a home.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountAccording to a survey by Re/Max Canada, 65 per cent of Canadians say they would make at least one compromise to afford a larger or more suitable home. This could mean reconsidering the location or the type or condition of home they buy.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Meanwhile, 63 per cent would relocate to a home that better meets their needs, the survey said.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“There’s a difference between compromising and settling,” Re/Max Canada president Don Kottick said in a press release. “Rather than giving up on homeownership, Canadians are making different choices about how to get there.”Kottick said some may look outside their current community, while others may make different financial choices.The report said location is one of the biggest areas of flexibility for Canadian homebuyers, with nearly two-thirds saying they would relocate for a home that better meets their needs. Another 16 per cent said they would move even farther. It said 31 per cent would live farther from a city centre and 21 per cent would live farther from shops, restaurants and other amenities.Buyers are also reconsidering the property itself, with 20 per cent willing to purchase an older home or one requiring renovations.Beyond the home, Canadians are also extending the trade-offs with their spending behaviour. The survey said 41 per cent say they would cut discretionary spending such as travel and dining out to afford a home, while 24 per cent would extend their mortgage amortization period.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.For 21 per cent of the respondents, accepting financial help from family is an option, while 17 per cent would take on a second job or additional income source, and another 17 per cent would delay retirement or other long-term savings.Although many buyers are willing to compromise, some priorities remain fixed, Re/Max said. It said for 60 per cent, affordability remains the top consideration when choosing where to buy, followed by neighbourhood safety at 47 per cent.Re/Max’s Canada 2026 fall housing market outlook said home sales declined in 81 per cent of markets analyzed in the first seven months of 2026, while average residential prices went up in 56 per cent of markets.It said buyer-favourable conditions are also more widespread than anticipated heading into the year, with 32 per cent of markets expected to sit firmly in buyers’ territory this fall.The fall outlook said the softer sales environment has been more pronounced than anticipated heading into the year, with sales expected to finish approximately two per cent below 2025 levels.“The market has not become easy for buyers, but in many regions, it is allowing for a more deliberate purchasing process,” said Kottick.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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