The Canadian housing market could be on the upswing looking ahead to 2026, with more buyers preparing to enter the market and home sales expected to increase by 3.4 per cent next year, according to REMAX Canada’s 2026 Housing Market Outlook. This follows signs of renewed buyer intent earlier this fall, compared to the first half of the year.
There is light at the end of the tunnel following a decline in home sales from coast to coast in 2025. According to data supplied by REMAX Canada brokers and agents, as well as local boards, home sales fell year-over-year in 19 of 33 markets analyzed between January 1 and October 31, 2025. In contrast to the inventory shortfall that defined many markets in 2024, 2025 saw listings increase year-over-year across 75.8 per cent of regions, in a shift to more balanced conditions for buyers, contributing to average price declines in 2025 and further moderation of -3.7% expected in 2026, said the real estate firm.
A Leger survey commissioned by REMAX Canada reveals that one in 10 Canadians is planning to buy a home in the next 12 months, half of them being first-time buyers. According to the same survey, one quarter of Canadians (23 per cent) said they’d be ready to enter the market if interest rates dropped another 0.5 to one per cent. Tempering average prices, along with easing pressure on the interest-rate front, could indicate gradual market improvement, said the report.
Don Kottick
“Amid looming economic clouds, Canadians are maintaining their interest in homeownership,” said Don Kottick, President, REMAX Canada. “The resilience that began to emerge in the fall is anticipated to continue into 2026, with first-time buyers in particular finding creative ways to save and enter the market.”
Solidifying Confidence with Lower Interest Rates Presents an Opportune Moment for First-Time Buyers
According to a Leger survey commissioned by REMAX Canada, 10 per cent of Canadians say they’re planning to purchase a home in the next 12 months – an improvement from seven per cent in the fall, based on Leger survey data earlier this year. Although more than half of Canadians are feeling the economy will worsen in 2026, following an initial economic stall as seen in the earlier part of 2025, Canadians aged 18 to 35 are more hopeful, with 21 per cent feeling the economy will fare better next year, said the report.
Return-to-Office Mandates Affecting How First-Time Buyers Approach the Market
“Following looming economic headwinds, an emerging concern among first-time homebuyers is a rise in return-to-office mandates. While nearly half of respondents overall do not believe return-to-office will impact their situation , respondents aged 18 to 34 and those planning to buy in the future are thinking more about how this might affect their search and 17 per cent of Canadians are concerned about ‘return to office’ mandates,” said RE/MAX.
“Return-to-office mandates are beginning to weigh on first-time buyers’ decisions, prompting many to reconsider not just where they want to live, but how their daily routines, commute times, and lifestyle needs will fit into an in-person work environment,” said Kottick. “Transit access is becoming an increasingly important factor for younger Canadians seeking their first home. Many are weighing commute times and workplace flexibility more carefully in their search, while sellers continue to adapt to a market that’s still finding its footing in this new reality.”
The Evolving Buyer Profile
REMAX said its brokers and agents across Canada found that families, new Canadians, and retirees drove a larger share of sales in 2025, marking a significant shift from 2024, when first-time buyers led sales across most Canadian markets.
While 17 per cent of Canadians say they plan to purchase a home at some point (with 10 per cent intending to buy within one year). Brokers are hearing that many buyers continue to watch the market closely for the right moment to make their move. Those planning to purchase their first home are more likely to be aged 18 to 34 and with kids under age 18, said the company.
“Time will tell how the buyer profile shifts we’ve seen over the past year will influence overall homebuying decisions. In such a dynamic environment, with evolving buyer needs and changing seller expectations, it’s more important than ever for buyers to work with a trusted professional agent who understands their local market and can help find what best suits them and their families,” said Kottick.
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024 and 2025.
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