A new survey reveals Canadians are prepared to travel considerable distances to secure an affordable home, with 63 per cent of respondents indicating they would relocate to meet their housing needs. The Remax Canada 2026 Fall Housing Market Outlook, published Wednesday, highlights affordability as the primary concern for homebuyers. Sixty-three per cent of respondents stated they would relocate for a home that better meets their needs. Neighborhood safety ranked second, with 47 per cent of participants listing it as a critical factor.
How far would buyers go?
For many, the search remains within a short distance. Thirty per cent of respondents would consider moving up to 30 minutes from their current area, while 17 per cent would travel between 30 and 60 minutes away. A smaller group is open to longer relocations: five per cent would move one to two hours away, and three per cent would go more than two hours. Eight per cent would explore options outside their province entirely.
This willingness to compromise shows in the types of homes buyers are open to purchasing. Twenty per cent would accept a smaller yard or outdoor space, while another 20 per cent would purchase an older property or one requiring renovations. Fifteen per cent would endure a longer commute to work or school, and 18 per cent would consider a different home type. Nearly one-third of respondents, or 31 per cent, said they would choose to live farther from a city center to afford a home.
Some buyers are adjusting their finances to close the cost gap. Forty-one per cent said they would cut discretionary spending on travel and dining, while 24 per cent would extend their mortgage amortization period. Twenty per cent would accept financial assistance from family, and another 17 per cent would take on a second job or income source. An additional 17 per cent would delay retirement or long-term savings plans.
Despite these efforts, a segment of the market remains inflexible. Eighteen per cent of respondents said they would not consider any of the compromises listed in the survey, indicating they are holding firm on their requirements.
Buyers are finding slightly more favorable conditions in certain regions this fall. Based on broker and agent forecasts, 32 per cent of the markets analyzed are projected to favor buyers, up from 15.2 per cent in the previous year. The national average residential price is expected to end 2026 approximately 2.3 per cent below 2025 levels, with sales roughly two per cent lower. Year-over-year, home sales declined in 81 per cent of the markets studied between Jan. 1 and July 31, though average residential prices increased in 56 per cent of those markets.
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Regional markets display varying conditions. Greater Vancouver remains strongly buyer-favorable. Calgary presents a mixed picture, with detached and semi-detached properties generally balanced, while increased condo inventory has shifted that segment into buyer-favorable territory. Saskatoon remains seller-favorable. In Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area is a buyers’ market, with the average residential price down 5.1 per cent year over year and sales nearly unchanged. Kitchener-Waterloo and Niagara are also buyer-favorable. In contrast, Thunder Bay’s limited inventory has sustained seller-favorable conditions and driven average prices up 10.5 per cent year over year.
Measures and market responses
The report also examined the impact of recent federal policies on affordability. Three-quarters of Canadians surveyed were aware of the federal first-time homebuyers’ GST/HST rebate. Forty-five per cent said it is assisting some buyers, and 16 per cent stated it is making homeownership more achievable for first-time buyers. Fourteen per cent reported the rebate influenced their purchase plans.
The federal foreign homebuyer ban received a more muted response. In 79 per cent of market reports, brokers said it has had minimal impact on affordability or new construction development.
When asked what would most benefit first-time buyers, 21 per cent chose more affordable housing programs and another 21 per cent selected lower mortgage interest rates. Fourteen per cent pointed to increasing housing supply.
“Canadians are showing that they’re prepared to adapt, but buyers can only control so much,” says Kottick. “Rebates and other measures can help, but affordability ultimately depends on a combination of factors, including supply, financing costs and having the right mix of housing available. Buyers are focused on decisions they can control but broader affordability challenges remain.”
