Quebec Homeownership Intentions Stable but Affordability Crisis Deepens for Younger Buyers
Event summary
- 21% of Quebecers intend to buy a principal residence within the next five years, unchanged from previous years despite economic uncertainty.
- Average expected purchase price reached $485,000 in 2025, up $28,000 from 2024.
- 43% of 18–34-year-olds intend to buy, but only 33% have purchased in the past five years, highlighting a growing intention-action gap.
- Homeownership rates among 18–34-year-olds are lower in Montreal (35%) compared to Quebec City (44%).
- 14% of homeowners plan to sell within five years, but over half would postpone without finding a suitable new property.
The big picture
The Quebec real estate market shows resilience with stable homeownership intentions, but affordability challenges are intensifying, particularly for younger buyers. The growing gap between intention and action suggests long-term risks for market engagement among younger cohorts. Government and municipal policies will be crucial in addressing these barriers to homeownership.
What we're watching
- Affordability Pressures
- How rising property prices and economic uncertainty will affect the ability of younger Quebecers to enter the housing market.
- Regional Disparities
- Whether the lower homeownership rates in Montreal compared to Quebec City will drive demand toward more affordable outlying areas.
- Market Supply Dynamics
- The pace at which homeowners will list properties for sale, given the conditional nature of selling intentions tied to finding suitable replacements.