Canadian Homebuyer Hopefuls Are More Determined to Realize the Dream of Ownership in 2025: Wahi Survey

The results of a new survey from digital real estate platform Wahi show just how far Canadians are willing to go in order to purchase a home in the next 12 months.

By Josh Sherman | 3 minute read

What lengths would you go to in order to buy a home? That’s what Wahi recently asked Canadians in the digital real estate platform’s 2025 Homebuyer Intentions Survey.

From clocking extra hours at work to tightening their wallets, this year prospective Canadian homebuyers are planning to go the extra mile to purchase a home, according to Wahi’s second-annual Homebuyer Intentions Survey.

“The message from many Canadians is clear — they’re going to do what it takes to step onto the property ladder for the first time or to buy their next home,” says Wahi CEO Benjy Katchen. “While lower interest rates and new mortgage rules have improved housing affordability somewhat, many Canadian homebuyers are taking a more proactive approach.” 

Spending Less, Changing Investment Strategies, and Working Longer Hours Top Priorities for Canadian Homebuyers 

Wahi’s latest survey of Angus Reid Forum members reveals Canadians’ homebuying plans over the next year and also asks homebuyer hopefuls what they’re going to do to make their ownership dreams come true. Those who intend to purchase a home this year were more inclined to take a number of steps to achieve their goal than respondents were in 2024.

• By far, reining in spending is the most common step that prospective buyers say they’ll take to set themselves up financially for purchasing a home. More than half (52%) of Canadians who say they will probably buy a home in 2025 intend to cut back on spending, up from 45% in 2024.

   

• Changing investments was the second top priority among those planning to buy a home, with 31% planning to do so this year, up 10 percentage points from 2024.

   

• Nearly one-third (30%) say they’ll work longer hours at their job, up from 21% last year.

   

• The 10% share of respondents considering gig work, such as driving for Uber, has also increased since 2024 (8%).

   

• More than one quarter (26%) of potential buyers said they weren’t doing anything in particular to be able to afford their next home in 2024, compared to just 18% in 2025.
  

Other Key Findings: First-Time Homebuyers Are More Flexible

Across the board, self-identified first-time buyers were the most willing to make concessions to afford a home.   

• 59% of first-time buyers will spend less to afford a home, while 47% of current owners who are in the market for a new home would do the same.

• 37% of first-time buyers want to change up their investments, versus 27% of existing homeowners.

• 37% of first-time buyers are also open to longer hours at work than their home-owning peers (24%).

Compromise is King

In addition to making lifestyle changes, prospective homebuyers, including first-timers and current owners, are also willing to compromise when it comes to what kind of home they purchase next.
 

• 73% are willing to consider a different neighbourhood than originally planned.

• 57% are willing to consider a different type or style of home than initially preferred.

• 55%  are comfortable living farther from amenities such as schools, public transportation, or shopping centres.

Millennials Most Likely to Purchase a Home in 2025

• Nearly one-in-five Canadians (17%) say they will probably buy a home this year.

   

• Buying intentions were strongest among millennials, as 23% indicate they will probably purchase a home this year, followed by Gen Z (20%), Gen X (18%), and, lastly, baby boomers (10%).

Methodology

These findings are from a survey conducted by Wahi from December 12th to December 16th, 2024, among a representative sample of 1,524 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.