Younger buyers remain frustrated by Quebec real estate market: survey

A survey in Quebec found that fewer young people in the province are able to realize their intention to purchase property. (Pexels)

Though many young Quebecers say they aim to enter the housing market in the next five years, a survey shows almost all of them may wind up in the ‘best-intentions, hard-realities’ zone and still be renting.

A Leger survey for the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) found that, in 2025, 43 per cent of 18-to-34-year-olds said they intended to buy a home within five years. However, only a third of those surveyed (33 per cent) in the same age bracket actually bought one in the past half-decade.

This survey follows one in late 2025 that found Quebecers’ ability to purchase a single-family home has deteriorated over the past decade, and that saving for a down payment remains a major obstacle in purchasing property.

The younger age bracket’s ability to purchase property has declined since 2022, according to the QPAREB.

More young people in Quebec City (44 per cent) own homes than those in Montreal (35 per cent).

Across age brackets, 21 per cent of Quebecers said they intend to buy a primary residence soon.

Still a seller’s market

Quebec remains a sellers’ market, according to the survey, with 14 per cent of owners planning to sell their primary residence within five years.

In addition, over half of those potential sellers said they may postpone plans to sell if they can’t find a property that meets their needs.

“The resale market has shown remarkable resilience since 2020,” said QPAREB market analysis director Charles Brant. “Quebecers continue to plan their long-term real estate projects, yet are now doing so with a greater degree of prudence and deliberation, which reinforces the importance of guidance from a real estate broker.”

The one range where sellers outnumber buyers is, predictably, in the 55-and-up age bracket. The survey found that under one-in-ten (nine per cent) intend to buy in that age rate compared to 13 per cent ready to sell.

Average price rising

In the 18-34-year-old range, Quebecers paid an average of $36,000 more in 2025 ($392,000) than they did a year prior, according to the survey.

That number is the largest increase among all age ranges.

The QPAREB says that the price surge has meant more young people are accruing higher debt levels, purchasing jointly, relying on family members for loans or just postponing purchases.

“What we are seeing among young adults is an increasingly pronounced gap between the desire to buy and the actual ability to take action,” said Brant. “It’s not a lack of interest, but rather a matter of affordability.”

At an average price of $485,000, Quebecers paid $28,000 more in 2025 for property than they did in 2024.

Overall, the QPAREB says the numbers show a continued low ownership rate in Quebec as opposed to other provinces in Canada.

“While we see that the market is resilient, it has, however, become increasingly inaccessible for younger generations,” said government relations and public affairs director Simon Langelier. “The Government of Quebec and municipalities must establish conditions that facilitate and accelerate access to homeownership for younger households.”