For many young Canadians, the dream of home ownership feels increasingly out of reach. With home prices continuing to rise faster than incomes, the housing market has become a daunting challenge, especially for first-time home buyers. However, with new government initiatives and creative solutions, there is still hope for younger Canadians looking to purchase a home in 2024.
The Obstacles to Home Ownership for Young Canadians
The biggest barrier for most young Canadians trying to buy a home is affordability. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average price of a home in Canada reached a record high of $816,720 in February 2023 – a figure that is simply out of reach for many young families and individuals just starting their careers.
In addition to high prices, younger Canadians face other challenges when trying to enter the housing market:
- Strict mortgage stress tests that make it harder to qualify for a loan
- High levels of student debt that limit their ability to save for a down payment
- A competitive market with limited inventory, especially in major cities
- Rising interest rates that increase the cost of borrowing
- Increased costs of living that make it difficult to save for a down payment
As a result of these factors, many young Canadians feel that the possibility of owning a home is slipping away. A recent survey by Sotheby’s International Realty Canada found that 82% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents believe that home ownership is becoming less realistic for their generation.
The Emotional Impact of Delayed Home Ownership
Beyond just the financial challenges, the inability to purchase a home can take an emotional toll on young Canadians. For many, owning a home represents a major life milestone and a symbol of financial security and stability. Being shut out of the housing market can lead to feelings of disappointment, stress, and anxiety about their future prospects.
“Not being able to afford a home has been really demoralizing,” says Sarah, a 28-year-old marketing professional in Toronto. “It feels like no matter how hard I work and save, the goal posts just keep moving further away. It’s hard not to get discouraged.”
Government Initiatives to Help Young Canadians Buy a Home
Recognizing the challenges faced by first-time home buyers, the Canadian government has introduced several measures in recent years to make home ownership more attainable. These include:
1. The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
Launched in 2019, this shared-equity program allows eligible first-time home buyers to receive an interest-free loan from the government to put towards their down payment. The incentive amount is 5% for a resale home or 10% for a newly constructed home.
To qualify, the household income must be less than $120,000 per year, and the insured mortgage plus the incentive amount cannot exceed four times that figure. The loan does not require ongoing payments but must be repaid after 25 years or when the home is sold.
2. An Extended and More Flexible Home Buyers’ Plan
The Home Buyers’ Plan allows Canadians to withdraw up to $35,000 from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to purchase a first home. Budget 2019 increased the withdrawal limit from $25,000 and extended the timeline for repaying the funds from 15 years to 20 years.
This added flexibility gives first-time home buyers more opportunity to build up their down payment savings in their RRSP accounts while still being able to access those funds when needed.
3. The Tax-Free First Home Savings Account
Announced in Budget 2024, this new tax-free first home savings account will allow Canadians under 40 to save up to $40,000 towards their first home, with an annual contribution limit of $8,000. Like an RRSP, contributions will be tax-deductible, but withdrawals to purchase a home will be non-taxable.
The account aims to make it easier for young Canadians to build dedicated savings for a down payment by providing tax advantages and flexibility around withdrawals. Funds can be transferred between an RRSP, RRIF, or TFSA to the new account without tax implications.
Creative Solutions for Young Canadians
In addition to taking advantage of government programs, young Canadians are increasingly exploring creative options to make their homeownership dreams a reality:
1. Co-Ownership with Friends or Family
Pooling resources with friends or family members to purchase a home together can make owning a home much more attainable. Co-ownership agreements should be drafted with the help of a real estate lawyer to ensure everyone’s interests are protected.
This approach allows each party to contribute what they can afford towards the down payment and mortgage costs. It also provides the opportunity to buy in a more expensive area or purchase a larger home than any one person could afford alone.
2. Rent-to-Own Arrangements
In a rent-to-own agreement, a portion of the renter’s monthly payment goes towards building equity in the home, with the option to purchase it outright at the end of the rental term. This can be a good way for young Canadians to work towards home ownership if they don’t yet have the savings or credit to qualify for a traditional mortgage.
Rent-to-own deals typically involve paying an upfront option fee, with a portion of each month’s rent getting credited towards the future purchase price. Contract terms vary but often last 3-5 years before the renter must decide whether to buy or walk away.
3. Moving to More Affordable Markets
With remote work becoming more common, some younger Canadians are choosing to leave expensive urban centers in favor of more affordable small towns and rural areas. This can allow them to purchase a home at a lower price point while maintaining their desired lifestyle.
According to Royal LePage, the average price of a home in Vancouver was $1.3 million in early 2023, compared to just $450,000 in Halifax. By relocating to more affordable regions, young buyers can stretch their budgets much further.
4. Opting for Alternative Housing Types
From tiny homes to converted shipping containers, young Canadians are getting creative with the types of homes they are willing to live in. These non-traditional options can be much more affordable than a standard single-family home.
Laneway homes – small detached units built on the same lot as an existing house – have grown in popularity in cities like Vancouver and Toronto. These compact dwellings can provide young buyers with an affordable entry point into the market.
The Importance of Financial Planning
Regardless of the path they choose, it’s crucial for young Canadians to start planning and saving for home ownership as early as possible. Some key steps to take include:
- Paying down high-interest debt, like credit card balances or payday loans
- Setting up a dedicated savings account for a down payment and closing costs
- Improving credit scores by making payments on time and keeping credit utilization low
- Creating a realistic budget to determine how much home they can afford
- Researching first-time home buyer programs and incentives they may qualify for
- Exploring different mortgage options like longer amortization periods to keep costs down
- Considering the full costs of homeownership beyond just the purchase price
By being proactive and exploring all their options, young Canadians can still make their dreams of owning a home a reality – even in a challenging housing market. With careful planning, creative solutions, and support from government programs, the goal of having a place to call home is within reach for Canada’s next generation of homeowners.
However, it’s important for prospective young buyers to be realistic about what they can afford and to avoid overextending themselves financially. Purchasing a home that strains their budget could put them in a precarious situation down the road.
“The last thing you want is to be house poor,” cautions Jessica Moorhouse, a millennial money expert. “Make sure you’ll still be able to maintain your lifestyle, pay off debts, and save for other goals like retirement after accounting for your housing costs.”
By taking a prudent, long-term approach, young Canadians can turn their homeownership aspirations into a sustainable reality that provides stability and financial security for years to come.
