Posted by 
Millennials have become the most influential group of homebuyers in Canada. They account for the largest share of buyers, with 56% of homebuyers aged 25 to 34 and 30% of those aged 35 to 44 actively purchasing homes, as the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported. By 2025, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) will be between 29 and 44 years old. These ages are typically when individuals find partners, start families, and raise school-aged children. Consequently, many seek more space, privacy, a stable place to settle down, and long-term investment opportunities.
Recent federal policy changes have made higher-value homes more accessible to Canadian homebuyers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, looking to enter the housing market. As of December 2024, the insured mortgage price cap has increased from $1M to $1.5 million, allowing more homebuyers to qualify for mortgage insurance on higher-value properties.
Previously, homes priced above $1 million required a minimum 20% down payment and were not eligible for mortgage insurance. With the higher cap, homes up to $1.5 million qualify for tiered down payments, similar to homes under $1 million. This tiered system requires 5% down on the first $500,000 and 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1.5 million.
For example, a $1.4 million home previously required a $280,000 down payment (20%). With the new insured cap, buyers only need to put down $115,000, which is $165,000 less than before. This significantly lowers the upfront cost of purchasing a home, making homeownership more accessible to buyers who may not have had the full 20% down payment saved.
Using data from the Canadian Real Estate Association’s average home prices for 2024 by region, Zoocasa analyzed how much a person needs to have saved up to qualify for a mortgage and the cash required for the new rules.
Related: What Millennials Want in a Home in 2025
How Much Should You Save for a Down Payment in Key Markets?
In Fraser Valley, where the average home price in 2024 is $1,039,351, the new minimum down payment is now $78,935. This adjustment gives buyers an additional $128,935 in purchasing power compared to previous requirements. Similarly, in Greater Vancouver, where the average home price is $1,291,948, the new minimum down payment has been reduced to $104,195, a significant decrease of $154,195 from past requirements, easing entry into the market.
Greater Toronto is seeing similar benefits, with the average home price at $1,118,137 and a new minimum down payment of $86,814—making it $136,813 easier for buyers to enter the market. In Toronto’s 416 area, the updated rules apply only to properties priced at $1.5 million and under, providing some relief for buyers of semi-detached homes. For instance, a semi-detached home priced at $1,302,024 now requires a $156,763 down payment, resulting in a $1,244,695 mortgage at a 3.9% interest rate over 25 years. Choosing a 20% down payment of $260,405 lowers monthly mortgage payments from $6,541 to $5,759, making homeownership more manageable.
These changes are helping buyers stretch their budgets further, making real estate investments more feasible in some of Canada’s most competitive housing markets.
Millennials and Debt: A Generational Shift in Buying Power
Millennials, in particular, are more tolerant of larger mortgages than previous generations. After many started their careers during or just after the 2008 financial crisis, coupled with student loan burdens and higher living costs, they’ve already adapted to managing significant debt loads. With lower down payments, many may stretch their budgets further to afford pricier homes—seeing the trade-off as worth it for getting into the market sooner rather than later. As reported by Statistics Canada, the median mortgage debt reached $218,000 in 2019—over 2.5 times their after-tax income of $83,200. In contrast, young boomers carried far less debt, with a median mortgage of $67,800, roughly equal to their after-tax income.
Despite the financial strain, the long-term benefits of homeownership are evident, reinforcing the idea that taking on debt to invest in real estate can be a pathway to greater economic security.
Related: A Guide for Securing Your First Home
Homeownership as a Path to Financial Stability
Homeownership remains a powerful wealth-building tool, and despite taking on significantly more debt, millennials who entered the market saw a substantial financial advantage. Canadian millennial homeowners aged 30 to 34 had a median wealth of $261,900 in 2019, surpassing the $18,400 median wealth of non-homeowners.
This data suggests that those who can afford to buy real estate are more likely to do so, even if it means carrying larger mortgages. While homeownership rates were similar across generations, millennials took on considerably more debt to enter the market.
Millennials’ Income and Buying Power
Despite rising home prices, millennials’ incomes reflect their ability to buy homes: According to a 2024 CMCH report, homebuyers between the ages of 25 and 34 had a household income of $105,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, 50% of homebuyers aged 35 to 44 had a household income of 105k or more in 2024.
This financial stability allows millennials to make strategic real estate moves, even as affordability concerns persist. Many also benefit from intergenerational wealth transfers, with some boomers expecting to leave an average inheritance of $940,000—giving millennials a financial edge when entering the housing market.
Even without larger down payments saved, there are 11 markets in Canada where only a 5% minimum down payment is required, with cash needed ranging between $20,000 to $34,251. This helps more buyers start investing in real estate, which can be significant as interest rates lowered in 2025.
Related: The Top Cities in the US for First-Time Home Buyers in 2024
Millennials Want More Space and They’re Willing to Pay for It
According to the Ontario Real Estate Association’s 2020 Buyer and Seller Report, most millennial and first-time home buyers in Ontario prefer detached and semi-detached homes over condos. This suggests millennials see homeownership as a long-term commitment rather than a stepping stone.
The new mortgage rules give buyers in Toronto and Mississauga more purchasing power. According to the December 2024 TRREB report, the average price for a detached home in the 905 region is $1,336,718, while a semi-detached home averages $953,776. With the increased insured mortgage cap, buyers who previously would have been limited by down payment requirements now have more flexibility to afford higher-priced homes or consider properties that were previously out of reach.
Homeownership Remains a Long-Term Goal Despite Challenges
Despite growing affordability concerns, millennials remain committed to homeownership, according to a 2024 Scotiabank poll. More than half (58%) of millennials and Gen Z plan to buy a home within the next five years, demonstrating their determination to enter the market. At the same time, 82% of millennials acknowledge that homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult, yet they still view it as a crucial long-term investment.
Similarly, according to Zoocasa’s Fall 2023 survey, 80% of millennials indicated they were planning to buy a home in the near future. Among first-time home buyers—primarily Gen Z and millennials—48% were looking for a permanent home, while only 27.1% intended to purchase a starter home. Additionally, 46% of millennials reported that they have or will need financial assistance from relatives to afford homeownership.
Single Buyers Are Reshaping Real Estate
This trend isn’t limited to Canada—it’s also gaining momentum in the U.S. As financial independence becomes a greater priority, the National Association of Realtors reports that single millennials, particularly women, enter homeownership at record levels. In 1981, married couples comprised 73% of homebuyers, while single women accounted for just 11%. By January 2024, the share of married couples had dropped to 59%, while single women emerged as a growing force in the market. For millennials, this shift signals a changing landscape where homeownership is no longer tied to traditional life milestones like marriage, allowing more individuals to build wealth and stability on their own terms.
Canadian Millennials Will Make Real Estate Moves in 2025
With shifting financial priorities, policy changes, and evolving affordability dynamics, millennials significantly influence Canada’s housing market. As they continue to seek homeownership as a path to financial stability, their demand for space, investment potential, and long-term security will shape the future of real estate for years to come.
The post Buying Solo, Lower Down Payments, and More Comfortable With Debt, Millennials Are Reshaping the Real Estate Market appeared first on Zoocasa Blog.
