Young Canadians — especially those in Alberta — are facing more pressure to buy a home than previous generations, according to a July 24 news release from digital real estate platform Wahi.
Wahi’s 2025 Homebuying Pressure Point Survey, conducted in partnership with the Angus Reid Forum, found that 41 per cent of Albertans reported feeling pressure to purchase property — the highest rate in the country. That compares to 39 per cent in British Columbia, 29 per cent in Atlantic Canada, and 26 per cent in Quebec.
Nationally, 34 per cent of Canadians said they felt pressure to buy a home. Millennials reported the highest levels at 54 per cent, followed by Gen Z at 41 per cent, Gen X at 30 per cent, and baby boomers at 13 per cent.
“As Canadian home values have increased over the decades, so has the pressure to own real estate,” said Wahi CEO Benjy Katchen in the July 24 release. “While buying a home can be a smart long-term decision, it's critical for Canadians to take their time, do their research, and buy based on personal readiness — not pressure.”
Wahi reported that 47 per cent of millennials self-identified as the generation facing the most pressure to buy a home. That compared to 40 per cent of Gen Z respondents, 39 per cent of Gen Xers, and 36 per cent of baby boomers.
Societal expectations were identified as the top source of pressure for 59 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 55 per cent of millennials. That compared to 33 per cent of Gen Xers and 27 per cent of baby boomers. Personal goals were the most common pressure point for 34 per cent of Gen Xers and 31 per cent of boomers, Wahi reported.
Wahi also found that 27 per cent of baby boomers and 21 per cent of Gen Xers said there is no pressure at all to own property in Canada. That compared to 13 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 11 per cent of millennials.
Gen Z respondents said they felt equal pressure to buy a home (43 per cent) as to have children (43 per cent) or get married (43 per cent), according to the survey. Among millennials, the pressure to have children (53 per cent) and own property (54 per cent) was roughly equal. Only 43 per cent reported feeling pressure to marry.
Wahi said 81 per cent of baby boomers and 74 per cent of Gen Xers own property in Canada. That rate drops to 61 per cent among millennials and 21 per cent for Gen Z.
Fifty-five per cent of non-owners said they are unhappy with not owning a home. Half of all respondents believe that renting is viewed unfavourably in Canada, according to the Wahi survey.
Wahi also reported that 62 per cent of respondents underestimated the national homeownership rate, believing it to be 50 per cent or less.
The survey was conducted from June 17 to 19 among 1,500 Angus Reid Forum members. Wahi said the results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Wahi describes itself as a digital real estate platform that “redefines the homebuying experience” by combining technology, market data and licensed REALTORS®.
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