Most newcomers who do not yet own a home in Canada intend to buy one, but saving for a down payment and securing stable employment remain major obstacles, according to a new Royal LePage survey.
The survey found 76 per cent of newcomers who do not own their primary residence plan to buy in Canada. Nearly half of that group, 48 per cent, hope to purchase within the next two years, while 21 per cent expect to buy farther into the future. Another 24 per cent are unsure when they will buy but still consider homeownership a priority.
One-third of newcomers surveyed currently own their primary residence, while 66 per cent do not own any property. Among non-owners, 80 per cent rent and 13 per cent live with family or friends.
The survey also found 90 per cent consider homeownership important to feeling established in Canada, while 80 per cent see it as a good financial investment.
“Home ownership has long been a defining goal for Canadians, and for newcomers it can carry added significance as they establish themselves in a new country and community,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage.
Down payments top list of barriers
Among newcomers who do not own but intend to buy, 61 per cent cited saving for a down payment as a barrier. Half pointed to finding more stable or higher-paying employment, while 28 per cent cited learning more about the Canadian homebuying process.
Building a credit score or Canadian credit history was a barrier for 27 per cent, while 26 per cent said deciding where to live was an issue. Respondents could choose more than one answer.
Eunice Aranda, a Royal LePage Benchmark sales representative in Calgary, said some newcomers arrive with strong finances but little Canadian credit history.
“Some come from countries where cash is king, from everyday purchases to major transactions like homes, so they may arrive with strong finances and little or no debt, but also without the credit history Canadian lenders look for,” she said.
“At the same time, establishing a life in a new country often comes with major expenses. A vehicle, furniture, credit cards and other costs can add up quickly, and taking on too much debt too soon can reduce how much a newcomer qualifies to borrow for a home.”
Some newcomers turn to rent-to-own
The survey also found rent-to-own has played a role for some newcomer buyers. One in five newcomer homeowners surveyed said they purchased their first primary residence in Canada through a rent-to-own program, while 52 per cent of newcomers overall said they were familiar with the option.
Rent-to-own programs generally allow prospective buyers to rent a property for a period of time while working toward an eventual purchase. For newcomers, that period can provide additional time to save toward a down payment and establish Canadian credit and employment history before seeking a mortgage.
Ownership rises with time in Canada
Homeownership rates increase the longer newcomers live in Canada. Among those who have been in the country for at least five but less than 10 years, 45 per cent own a home, compared with 22 per cent of those who arrived less than five years ago.
Norman Xu, broker with Royal LePage Signature Realty in Toronto, said the timeline can vary considerably.
“I have worked with clients who bought within their first year in Canada and others who bought after 20 years. For many, it is their first purchase anywhere, so alongside saving, they are learning how financing, offers and closing costs work here,” Xu said.
“What they often share with me is the significance of that purchase. It is a moment when the life they have been working to build in Canada begins to feel more permanent.”
Many stay where they first settled
The survey also suggests newcomers tend to establish lasting roots in the communities where they initially settle.
Seventy-one per cent still live in the city or town where they first settled in Canada. Among newcomer homeowners, 68 per cent purchased their primary residence in that same community.
Ontario was the most common first destination, cited by 47 per cent of respondents, followed by Quebec at 16 per cent, British Columbia at 13 per cent and Alberta at 12 per cent.
More than half — 55 per cent — of newcomer homeowners said they turned to a real estate agent for information about buying a home in Canada.
“Newcomers often put down roots where they already have a sense of culture, community and connection. Being close to family, familiar businesses and services in their mother tongue can play a significant role in where they choose to live,” said Raj Gill, broker and owner of Royal LePage Global Force Realty in Surrey.
“What often changes is the type of home they are willing to consider.”
