For many Canadians, buying a first home is becoming a milestone for their 40s rather than their 20s.

A new RBC poll finds Canadians who don’t own a home expect to be 41, on average, before they can get into the market — a full 12 years later than the average age at which current homeowners say they bought their first property.

And for many, even that timeline is uncertain. Half of non-homeowners surveyed say they have no idea when they’ll be able to buy.

The high bar to get on the housing ladder points to a generational divide. Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of respondents believe buying a home today is more complicated than it was for previous generations, while 65 per cent say older generations don’t understand the challenges facing today’s buyers.

Another 52 per cent believe homebuying advice passed down from previous generations is no longer relevant.

 

The starter home is changing

 

The traditional idea of buying a starter home and moving up later may also be losing its appeal.

Among first-time buyers planning to purchase within the next two years, 74 per cent would rather buy a home they can stay in longer than one they might outgrow.

Current homeowners appear to understand that thinking. More than half (52 per cent) say moving up from their first home has been harder than expected, while 46 per cent would like a larger or different property but can’t realistically afford one.

“Buying a home you can stay in longer usually means stretching your budget further, so the math has to work in both directions,” said Brad Evjen, senior mortgage specialist at RBC.

“For some, the bigger first home is the better decision. For others it isn’t, and it’s worth knowing which of those two scenarios fits your situation before you start looking.”

 

More buyers considering living with family

 

Affordability pressures are also prompting Canadians to consider sharing a home with family members.

The poll found 53 per cent of prospective buyers planning to purchase within two years would consider a multigenerational home. Among current homeowners, 35 per cent would consider selling their property to buy a home with their child to help them enter the market.

Among prospective buyers, 34 per cent believe multigenerational living is becoming more common because of affordability, while 32 per cent see it as a practical way to manage housing costs.

“Canadians are finding new ways to make one of life’s biggest purchases possible,” said Janet Boyle, senior vice-president of home equity finance at RBC.

 

Uncertainty about timing

 

The poll also found prospective buyers are divided over when to enter the market.

Half worry that waiting could mean being priced out if home prices rise, while an equal share worry about purchasing now only to see prices fall.

Financial pressures aren’t limited to prospective buyers.

Among homeowners renewing their mortgages within the next two years, 51 per cent say the process feels almost as stressful as buying their first home. Another 60 per cent expect their next renewal to put pressure on household finances.

The findings are based on an online survey of 1,810 Canadians aged 18 to 64, conducted by Leger between Aug. 5 and 24, 2026.