Almost half of first-time Canadian homebuyers are considering a recreational property to enter the market, and over 80 per cent would scale back wedding plans for a bigger downpayment, two reports released this week found. High housing prices are to blame.

An analysis of the recreational home ownership market by REMAX Canada found 45 per cent of prospective Canadian homebuyers plan to buy a recreational property as an entry point into the housing market.

The traditional path to homeownership — buying a condo or starter home in a major city before moving up — is shifting, according to the REMAX study. The high cost of buying a home in major cities, lifestyle demands and flexible work models are giving some Canadians an incentive to look at a cottage as their first home purchase.

In a separate study titled Rings vs. Real Estate, released Thursday morning, Royal LePage found 82 per cent of respondents would "definitely" or "maybe" forgo, or significantly scale back, their wedding plans to put more money toward a downpayment on a home.

It is a sign of how the conventional road to homeownership is changing, Anne-Elise Cugliari Allegritti, the vice-president of research and communications at Royal LePage, said in an interview with RENX Homes.

“In today’s context where things are changing culturally in terms of how and when we think about weddings as well as home ownership,” Canadians are thinking “pragmatically” about doing both, she said.

Where interested homebuyers are looking in cottage country

In Ontario, REMAX brokers have noted increased activity from first-time buyers in cottage country areas such as Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Kawartha Lakes, Simcoe County and Orillia. Recreational properties in Ontario, REMAX said, are increasingly being used as primary residences and a first step to homeownership rather than as simply seasonal retreats.

In Western Canada, REMAX found more split conditions.

There are entry-level markets in places such as Sylvan Lake, Alta. (average price of $535,000 in Q1) that can function as full-time or hybrid homes. REMAX also identified higher-end markets for luxury and investment purposes in Whistler, B.C. (an average price of almost $1.4 million in Q1) and Canmore, Alta. (an average price under $1 million in Q1).

In Quebec and Atlantic Canada, affordability and lifestyle appeal are the main draws.

REMAX brokers in Quebec reported ongoing activity from first-time buyers, particularly in regions like the Laurentians. In Atlantic Canada, demand is being shaped by lower price points compared to major cities, easy access to natural landscapes and long-term investment potential.

Shifts in marriage patterns driving change

Royal LePage found that, of respondents planning a wedding or who have someone in their life who is, 79 per cent would "definitely" or "maybe" consider requesting money for a downpayment on a home instead of a traditional wedding gift.

That trend was noticeable even among those who are already married — 57 per cent said they would have liked to request money for a downpayment on a home instead of a wedding gift.

This is the first time Royal LePage has conducted such a survey, so the real estate franchiser does not have data to compare to the past, Cugliari Allegritti said.

However, she believes the findings indicate a shift in the typical trajectory from marriage to home ownership. The high cost of buying a home in many major cities, plus the rising cost of living, are pushing Canadians toward this change, Cugliari Allegritti said. It is particularly affecting young adults, she added.

Additionally, Canadians are getting married and buying their first home at an older age than in previous years, and couples are cohabiting for longer before exchanging wedding vows. It means less need to request cash to buy a blender or sofa, given that the couple likely already has such possessions and would prefer to put that money toward buying a home.

Royal LePage uncovered a provincial disparity in answers to one question. Of those planning a wedding or who have someone in their life who is doing so, the company asked if they would definitely or maybe request money for a downpayment on a home instead of a traditional wedding gift.

The highest rate of affirmative answers were from British Columbia at 86 per cent, followed by Ontario at 84 per cent and Atlantic Canada at 82 per cent. The lowest rates were in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (65 per cent), Quebec (69 per cent) and Alberta (81 per cent).

The responses were driven primarily by the cost of housing relative to income, Cugliari Allegritti said.