Report highlights shift in mindset for wealth-building and homeownership
Nearly half of prospective buyers see recreational properties as a backdoor into the housing market as affordability pressures reshape how Canadians think about building wealth.
With urban homeownership increasingly out of reach, a Leger survey commissioned by RE/MAX Canada, reveals that 45% of prospective buyers are considering a cottage, cabin, or vacation property as a stepping stone into the broader housing market, while 60% of those who already own one say it forms a meaningful part of their long-term wealth strategy.
More than half of Canadians aged 18 to 34 say recreational properties factor at least somewhat into their financial planning, compared to just 30% of those 35 and older.
"What we're seeing is a more thoughtful, strategic buyer emerge in the recreational market," says Don Kottick, President of RE/MAX Canada. "Recreational properties are no longer viewed solely as discretionary purchases, but instead as a foothold into homeownership with long-term value potential."
RE/MAX Canada's analysis of 21 recreational markets across the country found that more than half are expected to remain buyer's markets through 2026, with another third sitting in balanced territory. The national average price for recreational properties is forecast to edge up 1.5% for the remainder of the year.
"After years of dramatic swings, Canada's housing market is finding its footing, and that stability is extending into the recreational segment," Kottick adds. "Prices are stabilizing, inventory is improving, and days on market are returning to more normal levels. Buyers have more choice and time, while sellers are seeing steady demand for well-priced homes."
Return to office
The shift back to office is also casting a shadow over the segment. Among existing recreational property owners, 28% say return-to-office mandates are nudging them toward selling, while 14% of non-owners cite the same policies as a reason they're holding off on buying.
Buyer preferences have evolved alongside the demand shift. Some 61% of Canadians said they would prefer a recently renovated property if purchasing recreationally — a preference brokers say is especially pronounced in British Columbia and Ontario. Nearly as many (59%) say they would want to use their property year-round rather than seasonally.
"It's no longer just about having a place to escape," says Kottick. "Buyers want properties that are ready from day one and flexible enough to support everything from weekend use to full-time living."
Two in five Canadians said they would struggle to manage upkeep expenses if they were to inherit a recreational property, and brokers report that rising costs are pushing some owners to sell. There is also growing demand among buyers for knowledge around infrastructure — septic systems, docks, and shoreline considerations — as well as increased scrutiny of environmental risks including flooding, fire, and erosion.
On the longer horizon, recreational properties are becoming a vehicle for intergenerational wealth transfer. Brokers in markets like Peterborough and The Kawarthas in Ontario, as well as Sylvan Lake in Alberta, report that buyers are increasingly focused on passing properties down to the next generation.
"We're seeing recreational properties play an increasingly important role in how Canadians think about legacy and wealth transfer," says Kottick. "For many, it's about building equity in a different segment of the market while creating something tangible that can be held, leveraged, and passed down across generations."
