How People in Their 20s Are Actually Buying Homes Right Now

(Spoiler: it’s not the “traditional” way)

Getting into the housing market in your 20s in Ontario? It’s a challenge. Prices are high, down-payments are bigger, and the rules feel stacked. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t buying. They’re just doing it differently.

Here are real tactics young buyers are using now, followed by the hard numbers to prove why these strategies make sense.

🧑‍💼 Real Buying Strategies

1. Co-signers / Parent guarantors
Many young buyers are relying on family support to qualify for mortgages or secure down payments.
2. Multi-family or multi-generational living
Younger buyers are teaming up with parents or siblings, buying a home with separate suites, sharing costs and risk.
3. Buying far outside the GTA and commuting
Some are living farther away (less-expensive markets) and commuting into the city 1-2 days a week or working hybrid.
4. Buying a duplex (or similar) first, not a “dream-house”
They buy smart: live in one unit, rent the other, reduce costs and build equity.
5. Buying with friends or siblings
Pooling income/down payment with friends or siblings, co-owning and splitting costs. Legal arrangements become part of the deal.

These tactics work because the “buy when you’re solo and pay off 30 years” model doesn’t match the current economy for lots of 20-somethings.

📈 The Numbers Behind It

The median age of first-time homebuyers in Ontario has climbed from 36 to 40 years old over the past decade.
In Ontario, the average resale home price in September 2025 was about $781,500, down 6.7% year-over-year. nesto.ca
Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Ontario in September 2025: $2,063/month. nesto.ca
Minimum down payment rules in Canada: for homes between $500,000 and $1,499,999 you need 5% for the first $500,000 + 10% for the amount above. NerdWallet
Among Canadians planning to buy in the next 5 years, 79% plan to use a down payment, but only 62% have started saving. NerdWallet

🔍 Why These Tactics Make Sense

With the median first-time buyer age at 40, younger buyers are under more pressure to find alternative paths.
When average home prices hover near $780K in Ontario, the full “solo buyer” route becomes less realistic for many.
Rent numbers like ~$2,000+/month push many young people to consider ownership or shared costs as better long-term options.
Down payment requirements combined with inflation and incomes make pooling resources or living outside the city viable options.

📝 What You Should Do If You’re in Your 20s and Thinking About Buying

Explore whether a co-signer or guarantor makes sense for you.
Consider buying with someone else (friend/sibling) or looking at multi-family homes you can rent out.
Look outside traditional “hot zones” for more affordable markets and plan a hybrid commute if needed.
Don’t aim too high too fast. The goal: affordability + flexibility.
Make sure legal agreements (if co-owning) are in place so you’re protected.
Keep renting if you must — it’s not failure. It’s strategy.

Canada Housing Market