Canada Housing Market

New data shows first-time buyers in Vancouver are no longer in their 20s or early 30s, most are getting keys in their mid-40s.

First-Time Buyer Ages: The New Reality

According to a 2025 global affordability study by Bloom Holding, first-time homebuyers in Vancouver, BC now typically buy their first home around age 46, far older than historical norms. Mortgage Rates News Canada+1

To put this in perspective:

• In much of Canada, younger buyers dominate — nearly half of first-time buyers nationwide are between 25 and 34 years old. Yahoo Finance+1
• A pre-2024 source put Vancouver’s first-home age as low as 36, showing how sharply things have shifted. Dave Masson Real Estate Group

Why Vancouver Buyers Are Older Than Ever

Housing Costs Keep Climbing

Vancouver remains one of the least affordable housing markets globally. High home prices translate to massive down payments — often forcing buyers to delay until their 40s. Lendworth Financial+1

Down Payments Are Huge, Incomes Are Not

Even with steady income growth, rising home prices outpace wages — meaning more years of saving just to afford a down payment. Stuart Nodell+1

Economic Pressure, Debt & Lifestyle Delays

From student debt, rent hikes, to rising cost of living — many potential buyers are putting homeownership on hold. That pushes first-time purchases further into adulthood. REMAX Canada+1

Mortgage Rules And Interest Rates Add Pressure

Stricter borrowing rules, higher interest rates, and mortgage stress tests make it harder for younger buyers to qualify — even if they want to. REMAX Canada+1

What This Means For Vancouver Homebuyers (2025)

• Expect to be older — mid-30s to mid-40s for many first-time buyers is now the norm.
• Start saving early and aggressively — down payments and closing costs demand long-term planning.
• Be open to compromises — smaller condos, less central neighbourhoods or commuting suburbs may be more realistic than a classic Vancouver single-family home.
• Get creative financially — dual-income households, financial help from family, or long-term saving strategies might be necessary.

The Bigger Picture: Homeownership Is Shifting Later in Life

What’s happening in Vancouver mirrors global and North American trends. In the U.S., median first-time buyer age has climbed to 40 in 2025 — a record high. National Association of REALTORS®+1

Homeownership is no longer a hallmark of young adulthood. For many, it’s becoming a mid-life milestone.

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References

Bloom Holding. (2025). Canadian first-time buyers are now among the oldest in the world. Canadian Mortgage Trends. Retrieved from https://www.canadianmortgagetrends.com/2025/11/canadian-first-time-buyers-are-now-among-the-oldest-in-the-world/ Mortgage Rates News Canada
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2025). Mortgage Consumer Survey 2025. CMHC+1
Masson, D. (2023, November 3). What is the average age to buy a first home in Vancouver? Retrieved from https://davemasson.ca/buying/what-is-the-average-age-to-buy-a-first-home-in-vancouver/ Dave Masson Real Estate Group
Stuart Nodell. (2025, March 25). What’s the average age to buy a house in Canada? Retrieved from https://stuartnodell.com/whats-the-average-age-to-buy-a-house-in-canada/ Stuart Nodell
RE/MAX Canada. (2025, October 10). Are first-time home buyers in B.C. struggling to buy a home?

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