Why More Canadians Are Rethinking When and Whether to Buy
Windsor-Essex Real Estate | Housing Affordability | Lifestyle & Homeownership
For generations, the path to homeownership seemed fairly straightforward. Finish school, establish a career, get married, buy a home, and start a family.
But times have changed, and so have the decisions people make about where, when, and how they want to live.
An interesting trend is emerging across Ontario. According to Teranet’s Q1 2026 Market Insights Report, the average age of a first-time homebuyer reached 40 in 2025, compared to 36 in 2015.
That is a significant shift in just ten years.
While housing affordability is undoubtedly part of the explanation, there’s a bigger conversation worth having.
Being able to afford to buy a home and choosing to buy a home are two very different things.
Not everyone who rents is unable to purchase. Not everyone who owns wants to continue owning. And not every housing decision needs to be viewed strictly as an investment.
Sometimes, it’s simply about choosing a lifestyle that makes sense.
Are People Buying Homes Later Because They Have To, or Because They Want To?
The answer is probably a combination of both.
Today’s younger generations (millennials and Gen Z) are navigating a very different economic environment than their parents or grandparents. Housing prices, interest rates, everyday living expenses, and the challenge of saving for a down payment all influence when someone can realistically enter the market.
At the same time, traditional life milestones don’t necessarily happen in the same order or at the same age they once did. Get a step-by-step guide if you’re shifting from renting to owing in Windsor-Essex.
People may spend longer establishing their careers, pursuing education, travelling, or building financial security before settling into homeownership. Marriage and starting a family may happen later, or may not be part of the plan at all.
And if someone’s lifestyle doesn’t require the space, stability, or long-term commitment that homeownership provides, purchasing a property may not feel particularly urgent.
The important distinction is understanding whether someone is postponing homeownership because of financial circumstances or because it simply isn’t a priority for them right now.
Those are two very different situations.
When the Decision Is Driven by the Market and Economy
We can’t have this conversation without acknowledging the financial realities facing many Canadians.
Even in a region like Windsor-Essex, which has historically offered more affordable housing options than many of Ontario’s larger markets, the cost of homeownership has increased substantially over the past several years. Since the pre-pandemic years, renting has become an increasingly important housing option for local residents, with affordability challenges influencing some households while others are choosing to rent for the flexibility and lifestyle it offers.
According to the Windsor-Essex Housing Needs Assessment, the number of renter households increased by 5.5% between 2016 and 2021, compared with 3.8% growth in owner households.
According to the Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS®, the average residential sale price in September 2026 was $561,421.
Although that’s lower than the same month in 2025, it remains a significant financial commitment for households trying to manage a mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other living expenses.
And the purchase price is only part of the equation.
A prospective buyer also needs to consider how much money they can comfortably put toward housing every month, whether they have adequate savings for unexpected repairs, and what financial flexibility remains after those expenses.
For some, renting isn’t necessarily their preferred long-term arrangement. It’s the most responsible option while they save, reduce debt, establish their careers, or wait until their financial position improves.
There is also an important difference between qualifying for a mortgage and being comfortable with the financial responsibilities that come with it.
Just because a lender approves someone for a certain amount doesn’t automatically mean purchasing at that price is in their best interest.
When Renting Is a Lifestyle Choice, Not a Financial Limitation
Here’s where I think the conversation gets particularly interesting.
We tend to assume that people who rent would prefer to own if they could afford it.
But that’s not always the case.
Some people genuinely prefer the flexibility and simplicity of renting, even when they have the financial means to purchase.
Consider a professional whose career could take them to another city, a couple who enjoys travelling and doesn’t want the responsibilities of property maintenance, or someone who simply prefers having more of their money available for other priorities.
Homeownership can provide stability, control, and the opportunity to build equity, but it also comes with responsibilities.
When you own a home, you’re responsible for the roof, furnace, plumbing, landscaping, and countless other expenses that may arise, not to mention annual property taxes and applicable legal fees and land transfer taxes (when purchasing).
For someone who values flexibility, fewer responsibilities, or the ability to relocate without having to sell a property, renting may be a deliberate and practical decision.
And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
A Different Conversation Is Happening Among Existing Homeowners
It’s not just first-time buyers reconsidering traditional ideas about homeownership.
We’re also seeing reasons why people who have spent decades owning property might want something different.
Think about homeowners approaching retirement who have accumulated substantial equity in their homes.
For years, they’ve worked to pay down their mortgages, maintain their properties, and build financial security.
But there comes a point when some begin to question whether they still need or want the responsibilities that come with owning a house.
Perhaps the family home is larger than they need. Maybe they would rather spend their winters travelling than worrying about snow removal. Or perhaps they want to free up some of the capital tied to their property and use it to enjoy the next chapter of their lives.
Some will choose to downsize into a smaller home or condominium. Others may decide to sell and rent. In Windsor-Essex we are seeing purpose built rentals pop up around the County that account for this demographic.
In communities like Amherstburg, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Kingsville, Leamington, and throughout Windsor-Essex, these conversations are worth having.
Selling a long-time family home isn’t always about financial necessity. Sometimes it’s about simplifying life, reducing responsibilities, or creating greater financial freedom.
Of course, selling a property also involves costs and potential tax considerations, and the proceeds need to be evaluated against future rent and living expenses.
But for someone who has spent much of their life building equity, there may come a time when enjoying that equity becomes more important than continuing to accumulate it.
Windsor-Essex: Affordability Still Matters, but So Does Choice
One of the advantages of living in Windsor and Essex County is the variety of communities and housing options available.
From established neighbourhoods in Windsor and newer developments in Lakeshore and Tecumseh to smaller-town living in Essex, Amherstburg, Kingsville, and Leamington, people have opportunities to choose a location and lifestyle that suits them.
Our region also continues to grow, with residential development and plans for additional housing creating opportunities to accommodate changing household needs.
But growth doesn’t automatically solve affordability, and more housing doesn’t necessarily mean every available option will be suitable or financially attainable for every household.
It’s also worth recognizing that Windsor-Essex is not one uniform real estate market. Prices, property types, available inventory, and rental opportunities can differ substantially between communities.
What works for a young professional in downtown Windsor may be very different from what works for a growing family in Belle River or a retired couple in Amherstburg.
That’s why housing decisions need to be based on individual circumstances rather than assumptions about what people should be doing at a certain age.
The Financial Question: Is Owning Always the Better Investment?
Real estate has historically been an important way for Canadians to build long-term wealth, and there are certainly advantages to ownership.
Mortgage payments can gradually build equity, property values may appreciate over time, and homeowners have greater control over their living environment.
But property values are not guaranteed to increase, and ownership comes with expenses that aren’t always considered when comparing renting and buying.
Property taxes, insurance, repairs, maintenance, mortgage interest, and the costs of buying and selling can add up.
Renting has its own considerations, including potential rent increases, less control over the property, and the absence of home equity accumulation.
However, someone who rents and consistently invests the money they would otherwise have committed to a down payment and additional ownership costs may also build substantial long-term wealth.
The outcome depends on several factors, including housing costs, investment returns, how long someone plans to stay, and their ability to save consistently.
In other words, buying a home isn’t automatically the best financial decision for everyone, just as renting isn’t automatically the less financially responsible choice.
And perhaps most importantly, not every housing decision needs to maximize financial returns.
There is value in stability. There is value in flexibility. There is value in having fewer responsibilities and more time to enjoy life.
Those benefits may be difficult to measure financially, but they still matter.
So, Is Homeownership Still the Canadian Dream?
For many people, absolutely.
Owning a home continues to represent security, independence, pride, and the opportunity to build something for the future.
But I think we’re seeing a shift away from the idea that homeownership is a milestone everyone needs to achieve by a certain age.
And perhaps that’s not a bad thing.
For some people, buying their first home at 40 instead of 30 reflects the very real affordability challenges they have faced.
For others, it reflects different priorities, more flexibility in how they approach their lives, or a conscious decision to wait until ownership aligns with their goals.
For existing homeowners, the decision to sell, downsize, or return to renting may be equally intentional.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to own a home.
The goal should be to make a housing decision that supports the life you want to live, today and in the years ahead.
Let’s Talk About What Makes Sense for You
At The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team Ltd., Brokerage, we believe good real estate advice starts with understanding what someone is trying to accomplish.
Sometimes that means helping a first-time buyer find the right opportunity. Sometimes it means helping a family make their next move. And sometimes it means having an honest conversation about whether buying or selling is the right decision at all.
Whether you’re exploring homeownership, considering a move, downsizing, or simply trying to understand your options in today’s Windsor-Essex real estate market, we’re here to help you make an informed decision without unnecessary pressure.
Because the right housing decision isn’t the same for everyone.
If you are thinking of making a move in Windsor or Essex County, The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team is always happy to help. Reach out to our team 7 days/week: 519-566-5565
This blog is for information purposes only and is not way intended to replace legal, accounting, financial or environmental advice, nor is it intended to solicit those currently under contract with another brokerage.
