Apr 6, 2026
Recreational home prices in Canada are expected to rise again this year, even as economic uncertainty keeps many buyers on the sidelines.
That’s according to a new report from Royal LePage, which forecasts that the median price of a single-family home in Canada’s recreational property market will increase 4% in 2026, building on a 4.3% gain last year to $581,300.
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“Concerns about the state of global affairs are certainly on the minds of many Canadians right now,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage, in a statement.
“At the same time, limited supply is supporting price gains in many markets. New developments in these regions remain relatively rare, and many properties are tightly held by families for generations. This scarcity preserves the exclusivity of these markets and provides price stability, even when buyers are feeling cautious."
Supply constraints continue to support prices
What’s driving those gains isn’t a surge in demand, but rather a lack of available properties, with relatively little new development coming online. That dynamic is helping keep prices stable, even as buyers take more time to make decisions.
For example, more than half (52%) of real estate professionals surveyed said demand is roughly in line with last year, while 61% reported homes are taking longer to sell — a sign that buyers are becoming more selective.
That relative stability stands in contrast to the broader housing market. A recent report from TD Economics (1) expects national home sales to fall 1.8% this year, with prices edging down slightly, as affordability pressures and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on demand.
The divergence suggests that while traditional housing markets are cooling, recreational properties are being supported by tighter supply and more lifestyle-driven demand.
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More Canadians looking closer to home
The survey from Royal LePage also highlights how changing travel habits are helping support demand.
With ongoing geopolitical tensions and a more cautious approach to cross-border travel, more Canadians are choosing to vacation within the country, and that shift is feeding greater interest in recreational properties.
According to the report, 40% of real estate professionals say the “Buy Canadian” mindset has led to increased inquiries from domestic buyers.
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There are also signs that some Canadians who own U.S. vacation properties are reconsidering those holdings and looking closer to home instead, which could add another layer of demand in the months ahead.
Return-to-office trends reshaping demand
As more employers require workers to return to the office, some Canadians who moved permanently to cottages or rural properties are rethinking that decision.
More than one-third (35%) of real estate professionals reported an increase in full-time recreational property owners moving back to urban centres over the past year.
In many cases, those properties aren’t being sold outright, but are shifting back to their original role as seasonal or weekend homes.
Read more: The ultra-rich are bailing on volatile stocks right now — these 4 shockproof assets are their new safe havens
A more balanced market taking shape
Overall, Canada’s recreational housing market looks to be settling into a more measured phase.
While price gains are still there, they remain modest. Homes are taking longer to sell, and most buyers are weighing decisions with a greater degree of care relative to a few years ago.
That said, with supply remaining limited and demand tied more to lifestyle than speculation, recreational properties look to be holding their ground — even as the broader housing market shows signs of slowing.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
CBC News (1)
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Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and US brands, while also working as a ghostwriter for financial influencers.
Managing Money • Apr 03
