Wahi’s 2025 What Homeseekers Want survey reveals what’s really important to Canadians in a home.
The answers may surprise you.
When it comes to what Canadians consider a home’s most important feature, the answer is outside.
More than three-quarters (81%) of Canadians say that if they were in the market for a new home to rent or own, a backyard is important, or very important, according to a new Wahi survey among Angus Reid Forum Members.
Wahi’s 2025 What Homeseekers Want Survey asks Canadians to choose the features and amenities that matter most to them — but that’s not all.
“The results of Wahi’s 2025 What Homeseekers Want Survey don’t just tell us about what kind of homes Canadians prefer, they also speak to underlying demographic trends and, in some cases, affordability issues,” says Wahi CEO Benjy Katchen.
For example, a separate entrance was a particularly important attribute for respondents in Canada’s two most expensive provinces: British Columbia (27%) and Ontario (20%).
“This suggests that Canadians in pricier housing markets are looking for homes with potential rental income to help offset the cost of ownership,” notes Katchen.
Houses Vs. Condos: A Matter of Taste
The survey also asks Canadians, who include renters as well as owners, which kind of property they’d purchase or rent if they were in the market for a home today.
Overall, 61% opt for a single-family home, compared to 24% who prefer condos or apartments, echoing findings from Wahi’s 2024 Great Canadian Dream Home Survey. An additional 11% say they aren’t sure, while 4% are considering other options.
Although there are some similarities between the two dominant groups — renovated kitchens and bathrooms are high priorities for both — there are also notable differences. (Note that single-family homes include detached and semi-detached homes as well as row and townhouses.)
What Single-Family Homeseekers Want Most
In the survey, Wahi asks participants to select their top five features out of a total of 27 attributes and amenities. Nearly three-quarters of those who favour single-family homes include backyard in their selections, the most of any feature for this housing type.
– Besides a backyard (76%), the only other attribute the majority of Canadians who prefer single-family homes agreed upon in terms of importance was a renovated kitchen or bathroom (59%).
– A finished basement is also strongly preferred (42%), which may align with some Canadians’ plans to rent out a portion of their home as a mortgage helper.
– Having a parking garage (39%) and a bungalow (one-storey) layout (30%) rounded out the top five in terms of importance.
What Single-Family Homeseekers Want Most
– For those who prefer a condo or apartment, a renovated kitchen and/or bathroom in their unit is the top priority, (68%), followed by a parking garage (53%), and visitor parking (36%).
– Many condo-seeking Canadians also favoured high-end appliances (33%) and a scenic view (30%), neither of which were high priorities for those interested in a single-family home.
Canadians Want a Quiet Place
Wahi also asked respondents to cite the main factors influencing their homebuying or renting preferences over the last two years. Unsurprisingly, rising home prices or rental costs were most common (40%), but for many Canadians, the desire for more quiet (36%) or outdoor space (32%) were also popular answers.
Other findings:
– Having a home with an entertainment room is more important to respondents who identify as men (48%) compared to women (30%) and is most important to households with kids (47%) compared to those without kids (36%).
– The mudroom is an important feature for households with kids (51%).
– Older Canadians are more likely to find a scenic view to be important, or very important: baby boomers (69%), Gen X (54%), millennials (40%), and Gen Z (33%).
– Older Canadians are also more likely to want a bungalow-style home: 68% of baby boomers and more than half (52%) of Gen X respondents say this layout is an important feature, versus 28% of millennials and 13% of Gen Z.
Methodology:
These findings are from a survey conducted by Wahi from February 27th to March 3rd, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,510 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Wahi
Wahi redefines the homebuying experience by putting more power into consumers’ hands. By combining cutting-edge tech and market data with expert Realtors, Wahi offers unmatched access to insights, tools and the team that makes buying a home faster and easier.
Media Contact:
Kristin Doucet/Tel: 877-207-4273
kristin.doucet@wahi.com