Atlantic Canadians aren’t confident in the housing market, a recent poll suggests.
According to RBC’s latest home ownership poll, 52 per cent of Atlantic Canadians think it’s a seller’s market.
It makes the region an outlier.
Nationally, just 36 per cent think it’s a seller’s market, and most regions think the same. Only Quebec has a higher belief that it’s a seller’s market, at 57 per cent.
Additionally, 67 per cent of Atlantic Canadians think home prices will rise this year.
“Rising costs and shifting economic conditions have made every step of the homebuying journey feel higher stakes,” said Janet Boyle, RBC’s senior vice-president of home equity finance.
“And the pressure of whether to act is weighing on Canadians.”
The data collected showed four trends that RBC said help illustrate where Canadians and prospective buyers stand entering the second half of 2026.
First is the division on what kind of market it is and whether to act.
The data suggests prospective buyers are more likely to see a window of opportunity, with 45 per cent saying it’s the right time to buy versus just 27 per cent of all Canadians polled.
First-time buyers also see a chance. About two-thirds of respondents said the First-Time Home Buyer GST/HST Rebate will help them buy a home sooner.
The second trend indicated that while prospective buyers see a window, an uncertain economy is affecting the decision to buy.
“Many of my clients want to buy a home,” said RBC senior mortgage specialist Brad Evjen.
“But economic uncertainty is making it harder to feel confident about timing.”
Evjen said the focus for people like him is helping people understand the available options and what they can control.
Another trend is trade-offs appearing as the cost of living limits how much buyers can save to put toward the purchase.
Among all respondents, 78 per cent said home ownership requires more sacrifices now than for previous generations.
The final trend was that uncertainty is part of the journey.
Among respondents who plan to buy a home in the next two years, 49 per cent said they’re confident making homebuying decisions in today’s market, and 56 per cent said they have the information they need.
The RBC 2026 Home Ownership poll was an online survey of 1,753 Canadians aged 18 to 64. It was completed between April 23 and May 3, using Leger’s online panel.
Because the poll was completed online, no margin of error can be calculated. But a probability sample of 1,753 respondents would have a margin of +/- 2.3 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
