According to the newly released REMAX 2025 Canadian Cabin and Cottage Trends Report, lower interest rates that motivated recreational property buyers in the latter part of 2024 and in early 2025 have been overshadowed by more-recent economic uncertainty. With that said, the underlying desire is still there and may resurface, should a trade deal and/or tariff pullback materialize.

Emerging Trends in 2025

  • Demographic Shift in the Recreational Market: According to REMAX brokers and agents, families are the primary drivers of current recreational market activity in 83 per cent of regions surveyed.
  • New Legislation and Policies Influence Investment Appeal: With the introduction of short-term rental restrictions in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and some parts of Ontario,19 per cent of Canadians who are selling a cabin/cottage in the next one to two years say that they no longer see the investment potential.
  • Transfer of Generational Wealth: A $1-trillion wealth transfer is currently underway. A large portion to move from boomers to younger generations by 2026, according to Chartered Professional Accountants Canada.
  • Recreational Property as a Primary Residence: Affordability challenges are pushing buyers further out of larger urban areas, 30 per cent of Canadians who are planning on purchasing a cabin/cottage in the next one to two years see a cabin or cottage as a viable primary residence.

Regional Insights

Some of the overarching regional trends pinpointed by the REMAX network include: 46 per cent of regions noted that buyers are coming from urban centres and 29 per cent from local communities, with demand from out of province buyers dwindling compared to previous years at 16 per cent.

Leverage the Digital Content Kit

Looking for some digital content for your social channels, website and newsletters? We’ve got you! Our Digital Content Kit includes customizable, regional infographics and carousels that you can share with your clients. Not sure where to begin? The kit also includes a “How To” guide for customizing the graphics, along with caption ideas. Feel free to tailor the graphics to match your branding or use them as they are.

Media Outlets Highlight New Report

  • Real Estate Magazine: Families overtake retirees as top buyers in Canada’s recreational market, report says
  • Cottage Life: Potential buyers are putting their cottage dreams on hold amidst U.S. tariffs, a Re/Max report says
  • Toronto Star: Ontario’s cottage market is ‘more or less paused’ due to tariffs, but prices are still expected to rise