North American Homebuyers Adopt Co-Ownership and Compromise Strategies

First-time homebuyers across North America are shifting toward alternative ownership models and compromise strategies as housing affordability declines. In the United States, the share of first-time buyers dropped to a record low of 21% in 2025, with the median buyer age rising to 40. This has led to a surge in co-ownership, with 31.5% of U.S. home purchases in 2026 involving co-buyers, up from 21.8% in 2021.

Re/Max Canada reports that 65% of Canadian buyers are now willing to compromise on their ideal home criteria. Specifically, 31% of these buyers are opting to live further from their preferred locations, while 20% are choosing older homes that require renovation. Market conditions vary by region; Vancouver continues to see high benchmark prices, with detached homes reaching nearly $1.85 million in September, while Edmonton remains a relative outlier due to strong economic growth and record housing starts in 2025.

In the U.S., the affordability crisis is most acute in cities like Los Angeles, where renters now require 24 years of savings to purchase a home. To manage the risks associated with the rising trend of co-ownership, experts recommend written legal agreements to govern expenses, property usage, and exit strategies.