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“Despite a complex and uncertain market, Canadians still aspire to homeownership and the perception of financial independence that comes with it,” said Janet Boyle, senior vice-president of Home Equity Finance with RBC, in a release.

“What’s changed is that many buyers’ mindsets have shifted from the fear of missing out to concern about making the right move at the right time.”

According to the RBC Homeownership Poll, 52 per cent of British Columbians are constantly thinking about whether they can afford to buy a home.

This is higher than the national average of only 44 per cent of Canadians having home price worries on their mind, and also the highest percentage in Canada.

Fourty-four per cent of British Columbians said that the pressure to buy a home is too high, down slightly from the 46 per cent of national respondents.

And 63 per cent of current homeowners in B.C. are concerned about covering the costs of owning a home, which is higher than the national average of 59 per cent.

Still, over a third of British Columbians expect to buy a condo or house in the next two years.

“Even in a challenging market, Canadians are holding tight to their dream of homeownership, viewing it as far more than just a place to live,” added RBC in a release.

The full results of the RBC Spring Homeownership Poll can be found online.

B.C. home sales remained dismal in February, with sales 33 per cent lower than the 10-year average.

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) recorded 4,500 residential unit sales across the province, down 9.7 per cent from February 2025.

In dollar amounts, that equates to $4.21 billion worth of sales, which is 12.3 per cent lower than the same time last year.

Many B.C. residents who are prospective homebuyers are cutting non-essential expenses and essentially spending less on fun and leisure to save up and buy a home. This includes things like shopping, eating out, and taking vacations.