22% of Canadians intend to purchase a home in the next 2 years

Here's some relatively positive news to contrast against that last posting ... 22% of Canadians intend to purchase a home in the next two years (flat year over year) and renovation intentions are slightly higher than last year at 70%

RBC survey finds homebuying intentions hold steady
Renovation intentions are also up slightly

TORONTO, Oct. 29
CNW

A new RBC study conducted during the market turmoil in October finds overall intentions to purchase a home in the next two years remain steady at 22% and have not changed since January 2008. As well, renovation intentions are slightly higher than last year - up four percentage points as 70% of respondents are planning to renovate or make home improvements in the next two years.

"Despite recent economic events, we've noted that Canadians still believe a home is a good investment and many are continuing with their home improvement plans," remarked Catherine Adams, RBC Royal Bank's vice-president, Home Equity Financing.

According to RBC's 5th Annual Renovation Survey, given the choice, most Canadian homeowners would opt for hammers and paint brushes, rather than packing tape and cardboard boxes. Seventy five per cent of Canadian homeowners say that, if their home needed major renovations, they would rather renovate,than sell and move.

While the majority of Canadians (55 per cent) would definitely continue to renovate even if housing prices were to drop, they appear to be a little more hesitant than they were in 2007 (66 per cent). Many Canadians seem to be choosing to renovate rather than relocate, noted Adams.

Renovation Budgets

Most Canadians planning renovations will spend less than$50,000 and indicate they plan to spend $10,801 on average - up about 10 per cent from $9,850 in 2007.

The RBC survey also showed that 63 per cent of homeowners have renovated in the past two years and more are establishing a realistic reno budget. Seven-in-ten had a budget and half (53%) stuck to it. Even those renovators that did go over budget have pulled back significantly. The average budget excess was 24% in 2008 compared to 74% overage in 2007 and 88 per cent in 2006.

To finance their reno expenditures, Canadians will be less likely to tap into cash or savings than they have in the past (47% in 2008, 51% in 2007 and 69% in 2004). Only 28% would consider using the equity in their home, down from 41% who said they would consider it in 2007. More men (32%) than women (24%)would consider borrowing against home equity for their renovation - the lowest cost of all the borrowing options.

"When people are looking for a mortgage they're usually very cost sensitive, and they seek advice about the best possible rate and product combination. We don't always see those same savvy cost comparisons for home renovations, even though many involve sizable expenses," added Adams.

When it comes to top mistakes or renovation disasters, Canadians who have completed a renovation in the past two years, blame going over budget (26 percent); using the wrong contractor or trades people (14 per cent); choosing the wrong products (12 per cent) and doing it myself (11 per cent).

Renovations by the Numbers - Intentions among Regions

Average Spend
BC 69% (down from 70%) $10,064
Alberta 74% (up from 69%) $12,422
Sask/Man 71% (down from 75%) $ 9,742
Ontario 71% (up from 66%) $12,305
Quebec 67% (up from 64%) $ 8,463
Atlantic 73% (up from 67%) $10,042

Renovate or Sell/Move

Region Renovate Sell
BC 75% 19%
Alberta 71% 23%
Sask/Man 75% 17%
Ontario 75% 19%
Quebec 74% 17%
Atlantic 78% 15%

By Age:

18 to 34 - 70% would renovate instead of sell (down from 75%)
35 to 54 - 78% would renovate, not sell (up from 75%)
55 + - 76% would opt for renovations (up from 58%)

These are some of the findings of two RBC polls conducted by Ipsos Reid. The online surveys are based on nationally balanced samples and were weighted according to 2006 Census Data.

The poll conducted between October 9 and 13 included 1,474 Canadians. A random, representative sample of this size would yield results considered accurate to within +/-2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled.

The second poll conducted between August 13 and 18, 2008 dealing with renovation intentions included 3,733 Canadian homeowners. A random, representative sample of this size, would yield results considered accurate to within +/-1.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled.

For full tabular results, please see the Ipsos Reid website at http://www.ipsos.ca/.

Downloadable graphics also available at www.rbc.com/newsroom.