Top 5 deal-breakers for home buyers in Canada: survey

In a tough Canadian housing market, home buyers can be more discerning.

The latest housing numbers show that while sales are up in the Greater Toronto Area, prices are down. In the Greater Toronto Area as a whole, 6,100 homes were sold through the MLS System in July 2025 – up by 10.9 per cent compared to July 2024, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. But the average selling price, at $1,051,719, was down by 5.5 per cent compared to July 2024.

There are many examples of homeowners who purchased at peak-high prices in 2022 having difficulty selling their house in current conditions.

So, preparing a home to sell is more important than ever.

A new Leger survey commissioned by realtor ReMax Canada looked at what factors influence a potential buyer.

The most important factor is the state of neighbouring homes, the survey found.

A whopping 51 per cent of Canadians said that neighbouring homes in poor condition would be a deal-breaker when shopping for a home, with 18 per cent ranking it as the top deal breaker, the ReMax survey found.

Another 41 per cent of Canadians said lack of curb appeal would be a deal-breaker in the home-buying process.

“While the home is the ultimate goal for buyers, the neighbouring properties and surrounding community often say a lot about what life might be like there for you, as a resident,” says Don Kottick, president of ReMax Canada. “Not all homebuyers are able or willing to see past a rough exterior to find properties with potential, and something like an unkempt streetscape could be their sign to keep on walking.”

The other three top factors are more closely related to the home itself.

Room sizes that are smaller than they appeared in marketing photos turn off 40 per cent of buyers.

Too much competition from other buyers is a factor for 36 per cent of people.

Finally, the home being too close to bars, restaurants and stores is a deal-breaker for 28 per cent of buyers.

Notably, other common turn-offs for buyers include cluttered or untidy homes from sellers during showings (27 per cent), unhelpful real estate agents (18 per cent), and sellers being present during showings (11 per cent).

“Market conditions are shifting in many markets. Buyers have more inventory to choose from and more time to shop, make decisions, and see what else is out there,” says Kottick. “When we talk about sellers adapting to current conditions, we’re not just referring to price adjustment. Sellers should be mindful of every detail of their property, including the ones that they can’t control — like the neighbour’s front lawn.”

Practical tips for sellers looking to make their property stand out include clean landscaping, fresh paint, and proper outdoor lighting to draw buyers’ eyes to the home’s strengths.

Planting hedges or adding greenery can block unsightly views and create a more private, appealing atmosphere.

In some cases, maintaining a neighbour’s lawn—mowing or watering—can improve overall curb appeal. It may be a good idea to speak with a neighbour and let them know about the upcoming sale.

Often, just having a respectful conversation can lead to small compromises that make a big difference, ReMax said.

Find more tips to boost a home’s curb appeal here. 

Lead photo: Zac Gudakov

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