A recent poll commissioned by OREA and hosted on the Angus Reid Forum showed that among Ontario home buyers:
- 93 per cent say safety (low crime rate, building security) is important.
- 85 per cent say perceived value of the home (it is considered a good buy based on market and amenities) is important.
- 80 per cent want their home to be close to amenities (shopping, transportation).
- 65 per cent of those aged 18-34 ranked quality of schools as important while only 48 per cent of those aged 35-54 ranked schools as important.
- 80 per cent of respondents aged 18-34 say a property close to work is important while only 65 per cent aged 35-54 thought proximity to work was important.
- 39 per cent prefer a resale home that is move-in ready; 26 per cent want a home needing only minor renovations and only 5 per cent want a home that needs major renovations.
- Across Ontario, 19 per cent of buyers want a newly built home; this number rose to 24 per cent for respondents in the GTA.