The real estate market often seems driven by people trying to protect savings and secure a future for their families. Even when mortgage payments carry high interest, buying space with borrowed money is treated as a prudent bet on tomorrow. Yet the picture is not so simple. In a landscape of rapidly rising new builds and expanding loan portfolios, a variety of trends are quietly shaping outcomes. Mortgage statistics reveal that living costs and debt levels are influencing more than just the price tags on homes. The idea that current needs automatically translate into long-term wealth is being challenged, and the phenomenon of double tenancy stands out as a telling sign.
Dual tenancy describes a situation where the same household both rents and leases a residence. Reports indicate that this pattern accounts for roughly 20-25 percent of rental activity nationwide and 30-40 percent in major metropolitan areas. Analysts attribute it to greater mobility: today work may pull someone to the city’s north, tomorrow to the south, and soon a new opportunity could take them elsewhere entirely. Yet other explanations are also observed at scale and occasionally feel counterintuitive at first glance.
There are even cases where people rent and reuse units within the same neighborhood or building, sometimes in the same block. These choices are driven less by geography and more by economics. A single adult might inherit a three-bedroom apartment but prefer a smaller space to lower ongoing costs while managing care for an older relative. Others, who have grown into a larger family with children, a pet, and a hobby workshop, may still be taking out loans for additional space while seeking more affordable living arrangements. The question becomes: is now a good time to buy another dwelling given current rates? For many, renting remains a practical alternative when upgrading is financially challenging.
Temporary housing solutions are becoming increasingly common among families seeking flexibility.
There is a philosophy attached to this shift. The idea, once promoted in popular discourse, suggested that adults should provide a financial start for their children in the form of housing. The logic was that as children grow and fly away, the mortgage could be closed by the time care costs rise in old age. Yet this vision sits uneasily in a society where expectations for parental support are evolving and financial realities are changing. Some households still pursue this strategy, but many others question its feasibility given different income levels and the cost of living.
New mortgage statistics reveal a mixed trend. While the total volume of loans continues to rise—lending activity has increased substantially compared with years past—the affordability of housing is under pressure. Demand for new homes remains strong, yet the burden of debt grows heavier for many buyers. The average loan term has lengthened, while the average size of purchased homes has begun to shrink. These dynamics show that longer debt commitments do not automatically translate into better security for children or future generations. A home is shared security, not a guaranteed future residence if circumstances change.
Five years ago, the typical mortgage term hovered around 16 years; today it stretches toward 25. The average apartment bought with a loan has shifted from roughly 55 square meters to about 44 square meters. Shorter-term gains in loan originations do not guarantee stability for families. In a market where housing costs and mortgage rates swing, a secure, roof-over-head outcome remains essential.
The overall direction points toward more renting in the population, alongside continued ownership by many households, mirroring broader European patterns. In a culture accustomed to perceiving “ownership” as a marker of stability, it becomes difficult to accept growing rental prevalence. The sentiment runs deep in regions where the past shapes expectations: the desire to hold something tangible, a place to call one’s own, persists even as financial realities shift. Europe’s experience, with longer rental periods and eventual ownership, resonates with some Canadian and American households, but the pace and shape of change differ by market. Trends are beginning to influence younger generations as well: early adult years may start with shared living, transition to renting, and eventually proceed to ownership on a more gradual timetable. For many, the path to a larger home comes later, if at all, while keeping a steady roof overhead remains the priority.
In the end, Western-style dynamics will continue to affect local markets, yet with distinctive features. People in North America are likely to rent at times and own at others, balancing flexibility with long-term planning. The trajectory for children may echo this pattern: leave home, share space while building a career, and pursue upgrades when feasible. The ongoing reality is shaped by income, interest rates, and policy changes, which can abruptly shift what feels affordable and prudent. It is a reminder that planning for the future often requires adapting to financial tides that move more slowly than life itself.
The views expressed reflect personal opinions and are not presented as the editors’ position.