Environmental Factors Less Important In Quebec Home Market

After strong sales since the start of the pandemic, buying intentions are stable in the Quebec City, QC, census metropolitan area (CMA), says a report from the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, the Société d'habitation du Québec, the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB), and the Service de l'habitation de la Ville de Montréal. As was the case last year, 20 per cent of households intend to buy a property. Forty-five per cent of Quebec City households feel that their housing choices have no impact on the environment. On top of that, 43 per cent of homeowners and 48 per cent of renters say that environmental impact is not an important factor when choosing a place to live. These two figures are significantly lower than the Quebec average. A home’s energy performance is the top environmental assessment criterion for renters and owners in Quebec City. Owners cite the quality of materials as the second most important factor. Soundproofing was cited as the most important factor for condominium buyers and renters, ahead of a balcony and good ventilation system. For homebuyers, soundproofing is the second most important selection criterion after a yard.