Quebec’s recreational property markets: sustained demand continues to drive price appreciation
Median price of vacation homes expected to rise 4.0% in Quebec in 2026, driven by local demand
Highlights:
- The weighted median price of a single-family home in Quebec’s recreational markets rose by 7.3% in 2025, compared to 2024.
- Waterfront properties rose in value by 2.4% year over year, while the condominium segment in Quebec’s recreational regions saw prices increase by 5.8%.
- Driven by tensions with the United States, bringing cross-border travel to a standstill, 42% of Royal LePage® recreational experts in Quebec are seeing a rise in local demand.
- As the last of the baby boomers reach retirement age, the trend of using vacation homes as primary residences is gaining momentum across Quebec.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, March 26, 2026– Despite consumers’ continued caution amid economic and political tensions, the scarcity of property supply coupled with sustained demand is expected to put upward pressure on recreational property prices over the coming year. According to Royal LePage, the median price of a single-family home in Quebec’s recreational regions is expected to rise by 4.0% in 2026 to reach $484,328, compared to 2025.[1]
“Although the current global climate is causing some buyers to exercise caution, Quebec’s recreational property market remains extremely resilient due to a structurally limited supply of inventory,” says Dominic St-Pierre, senior vice-president of business development, Royal LePage.
Provincially, the weighted median price[2] of a single-family home in the province of Quebec’s major recreational real estate markets rose 7.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, to reach $465,700. Waterfront properties reported a weighted median price increase of 2.4% over the same period, to $545,600, while the weighted median price of a condominium rose by 5.8% to $378,700. The sharper rise in prices in the more affordable non-waterfront segments suggests a wave of new entrants to the recreational property market.
“Buying a vacation home is first and foremost a lifestyle choice, and the lack of new developments in sought-after areas, such as the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships or Charlevoix, keeps constant pressure on prices,” adds St.-Pierre. “Another factor explaining the limited inventory is the desire to carefully preserve recreational properties within families from generation to generation. This creates scarcity, maintains the market’s exclusivity and supports property values, even in times of economic uncertainty.”
Nationally, the weighted median price of a single-family home in Canada’s recreational property regions in 2025 increased by 4.3% year over year to $581,300. Broken out by housing type, the weighted median price of a single-family waterfront property decreased 5.2% year over year to $717,600, while the weighted median price of a condominium rose by 2.1% to $418,600 over the same period.
The ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is boosting housing demand in Quebec
Amid ongoing economic and political tensions with the United States, many Canadians continue to respond to tariffs and “51st state” rhetoric with their wallets, shifting their spending toward domestic products, services and vacation spots. Canadian travel to the U.S. continues to decline – according to Statistics Canada, return trips to the U.S. were down 14.5 per cent in February 2026, compared to the same month in 2025.[3]
St-Pierre notes that many local travellers have increasingly been planning their holidays north of the border, favouring local destinations where they can avoid exchange rate fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.
According to a survey of Royal LePage recreational real estate market professionals across the province,[4] 42% of Quebec respondents reported an increase in local demand, as tensions with the United States curb cross-border travel. However, 55% of experts reported no change.
“This shift in behaviour reflects a desire to safeguard family wealth within a stable socio-political environment. Rather than risking cross-border investments, buyers are more and more favouring properties seen as family assets, often passed down from one generation to the next,” adds St-Pierre.
According to a recent Royal LePage survey, conducted by Burson,[5] more than half (54%) of Canadians who currently own residential property in the U.S. say they are planning to sell within the next year, among whom a majority (62%) credit the current political administration as the main reason. When asked if they plan to reinvest the proceeds of the sale of their U.S. home into the Canadian real estate market, almost one third (32%) of respondents who have recently sold or are planning to sell within the next year answered ‘yes’.
“Ongoing instability in the U.S. is currently acting as a powerful driver for the recreational property market in Quebec. We are seeing a clear trend whereby many homeowners are choosing to repatriate their capital closer to home, favouring the stability of our economic and political environment,” notes St-Pierre. “The ‘buy local’ is translating into a shift in demand: Quebecers are turning their backs on the Florida coast and the beaches of Maine in lieu of properties on our lakes in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships and Charlevoix. As cottage season approaches, this renewed interest in our regional markets is breathing new life into a segment that has been more vulnerable to recent economic uncertainty.”
From holiday home to permanent residence
The demographic makeup of buyers in Quebec’s recreational property market is constantly evolving, marked by a growing interest in permanent residences rather than mere seasonal holiday homes. This trend is evident in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships and Gaspésie, where a convergence of baby boomers, pre-retirees and remote workers is quietly reshaping the regional landscape, as they settle there on a more permanent basis.
St-Pierre continues: “This demand is driven by a diverse range of profiles, from city dwellers seeking an occasional retreat to households that now view the vacation home as a cornerstone of their lifestyle and a safe haven for their family wealth. This trend is further strengthened by the arrival of hybrid-work professionals seeking properties that combine reliable internet connectivity with the tranquillity of natural surroundings.”
In short, Quebec’s recreational market is driven by a desire for long-term investment and sustainability, gradually transforming traditional cottage markets into communities that welcome visitors all year round.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
Outaouais
Collines-de-l’Outaouais and Papineau (RCMs)
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM increased 5.3% compared to 2024, reaching $589,900. Meanwhile, the Papineau RCM recorded a 1.6% increase, to $345,000. In the single-family waterfront property segment, the median price rose 5.3% and 3.8%, respectively, to $500,000 and $417,500 in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais and Papineau RCMs.
“The recreational market in Papineau and Outaouais is proving to be remarkably stable as we begin 2026. The proximity to Ottawa and the undeniable attraction of living next to the water are continuing to fuel demand,” says Annick Fleury, residential real estate broker, Royal LePage Vallée de l’Outaouais.
“We are seeing a slight dip in interest for purchases of properties for short-term rental, as a direct consequence of the tightening of municipal by-laws in the region,” she added. “The regulatory change is having an effect on buyer behaviour, since part of these properties’ value used to be tied to that revenue potential. Despite this, demand for traditional secondary residences remains healthy.”
Fleury adds that, while inventory and days on market are similar to last year, moderate growth in prices is expected over the next 12 months.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in both the Collines-de-l’Outaouais and Papineau RCMs is expected to increase 5.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Laurentians
Pays-d’en-Haut RCM
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Pays-d’en-Haut RCM increased 7.5% compared to 2024, reaching $570,000. The median price of a single-family waterfront home rose 4.5%, to $689,900. The median price in the condominium segment rose as well, by 1.6% year over year, to $389,000.
“The market in Pays-d’en-Haut remains solid and we don’t expect to see any easing of sale prices,” says Éric Léger, real estate broker with the Léger team, Royal LePage Humania. “The region has huge appeal for mature buyers and remote-working Montrealers who are opting to move there as permanent residents.”
Looking ahead, Léger adds: “This transition to primary residences, together with a substantial increase in demand for luxury properties, is shaping the current market dynamics.”
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in the Pays-d’en-Haut RCM is expected to increase 5.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Les Laurentides RCM
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in Les Laurentides RCM increased 11.0% compared to 2024, reaching $470,000. The median price of a single-family waterfront property rose 4.0%, to $520,000. The median price of a condominium was also up, by 13.5% year over year, reaching $430,000.
According to Éric Léger, real estate broker with the Léger team, Royal LePage Humania, the market in Les Laurentides RCM is shaping up to be just as lively as in 2025, driven by an exceptional winter that has prompted interest in sports and recreational activities.
“What we’re mostly seeing is baby boomers from Greater Montreal looking for quality of life, for that perfect family cottage where they can host relatives and friends. Although current regulatory restrictions are curbing demand for rental properties, people’s appetite for active lifestyles will keep driving prices up in 2026.”
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in Les Laurentides RCM is expected to increase 4.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Argenteuil and Antoine-Labelle (RCMs)
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Argenteuil RCM increased 2.7% compared to 2024, reaching $375,000. Meanwhile, the Antoine-Labelle RCM posted an increase of 7.0%, to $334,500. In the single-family waterfront property segment, the median price decreased 11.7% in the Argenteuil RCM to $455,000, and increased 2.6% in the Antoine-Labelle RCM to $390,000.
“With its wide variety of lakes, rivers and mountains just 75 minutes from Montreal, the Argenteuil region remains very attractive, given that waterfront properties there are still affordable,” says Pierre Vachon, residential and commercial real estate broker, Royal LePage Humania. “We are primarily seeing two buyer profiles: young entrepreneurs aged 35-45 who are looking for a combination of primary residence with the opportunity for rental income, and people 50 and over who are settling there permanently. These two buyer groups, combined with rising demand for luxury properties, are sustaining the strength of our local market.”
Vachon adds that short-term rental regulations are contributing to a more stable quality of life in Argenteuil, while waning interest in flood-prone areas is helping preserve riverbanks – two factors that will ensure 2026 market performance is at least on par with that of 2025.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in the RCMs of Argenteuil and Antoine-Labelle is expected to increase 4.0% and 6.0%, respectively, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Lanaudière
Matawinie and Montcalm (RCMs)
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Matawinie RCM increased 9.6% compared to 2024, reaching $400,000, while in the Montcalm RCM it rose 12.5% to reach $450,000. In the single-family waterfront property segment, the median price decreased slightly by 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively, to $475,000 and $390,000, in the RCMs of Matawinie and Montcalm.
“There is a marked trend among retired and semi-retired couples, who are now choosing to settle in the Montcalm area full-time while maintaining some connection with the city,” remarks Éric Fugère, residential real estate broker, Royal LePage Habitations. “With its supply of recreational amenities ranging from hiking to skiing to motor sports, the region is really coming into its own as a place to live year-round, instead of just a weekend destination.”
According to Fugère, the Montcalm region is experiencing a transition: demand is shifting toward primary residences at the expense of the rental property market, which is being constrained by stricter municipal regulations.
“There’s an equilibrium between declining inventory and more moderate demand, which points to a stable market. 2026 will be marked in particular by the development of the Val-St-Côme hub, which will surely be a growth driver in the region.”
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in both the Matawinie and Montcalm RCMs is expected to increase 2.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Eastern Townships
Bromont and Memphrémagog RCM
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in Bromont decreased 2.0% compared to 2024, to $699,900. During the same period, the median price in the Memphrémagog RCM remained stable, rising just 0.5% compared to 2024, to reach $578,000. In the single-family waterfront home segment in Memphrémagog, the median price increased modestly by 0.1%, reaching $850,000. The median price for a condominium also increased by 11.1% and 6.6% year over year, respectively, to $550,000 and $363,500, in Bromont and the Memphrémagog RCM.
“The Memphrémagog and Bromont regions show a similar dynamic, where the lure of a lifestyle surrounded by lakes and mountains is drawing in professionals and pre-retirees,” says Véronique Boucher, residential real estate broker, Royal LePage Au Sommet. “Buyers in both markets are keen to make a gradual transition to permanent residency, a trend that is driving demand, despite restrictions on short-term rentals in the Memphremagog region. In Bromont, however, we are seeing stabilization in the price of single-family homes, while the condo segment continues to stand out with positive growth.”
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home is expected to increase 2.5% in Bromont and 2.0% in the Memphrémagog RCM, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Chaudière-Appalaches
Les Appalaches RCM
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in Les Appalaches RCM rose 14.8% compared to 2024, to reach $229,500.
“The Appalaches region is distinguished by its diverse real estate potential, with waterfront properties available at all price points,” explains Mélissa Roussin, residential and commercial real estate broker, Royal LePage Blanc & Noir.
“We are seeing a distinct market segmentation: On one hand, the high-end neighbourhoods are attracting a clientele of professionals and retirees, while on the other, the overall affordability of the region is continuing to attract many buyers, even if prices are still rising. Many of them are initially purchasing a second home with the express intention of moving in permanently in a few years’ time,” she adds.
“Short-term rental laws are redefining local market dynamics, steering investors toward specific areas while reassuring property owners who are seeking peace and quiet above all,” adds Roussin.
That said, she specifies that tight inventory in this coveted market will continue to drive prices higher in 2026.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in Les Appalaches RCM is expected to increase 5.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Capitale-Nationale
La Côte-de-Beaupré and La Jacques-Cartier (RCMs)
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in La Côte-de-Beaupré RCM increased 19.4% compared to 2024, reaching $430,000. During this period, La Jacques-Cartier RCM recorded an increase of 12.2%, to reach $460,000. In the single-family waterfront property segment, the median price increased 21.0% to $544,500 in La Jacques-Cartier. The median price of a condominium also rose 6.5% to $229,000 in La Côte-de-Beaupré, and declined by 7.6% to reach $284,500 in La Jacques-Cartier.
“The real estate market in the areas around Quebec City is being defined by two trends this year, an active lifestyle, including access to sports like skiing and mountain biking, as well as access to nature,” explains Michèle Fournier, vice-president and chartered real estate broker, Royal LePage Inter-Québec.
“Demand on the Côte-de-Beaupré market has slowed, because prices there are already high and inventory is increasing, which means buyers in the Quebec City region can be much more selective. Despite the slowdown, the region maintains a strategic advantage because its short-term rental regulations are more permissive than those in nearby areas.”
While La Côte-de-Beaupré appeals to professionals and retirees because of its stability and access to recreational amenities, Fournier notes that Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury is benefiting from a completely different situation: a significant increase in demand driven by the potential for rental income. “While the market in La Côte-de-Beaupré offers a more relaxed setting for discerning buyers, Stoneham is attracting families from Drummondville and Trois-Rivières who are willing to move quickly to secure high-end properties,” she concludes.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in La Côte-de-Beaupré and La Jacques-Cartier RCMs is expected to increase 5.0% and 11.5%, respectively, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Charlevoix RCM
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Charlevoix RCM increased 14.3% compared to 2024, reaching $400,000.
“The market in Baie-Saint-Paul is extremely healthy, bolstered by strong demand among buyers from outside the region who are looking to acquire mixed-use properties that they can enjoy as seasonal second homes, while renting them out short-term the rest of the year,” says Mathieu Harvey, residential real estate broker, Royal LePage Blanc & Noir.
This trend toward a secondary residence that can also be rented out is having a very positive impact on local businesses while stimulating tourist activity in the region. Harvey is also seeing growing interest on the part of buyers from both Canada and the U.S., which is further strengthening the market.
“Although selling times have increased slightly, the market remains balanced, with inventory and demand holding steady compared to last year.”
According to Harvey, opportunity for owners to rent out their secondary residence on a short-term basis for part of the year continues to be a key sales driver. For 2026, he is forecasting a stable market with upward pressure on single-family home prices.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in the Charlevoix RCM is expected to increase 9.0%, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
Gaspésie – Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Avignon, Bonaventure and La Côte-de-Gaspé (RCMs)
In 2025, the median price of a single-family home in the Avignon RCM increased 28.6% compared to 2024, reaching $270,000. During this period, the Bonaventure and La Côte-de-Gaspé RCMs recorded an increase of 4.4% and 16.1%, respectively, to $227,500 and $240,000.
“Demand in Gaspésie is coming mainly from urban centres like Montreal and Quebec City, fuelled by buyers in search of peace and quiet, well away from heavy traffic,” says Christian Cyr, residential and commercial real estate broker, Royal LePage Village. “Whether they’re seeking a peaceful retirement location or a safe place to raise their children, these buyers are above all interested in living close to nature. Although current laws are hampering the secondary property market, we are seeing growing interest from Canadian buyers in our region. They see it as an opportunity to purchase a property that is built to endure the elements, sheltered from erosion, making it a safe and sustainable long-term investment.”
A shift in selection criteria is occurring, with waterfront properties along the rivers falling out of favour because of coastal erosion and more frequent flooding, with buyers opting instead for properties meeting sustainability standards.
“In 2026, I expect the market to be more stable: with inventory still low, the number of transactions will be limited, supporting property values. Although prices should not see a substantial increase, high-end properties will continue to rise in value,” Cyr predicts.
In 2026, the median price of a single-family home in the Avignon RCM is expected to increase 5.0%, compared to 2025. In the Bonaventure and La Côte-de-Gaspé RCMs, the price is expected to remain stable, with a modest increase of 0.5% in both regions, compared to 2025.
Price and Forecast Chart (Province of Quebec):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport_QC
Price and Forecast Chart (Canada):rlp.ca/table_2026springrecreationalpropertyreport
About the Royal LePage Spring Recreational Property Report
The Royal LePage Spring Recreational Property Report compiles insights, data and forecasts from 17 real estate markets in Quebec. Median price data was compiled and analyzed by Royal LePage for the period between January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Data was sourced through Centris. Royal LePage’s provincial weighted median home prices and forecast are based on a weighted model using sales in each region. Data availability is based on a transactional threshold and whether regional data is available using the report’s standard housing types. Prices may change from previous reports due to a change in the number of participating regions.
About the Royal LePage Recreational Property Advisor Survey
A provincial online survey of 29 brokers and sales representatives serving buyers and sellers in Quebec’s recreational property regions was conducted between February 20, 2026, and March 19, 2026.
About Royal LePage
Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country’s leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of approximately 20,000 real estate professionals in over 670 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™, which has been dedicated to supporting women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs for 25 years. Royal LePage is a Bridgemarq Real Estate Services® Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbol TSX:BRE. For more information, please visit www.royallepage.ca.
Royal LePage® is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada and is used under licence by Bridgemarq Real Estate Services® Inc.
For more information, please contact:
Appolline Risacher
Burson on behalf of Royal LePage
appolline.risacher@bursonglobal.com
418-559-8930
[1]Royal LePage’s forecasts are weighted medians based on a weighted model using sales in each region.
[2]Royal LePage’s provincial weighted median home prices are based on a weighted model using sales in each region.
[3] Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, February 2026, Statistics Canada, March 10, 2026
[4]A provincial online survey of 29 brokers and sales representatives serving buyers and sellers in Quebec’s recreational property regions was conducted between February 20, 2026, and March 19, 2026.
[5] Political tensions prompt U.S. property sell-off by Canadians; many plan to reinvest in domestic real estate, Royal LePage, August 2025
