Helping First-Time Buyers in a Tight Housing Market

We’re proud to share that Zown was recently featured on BNN Bloomberg, CTV News, and CP24 for our innovative approach to making homeownership more attainable for Canadians — especially first-time buyers facing today’s affordability challenges.

Watch the Interview

The Story Behind the Coverage

In a recent interview with BNN Bloomberg, our CEO & Co-Founder, Rishard Rameez, discussed one of the lesser-talked-about drivers of Canada’s housing crunch: seniors holding onto their homes longer than ever before.

A growing number of Canadians aged 75+ are choosing to “age in place” instead of downsizing. Many want to keep their backyard space, host family gatherings, and avoid the downsides of condo living — but the market simply doesn’t offer enough senior-friendly alternatives.

The result? Lower turnover, fewer detached homes available, and a ripple effect that squeezes first-time homebuyers out of the market.

The Double Squeeze for Younger Canadians

While inventory stays tight, young Canadians face another challenge: the cost of rent.

• Nearly 50% of net income goes toward rent for the average young renter — far above the 30% affordability benchmark.

• With so much of their income locked up in housing costs, saving for a down payment becomes almost impossible.

Without turnover in the housing market, these buyers have fewer options — and investors can push rental prices even higher.

How Zown Helps

Zown offers an alternative pathway to homeownership by:

• Acting as a full-service real estate brokerage

• Paying our agents a salary instead of a percentage commission

• Charging only 1% commission and using the remaining 1.5% as a Down Payment Boost — giving buyers $15K–$25K upfront to put toward their purchase (not a loan, no repayment required)

This model means buyers start their homeownership journey with thousands in savings before they even move in.

Read the Full Coverage

• BNN Bloomberg – Canadian real estate market squeezed as more seniors opt not to sell

• CTV News Coverage

• CP24 Coverage

Thinking About Buying Your First Home?

If you’ve been struggling to save for a down payment or feel priced out of the market, Zown’s Down Payment Boost could make homeownership possible sooner than you think.

Book a Free Consultation to see how much you could save.

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