Dan [not his real name] had come to see me six months previous. Like every other millennial or Canadian, he had aspirations to purchase a home. He made a good impression in our interview, as he was very cordial, a good listener, and he treated our time with valuable focus. Listening to Dan brought a very similar theme. He was 28 and wanted to get out of his parents house, he had no down payment and plenty of debt. Both myself [Robert Floris] and Sean Howard [coworker] have taken the approach to spend time with all our clients and teach how to really think for home ownership. In our eyes, teaching means doing it right so you Not only have a home but more importantly a good life. Does it always help? Of course not. In terms of success, when we improve a family’s life, the joy it brings to us is priceless. We actually have job satisfaction.

Dan came to visit me again this past week and it was I who came away impressed. Before we discussed mortgages, we talked football and life. I came away impressed. Call him a millennial, Gen X or baby boomer or whatever, I will call him normal. He was no different than all of us. He had dreams, anxieties of his future, and a very sincere focus to have a good life. Well, is Dan ready to buy a home? No not yet. However, he has paid 100% of his debt. His next step was to start building a down payment. Will he do it? I have no doubt I will see him in nine months.

The interview with Dan left an incredible impression on me. Is it tougher for Dan’s age group to buy a home [born between 1980 and 1994]? The answer is yes. Wages have not kept up with Canadian home prices. There is no doubt that in the city of Hamilton, this generation will have a more difficult time than the baby boom generation did for home ownership.

Also, add the stress test to their misery as well. Dan taught me that although it is harder, with tunnel vision, it is possible. The other lesson learned was maybe young people really have not changed.