Moving to Canada is a serious process that requires preparation. When moving, migrants often face the problem of finding housing. Here are some tools for finding a first home for newcomers to Canada

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One of the first points of every move is the search for housing in the future country of residence. The Canadian housing market is quite stable. Thanks to a successful combination of government housing policies and favorable economic conditions, about 44% of immigrants become property owners within the first five years of living in Canada.

However, most expats who arrive in Canada for the first time prefer to rent houses or apartments.

How to find your first home in Canada? Read in our material.

Where can I find properties for rent?

If you have already chosen the city in which you plan to live and decided on the budget that you are ready to spend on rent, then one of the easiest ways to find an apartment will be a trip to the area of your future residence. Walk around town and look for houses or buildings with "For Rent" signs and owner contacts.

Also, the most popular way is to search for housing on Internet resources. Use filters to narrow your search. You can choose the location, price, type of real estate, number of rooms. On certain resources, you can even view the location of each apartment on the map.

Platforms for housing search:

- Realtor.ca;

- Zumper;

- PadMapper.

A very useful resource for expats is Kijiji, a classifieds website where you can find apartments for rent or sale, as well as other items you may need for your new home, such as furniture or appliances.

Look in the classifieds section of your local newspaper and notice boards at grocery stores, libraries, laundromats, clinics, community centers, clubs, etc.

Many immigrant settlement agencies offer housing-related services, such as help finding real estate, advice on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and more. The government website Compass to Connect offers settlement services across Canada.

How to find real estate to buy?

Prospective permanent residents who decide to buy a home in Canada can also use a variety of real estate search tools:

On the Internet platform Realtor.ca there are many ads for sale of both residential and commercial real estate.

Private real estate agencies - when looking for housing to buy, it is a good idea to involve a realtor, because a specialist will help you choose the best option, check documents and help you understand the intricacies of Canadian legislation. Realtors receive a commission for successfully concluded agreements.

Private Classifieds: Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, etc. However, this method does not involve any middleman, making private property deals without a representative can be quite risky.

Local immigrant settlement services can also help you find a home to buy. More details on the Compass to Connect website.

Types of real estate in Canada

In Canada, expats can rent one of the available types of real estate:

Apartments - have one, two or three bedrooms. You can also find options with a combined bedroom and living room.

A detached house for one family on its own plot of land.

Duplexes or Triplexes: A house that is divided into two (duplex) or three (triplex) parts. Usually the owner of the house lives in one half and rents out the other half.

Townhouse: three or more dwellings are built next to each other and share adjoining walls.

Rooms: Houses are divided into separate bedrooms and rented out. The kitchen and bathroom will be shared by all residents.

How not to become a victim of scams when looking for housing in Canada?

Unfortunately, it is quite possible to run into housing scams when renting housing in Canada. Here are some tips for expats to protect themselves from unreliable landlords:

Never pay in cash.

Never make a deal without first visiting the property.

If possible, talk to current/former tenants.

Require a written lease that meets your province's regulations.

Hire a realtor/legal advisor to make sure your agreement is legally binding and valid. If you decide to work with a realtor, make sure that he is registered with the relevant provincial councils. Also, check which properties these specialists have helped to rent in the past, ask for testimonials about the specialist from his former clients.

Using our advice, you will be able to find a new home in Canada simply, quickly and effectively.

Photo: unsplash.com

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Canada;

Legal advice on business issues in Canada;

Travel and health insurance for foreigners in Canada;

Insurance for international students in Canada.

How to prepare for the move? Learn about the top 5 most important factors for a successful migration here.
Canadian Labor Law: 10 important rules for foreign employers.

Read the top 15 myths about immigration to Canada here.

CRS system: how many points do you need to move to Canada under the Express Entry program read here.