FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

To buy or to rent

When you first arrive in Canada, you will probably be living in a temporary home. You will soon be looking for a more permanent place to live. Canada has many different types of housing and a wide range of prices.

Finding the right place will take some time and effort. Your first decision will be whether
to rent a house or an apartment, or to buy a house.

Whether you rent or buy will depend on your personal finances and whether you already
have a job in Canada. Most newcomers decide they should first rent a house or apartment. This gives them more time to save money to buy a house and to decide where they want to live.

If you want to buy a house, unless you can pay the full price, you will need to get a longterm
loan called a mortgage. Mortgage loans are provided by banks and other financial institutions.

They decide whether the borrower has enough income, more assets than debts, and a good credit rating.

Most will ask you to pay at least five percent of the cost of the house from your own money.