[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-34px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”30px||-10px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” 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url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wahi.inc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wahiinc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_padding=”||0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Rent-to-own programs are just one of the ways in which Canadians are taking a non-traditional approach to step on the property ladder. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||11px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 6 minute read<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/creative-ways-to-buy-canadian-real-estate.jpeg” alt=”The number of homes on the market continues to climb in major Canadian cities giving some buyers a shot at a discount.” title_text=”creative-ways-to-buy-canadian-real-estate” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Catherine Obaigwa, left, and Craig Ruttan and his husband, Alex Rand, right, have taken unconventional approaches to homeownership.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”791.1px” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”765.1px” custom_margin=”||-48px|||” custom_padding=”6px||68px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With sky-high housing costs in cities and towns across Canada, the prospect of homeownership may seem unlikely at best. <\/span>In fact, 72% of Canadians who don\u2019t own a home have given up on the dream of buying one, according to the results of a 2024 survey<\/a> from public pollster Ipsos.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, despite a challenging affordability landscape, more than one industry professional Wahi recently spoke to insists ownership is still attainable \u2014 homebuyers just need to think outside the box. \u201cI think gone are the days of getting into homeownership the way our parents did,\u201d says Rachel Oliver, co-founder of Clover Properties<\/a>, a Greater Toronto Area company that helps renters become homeowners. \u201cThe purchase prices were much lower, and now we\u2019re dealing with a completely different economy,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHomebuying, I think, in general needs to be redone, rethought, [and] revisited,\u201d Oliver continues. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to go through those big-bank institutions to find a way into homeownership,\u201d she adds. Here are three creative ways to step onto the property ladder, according to Oliver and other experts.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Catherine Obaigwa was looking to relocate from London<\/a>, Ont., to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. for work as an aircraft mechanic, but she was having trouble finding accommodations. \u201cIt was kind of hard to get a house of my liking, because most of the houses that were available for rent were not really what I was looking for,\u201d Obaigwa, who moved to London<\/a> from Kenya, in 2022. <\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Requity, which operates in more affordable markets such as northern Ontario <\/a>and the prairies,\u00a0 lets rent-to-owners enter its program with as little as 2%. For those who haven\u2019t heard of the rent-to-own model, Amy Ding, founder and CEO of Requity, compares it to leasing a car. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty common nowadays for people to lease a car at a fixed monthly payment and towards the end of the term they can decide whether they want to own that car or not,\u201d she tells Wahi. Rent-to-own is very similar, except that we\u2019re talking about a house,\u201d she adds. Under Requity\u2019s model, the future sale price is based on an assumption of 5% appreciation per year.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Oliver, of Clover, acknowledges that the rent-to-own model is not without risk. One could lose their deposit and monthly contributions if they aren\u2019t able to close the deal at the end of the rent-to-own term. However, Oliver says, Clover works with clients if they aren\u2019t ready to buy at the end of the usual three- to four-year term, she says. \u201cIf they can\u2019t qualify for the mortgage due to some unforeseen circumstance, we get it \u2014 life happens,\u201d says Oliver, who estimates only one-in-10 rent-to-owners aren\u2019t ultimately successful. \u201cWe\u2019re families helping families, so we work with these families to help them overcome their barriers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the pandemic, a friend approached Craig Ruttan about purchasing a home together. In February of 2021, Ruttan and his husband, Alex Rand, took the leap, purchasing a duplex with another couple. \u201cIt made it more affordable and let us get more space in a better neighborhood than we would have on our own,\u201d Ruttan tells Wahi.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The arrangement is an example of co-buying, which can be loosely defined as purchasing a home with someone who isn\u2019t a romantic partner. In an arrangement such as Ruttan\u2019s, everyone is on title, but there is one mortgage. \u201cThe biggest thing is that you need to be aware that you\u2019re going to be in debt with another person. You\u2019re co-buying a house, but you\u2019re also co-mortgaging a debt, and that is critical to understand,\u201d says Parimal Gosai, CEO and co-founder of Husmates, an app that connects strangers interested in co-buying property together.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” custom_margin=”||-6px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”307775″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Frame-7488.png” alt=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” title_text=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy\/wahi-price” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”40px” header_3_font_size=”1.53rem” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”85%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_line_height_tablet=”” header_line_height_phone=”” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”1.53rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”1.4rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” module_alignment=”left” height=”11px” custom_margin=”||14px||false|false” module_alignment_tablet=”left” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|90px|24px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10px|2px|10px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy-sell-with-wahi” button_text=”LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”left” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”13px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”29px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”29px” header_2_font_size_phone=”19px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n About 80% of the co-buyers Gosai encounters are first-time homebuyers like Ruttan: \u201cThat\u2019s the number-one client base that we have: younger folks who can\u2019t afford.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The ideal co-buying agreement is between two to four people, suggests Gosai. Any more, and it can be difficult to reach consensus among co-owners. \u201cIt gets more complicated. There\u2019s way less control on your home,\u201d he says. \u201cPeople ultimately want agency over the place that they live in. If you start having to split that up\u2026 decision-making becomes harder.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Co-buying is especially helpful for buyers who could afford a smaller condo today but are part of the <\/span>61% of Canadians who want a single-family home<\/span><\/a> instead. <\/span>Typical co-buyers through Husmates come to the table with between $50,000 to $100,000 each, which is enough for a condo \u2014 but not much more in Canada\u2019s most expensive markets. Husmates co-buyers most commonly purchase single-family homes priced between $1.2 to $1.8 million, Gosai estimates. <\/span> <\/p>\n Fractional real estate<\/a> investment won\u2019t put a roof over your head in the short term, but, for those with a higher tolerance for risk, it could be a way to grow your wealth and accelerate downpayment savings. <\/span> <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/h2>\n
1. Rent-to-Own<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>
<\/span>While homes that were listed for sale appealed to Obaigwa, she wasn\u2019t in a position to purchase. She was not yet a permanent resident, and so legally could not own a home in Canada. However, she soon found a solution on social media: rent-to-own.<\/span>
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<\/span>In a rent-to-own model, a tenant signs an agreement to purchase the property that they are renting at an agreed upon price at a later date. During their lease, a portion of the tenant\u2019s monthly rent is set aside for the downpayment. Typically, the tenant-owner brings a deposit to the table as well. In Obaigwa\u2019s case, she put 5%, or $30,000, towards a detached home in May of last year, although the amount varies depending on the agreement. <\/span>
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<\/span>This past October, with her permanent residency established, Obaigwa took possession of the property from <\/span>Requity Homes<\/span><\/a>, a company that purchases homes for renters. \u201cRent-to-own helps you be able to get what you want at the time that you want it \u2014 it\u2019s a really great program,\u201d Obaigwa tells Wahi.<\/span><\/p>\n
Rent-to-own can create a pathway to ownership for potential homebuyers who are new to Canada or self-employed, lack a full downpayment, have less-than-excellent credit, or have gone bankrupt in the past two years, Ding notes. The program gives the tenant time to build up their credit and save. \u201cGenerally speaking, they do need to have a good cash flow \u2014 they do need to be employed,\u201d says Ding.<\/span><\/p>\n2. Co-Buying<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
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<\/span>Under certain conditions, it is possible to co-buy without a downpayment. For example, Gosai saw an arrangement where one party didn\u2019t have any savings, but they had a substantial income. This person covered most of the monthly mortgage payments to build up equity. The goal is that all parties will eventually have an equal stake in a property.<\/span>
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<\/span>Ruttan and Rand had initially split the duplex 50\/50 with one other party, but they recently moved into a new laneway home that they built out back, allowing an additional pair of co-buyers to share in ownership. \u201cAnother couple who are friends of ours bought in, and they have taken over our old unit,\u201d Ruttan explains. <\/span>
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<\/span>With six homeowners in the mix, decisions aren\u2019t always easy. There are debates about repairs, for instance, but overall the group stays on top of things with monthly meetings. \u201cThe key is to come at it with emotional intelligence,\u201d says Ruttan, who notes co-buying isn\u2019t for everyone. \u201cYou have to like other people and want to live with them. It\u2019s a very intimate relationship,\u201d he says. \u201cYou have to be willing to get financially naked with someone else and put all of that on the table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n3. Fractional Investment<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>In short, with fractional ownership, the investor owns a share of a property, similar to a stock. The concept isn\u2019t new \u2014 since the \u201890s, <\/span>real estate investment trusts<\/span><\/a> have allowed Canadians to collectively own property. But as with co-buying and rent-to-own, technology has made it easier than ever for Canadians to get into fractional real estate investment. <\/span>
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<\/span>One such platform is <\/span>addy<\/span><\/a>. \u201cBasically we\u2019re an online investment platform that allows Canadians to be able to participate in real estate ownership,\u201d says Stephen Jagger, the platform\u2019s co-founder. To date, 55 projects \u2014 mostly existing buildings \u2014 have landed on the platform, including retail outlets, industrial warehouses, and offices. Through the platform, Canadians can have a stake in a property for as little as $1. Typically, the investment is for a set period of time and offers a percentage return at the end of the term, with some opportunities paying regular dividends. <\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cObviously $5,000 is not going to get you anywhere in any market in Canada \u2014 you\u2019re not buying any piece of real estate,\u201d\u00a0 Jagger says. \u201cBut in our world, you could take that $5,000 and cut it into five $1,000 investments, or 10 $500 investments and diversify your investments across different asset types.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n