However, home prices have heated substantially more in some markets than others; while prices rose in 70% of all markets, reports CREA, much of reported price growth is being driven by activity in the Greater Toronto Area.

“Housing market trends continue to differ by region. Homes are selling briskly throughout the Greater Toronto Area and nearby communities,” stated CREA President Cliff Iverson. ‘Elsewhere, competition among local buyers is less intense, so listings take longer to sell.”

Regardless of what province and city though, it’s safe to say that real estate has been a robustly performing investment, as buyers who entered the market even just 12 months ago have seen impressive gains on their initial down payments.

Just how much have those real estate investments paid off? To find out, Zoocasa compiled the latest February CREA data to see how home prices have appreciated over the last year,

Toronto: A Runaway on Returns

Toronto real estate prices have had a banner year, and those who have already purchased in the Big Smoke have lots to cheer about. They’ve received the largest return on their down payments by far – a whopping 139%, based on a 20% down payment of $137,056 made on the average home price of $685,278 last year. These price rises have spilled into the surrounding region with “unprecedented growth” reported in the Golden Horseshoe, as housing markets in Hamilton, London and Kitchener-Waterloo heat up.

Rents in Toronto according to RentSeeker.ca’s new real-time pricing data of apartment listings across the country, showed One Bedroom Apartments in Toronto renting for $1,255, with Two Bedroom Apartment Rentals in Toronto renting for $1,496, and Three Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Toronto renting for $1,651.

Vancouver: A Slide in Prices

The numbers for the west coast city may seem alarming, as prices have seen a considerable tumble from last year’s peaks. A down payment purchase of $207,827 made on the average home price of $1,104,188 saw a -49% dip, as Vancouver prices fall below the million-mark.

However, Lauren Haw, CEO and Broker of Record at Zoocasa, emphasizes there’s no need for Vanouverite home buyers to panic. “It is important for real estate investments to be considered over the long-term. The nature of real estate as a levered investment means that year over year fluctuations serve to magnify short term returns or losses,” she says. “When the burden and potential risk of debt is properly accounted for, the ability to lever your down payment can lead to impressive equity returns.”

Calgary: A Slight Uptick

Despite several years of economic hardship resulting from slowing oil prices, Calgary’s housing market has new reason for optimism, with prices strengthening $11,659 year over year. That means a buyer who paid $90,635 on a home priced at the average $453,175, is seeing a 13% return this year.

Calgary rents according to RentSeeker.ca, showed 1 Bedroom Apartments in Calgary renting for $1,031, with 2 Bedroom Apartments in Calgary renting for $1200, and 3 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Calgary renting for $1,471.

 Halifax: Stronger Conditions on the East Coast

Meanwhile, in the Maritimes, last year’s home buyers are experiencing a 19% average return based on a $10,444 improvement in the city’s home prices, now priced at $279,362.

Follow Zoocasa and RentSeeker.ca on Twitter and Facebook and join the conversation on Canada’s Housing and Rental Markets!

Given the average house price now tops $1.3 million in the city, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board, you better have a significant nest egg if you dream of detached living. The next best option is to find a great neighbourhood with affordable townhomes.

Average Toronto Income Comes Up Short

When it comes to homebuyer affordability, the numbers can be daunting. Let’s say a borrower earns the median Toronto household income of $76,219, pays at least 20% down on their home purchase, and qualifies for a 2% variable-rate mortgage with a 30-year amortization.

Even in this best-case scenario, they’d still only be granted $636,886 in affordability by their lender. That amounts to precious little in a market where bidding wars are the norm and homes increasingly sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking.

Searching Beyond City Borders

Many buyers who find themselves priced out of the market “drive until they qualify”; they’ll buy a house in a further-flung GTA community – TREB reports the average home can be found there for $795,569 – and brace for a daily car or train commute.

But suburban life isn’t for everyone. And, while raising a family in a high-rise is becoming a more common tactic (developers are even creating larger units to meet demand), it’s not an ideal situation for all.

Townhomes: The New Toronto Real Estate Reality

For buyers who wish to remain in the city but need more space, townhomes are quickly becoming the new low-rise standard. According to MLS townhouse and detached house sold numbers compiled by Zoocasa, the average detached home price skyrocketed a whopping 83.% from 2011 to 2016. By comparison, townhome prices surged only 53.3%, to an average of $562,187 – still within the realm of affordability for many Toronto buyers.

To help homebuyers on their home search, Zoocasa has identified the top 20 most affordable neighbourhoods for Toronto townhomes, along with the change in demand, and average time on the market.

Check out the infographic below to find a townhouse option in your price range

By: Penelope Graham, Zoocasa

Penelope Graham is the Managing Editor of Zoocasa.com, a leading real estate resource that uses full brokerage service and online tools to empower Canadians to buy or sell their home faster, easier, and more successfully.

Canada’s Largest Real Estate Search Website – RentSeeker.ca released it’s New Updated 2016 Annual Report today showing the;

Average Rent Costs and Vacancy Rates for Apartment Rentals in cities across Canada

RentSeeker.ca’s NEW updated report and data (below) using it’s popular INFOGRAPHIC format, shows the average cost of rent and vacancy rates for the following suite types across Canada:

• Studio | Bachelor Apartments
• 1 Bedroom Apartments
• 2 Bedroom Apartments and
• 3 Bedroom Apartments across Canada

“As one of Canada’s largest publicly traded multi-family REITs, we’ve seen occupancy and rental rates continue to remain steady through most of Canada. When the economy begins to recover in many parts of Alberta and British Columbia, we anticipate occupancy rates in these regions to improve,” said Todd Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northview Apartment REIT.

RentSeeker.ca’s Housing & Rental Market INFOGRAPHICs were one of the most shared in Canada on Social Media in 2016!

For media inquiries, or to share RentSeeker’s NEW [INFOGRAPHIC], please contact us at: Media@RentSeeker.ca

(Click on INFOGRAPHIC to enlarge for full size viewing)

The new updated data and report by RentSeeker.ca follows last year’s Average Rents across Canada INFOGRAPHIC, which RentSeeker.ca released and published and was featured and shared by Canada’s largest media outlets and economists, and shared in many government and housing reports including; CTV News, Global News,  CP24, Money Sense, Huffington Post, The Loop, The Toronto Foundation, and many other websites.

Let us know what you think and join the conversation by following RentSeeker.ca on Twitter and Facebook!

For better or worse, they play a vital role in your happiness and ensure that your home is maintained, safe and comfortable.

A good landlord-tenant relationship with your landlord can make life much easier, and here are some tips from RentSeeker to ensure that you get the benefits of getting along with your landlord.

These tips don’t cost anything and can go a long way in helping you get the benefit of the doubt should you have any issues with your landlord or building manager down the road.

1. Understand Landlord Tenant Rights

Before you begin a new relationship, you have to know yourself, and understanding your rights as a tenant is extremely important. Before you sign any paperwork or even meet your landlord to see a potential rental apartment, the Residential Tenancies Act protects you from racial, sexual orientation and other forms of discrimination that unfortunately exist.

After your initial meeting, the terms or price of the unit shouldn’t change, and if they do, it’s a red flag. Besides protecting yourself and ensuring you’re not taken advantage of, knowing your rights is vital to ensuring you have a good tenant-landlord relationship.

2. Understanding Landlord Responsibilities

Landlords are much more than just collectors of payments. Since the late Roman Empire & the dawn of Manorialism within the feudal system, the Lord of the Manor was responsible for the legal and financial duties of the upkeep of the manor.

Fast forward to the digital age we live in now, and the term landlord doesn’t necessarily refer to the owner of the property, rather to the person who oversees the responsibility for managing your property. This includes collections of fees and ensuring that your rental property is safe and up to code.

The Residential Tenancies Act came into effect Jan 31, 2007 to “create a rental housing system that protects tenants, helps landlords and promotes investments…” and is just one of the legal guidelines for landlords.

In each province there are multiple bodies dedicated to the field, and there is no shortage of resources online. As a renter, it’s very important to know what your landlord is responsible for, such as repairs, emergencies and ensuring your property is maintained.

If you understand what they’re responsible for, it’s much easier to know what to expect and how to deal with problems, thereby starting your relationship on solid grounds.

3. Be Fiscally Responsible

Money talks, especially when you have to pay someone on a regular basis. If you physically pay your landlord on a monthly basis or need to drop off a cheque, nothing can go farther to get you into the good books then paying on time. It shows you’re responsible, reliable and trustworthy, all very important factors to maintaining a healthy relationship with your landlord.

If and when you’re ready to afford the “Canadian Dream” of buying your first home, which you can determine with this useful Rent or Buy Calculator, then giving your landlord the legally required amount of time of notice to vacate is the right thing to do.

4. Be Socially Responsible

Apartment buildings are home to multiple individuals, meaning it’s a very social place. Whether or not you choose to say hello to the stranger in the elevator is one thing, but you have to respect the social norms of the people you live with.

Wear clothes when you walk to throw out garbage, have respect for others as you walk by their front door and don’t destroy building property that everyone shares.

If your landlord is getting complaints about you through other tenants, it will hurt your reputation, whether your neighbours are right or wrong.

Here are some great tips for meeting new friends when moving into a new rental property.

5. Be Aware of Bulletins

Most of the time we barely acknowledge the ‘Building Update’ bulletins in the elevators, but it is important to be aware of what’s going on in the building. Landlords and building managers don’t post bulletins so you’ll have something to read in the elevator, they do it to communicate important messages and news updates.

Staying up to date on building news briefs can help you plan your sleep-ins (be aware of fire alarm testing day!) and be aware of any construction projects that may interfere with your routine.

Complaining about something that was laid out in a bulletin shows the landlord you aren’t respecting their efforts, which is something to avoid.

6. Follow The Rules

Easy enough, right? Breaking building rules is a sure fire way to get on the bad side of your landlord. This is an easy one to follow under normal circumstances, but sometimes evening activities will inspire some rule breaking (being on the rooftop after hours for example).

While certain acts can be dangerous (climbing on structures) damage caused by recklessness can come out of your pocket. Also, once you have broken the rules, many buildings log this information into a form of a ‘bad book’ that you don’t want to listed in.

7. Know your Landlords Name

This one may seem obvious, but a ‘hello’ with a name goes farther than just a simple greeting. It shows you are an attentive, caring person and forming a positive relationship with your landlord starts with a hello.

Greeting them by name may seem insignificant, but from their perspective, they deal with a lot of angry and upset tenants, so showing your friendly side will only help your cause (especially when it comes time to renew your rental agreement). And remember, it costs nothing to smile!

8. Be Friendly With Security

While being friendly with the security in your building may not directly impact how your landlord perceives you, it’s more than likely that your landlord frequently speaks with the security team.

If complaints are ever logged against you, having the security personal vouch for you can go a long way if the issue gets brought before the landlord.

Again, being friendly doesn’t cost anything and can only help your case.

Having a good landlord tenant relationship works in both parties favour, so put in the effort, it will pay-off for both Tenant and Landlord!

The general rule of thumb regarding how much of your income should be allotted for rent is 30%. For many families, 30% of their income isn’t enough to afford a place to live and they need to spend more than that. This article shows that across the country 40% of renters spend more than 30% of their household income on rent and about 20% spend more than 50%. When a household is spending more than 50% of their income on rent, they’re at risk for becoming homeless, and that adds up to a lot of Canadians.

According to Canada’s largest real estate finder RentSeeker.ca, here are the average rent costs across Canada and here is the average cost of a house in cities across Canada.

What is Affordable Housing?

According to Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), housing is technically considered “affordable if shelter costs account for less than 30% of before-tax household income” and therefor affordable housing refers to a variety of programs and initiatives designed to help those in need.

As you can see the term ‘affordable housing’ is really an umbrella term referring to a variety of housing options that are funded from the private, public and non-profit sectors. From emergency shelters to subsidized housing, there is a range of programs designed to make housing affordable for people of all socio economic classes. Currently, the Federal Government invests approximately $2 billion into these initiates, and you can find more information about them here.

There has been a fair amount of talk in recent weeks about affordable housing, and what can be done to help those that need it. The CMHC states that 80% of Canadian housing needs are met through the open market, affirming the need to help a large number of Canadians find housing options within their means. As the national real estate market continues to explode, this issue is becoming increasingly relevant. RentSeeker is here to offer some insight into the current events that are greatly affecting the affordable housing real estate market.

The Canadian Real Estate Boom

Simply put, the real estate boom in major cities is creating affordable housing issues. The increase in the real estate market has a direct affect on rental prices, and as one increases so will the other. Foreign investment in condo opportunities has also played a part in driving up costs, but this is pale in comparison to the overall growth that popular cities have experienced in recent years. Despite the number of people waiting for a crash or even a market correction, there are no sign it will anytime soon.

Newcomers Moving to Canada

There are no shortage of jokes and memes in the media about the foreign desire to move to Canada. Whether you live in a country that is terrified about the potential of a presidential candidate winning or your country voted to ‘go solo’, Canada is a much more realistic home for many people across the world that may never have considered it before recent events. If even a small number of people who say they will move actually do so, Canada could experience a huge immigration increase in the next few years. Increasing the number of newcomers above what the country already experiences would drive up the demand for rental units, thereby making the rental market more competitive.

Turning Neigbhourhoods into Vacation Destinations

Affordable housing doesn’t just affect those living in the big cities. Areas that have become popular as vacation destinations can have a devastating financial affect on locals who can’t afford to keep up. In Ontario, the Muskoka region has seen a huge increase in housing prices just as the Okanagan region in British Columbia. For many families who have lived in these regions for decades, the cost of living has simply gotten too high.

Accessible and Adaptable Homes

These homes enable both the elderly population and those living with needs to remain in their communities, and advocates say there isn’t enough being done to help them. Accessible homes can be costly, as modifications need to be done in order to accommodate the needs of the people who live there. For many landlords, this isn’t a tempting investment when compared to utilizing development opportunities on the open market. As the Baby Boomers age, the increase of the aging population will put more stress on the system, and many are worried that retirees will have little choice but to move out of their home in search of more affordable options.

Affordable housing is a complex social issue, and unfortunately, there will always be those in need of these important services. While cities like Vancouver are ranked extremely high for unaffordable housing (just behind New York and London) there is work being done from both the private and public sectors to improve the lives of Canadians across the country. Affordable housing affects thousands of Canadians and it’s important to know what the term actually means as it becomes more prevalent in the media along with the importance of our national real estate market.

There are many factors which need to be considered for both renting and buying, including understanding all the financial responsibilities for both,  the risk vs. reward, and even emotional factors which are crucial to this decision process, since for most consumers, purchasing a home is the largest investment of their lifetime.

RentSeeker.ca, Canada’s leading apartment, condo and home finder, has built a new, one of a kind, Rent or Buy Calculator to help consumers compare the costs associated with renting vs. buying.

The new Rent or Buy Calculator by RentSeeker.ca provides valuable tools including pre-inputted average rent costs for many cities across Canada which users can find by choosing a province, city and bedroom type, or users can input their own rent costs in the custom field for “Monthly Rent”.

Should You Rent or Buy? This New Rent vs. Buy Calculator Will Help You Decide!

For media inquiries or to share our new Rent vs. Buy Calculator,  please email:  media@rentseeker.ca.

Sprawl has taken hold in some Canadian cities, and suburbs stretch from what was once a city’s edge to new communities being built to accommodate more and more buyers and renters.

Renters are faced with a choice — live in close proximity to the city center or pick a place in the ‘burbs.

Both are valid choices for very different reasons.

Lifestyle is unique in both the inner city and the suburbs, and price point comes into play too. How do you choose? You need to evaluate what you are looking for in a home and community before signing the lease.

There are pros and cons to both big city living and having a place in suburbia. Let’s take a look at the options and get some clarity on the city vs suburbs debate.

Suburban Living

Pros:

• The suburbs offer larger apartments and homes for rent and sale at lower prices. Also, if you’re renting a townhouse or single family home you are more likely to have a bigger outdoor space in the suburbs.
• Many suburbs also include a community center, clubhouse, or even private lake geared towards family outdoor activities. These kinds of amenities are particularly attractive to both young couples thinking of having children and mature families alike.
• Some developers are trying to veer away from the cookie-cutter stigmatism associated with many suburbs. If developers of new areas are more mindful of creating suburban communities that retain some of the culture and amenities of inner city neighbourhoods, living further from the city core may become even more attractive.
• Price points are often lower in the suburbs for apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. In the suburbs, you will probably be able to get more square footage for your dollar.

Cons:

• The biggest con of suburban living, for most, is the excessive daily commute. Developers have tacked on community after community in some of the major Canadian cities without truly thinking about whether existing infrastructure can support the extra traffic.
• A lack of culture and activity is also a bone of contention for many when discussing suburban living. Many people want to be in the middle of cultural activity, and suburbs do not generally offer them that. Inner city communities boast a lot more variety in terms of dining, entertainment, and the arts. If your lifestyle revolves around trendy eateries or live theater, you’ll find yourself out of luck in most suburbs.

Big City Living

Pros:

• One of the biggest pros of living in the inner city is being in close proximity to everything a city has to offer. You’ll be right in the middle of theater, art, entertainment, and incredible dining options. You’ll probably live within walking distance to great restaurants and nightlife.
• Short commutes are another huge draw for those who live close to downtown. When you live close to work, you save hours each week that would otherwise be spent on a long and arduous commute. With an apartment in the inner city, you will probably have quick access to a short transit ride or you might even be able to walk or bike to work.
• Choice of apartment will definitely come into play for those who live in the big city. While apartments might not stay on the rental market for as long when they are located in the inner city, you’ll probably have more options simply because there are more apartment and condo buildings to choose from.

Cons:

• The biggest con of living in the big city is probably expense. You will get less bang for your buck than those living in the suburbs. Space is at a premium in the inner city, and you’ll have to pay more per square foot.
• The lifestyle might not be best suited to young families. Depending on where you live in the big city, there might not be nearby parks for young ones to play in or convenient grocery stores to pop into for a loaf of bread. Also, because you will probably live in close proximity to restaurants and nightlife, you might find your inner city street too loud for little ones.

If you have decided which lifestyle matches your personality the best, find the best neighbourhood for you!

Share some of your pros and cons and thoughts with us on Twitter and Facebook!

There was a time when owning a home was a bit of a status symbol – but times have changed. In 2015, renting has its perks.

The real estate market is in a volatile place, and young people may not feel secure in investing such a tremendous amount into a market that is unstable.

House prices across Canada has also increased drastically – for a single family home in Vancouver you are looking at upwards of a million dollars – and we’re not even talking something with tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool.

Renting is fast becoming a preferred option for millennials who value freedom and don’t want to become “house poor”. Let’s take a look at five of the leading reasons why renting can be a better choice than owning a home.

1. Renting doesn’t tie you down – owning does.

When you rent a home or apartment, you sign a lease. That lease may be for any length of time as agreed to by the owner and tenant.

If you want to take a 3-month trip to Europe in the near future, you can find a rental that comes with a 6-month lease.

Then you can pack up and leave without looking back – or having to pay rent while you’re gone.

When you own a home, you are in it for the long hall.

If you take a trip, you are still going to have to make mortgage payments. And no one wants to be making mortgage payments from their hotel room in Rome.

2. Renting is easier on the budget.

This is true for multiple reasons. When you rent, you have the monthly rental amount to pay and (potentially) your utilities.

When you own a home, you have to pay for everything. Toilet broken? Yup, you’re heading to Home Depot to fork out cash for a new pump.

Fridge on the fritz? You guessed it – YOU are responsible for buying a new one.

As a renter, when appliances break down or things go wrong around the house the landlord is responsible for repairs and replacements.

3. Home ownership is time consuming.

Renting comes with fewer responsibilities than owning a home.

If you are renting a condo, townhouse, or apartment, chances are that you don’t have yard work to contend with.

You can spend your weekends catching up with friends on a local patio or binging on your favourite show.

When you own a home, all the maintenance creeps up on you and you might spend your Saturday cleaning out the drainpipes and mowing the lawn.

4. Renting allows you to save for the things that are important to you.

When you rent, your budget is predictable. You know what your monthly rent is and your utility costs.

You aren’t ever going to have to unexpectedly pay for a new washer and dryer or an emergency plumbing call. This allows you to be able to put aside extra money for those things you really want – a trip, a new car, and a sweet HD TV.

While home owners often find their extra funds going to necessities, you, as a renter, will have more freedom to have fun.

5. Renting gives you options.

As a renter, you aren’t tied down to your home. If you move into your new place and discover you have less than desirable neighbours or that you simply don’t love your new neighbourhood, you can move when your lease is up.

You can try out different communities in your city and find out, through real experience, which one is best for you.

You can even try out different living spaces – apartments, townhomes, or duplexes – to see which really suits your lifestyle best.

Renting is a fantastic option when you are looking to move to a new place. You get a great space to call home without being dragged down by all the responsibilities and costs of home ownership.

Renting gives you the best of both worlds – a place to call home AND the freedom to live your best life.

Make sure to check out our Rent vs Buy Calculator to see which makes sense for you financially.

Strangely, most renters in the country don’t bother with investing with this form of protection. They figure it’s too expensive, too much of a hassle, or just not worth the effort, since renting is often seen as a temporary situation before we buy (many people also underestimate just how much they own, and how costly it would be to replace all our stuff). But with students renting properties from the time they leave home often to their mid-30s, newcomer families needing to rent for years before they can afford a new home, and the risks associated with living without insurance, it’s often not worth the gamble — especially if you live in an area with a high crime rate, or risk of disaster associated with flooding, for example.

If you head to the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Tenant Insurance page, you’ll see how various policies can help protect you and your loved ones. The facts are plain: you are responsible for damages that occur in your dwelling, and for damages that spread to other parts of your building. You are also responsible if a visitor gets hurt in your apartment — a bad fall because of a wet floor can mean you’re liable for damages to the injured party.

Basically, renters’ insurance covers between $1 and $2 million dollars in what you’d owe someone after a successful suit (either for an injury or for structural damages). But there are other scenarios wherein you’d benefit from assistance, even when you’re not paying for your own damages. If your apartment is vandalized, robbed, or destroyed by trespassers, or if acts of God destroy your belongings and force you out, you’ll suddenly have to pay for repairing or replacing your goods (clothes, jewelry, electronics, furniture, art — the list goes on, and definitely adds up!), hotel or motel accommodations, food and laundry while you’re out of the home, and so much more. Additional living expense and contents insurance — for replacement costs or actual cash value — can mean you aren’t bankrupted by events totally out of your control.

Banks and other financial institutions will offer a wide variety of tenants insurance policies that take into account a number of factors, including where you live, how much you need, their particular fees and rates, your history of claims, and other elements — but that’s a discussion between you and an insurance professional. For more information, check out this Toronto Star article on the topic, and be sure to read as much as you can before deciding to follow any one route.

The most valuable bit of advice from that article is in regard to your contract with your landlord. While there haven’t been too many precedent cases with clear rulings, you’ve got to make sure your landlord is crystal clear on renters’ insurance policies in your lease agreement. If the contract states that you must purchase insurance, and you fail to do so, this can be ground for eviction in Ontario. Imagine dealing with extensive damages, theft, or a court case, only to then find yourself being pushed from your home! That’s why it’s always vitally important to know every word, line, and clause in your lease agreement — as the saying goes, ignorance is never a valid excuse.

For more helpful advice on all the ins and outs of leasing properties — as a renter, and as a property manager or landlord — keep coming back to this blog. Whether you’re looking for a summary of cool neighbourhoods in a Canadian city, friendly advice for apartment living, or useful infographics, taking advantage of the latest research in the rental market, we’re happy to be of service! Keep on eye on our always-updating database of properties and our social media hubs, too — you never know when we might post something you can use!

Renting an apartment on your own affords you more choices and options than you realize.

The biggest option, and one that trips up many first-time renters, is the type of apartment they should decide to call home.

On the surface, renting a studio or bachelor apartment seems to be the most economical option for your wallet.

However, the average price difference between a bachelor and a 1 bedroom apartment is not as disparate as they seem.

According to RentBoard, the average monthly rent of a bachelor apartment in Toronto is $916, whereas the average for a 1 bedroom apartment is $1,113. With a difference of just under $100 per month, deciding to move into a 1 bedroom apartment might be right for you.

Benefits of Renting a 1 Bedroom vs Bachelor

It’s All Yours

It is true that it’s important to share – our parents have taught us this from a young age. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to have a space that is just for you.

That’s why renting a 1 bedroom apartment is such a great option for those who would like to have their own private sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the world. After a long day at the office, coming home to your own space with peace and quiet can be just what the doctor ordered.

You’ll also never have to worry about common roommate problems, such as being stuck with a roomie who just doesn’t want to clean up or who eats all of your groceries.

When you live in your own 1 bedroom apartment, you’ll have control over the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of your own space.

Independent Women (and Men)

For someone living on their own for the first time, there’s a wonderful sense of self-sufficiency that comes with renting your own 1 bedroom apartment.

Everything in the apartment is yours and all of the decisions about how it looks and functions are up to you.

Having the extra square footage that comes with a 1 bedroom apartment truly makes the space feel like a home – one that you can be proud of and make your own in any way you see fit.

Let Me Entertain You

Living on your own has many fabulous perks, but you’ll naturally want to have friends and family over to your home sometimes.

With a 1 bedroom apartment, you have more room for entertaining than you would if you rented a studio apartment.

The extra space means that your bed, clothes and other personal items will not be getting in the way (and potentially discouraging you from inviting friends over).

Having a living room also means you can invest in a pull-out couch so visiting family members will have a place to stay when they are in town.

Workspace/Living Space

If you’re one of the 1.8 million self-employed Canadians who work from home, you know just how important it is to have a separate area for work in your living space.

With a 1 bedroom apartment, it’s much easier to set up your work station in an area that is away from your more personal items. Even if you work from home, it’s still necessary to have a healthy work/life balance.

Renting a 1 bedroom apartment gives you the opportunity to set up your work life and your personal life just the way you want it.

Once you’re in your 1 bedroom apartment, you’ll be looking for ways to maximize space and minimize clutter. Check out these great tips from HGTV from their blog “How to Organize a One-Bedroom Apartment“:

1. Use wall shelving to get things off your floor and give you more space without sacrificing storage. The Home Organizing Ideas website suggests using vertical shelves to use more wall space. If you are renting, be sure to check your lease or speak with your landlord before you put any permanent holes in the walls.

2. Invest in a small folding desk and a simple desk chair that can easily be moved out of sight. This will give you an office-like area in your living area that can be stored to make space for times when you entertain guests. If you have a desktop computer or need a more permanent in-home workspace, put a small desk and chair in a quiet corner of the room or in your bedroom where the rest of the furniture will not be disturbed.

3. Get rid of any unnecessary items, such as used books that you aren’t going to reread, newspapers, clothes that no longer fit and kitchenware that goes unused. If your clothes and other items are in good condition, consider donating items to a non-profit organization. Getting rid of the things that just sit in your home untouched will free up space for the things you use the most.

4. Keep personal items such as laundry baskets in your bedroom closet. This will help keep your personal items out of sight for guests. No one wants to look at your dirty laundry over coffee or on game night. If you do not use a laundry hamper or basket, invest in one. Keeping your laundry organized is important in keeping your apartment clean.

There are benefits to renting Bachelor, 2 and 3 Bedrooms as well, so weigh your options and Happy Apartment Hunting 🙂

The RentSeeker.ca Team