r/CalgaryHousing

I am needing to move in July 1st for work to Calgary. Since I’m out of the country until the 25th, is it fine to look for the apartment then or would it be too late?

I have been looking but very difficult to schedule things over email especially with the significant time difference (16 hours) and no roaming so I can’t call

Thank you

I am looking to relocate to Calgary from the US for a job in the timeframe of January-March and long term housing. I am a Canadian citizen but haven’t lived in Canada yet (I obtained citizenship because my mom is Canadian). No visas or sponsorships required. I won’t have much Canadian credit established but have excellent rental history in the US and I will be established in my job. My research has shown it could be hit or miss with being able to find a place to rent in my situation. Can anyone provide any insight or guidance? I’ve been looking around SE ish area. Thanks in advance!

So I signed a lease for the guardian south building about 3 weeks ago and the lease is supposed to start in July. Sent the security deposit as well as the first month rent. I am currently out of the country so am panicking badly.

Some things that led me to believe it’s a scam: he once texted me and called me a completely different name which at the time I didn’t think much of. Sent me an invoice for the payments and the logo on the invoice is of a company which I don’t think he owns as the company was sold a decade ago. We went and visited the place in person and everything checked out, the person came in person and was who he claimed to be. However, on the phone, he told me that someone is living there and that he needs to give them notice for the tour but the place seemed to have 0 evidence of a person living there (not a single piece of clothing or shoes or anything). The last name on the e transfer registered name was spelt differently than the last name on the lease (sounds the same though). I sent the first rent after the security deposit and on this, auto deposit was turned off whereas security deposit had auto deposit. Text messages to him seemed to be all iMessage until it only allows me to send sms. His Facebook profile seems to be gone. There were a lot of mistakes on the lease agreement but it was fixed eventually before I signed it.

I did also message my current landlord and past landlord and both confirmed that this person did reach out to ask about me. I am just worrisome as I saw a Facebook post saying they were scammed by the exact same person at the exact same unit (this post I can’t find on Facebook at all but a little snippet pops up online of this message which is what I read)

Am I overthinking this? My gut tells me I got scammed but not 100% sure. Please help!

I am doing my research with my wife, and we have a sit-down scheduled with a mortgage specialist about this, but I thought I’d ask on here too just on the off-chance someone else has gone through something similar or knows a little more about the process.

I am here in Canada on a closed work permit (in the process of extending it and I intend on staying in the country as my wife (Canadian) and new baby (also Canadian) are here and I have planted roots. Part of what we want to do is start the process of leaving the rental market and owing a home. Does anyone know what a newcomer must do to be eligible to get a reasonable mortgage? As for down payment, does it look better if we (newcomers) put down more than the bare minimum 5%? Has anyone had any experience with a rent-to-own situation, instagram ads keep suggesting that I look into that too. Has anyone run into any issues during the home buying process? What should I look for and watch out for?

For context, I’ve been here for almost four years, maintained the same, great job with good standing, decent credit, no major debts, my wife isn’t working right now as we just had a baby and her credit isn’t the best (would have a guarantor be of benefit?), but she has plans to return to work and strengthen her credit

Overall, I just want to be aware of anything grey areas or red flags during the process that could potentially throw a wrench in us being able to own a home.

Thanks so much for any insight!
🙏🏻