If you’re house-hunting on a budget, a fixer-upper can be a great option. From Nova Scotia to Nunavut, Canada offers an abundance of rundown houses calling out for restoration. To help you with your search, we’ve compiled a list of some of the country’s most eligible properties. Browse the gallery and see if you can find your dream home...
A steal at just CA$89,000 (£55k/$68k), this charming blue-and-yellow painted cottage is located in Landry Office, near the centre of the Acadian Peninsular and just a short drive away from the ocean. Built in 1860, the Victorian property was originally a post office and general store, and still retains many of its original features. Ripe for restoration, it will make a great holiday home or a profitable rental.
Inside, the property has been well preserved and still has the original panelled walls, as well as wooden floorboards and sash windows. The spacious living room is in great nick and could easily be updated with a lick of paint and new soft furnishings. The current owners have tastefully decorated the property with a range of antique pieces that really help bring out its vintage charm.
Painted to match the exterior, the sunny kitchen is large enough for an eight-person dining table and has ample counter space for a family home. The cabinets are a little dated but could be spruced up rather than completely replaced. Add in a few modern appliances, such as a new oven and hob, and this room is ready to go!
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The house has four good-sized bedrooms, as well as a currently unused loft space that could be converted into a fifth. The décor is perhaps not to everyone’s taste but, again, it could easily be revamped without compromising the building’s authenticity. Recently renovated with a new septic tank and electrics, this property is a great option for those looking to take on a relatively stress-free refurbishment project.
If you’re on a mission to find a property with character, this house will tick all the boxes. Originally Pointe de Bute Methodist Church, the 19th-century building has been converted into an open-plan living space with double-height ceilings and an expansive artist’s studio. A charming home with great potential, the former church delivers on space, authenticity and style.
Enter through the grand double doors and you’re greeted by what is currently the owner's studio – a huge space that could be used as an additional reception room, dining room, or lounge. A set of doors in the partition wall leads you through to the grand living room with its vaulted ceiling and arched stained-glass windows. Eclectically decorated, it is sympathetic to the building’s history, with reclaimed pews and a magnificent antique piano.
What was formerly the vestry is now a kitchen-cum-library, with built-in bookshelves and comfy sofas. There isn’t currently much in the way of cabinets or counters, but with so much space to play with, the kitchen could easily be extended and modernised. What the property lacks in amenities, it makes up for in character, thanks to the original wooden floorboards, ceiling braces and mouldings.
Currently, the two ‘bedrooms’ consist of sleeping spaces cordoned off by various items of furniture. While cosy and tastefully decorated, they don’t offer residents much privacy or quiet. Any new owner could consider adding more partition walls or creating a mezzanine level to really get the most out of this fantastic space.
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Situated in Great Village, just a stone’s throw from the bustling town of Truro, this timber-clad house sits on seven acres of lush grassland bordering Great Village River. Built over a hundred years ago, the historical property is brimming with character and unique period features. Well maintained and cared for, the five-bedroom home would require minimal renovations to transform it into a comfortable family home.
Downstairs, you’ll find a spacious living room, a snug and a good-sized dining room. The galley kitchen is cramped but workable – the house has plenty of space so there’s definitely potential to knock through and create an open-plan living area. The highlight of the ground floor is undoubtedly the stone fireplace and hearth, complete with an original brick oven and a vintage Aga.
The dining room is the social hub of the house, with several other rooms leading in to it. The décor may be dated but there’s real potential to restore some of the original features, such as the cornices and boarded-up fireplace. The hardwood floors are in great condition and could be extended throughout the house for a more cohesive feel.
With five good-sized bedrooms, this property has plenty of room for family members and guests. The first floor also boasts an additional 400 square feet of currently unused space that could be used to create an additional bathroom or another common area. With so much scope for development, all this house requires is a little TLC to turn it into your dream home.
If you’re looking for a suburban home not far from the Canadian capital, this picturesque residence is a great option. Boasting a trellised veranda overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden, the detached property has a clapboard façade that boasts a charming, old-world feel. Complete with a huge basement that's begging for development, this house is ideal for a growing family.
The interior may be a little dated, but it’s nothing a fresh coat of paint and some new flooring couldn’t fix. The ground floor of the property has a cosy, L-shaped living room and spacious kitchen-diner with windows overlooking the lawn and blooming flower beds. There’s also a good-sized (and perfectly functional) bathroom that could be redesigned to get the most out of the space.
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On the first floor, there are three double bedrooms, all with wood-panelled walls and large windows. The décor has a distinct 1970s vibe that is not to everyone’s liking, but the space itself has huge potential. There is already built-in storage, and you could easily nestle in some custom cupboards or wardrobes led under the eaves to really make the most of the compact layout.
One of the main draws of this property is the expansive basement. Currently used for storage, the space could be turned into a recreation room, snug or even a workshop. The house also comes with a double garage and a large garden shed, making it ideal for families or those searching for additional outside space. On the market for a mere CA$150,000 (£93k/$115k), this characterful home is a real bargain.
Built at the turn of the previous century, this four-bed house is a classic Victorian-style property with a wraparound veranda and ornate gable trim. Located in Shawville, a historical town just an hour from Ottawa, the building has been well looked after and requires minimal renovations. A gorgeous property with real potential, it also has a large garden that is perfect for families.
The ground floor of the property boasts a light and airy living room, spacious kitchen-diner and an additional reception room currently used as an office. Every room has solid wood skirting boards, door frames and dado rails, which could be stripped and stained for a more contemporary look. One of the most striking features of the downstairs is a magnificent staircase with panelled sides and intricately carved newels and banisters.
There are four bedrooms split over the top two floors, including a stunning master with huge windows overlooking the street and garden. The single bedroom on the first floor opens out onto the balcony, which snakes its way around the outside of the property. While the decoration is a little dated, the bedrooms could be quickly updated with a lick of paint and new carpet.
The only potential shortcoming of this house is the lack of washroom facilities. The family bathroom is typically Victorian in design; a narrow space with a roll-top bath, vanity unity and toilet squeezed in Tetris style. New owners could consider borrowing from the neighbouring room to create a more comfortable space that makes the most of the floorplan.
If you want to start a new life in the country, this charming four-bedroom property definitely merits a viewing. Set in nearly six acres of land, with maple trees and walking trails, it comes complete with a number of outbuildings, including a two-stall barn and a garden shed. With so much space to play with, the estate is ideal for keen gardeners or hobby farmers looking to create their own smallholding.
Built circa 1850, the house has traditional clapboard siding, wooden windows and a gabled roof clad in durable steel sheeting. On the ground floor there is a living room, dining room and a roomy kitchen with plenty of storage and marble-topped island. The bonus feature here is a music room with a replica Biedermeier bookcase, designed to enhance the acoustics in the space.
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Formerly a bed and breakfast, the property has four good-sized bedrooms – two with en-suites – and two further bathrooms, one on each floor. The current owner's penchant for chintzy floral wallpaper is immediately discernible, but redecoration would be a quick and simple process. There is also a handy laundry room on the ground floor and a sun porch, ideal for soaking up the rays with a good book.
Recently updated, this house has an almost brand-new septic tank and water heater, as well as modern plumbing and electrics. The kitchen and bathroom could be ripped out and replaced with more contemporary fittings, but the property is perfectly liveable and in great condition for a 19th-century building. If you’re looking for a relatively straightforward renovation project, why not check it out?
Interested in starting a hospitality business or Airbnb? This property could be a great option. Built in 1979, the house has six bedrooms, including a recently renovated basement that could function as a self-contained annexe. Located on the outskirts of the harbour town of Botwood, the house sits on a sleepy suburban street just minutes from the sea.
Split over three levels, the main floor of the property comprises a large hall, living room, dining room and eat-in kitchen. There is also a cosy snug with a functional fireplace and a utility room with a toilet. Dominated by Artex ceilings, vinyl flooring and shag pile, the house is definitely a little antiquated, but just needs someone with a keen eye for design to see its true potential.
The top floor of the house boasts four large bedrooms, all with stunning views out over the ocean. The master has an en-suite bathroom as well as a walk-in wardrobe with plenty of storage space. Head down to the basement and you’ll find a further two bedrooms and an additional lounge space with a small but perfectly formed kitchen.
The exterior of the property was updated just a few years ago with new siding and energy-efficient vinyl windows. The expansive garden is beautifully landscaped and comes with a practical double garage. A snip at just under CA$240,000 (£149k/$184k), all this house requires is a bit of a makeover to transform it into something truly special.
Opportunities such as this only come along once in a blue moon... The Pickersgill Premises is a real slice of history – a collection of buildings dating back to the early 20th century and located on a rocky outcrop near the town of Salvage. Consisting of two saltbox houses and four outbuildings, the premises are nestled along the rugged Newfoundland coastline with panoramic views of the ocean.
Boasting one of the largest collections of antique furniture in the entire province, the estate is chock full of remnants from another era with everything from vintage writing desks to old fishing tackle. Entering the two cottages is like stepping back in time; both houses have been carefully preserved with the original owner's possessions displayed beautifully in each one.
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Brimming with character, many of the rooms still have the original wooden beams and floorboards, and are simply but tastefully furnished. The properties comprise seven bedrooms in total, so starting a guesthouse or a B&B business would be a viable option. The estate comes with three outbuildings overflowing with old tools, crates and lanterns, as well as a quirky wooden outhouse at the water’s edge.
An area of stunning natural beauty, this picturesque corner of Newfoundland is home to one of the oldest settled communities in the province. The Pickersgill Premises is a Registered Heritage Property and comes with all of the antique furnishings, artwork and crockery included. If you want the chance to own a piece of local history, act now as this estate is unlikely to be available for long.
Built in the early 20th century, this charming period property looks out over the ocean and comes with a whopping 32 acres of land. Just five minutes’ drive from the pretty port town of Lunenburg – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the house is located on a quiet country road that offers privacy without being remote. Comprising four double bedrooms and two bathrooms, space is one thing that this property has no shortage of.
The main attraction of this property has to be the extensive southwest-facing grounds, perfect for budding hobby farmers or keen riders. Planted with shrubs and trees, the land also comes with a corrugated iron outbuilding with potential for conversion at a later date. With its scenic location and period features, this Nova Scotia listing is a real gem.
A rare find in the competitive Victoria property market on Vancouver Island, this white clapboard cottage is located on the outskirts of the city right next to Playfair Park. Built in 1926, the detached property is in good condition but requires modernisation to make the most of the space. Set in an attractive lot with fruit trees and floral borders, the house is perfect for those looking to downsize and move away from the bustling city centre.
Accessed via a ramp with a pretty trellised porch, this bungalow has a spacious lounge, kitchen and dining room. The original built-in cabinets in the kitchen would make an eye-catching feature if stripped and restored, and are ideal for displaying a collection of books or fine china. There is also an old brick fireplace in the lounge, which could be fitted with a new grate to capitalise on the antique character it brings to the room.
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Set over one level, the property has two bedrooms with solid wood floors and views over the leafy garden, plus a bathroom with space for a washing machine and dryer. Despite the compact floorplan, the property has great potential for devlopment and there’s a lot that could be accomplished by a buyer with a vision for transforming and updating the space.
Situated in the Maplewood neighbourhood, a peaceful residential area with winding, tree-lined avenues,the property doesn't need any major structural work, making it a good option for those hesitant to take on a big renovation project. Sympathetically restored to bring out its original character, this fixer-upper could prove a diamond in the rough.