Relocating for McMaster
Starting a residency or fellowship? Joining McMaster as a new faculty member, or a hospital in Hamilton, Halton or Niagara as a new physician? Coming on a secondment, a visiting appointment or a sabbatical? I help physicians, residents, faculty, researchers and their families find the right home across Hamilton, Halton and Niagara, whether you plan to buy or rent.
When your appointment ends, or you leave for a secondment of your own, I can also help you sell or lease out the home you have.
I managed the Department of Medicine in McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. I understand how academic appointments, start dates and residency schedules work, and how little time new arrivals have to sort out housing.
Steven McCarthy, Real Estate Sales Representative
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage
Who I Help
Residents and fellows starting postgraduate training, including those placed at regional sites in Niagara and Waterloo Region.
Physicians joining Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Joseph Brant Hospital, Halton Healthcare or Niagara Health.
New faculty members in every McMaster faculty, not only Health Sciences: Engineering, Science, Social Sciences, Humanities and the DeGroote School of Business.
Researchers and postdoctoral fellows, clinician scientists and research staff.
Visiting professors and secondments, coming to the region or leaving it for a term elsewhere.
Faculty on sabbatical who want to lease out their home while they are away.
Partners and families who need to think about schools, commutes and space to grow.
Buy, Rent, Sell or Lease Out
Buying
If you expect to stay for several years, buying can make sense. Many Canadian lenders offer professional mortgage programs for physicians and residents, and I can introduce you to mortgage professionals who work with them.
Renting
For a shorter residency, fellowship, visiting appointment or secondment, renting is often the better choice. I can help you find a suitable rental, put together a strong application and review the lease before you sign.
Leasing out your home
Leaving the area for a sabbatical or secondment? Instead of selling, you may be able to lease your home to a reliable tenant and come back to it when your term ends.
Selling
When your training or appointment ends and you move on, I can help you sell, including after you have already left.
From a distance
Most people arrange housing before they arrive. Video walkthroughs and local viewings mean you do not need several trips.
A Simple Timeline
As soon as your appointment is confirmed or you match: talk through budget, location, and whether to buy or rent.
Three to four months before: mortgage pre-approval or rental paperwork, and virtual tours of homes and neighbourhoods.
One to two months before: offers, inspections or lease signing, then schools, utilities and movers.
Arrival: keys in hand and time to settle in before your first day.
Getting to Know the Region
Hamilton: Westdale and Ainslie Wood, close to campus and McMaster University Medical Centre; Kirkendall, Strathcona and the Locke Street area; Dundas and Ancaster; and the Mountain, near Juravinski Hospital.
Halton: Burlington, Oakville and Milton, with easy commutes to Hamilton and Toronto.
Niagara: St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls, close to McMaster’s Niagara Regional Campus and Niagara Health sites.
I can help you weigh commute, schools, transit and price.
HOMES FOR RENT NOW · FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED · OAKVILLE
11 Bronte Rd, Unit 306
$3,500 a month furnished or $3,100 unfurnished · 754 sq ft plus a 137 sq ft balcony
1 bedroom plus den, 1 bathroom, one underground parking spot included; available November 1, 2026
The Shores, a luxury condo in Bronte Harbour, a short walk to the marina, shops and waterfront trails
24-hour concierge, fitness centre, rooftop pool and hot tub, guest suites and in-suite laundry
Minimum term: 4 months furnished, 12 months unfurnished; tenant pays hydro, water and internet
CONDO FOR RENT · WATERDOWN
470 Dundas St E, Unit 1008
$2,145 a month · 589 sq ft plus a 35 sq ft balcony
1 bedroom plus den, 1 bathroom, parking and locker included; heat and air conditioning included; available November 1, 2026
Private balcony overlooking the ravine and lake
Geothermal heating and cooling, gym, party room and rooftop patio
Walk to downtown Waterdown; about 10 minutes to Aldershot GO, the 403 and 407
HOUSE FOR RENT · BURLINGTON
2384 Headon Rd
$4,750 a month · 2,750 sq ft
4 bedrooms, 3 + 1 bathrooms, double garage included; tenant pays utilities; available November 1, 2026
Two-storey family home, renovated top to bottom, with appliances and main-floor laundry
Quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood close to the 407 and Dundas GO park-and-ride
Near Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Ireland Park, trails and golf
GROUND-FLOOR UNIT FOR RENT · HAMILTON
565 Roxborough Ave, Ground Floor
$2,200 a month plus utilities · 1,120 sq ft plus 1,120 sq ft unfinished basement
2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, two parking spaces and shared use of the garage; available January 1, 2027
Renovated kitchen, in-unit laundry and exclusive use of the yard and patio
Basement storage for your exclusive use
Family-friendly neighbourhood close to transit and shopping
Let’s Talk
Planning a move to or from Hamilton, Halton or Niagara? Book a free 30-minute conversation. There is no cost and no obligation.
Steven McCarthy, Real Estate Sales Representative
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage
Member of The Loya Group
2180 Itabashi Way, Unit 4A, Burlington, ON L7M 5A5
289-442-2851 · steven@rayloya.com
Each office independently owned and operated.
This service is not affiliated with or endorsed by McMaster University or any hospital named on this page. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage. General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice.