Lease-option / Rent-to-own Canada vs US

[Ryan S.]

With the current turbulence in the rental markets in terms of iffy payments and evictions being halted, I'm looking at employing a lease option strategy for the next while as I move from the Canadian market into the US market.  Most of the process seems the same, but there is one particular difference I have noted and I haven't figured out why this is, hoping someone on here who is doing this regularly can answer.

In the US, it seems investors find a home, purchase it, perhaps fix it, then put it up as a rent-to-own and try to find a tenant buyer that can afford it and want to buy it as well as rent it first.  In Canada, the way everyone seems to be doing this (that I know of) is find the tenant-buyer first, figure out what their purchasing power will be after the set term (usually 3 - 5 years) and then have them find a house that is for sale within their future budget and you as the investor purchase it on their behalf then rent it to them.  This way to me seems much easier as they find their ideal home that they can afford rather than having to like the house you have already. 

I realize the rules are state by state but is there some reason you can't do this the 'Canadian' way that I'm yet to stumble across?  

Thanks!