First time home buyer in Ontario, Canada looking for advice

[Tarun Desu]

Hello BP community, I would like to seek your valuable advice in getting my first property in Ontario. I currently have a permanent remote role and looking for detached/semi-detached properties in London, Brantford, Cambridge, St. Catherines & Woodstock. I do not have a family (Single).

I have 10% savings for a 450k (max pre-approved, including 10% down) house and so far had hard luck in finding detached/semi-detached properties in the above-mentioned regions due to the crazy ongoing bidding wars. Condos/townhomes are the last priority considering the cash flow/appreciation. 

I'm looking for a house that is in livable condition and open to spending up to 10-15k if not in livable condition during occupancy.

Here is where I wanted to ask for inputs.

1. Is there any way to find deals before the properties get listed on MLS?

2. Based on 450k (pre-qualification) what are the best places in Ontario to look for (considering rental income via basement/extra rooms)

3. Any RE strategies I can apply? (other than house hacking which I am already considering)

I'm here to learn and would appreciate your inputs/feedback.

Thank you,

Tarun