Truro is not a small city in the Maritimes and has ample schools which help the rental market. 

If you are looking at buying back at home (Gatineau / Ottawa, MTL, {perhaps} the Maritimes), then you will require a downpayment of 25 - 50% (likely closer to the upper end as you are expats at the moment).  

@Chad UrbshottYou can still find a monthly rent ratio of 1.0 - 1.2% in the Maritimes - particularly with student rentals.  

I graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering and over the years I've worked for the U.S.

That said, a 1600 ft^2 3/2 in the Maritimes can run anywhere from $140K - $200K these days (rent: 1100 - 1400$/month)  ... of course, you would get a 28% discount on the dollar right now.

While there are a few places in the U.S.A. where SFH and MFH prices are comparable to what we are seeing down east in the Maritimes, there are many more where prices/costs are half.

I am currently a senior at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York, studying to be a maritime engineer.

There are places in the east (Maritimes) where housing costs are a little more grounded.The continuing rise in real estate prices has been {partially} fuelled by historically low interest rates (BoC overnight is 0.5%; Bank prime is 2.7%).

For some reason, Canadians - or, at least, Maritimers -  appear less inclined to opt for "vendor financing" let alone anything truly creative.IMHO, your primary objective in a "deal" is to solve/satisfy the vendor's problem/need.

Plenum heat exchangers can be easily retrofitted into existing forced air furnaces and integrated into the control system as the first heating stage.Hear in the Maritimes there is little difference between fuel costs which amplifies the benefits of using a heat pump.