Real Estate Investing

Discover how real estate investing works in Canada, from rental properties to REITs, and how to grow wealth through income and appreciation.

Real Estate Investing



What is Real Estate Investing?

Real estate investing involves purchasing property or shares in property-based assets to earn income, generate capital appreciation, or both.

Why Does Investing Matter in Real Estate

In Canada, real estate investing is a popular strategy for building wealth and generating passive income. Investors may choose between owning physical properties or investing in real estate through public markets.


Common forms of real estate investing include:
  • Rental properties (single-family, multi-unit, or short-term rentals)
  • Commercial real estate
  • REITs and publicly traded funds
  • Development or house-flipping

Key considerations include:
  • Upfront capital and financing
  • Cash flow and return on investment (ROI)
  • Tax treatment and deductible expenses
  • Property management responsibilities


Successful investing requires research, due diligence, and financial planning. Risks may include market downturns, vacancy, and maintenance costs. Leveraging mortgages allows investors to control larger assets with less capital, but it increases exposure to interest rate changes.


Understanding real estate investing allows individuals to diversify portfolios, supplement income, and plan for long-term financial goals.

Example of Real Estate Investing

A couple purchases a duplex and rents out both units, earning monthly passive income while the property's value increases over time.

Key Takeaways

  • Involves buying property for income or growth.
  • Can be active (landlord) or passive (REITs).
  • Requires financing, planning, and risk management.
  • Generates income, equity, and tax benefits.
  • Popular for long-term wealth building.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Budgeting

Budgeting in real estate refers to the process of forecasting and managing income and expenses associated with owning, operating, or developing a property.. more

Tenant Improvements

Tenant improvements refer to custom modifications or build-outs made to a leased space to suit the tenant’s operational needs, often negotiated as. more

Highest and Best Use

Highest and best use refers to the reasonably probable use of a property that results in the highest value, provided it is legally permissible,. more

Gross Lease

A gross lease is a commercial lease where the tenant pays a fixed rent, and the landlord covers most or all operating expenses such as property. more

Brownfield

A brownfield is a property that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and is now vacant or underused, often requiring. more

Record of Site Condition (RSC)

A Record of Site Condition (RSC) is a formal document filed with a provincial environmental authority certifying that a property meets required. more

More For You

The 62-storey Shangri-La Vancouver at 1128 W Georgia Street.

The 62-storey Shangri-La Vancouver at 1128 W Georgia Street. / Hyatt

The Shangri-La Vancouver, one of the city's premier downtown hotels, has been acquired by Canadian multinational investment firm Brookfield, STOREYS has learned.

The Shangri-La Vancouver is located within the 62-storey mixed-use complex located between W Georgia Street and Alberni Street along Thurlow Street. The 62-storey tower at the corner houses 119 hotel rooms on the first 15 floors and 307 residences above. The ground level and an adjacent three-storey building houses retail space, including Vancouver Art Gallery - Offsite, an outdoor public exhibition space curated by the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic Cabbagetown Duplex Offers Canadian Star Quality And Timeless Style

In the heart of Cabbagetown, on one of the neighbourhood’s most picturesque, tree-lined blocks, this stately Victorian exudes historic charm — with an added touch of Canadian star quality.

Thoughtfully redesigned and maintained by Canadian actress and broadcaster Shauna MacDonald — known for memorable roles in Trailer Park Boys, These Arms of Mine, and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and for her celebrated tenure as a CBC Radio One announcer — 451 Sackville Street, listed for $1,935,000, offers a rare chance to own a fully restored residence that seamlessly blends architectural heritage, timeless craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.

Designed as two distinct, self-contained suites, the home is as versatile as it is beautiful — ideal for multigenerational living, rental income, dedicated work-from-home space, or simply an expansive personal residence that exudes unique character and style.

Keep ReadingShow less
4 Major Toronto Development Proposals From June
36-40 Avondale Avenue/DIALOG

From Etobicoke to Scarborough, unassuming parcels of land across the Greater Toronto Area are constantly being eyed up and targeted for housing development by the region's (and country's) array of industrious builders and developers. And, as the City sees a steady stream of building applications, STOREYS is right there waiting to sift through architectural plans and planning rationales for the best and biggest (and coolest!) coming up across the region.

Each month brings something different, from affordable housing to multi-tower luxury condos — but here are four stand-out submissions that were on our radar in the month of June.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ontario Real Estate And Development Industry Moves and Hires: June 2025
Clockwise from top left: Zachary Vaughan, Tony Irwin, Wallace Wang, Shoon Huggett, Gregory Sweeny, Jie Chen.

Like our ever-changing cities and towns, Ontario's real estate and development landscape (and the people who make it run) are also ever-changing. From new hires and retirements to promotions and partnerships, here are all the notable moves you should know about from June.

Development

  • Gregory Sweeney has joined Graywood Developments as COO.
  • Lena Kamenetska has joined Hazelview Investments as Partner, Investor Relations & Account Management.
  • Namit Bhavsar has joined GWL Realty Advisors as VP of Leasing & Marketing, Residential.
  • James Isenberg has joined QuadReal as VP of Human Resources.
  • Oren Jourdan has joined Allied Properties REIT as Director of Construction and Development.
  • Andrew Berndt has joined Lankin Investments as Director of Private Capital Markets.
  • Christian Bulza has joined PwC's Real Estate Advisory Team as Senior Manager of Deals.
  • Brendan Flowers has been promoted to Development Manager at SmartCentres REIT.
  • Chris Wu has joined Peakhill Capital as a Senior Associate, and Daria Savchenko has joined as Associate.
  • Benjamin Tse has joined Forum Asset Management as a Real Estate Investments Associate.
  • Aleksander Sluzynski has joined Crestpoint Real Estate Investments as an Asset Management Analyst.

Brokerages

  • Julian Smith has been promoted to SVP of Climate and Decarbonization Practice Director at JLL Canada.
  • Charles Pint has been promoted to VP of Toronto West at Colliers.
  • Jake MacLachlan has joined Cushman & Wakefield as Senior Analyst of Real Estate Capital Markets, and Charlie Musgrave has joined as a VP at the Toronto office.
  • Jennifer Millar has joined CBRE Toronto as AVP.
  • Lambrini Litsa has been promoted to Director of Marketing Services at Sotheby's International Realty Canada.

Government

  • Shoon Huggett has been promoted to VP of Financial Analysis & Advisory at CreateTO.

Finance

  • Palak Trivedi has been promoted to Managing Director of Infrastructure at CPP Investments.
  • Andrew Athey has joined RBC as Associate Director of Commercial Mortgage Finance & Securitization.
  • Devon Cole has been promoted to Senior Relationship Manager of Real Estate Finance at CIBC.
  • Hassan Tariq has been promoted to Portfolio Manager of Real Estate Investments at Canada Post Pension Plan.
  • Adam Newell has been promoted to VP at Oakbank Capital.

Architecture and Design

  • Jie Chen has been appointed as Chair of DIALOG’s new Ottawa studio, which will officially open this December.

Other

National

  • Tony Irwin has been named President & CEO of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, rebranded Rental Housing Canada. Rental Housing Canada has also appointed its 2025 Board of Directors.
  • Wallace Wang has been named CFO of Bridgemarq Real Estate Services (parent company of Royal LePage), effective July 1.
  • Denis Dubois has been appointed as President and CEO of Desjardins Group.
  • Zachary Vaughan has been appointed CEO of Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT, effective July 2, and is succeeding Craig Mitchell, who has retired.
  • Les Miller, CEO of Crown Realty Partners, retired on June 30 after 23 years, and the firm is now led by the three managing partners.
Sign up for our newsletters for weekly updates on hirings, promotions, and job vacancies. To spotlight a new hire or an open position that needs to be filled, email: advertising@storeys.com.
TRENDING: Ontario Real Estate And Development Industry Hires And Promotions
Ontario Lowers 2026 Rent Cap To 2.1%, Tightest In Four Years
Shutterstock

Despite recent rent decreases, including a 3.6% annual dip recorded in May, Ontario remains the priciest province for renters in the country. At the same time, ongoing trade tensions have created economic uncertainty for all Canadians, and those who pay their shelter costs month to month are particularly vulnerable.

Given the precarious backdrop, the Ontario government has opted to cap rent increases at just 2.1% for 2026. At 2.5%, the cap for 2025 constituted a country-wide low and marked the third consecutive year of it being held at that level.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Clockwise from top centre: Wing Ng, Zenterra Developments, Nicholas Frappell, Susan Thompson, Rob Blouin, Marcus & Millichap

Clockwise from top centre: Wing Ng, Zenterra Developments, Nicholas Frappell, Susan Thompson, Rob Blouin, Marcus & Millichap

Another month has come and passed, and another group of companies have made some notable hires or promotions, even as the real estate and development industry in British Columbia (and beyond) continues to struggle.

Commercial real estate brokerages Marcus & Millichap made a series of promotions, while Avison Young and Colliers both made two big hires, as did big-name developers like Concert Properties, Wesgroup, and Wesbild.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modern Comfort Meets Tailored Elegance At This Summerhill Classic

In the heart of Summerhill, tucked between the quiet prestige of Avenue Road and the urban charm of Yonge Street, sits one of Toronto’s most coveted residential pockets — and at its centre, a home that gets everything right.

Welcome to 137 Marlborough Place, where classic midtown character meets elevated, contemporary design. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence was fully renovated in 2017, and now strikes a pitch-perfect balance between comfort, sophistication, and family-friendly function.

Keep ReadingShow less
From Great To Even Greater: Oviedo Properties Announces BridgeCity Redesign

In Metro Vancouver’s fast-paced housing landscape, it’s not often you see a developer take a step back, reflect, and re-engage from a place of deep commitment.

That’s what Oviedo Properties is doing with BridgeCity, its large-scale Surrey community that has seen interest from buyers, agents, and the community at large.

Keep ReadingShow less