Define the purpose.
Clarify how you’ll use the property, how long you may hold it, and how involved you want to be.
Investment properties
Invest in real estate
Compare rental income, ownership costs and the records for each property.
Homes for sale
Homes with a mortgage helper
Stone Group Listings with a suite or second unit described in the listing.
How we help you assess a property
Make the assumptions visible before you decide. We help you identify what to investigate with your professional advisors.
Check the numbers.
Consider financing, vacancy, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and any strata costs.
Know the constraints.
Confirm permitted use, tenancy obligations, property condition, and your options if plans change.
Records to request
What to read before you offer.
For any rental property, ask for the documents that show how the home and building are really performing.
- Strata bylaws, minutes, budget and depreciation report
- Any existing tenancy agreement and its terms
- Recent utility, insurance and maintenance costs
- Permits for suites or renovations
- Planned special levies or building repairs
Ongoing costs
Budget for the years you own it.
The purchase is only the start. A realistic plan includes the costs that continue while you hold the property.
- Mortgage payments at today’s rate and a higher one
- Property tax and landlord insurance
- Strata fees and a reserve for special levies
- Repairs, appliance replacement and turnover costs
- Periods without a tenant
Comparing property types
Different homes, different questions.
The same budget can buy very different responsibilities.
Condo
- Strata rental bylaws and restrictions
- Strata fees and the contingency reserve
- Building age, insurance and planned work
Townhouse
- Shared repairs, roofs and exteriors
- Parking and storage for tenants
- Rules on rentals and pets
Detached home
- Permitted suites and zoning
- Major systems: roof, drainage, heating
- Who handles maintenance and yard care
At your pace
Common questions
Choose a question for a short answer. Open the full guide for the details.
Can I rely on projected rental income?
Use documented evidence and check assumptions with a qualified property manager and lender. Allow for vacancies and costs. A projected rent is not a guaranteed return.
How do I check a property’s permitted use?
Confirm zoning, permits, title restrictions, and strata bylaws for the specific property. A listing description alone is not proof of a permitted use.
What advice do I need?
Your lender, accountant, lawyer, and property manager should assess the parts relevant to them. This site provides general discussion points, not a personal investment recommendation.
Does a presale make a good rental?
It can suit some plans, but completion timing, assignment terms and future rental rules all need checking. Compare it with a resale home you can inspect today.
Who sets the rules for tenants?
Residential tenancies in BC follow provincial rules, and strata bylaws can add restrictions. Review both for the specific property before you buy.
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