Thinking about buying a rental property?
This article provides practical insights into why it’s better to intentionally purchase an investment property rather than simply turning your current home into a rental by default.
We speak with many homeowners who decide to rent out their home even though that wasn’t their original plan. Rising housing costs and strong rental demand often make becoming a landlord an attractive option. While this can be a smart move, it’s important to remember that a great home for owner occupancy isn’t always the best rental investment.
When we help clients choose an investment property, we recommend buying a home that will remain attractive to renters in different market conditions.
A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo continues to be one of the most practical investment choices in Metro Vancouver. This type of property appeals to small families, couples, roommates, and working professionals, giving landlords a broader pool of potential tenants.
With only one bathroom, ongoing maintenance is generally more affordable. Repairs such as leaking fixtures, replacing caulking, updating grout, or renovating the bathroom typically cost less than maintaining multiple bathrooms.
Mid-level condos often provide better long-term value than comparable 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom units. While two-bathroom homes usually sell at a premium, that higher purchase price isn’t always recovered through increased rental income.
As of 2026, we generally recommend purchasing condos built between 2012 and 2022 whenever possible.
We also don’t usually recommend buying brand-new units solely for investment purposes, as they often include a developer premium.
Buildings that have been occupied for several years have typically worked through initial warranty issues, construction deficiencies, and early maintenance concerns. Buying an established property also gives you access to strata documents, maintenance history, depreciation reports, and operating costs, allowing you to make a more informed decision.
Choosing a property close to a SkyTrain station remains one of the strongest advantages. Convenient transit access reduces transportation costs for tenants and continues to increase rental demand throughout Metro Vancouver.
Keep these three principles in mind:
Choose off-white wall colours, neutral flooring, spotless cleanliness, and matching light bulbs throughout the home.
Properties that are freshly painted, professionally cleaned, well-maintained, and photographed with high-quality images consistently attract more interest and often rent faster at competitive market rates.
Browse rental listings from professionally managed apartment communities.
You’ll notice they present their homes in a simple, clean, functional, and move-in-ready condition.
This isn’t because they ignore design—it’s because experienced property managers understand what attracts quality tenants quickly. Following the same approach can reduce vacancy periods and improve your rental experience.
We offer a free consultation for homeowners and investors interested in purchasing rental property in Metro Vancouver.
Whether you’re buying your first investment property or expanding your portfolio, we can help you evaluate properties with long-term rental performance in mind.
Book a consultation with Keaton Bessey: https://calendly.com/keatonbessey/client_consult
Or submit an Income Property Assessment request to receive professional guidance before you buy: https://airtable.com/shrXqprUDSZpqyqW9
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*The above information is not to be relied on as legal advice. If you require professional or legal advise for your personal circumstances, please reach out to us for a referral, or consult with us for property management services.
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