What Makes a Good Real Estate Investment? It Depends on Your Goals!

Tanya Toye • January 28, 2026

This is one of the most common questions mortgage brokers hear from homeowners and homebuyers. The honest answer is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. A “good” investment depends entirely on your personal objectives, financial situation, risk tolerance and long-term plans. Understanding your goal first is the most important step before purchasing any property.


Following are some considerations I make when determining what a good investment can look like for my clients, depending on their specific property goals.


Buying a home to live in

If you’re buying a property as your primary residence, it’s best not to view it strictly as an investment. Your personal home is first and foremost a lifestyle decision. Factors such as location, commute, schools and community often outweigh short-term financial returns. While homeownership can build equity over time, comparing buying versus renting should focus on affordability, stability and flexibility rather than projected appreciation alone.


Properties with a mortgage helper

Some homeowners look for properties with a secondary suite or rental unit to offset their monthly costs. A mortgage helper can significantly reduce your financial burden and improve cashflow. But it’s critical to understand zoning, rental regulations and – most important – tax implications. Rental income is taxable and expenses must be properly documented. Speaking with a tax professional before purchasing can help you avoid surprises.


Cash-flowing investment properties

For those focused on income generation, a cash-flowing property may be the goal. These typically require a larger down payment and are often found in smaller urban centres where purchase prices are lower and rental demand is strong. Some investors also explore inter-provincial opportunities. While this can be lucrative, it adds layers of complexity related to property management, financing rules and provincial tax differences.


Leveraging existing equity

Another option is leveraging the equity in your existing property to invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). This approach provides exposure to real estate without the responsibilities of being a landlord. REITs can offer diversification and liquidity, but they also come with their own risks and tax considerations. This strategy should always be discussed with a qualified financial advisor.


Plan ahead and seek expert advice

Tax rules continue to evolve and real estate markets are constantly changing. What worked a few years ago may not be optimal today. Before making any real estate investment decisions, speak with a mortgage broker, tax accountant, financial planner and realtor early in the process. Careful planning and professional guidance can make the difference between a smart investment and an expensive lesson.


Wondering what a good real estate investment looks like for you? I’m here to help you navigate your options as well as refer other trusted professionals along the way. 604-788-8693 | tanya@tanyatoye.ca

Tanya Toye

Mortgage Broker

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Self-Employed? Let’s Get You Qualified for a Mortgage

By Tanya Toye • September 16, 2026
Being self-employed comes with plenty of advantages, including the ability to structure your business how you choose and claim expenses to reduce your taxable income. But, when it comes time to apply for a mortgage, those same tax strategies can sometimes make qualifying more complicated. One of the first considerations is how your business is structured. There can be differences in how lenders assess income for someone who is incorporated compared with someone who operates as a sole proprietor or partnership. Depending on the lender and the circumstances, income may be reviewed using personal tax returns, corporate financial statements or a combination of documents. Another important factor is the level of business write-offs you claim. As a business owner, reducing your taxable income can make good financial sense. However, a lower reported income can also mean a lower qualifying income when a lender assesses your mortgage application. This can create a frustrating situation where you may have strong cashflow and the ability to comfortably afford the mortgage, but your tax returns don’t necessarily tell the whole story. That doesn’t automatically mean you need to start declaring significantly more income and paying substantially more to the CRA just so you can qualify for a mortgage. Alternative mortgage solutions may be a great option Depending on your circumstances, there may be alternative mortgage solutions available that take a broader view of your financial situation. Some lenders have different approaches to self-employed income and may be able to consider additional documentation or alternate methods of demonstrating your ability to repay the mortgage.  This can create an important financial decision for self-employed borrowers. Is it more beneficial to pay additional taxes to show a higher income or consider a mortgage option with a higher interest rate that may allow you to qualify based on your existing financial structure? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right approach depends on your income, business structure, financial goals, credit profile, down payment and how long you expect to be in that mortgage. The key is to have the conversation before you make changes to how you report your income. A mortgage broker who understands self-employed borrowers can help you explore your options and compare the potential costs of different approaches. Instead of assuming you need to change the way you run your business to qualify for a mortgage, it may be worth looking at the lending solutions available to you first. Being self-employed shouldn’t automatically make getting a mortgage more difficult. It just means your mortgage strategy may need to be as individual as your business. Let’s discuss your options. 604-788-8693 | tanya@tanyatoye.ca

RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Tanya Toye • September 16, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.