Real Estate Investing

Using Home Equity for Investment Properties in Canada

Turn your primary residence equity into rental income. How Canadian homeowners are building real estate portfolios using their home equity.

January 2026 12 min read

Why Canadians Are Using Home Equity for Real Estate

Canadian real estate has historically doubled every 7-10 years. Using your home equity to invest in additional properties can accelerate wealth building significantly.

The Power of Leveraged Real Estate

Without Leveraging Equity

  • • Savings grow slowly
  • • Limited by down payment savings
  • • Miss out on property appreciation
  • • No rental income stream

Using Home Equity

  • • Access $200,000+ in equity
  • • 5% down on $400,000 property
  • • Property appreciates in value
  • • Monthly rental income

How to Use Home Equity for Investment Properties

Option 1: HELOC for Down Payment

Open a HELOC on your primary residence. Draw the down payment when you find an investment property. Only pay interest on what's used.

Best for: Multiple properties over time, flexible timing

Option 2: Cash-Out Refinance

Refinance your existing mortgage and pull out equity in one transaction. Get a new mortgage at current (potentially lower) rates.

Best for: Single large withdrawal, rate optimization

Option 3: Second Mortgage

Take out a lump-sum second mortgage on your primary residence. Fixed payments and rate. Use funds for investment down payment.

Best for: Predictable payments, one-time purchase

Option 4: BRRRR Strategy

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. Use home equity for initial purchase, refinance after renovations to pull out more equity.

Best for: Renovation enthusiasts, maximizing leverage

Canadian Investment Property Numbers

Metric Amount
Investment Property Down Payment (Non-Primary) 20% minimum
Average Canadian Rental Yield 4-6% annually
Typical Investment Property Mortgage Rate 6.5-8.5% (higher than primary)
Minimum Credit Score (Investment) 650-680 typically
Capital Gains Tax on Sale 50% of gains taxed as income

Important Considerations

Higher Mortgage Rates

Investment properties typically have rates 0.5-1% higher than primary residences. Factor this into your calculations.

Vacancy Risk

Budget for months without tenants. Have 6+ months of reserves for mortgage payments during vacancies.

Property Management

Factor in property management (8-10% of rent) or your time if self-managing. Repairs and maintenance add costs.

Capital Gains

When you sell, 50% of appreciation is taxable. Plan for this tax liability or consider a 1031-equivalent strategy with your accountant.

Ready to Build Your Investment Portfolio?

Use your home equity to start building real estate wealth today.

Get Your Investment Strategy Quote