Canadian Real Estate Investing Morning Show: Before You Buy A Condo Townhouse, Listen To This

Before You Buy A Condo Townhouse, Listen To This

Jun 3, 2026

Condo townhouses can be one of the best real estate investing opportunities in Edmonton, but only if you know how to do your due diligence properly.

In this episode, Wayne and Gabby answer a listener question from a new investor who is buying a condo townhouse in Edmonton and wants to understand how much weight should be placed on the condo document review, reserve fund study, condo fees, special assessments, and overall strength of the condo corporation.

Wayne explains why condo document reviews are one of the most important parts of buying a condo townhouse as an investment property. A townhouse can have great numbers, strong rent potential, and appreciation upside, but a poorly managed condo corporation or weak reserve fund can ruin the deal.

Wayne and Gabby also discuss why investors should review condo documents carefully, why hiring a professional condo document review company matters, what to look for in reserve fund studies, and why a special assessment does not always mean the condo corporation is bad.

They also share a recent example from one of their own Edmonton townhouse purchases where the reserve fund study history raised questions and required further investigation.

Later in the episode, Wayne and Gabby answer another listener question about basement suite layout: is it better to build two small bedrooms or one larger bedroom with more living space?

They explain why tenant profile matters, why more bedrooms do not always mean better tenants or better long-term results, and why they often prefer a spacious one-bedroom basement suite for a single person or couple.

If you are buying a condo townhouse, reviewing condo documents, investing in Edmonton real estate, or planning a basement suite, this episode will help you think through the decision like a real investor.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why condo document reviews are critical before buying a condo townhouse
Why a good rental property can still be ruined by a bad condo corporation
Why Wayne puts major weight on the reserve fund and condo corporation
Why condo townhouses can be one of the best opportunities in Edmonton right now
Why more condo corporations are poorly managed than most investors realize
Why investors need to review bylaws, meeting minutes, financials, and reserve fund studies
Why a reserve fund study should be updated every five years in Alberta
Why a missing or outdated reserve fund study can be a warning sign
Why a special assessment does not always mean the condo corporation is bad
Why condo fee increases can sometimes be responsible long-term planning
Why investors should hire a condo document review company
Why Wayne teaches students how to understand condo documents instead of blindly relying on others
Why basement suite layout should be based on tenant profile
Why two bedrooms are not always better than one bedroom
Why Wayne and Gabby prefer basement suites for singles or couples
Why natural light and spacious layouts matter in basement suites
Why more people in a suite can create more management issues
Why strong systems make real estate investing easier

Upcoming Events

Edmonton Garden Suites 101
June 12, 2026
Edmonton, Alberta
www.reimasters.ca/edmontongardensuites101

REI Masters Edmonton Real Estate Investing Bus Tour
August 22, 2026
www.reimasters.ca/edmontonbustour

About Your Hosts

Wayne & Gabby Hillier are full-time real estate investors and real estate investing coaches based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Through their REI Masters Mentorship Program, they help Canadians build long-term wealth using rental properties, BRRRRs, flips, joint ventures, wholesaling, seller financing, rent-to-own, garden suites, and creative financing.

The Canadian Real Estate Investing Morning Show is a daily podcast focused on helping Canadian investors build cash flow, scale their portfolios, and invest with confidence.

Resources & Contact

Learn about the REI Masters Mentorship Program:
www.reimasters.ca

Bookkeeping & tax help for real estate investors:
www.finngo.com/rei

Get Wayne’s book:
The 5% Rule™ – A Real Estate Cash Flow Test for Canadian Investors
https://a.co/d/jdZaBXM

Submit a question or connect with us:
info@reimorningshow.com

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Calvin Realty – Edmonton Investor-Focused Realtor
calvinrealty.ca

Finngo Bookkeeping & Tax – For Investors, By Investors
www.finngo.com/rei

Kirkwood & Brennan Mortgage Group
keaton@kbmortgages.ca