What Features Matter Most In A Rental Property? | Real Estate Investing Canada

May 12, 2026

What features actually matter in a rental property?

In this episode, Wayne and Gabby answer a listener question from an investor closing on a rental property who wanted to know whether it was worth adding a dishwasher and whether a bathtub or stand-up shower was better from a rental perspective.

This conversation turns into a practical breakdown of the features tenants care about, which upgrades are worth spending money on, and which features may sound nice but do not necessarily improve your rental property business.

Wayne and Gabby discuss how to think about tenant profile first, why families often need different features than single tenants, and why every upgrade should be considered through the lens of rentability, return on investment, risk, and long-term property management.

They also cover why some features help you attract better tenants, why others create unnecessary maintenance, and why landlords should avoid spending money on upgrades that do not increase value, rent, or tenant retention.

If you own rental properties, are preparing to buy one, or want to make smarter decisions before renovating a rental, this episode will help you understand what tenants actually look for and what investors should prioritize.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why tenant profile should guide your rental property decisions
• Whether a dishwasher is worth adding to an older townhouse
• Why a dishwasher can help, but may not always justify the cost
• Why portable dishwashers may not be ideal for rental properties
• Why a bathtub is usually better than a stand-up shower for family rentals
• Why families with young kids often need a tub
• Why a fenced yard is a must-have feature for many townhouse rentals
• Why sheds, fire pits, and hot tubs may create more problems than value
• Whether a second bathroom matters in a townhouse
• Why air conditioning is a bonus, but usually not a must-have
• Why TV mounts may be worth considering in some rentals
• When a finished basement or fourth bedroom can help attract tenants
• Why hot water on demand may be useful, but still requires maintenance considerations
• How to decide whether an upgrade improves value, rentability, cash flow, or risk

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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, and creative real estate strategies.

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.

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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:
[e-mail]

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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
[e-mail]