Calgary Real Estate Market Shifts & How to Scale Using Equity (Without Running Out of Money) | Real Estate Investing Canada | Alberta

Calgary Market Shifts & How to Scale Using Equity (Without Running Out of Money)

Real Estate Investing Morning Show – Hosted by Wayne & Gabby Hillier

Today’s episode dives into two big topics investors are asking about right now:
how to properly scale a portfolio using equity without over-leveraging, and what’s actually happening in the Calgary real estate and rental markets heading into spring 2026.

Wayne breaks down complex concepts in plain language, walks through real examples, and shares why “mastering your market” matters more than ever.

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🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How equity really works (and why you’re not “losing” money when you refinance)

• The difference between debt, equity, and net worth when scaling

• Step-by-step explanation of cash-out refinances vs HELOCs

• How one property can realistically turn into two, four, or eight over time

• Why debt servicing matters more than just appreciation

• Calgary’s December market surprise and what it signals for 2026

• Which Calgary property types are under the most pressure

• Why rents are falling and vacancy rates are rising

• What investors must do differently in a 5% vacancy market

• Why beginners should be cautious in Calgary right now

• How experienced investors find opportunity when others hesitate

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📊 Calgary Market Snapshot (Key Takeaways)

• December 2025 briefly showed seller-market conditions due to low supply

• Average Calgary home price down ~3.2% year over year

• Condos hit hardest with ~6.6% price decline

• Average rent now around $1,875

• Vacancy rate hovering near 5%

• Heavy new construction continues to pressure rents

• Market is increasingly neighborhood, price-point, and asset-type specific

Bottom line: Calgary is no longer a market for “spray and pray” investing. Precision matters.

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🎯 Wayne’s Core Message

Real wealth isn’t built by guessing the market top or bottom.
It’s built by:

• Understanding leverage properly

• Operating rentals like businesses

• Managing risk with systems and cash flow

• Becoming a true expert in your chosen market

Most investors miss opportunities not because they aren’t smart, but because they don’t know what to look for yet.

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👥 About Your Hosts

Wayne & Gabby Hillier are full-time real estate investors and coaches based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Through their REI Masters Mentorship Program, they help Canadians build long-term wealth using rental properties, BRRRRs, joint ventures, flips, and creative real estate strategies.

New episodes air every weekday morning featuring real deals, real coaching, and real market insight.

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💡 Resources & Contact

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

Investor bookkeeping & tax support:
👉 www.finngo.com/rei

Submit a question for the show:
📧 [e-mail]

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🤝 Thanks to Our Sponsors

🏠 Calvin Realty – Edmonton Investor-Focused Realtor
🌐 calvinrealty.ca

📊 Finngo Bookkeeping & Tax – Investor-Focused Accounting
🌐 www.finngo.com/rei

💼 Kirkwood & Brennan Mortgage Group – Investor-Focused Brokers
🌐 www.kbmortgages.ca
📧 [e-mail]

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🏫 Edmonton Real Estate Investing Course

Thinking about investing in Edmonton but not sure where to start?

Our 8-week Edmonton Real Estate Investing Course walks you through:

• Why Edmonton remains one of Canada’s strongest cash-flow markets

• Economic drivers shaping long-term growth

• How to analyze neighborhoods properly

• The five main asset types and how they perform

• Tenant selection strategies that protect returns

• How to buy rentals that actually make money

👉 Learn more and register at:
www.reimasters.ca