Real estate investors play a vital role in improving housing supply across Canada. By purchasing and renovating properties, especially those in disrepair or located in overlooked neighbourhoods, real estate investors help restore aging homes and increase the availability of safe, livable spaces. This work strengthens communities and supports long-term growth.
At Calvert Home Mortgage, we specialize in fast, flexible, short-term mortgages designed for real estate investors. Your efforts to bring homes back to life don’t just build your portfolio — they create meaningful, visible change in the communities where you invest.
The Role of Real Estate Investors in Canada’s Housing Market
With inventory and affordability challenges across the country, real estate investors play a critical role in easing pressure on the system. Many of the homes that need the most work (those built before 1970) are often passed over by typical buyers. That’s where real estate investors step in.
According to 2021 data from CMHC and Statistics Canada (the most recent available until the next census in 2026), over 5.6 million homes in Alberta and Ontario are more than 20 years old. Many of these aging properties present prime opportunities for real estate revitalization.
- In Ontario, more than 4.4 million homes fall into this category. Based on our conservative estimate, 5% of homes needing minor repairs and 20% of homes needing major repairs are viable flip candidates. That means there are approximately 124,000 potential flip opportunities in the province.
- In Alberta, with 1.2 million homes over 20 years old, we estimate around 43,000 properties meet the same criteria.
That’s over 167,000 homes across both provinces that could present profitable opportunities for real estate investors.
Most homebuyers aren’t equipped financially or logistically to take on extensive renovations. Real estate investors fill this gap by purchasing older, under-maintained properties, completing the necessary repairs, and transforming them into safe, functional, move-in-ready homes. In doing so, they not only uncover investment opportunities but also help renew aging housing stock and increase the availability of livable homes in their communities.
Flipping is Misunderstood — But It’s Vital to Housing Supply
Flipping often gets a bad reputation, but it’s one of the fastest, most effective ways to add quality housing to the market. Real estate investors bring expertise, teams, and capital to tackle renovations that most buyers can’t manage alone.
Here’s what flipping really does:
- Adds supply to the market faster than new construction
- Provides more affordable alternatives to brand-new homes
- Revitalizes older neighbourhoods, making them safer and more attractive
- Reduces urban sprawl by reusing existing infrastructure
There’s also a common misconception that flipping drives up prices. In reality, flippers succeed when they price their homes competitively. As our Real Estate Investing and Flip Mortgages Whitepaper outlines, renovated homes must align with the local market to sell quickly. Real estate investors don’t inflate prices — they add value and provide affordability for buyers who want a finished home but can’t handle renovations on top of their mortgage.
How Calvert Home Mortgage Supports Real Estate Investors
At Calvert Home Mortgage, we’ve seen firsthand how revitalized homes can uplift entire neighbourhoods. It’s not just about new kitchens or fresh paint — it’s about giving someone a place to live.
Here’s how we support your success:
- Short-term mortgage solutions based on the as-is value of the property
- Options to blanket multiple properties for access to more capital or lower rates
- Quick funding to help you move fast when it matters most
- People-first support, because we care about the people and communities behind every mortgage
Our Mission and Values in Action
At Calvert Home Mortgage, our vision is clear: Homes in revitalized communities are possible for all. Our mission is to be the most trusted mortgage lender in Canada so that our customers, investors, and partners succeed and grow in thriving communities.
We live this mission through our values — Service, Trust, Education, People, and Solutions — the ‘STEPS’ we take every day to share we care. We believe that when we support real estate investors, everyone benefits.
Fund Your Next Project
Whether you’re flipping a property, adding a legal suite, or improving a rental, Calvert Home Mortgage is here to support your goals.
Connect with us today about short-term mortgage solutions designed for real estate investors. Together, we can build better housing and communities across Canada.
For Alberta inquiries, contact Kaelan Nelson.
Email: kaelan@chmic.ca
Cell: 587-585-4571
Office Phone: 403-278-0249
Book a meeting here.
For Ontario deal submissions, click here.
To learn more about Calvert Home Mortgage in Ontario, contact Katarina Jarossy and Dan Werner.
Based in the GTA?
Email: katarina.jarossy@chmic.ca
Cell: 416-799-2553
Office Phone:1-888-752-4642
Book a meeting here.
Anywhere else in Ontario:
Email: dan.werner@chmic.ca
Cell: 416-316-5336
Office Phone: 1-888-752-4642
Book a meeting here.
TL;DR
Real estate investors are helping revitalize communities across Canada by restoring aging homes, increasing housing supply, and creating more affordable options. Calvert Home Mortgage supports these efforts by offering fast, flexible short-term mortgage solutions designed specifically for real estate investors. Whether you’re flipping or implementing a BRRR (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance) strategy, your work makes a meaningful impact, and we’re here to support.
FAQs
Q: What role do real estate investors play in the housing market?
A: Real estate investors help improve housing supply in two key ways. First, purchasing and renovating older or neglected homes returns safe, livable properties to the market much faster than new construction. Second, and increasingly important, is the growing trend of adding density, such as legal basement suites, garden suites, and laneway homes. By creating additional self-contained units within existing properties, real estate investors make it possible for more individuals or households to access housing in established neighbourhoods.
Q: Do flipped homes drive up housing prices?
A: Not typically. Most real estate investors price their flipped homes to match the local market. The goal is to sell quickly, not to inflate values. In many cases, these homes were previously uninhabitable and would not have contributed to the available supply without substantial renovation. Increasingly, real estate investors are also creating new housing options by adding secondary units (like basement, garden, or laneway suites), which helps improve density without raising the overall price of the property. In these cases, two households may share the same mortgage footprint, using existing space better without driving up market values.
Q: Why is revitalizing existing homes better for communities?
A: It reduces urban sprawl, uses existing infrastructure, and helps restore neglected neighbourhoods. Revitalized homes also improve safety, livability, and local property values.
Q: How does Calvert Home Mortgage support real estate investors?
A: Calvert Home Mortgage offers short-term mortgage solutions based on the property’s as-is value, fast funding, and flexible solutions, making it easier for real estate investors to act quickly and confidently.
