Investing
Invest in Edmonton real estate.
Advice from a REALTOR® who owns long-term rental properties and runs Northern Serenity, a top 1% home on Airbnb, so we talk numbers, not just curb appeal.
Pictured: aerial view near #412 9503 101 Avenue NW, Riverdale. Listed by Dario.
An investor’s eye
I invest too.
I own long-term rental properties and run Northern Serenity, a short-term rental that’s an Airbnb Guest favourite in the top 1% of homes. I know what it takes to find good tenants, price a stay, keep guests happy and keep costs under control.
When we look at a property together, I’ll look at it the way an operator does: what it can earn, what it will cost to run, what could go wrong and how you’ll eventually exit.
My short-term rental
Northern Serenity: a top 1% home on Airbnb.
A 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath family home in south Edmonton that sleeps 6, close to the airport and Anthony Henday Drive. It’s an Airbnb Guest favourite, ranked in the top 1% of eligible listings for ratings, reviews and reliability.
Rated 4.9 for cleanliness and 5.0 for accuracy, check-in, communication, location and value.
Ratings and badges as shown on Airbnb on October 31, 2026. Northern Serenity is Dario’s own short-term rental business, separate from his real estate services.
Northern Serenity
Lessons from my own rentals
What owning rentals has taught me
From long-term tenants to a top 1% Airbnb, the same lessons help you pick the right investment property in the first place.
Long-term rentals
Practical beats fancy
Tenants pay for in-suite laundry, parking, storage and an easy commute. Those features rent faster than high-end finishes.
Long-term rentals
A great tenant is worth more than top rent
Careful screening, a clear lease and quick repairs keep good tenants longer. Turnover between tenants is where long-term rentals lose money.
Long-term rentals
Budget for the boring stuff
Vacancy, repairs, appliance replacements and the work between tenants belong in your numbers before you buy.
Short-term rentals
Location drives bookings
Northern Serenity is close to the airport and Anthony Henday Drive. Easy access is a big reason families, work crews and travellers book it.
Short-term rentals
Design for the guest you want
Families want a crib and a high chair. Remote workers want fast Wi-Fi and a desk. Edmonton winters call for a block heater plug.
Short-term rentals
Reviews are your revenue
Five-star reviews move a listing up in search, and they come from the basics: spotless cleaning, accurate photos, easy self check-in and fast replies.
Strategies
Four ways to invest in Edmonton real estate
Steady income
Long-term rental
Rent to a tenant on a lease. Fewer moving parts, with returns that depend on rent, vacancy and costs.
Higher effort
Short-term rental
Furnished stays booked by the night. More income potential, but more work, more costs and more rules to follow.
Live in and rent
House hack
Live in one part of the property and rent the other, such as a side of a duplex, to offset your mortgage.
Add value
Renovate and resell
Buy a home that needs work, improve it and sell or rent it. Budget carefully and talk to your accountant about taxes.
Compare
Short-term, mid-term or long-term?
The right rental strategy depends on the property, the location and how hands-on you want to be.
| Compare | Short-term | Mid-term | Long-term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical stay | A few nights to a few weeks | 1 to 6 months | 12-month lease |
| Furnished | Yes, fully stocked | Yes | Usually not |
| Income potential | Highest | Medium to high | Steady |
| Time and effort | Highest: turnovers, guest messages, restocking | Medium | Lowest |
| Biggest extra costs | Cleaning, supplies, platform fees, utilities | Furnishing, utilities | Repairs between tenants |
| Best fit | Near the airport, downtown, hospitals or attractions | Near hospitals, universities and big employers | Family neighbourhoods and transit-friendly areas |
Cash flow estimator
Will it cash flow?
Plug in a property and see a quick estimate of income, costs and returns for a long-term or short-term rental.
Short-term rental owners usually pay every utility, including internet and streaming. Starting values are examples only.
Estimated monthly cash flow
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- Mortgage payment
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Estimate only. The mortgage payment is principal and interest at a fixed rate compounded semi-annually. Cap rate is yearly net operating income divided by the price. Cash-on-cash return is yearly cash flow divided by your down payment, before closing costs and taxes. Rental properties you won’t live in generally need at least 20% down. Talk to your accountant and mortgage broker before you buy.
What I analyze
The numbers behind a good investment
- Purchase and financing
- Price, down payment and rate. A rental property you won’t live in generally needs at least 20% down.
- Income
- Realistic rent or nightly rates, occupancy and seasonality, based on what similar properties actually earn.
- Operating costs
- Condo fees, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, cleaning, furnishing and platform fees.
- Location and demand
- Who will rent it and why: transit, employers, hospitals, post-secondary schools, the airport and amenities nearby.
- Exit
- Resale demand, your holding period and how the property fits your long-term plans.
- Rules
- Licences, levies, condo bylaws and insurance. The short-term rental rules below can change the numbers.
Short-term rental rules
Know the rules before you buy
Short-term rentals come with rules that regular rentals don’t. Here’s what to check in Edmonton.
General information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm with the City of Edmonton, your accountant and your lawyer.
- City of Edmonton business licence
- Short-term rentals in Edmonton need a business licence. City council has also asked staff to look at more rules, so check what’s current before you buy.
- Alberta tourism levy
- Alberta charges a 4% tourism levy on short-term rental stays. Stays of 28 days or more are exempt.
- Federal tax rule
- Since 2024, if a short-term rental doesn’t meet provincial or municipal licensing rules, you can’t deduct its expenses for those days.
- Condo bylaws and insurance
- Many condo corporations restrict short-term rentals, and regular home insurance may not cover them. Check both before you write an offer.
Investor consult
Let’s run the numbers on your next property
Tell me what you’re considering. We’ll talk strategy, areas and budget, and I’ll send you properties that fit.
- A plain-language look at income and costs
- Areas that fit your strategy, from long-term rentals to short-term stays
- Introductions to mortgage brokers and lawyers who work with investors
This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Talk to your accountant, lawyer and mortgage broker before you invest.
Thank you.
Your request is in. I’ll reach out within one business day to set up a time.
