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Honest, general answers from Andrew Palhetas, Ontario real estate investor, investment coach and Oakville realtor. This is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice.
Start with your goal and your numbers, not a property. Decide what you want the investment to do (monthly cash flow, long-term growth, or both), check your credit, savings and income with a mortgage professional, and learn how a rental is analyzed: purchase price, financing cost, property tax, insurance, maintenance, vacancy and realistic rent. Many first-time Ontario investors begin with one property they can understand well, such as a house with a legal second suite or a small multi-unit, and build from there. Learn the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act basics before you buy, and talk to a lawyer and accountant about structure and tax.
No, you do not need one. Plenty of people learn on their own through books, courses and experience. A coach is useful if you want to shorten the learning curve, avoid common mistakes, get a second set of eyes on deals, and stay accountable. A good coach should be an active investor, be clear about what they do and do not provide, and never promise returns. A free first conversation is a fair way to see if it is a fit.
It depends on the price of the property, the type of mortgage and your lender. In Canada, investment properties that are not owner-occupied generally need at least 20 percent down, plus closing costs such as land transfer tax, legal fees, inspection and a cash reserve for repairs and vacancy. If you live in one unit of a multi-unit property, lower down payment options may be available. Some investors use joint ventures, where one partner brings money and another brings time and experience. Confirm current rules with a mortgage professional, because they change.
It can be, but it depends on the specific property, the price you pay, how it is financed and how long you hold it. Rental demand in much of Southern Ontario remains strong, while high prices and interest rates make cash flow harder to find than it used to be. Run the numbers on every deal, plan for rate changes, and do not rely on appreciation alone. This is general information, not financial advice.
Common starting points include a house with a legal second suite, a duplex or small multi-unit, a single family rental, and rent-to-own arrangements. Each has trade-offs in price, management effort, financing and tenant rules. Short-term rentals and Airbnb can work in some places but are regulated by many Ontario municipalities, so check local bylaws first.
Andrew Palhetas is a realtor (Sales Representative) with Rock Star Real Estate Inc., Brokerage in Oakville, Ontario, a real estate investor with more than 20 years of experience, and a real estate investment coach who has coached investors through Rock Star Real Estate for more than 15 years. He was profiled in Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine in September 2012 for building a portfolio of eight investment properties. He is a former IT Director of Business Development, creates content as The Borderless Investor on YouTube, and is the author of Twice the Summers, launching November 26, 2026 on Amazon.ca.
Look for someone who invests actively in Ontario, can explain their own track record plainly, works with people at your stage, and is clear about costs and limits. Ask for references or testimonials, and be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed returns or pushing you to buy fast. Andrew Palhetas offers a free 30-minute strategy call so you can ask questions before committing to anything.
Yes, if they understand investment property. An investor-minded realtor can help you find properties that fit a cash flow plan, estimate rents, spot issues with suites or zoning, and negotiate. Andrew Palhetas represents buyers and sellers through Rock Star Real Estate Inc., Brokerage in Oakville and across Halton and Southern Ontario, and he invests himself.
Andrew Palhetas is an Oakville realtor with Rock Star Real Estate Inc., Brokerage, 418 Iroquois Shore Rd, Oakville, who works with home buyers, sellers and real estate investors in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and across Halton Region. You can book a free 30-minute strategy call to see if he is the right fit.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call with Andrew.
Book a free 30-min strategy call