If someone told you five years ago that Calgary would become one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada, you probably would not believe it. But in 2024 and 2025, the shift became obvious. Investors from Ontario, BC, Manitoba, and even the US started buying everything from new build homes to commercial bays and multi-family buildings.
The secret is simple: Alberta gives you growth, affordability, and cash flow at the same time, something other provinces can’t match right now.
New build homes in Calgary are the new investor favourite
Brand new homes in Calgary and surrounding towns offer some of the best returns because they come with
almost zero maintenance
lower utility bills
legal suites
strong rental interest
Hot new build areas include
Belmont
Glacier Ridge
Homestead
Rangeview
Hotchkiss
Dawson Landing Chestermere
Southwinds Airdrie
Rivercrest Cochrane
These communities have stable tenant demand, especially with families and newcomers who want clean, modern homes but are not ready to buy yet.
CMHC MLI Select and the rise of multi-family in Alberta
Multi-family properties used to be expensive and hard to finance. But MLI Select changed everything. You can now get better mortgage terms if your building meets certain features and which allows investors to borrow more and still keep cash flow high.
That’s why you now see new apartment buildings rising across Calgary’s north central and southeast, plus fast-growing towns like Airdrie and Cochrane.
Investors like multi-family because
more units = more stability
long-term tenants
easier to scale
lower vacancy risk
Commercial bays and industrial properties are becoming gold
The Calgary industrial corridor is one of the busiest commercial zones in Western Canada right now. Companies working in logistics, storage, trades, and auto all need space. This is why commercial bays lease quickly and stay leased for a long time.
Shepard
Foothills
Stoney Trail
South Calgary industrial
These areas are seeing new construction every month.
Commercial tenants usually
stay longer
pay triple net
take care of their own utilities
and cause less wear and tear
So for investors its one of the safest real estate assets to own.
Inner city Calgary still delivers amazing rental returns
Even with all the new growth outside the city center the inner city is still a rental powerhouse. Communities like Killarney Renfrew Mount Pleasant Bankview and Tuxedo Park offer strong demand from young professionals and families.
Many investors choose inner city areas for
legal suites
fourplex builds
infill duplexes
renovations for higher rent
Because the land value keeps growing, these areas make great long-term holds.
Surrounding towns are expanding faster then expected
Airdrie Cochrane Chestermere Okotoks Strathmore all continue to grow at some of the fastest rates in Canada. People move there for more space affordability and a quieter lifestyle. Investors can buy new builds or multifamily at lower prices but still earn strong rents.
Final thought
Calgary is in a unique position where residential, commercial, and multi-family investing are all rising at the same time. With new construction everywhere, CMHC MLI Select is helping investors expand, and the surrounding towns are growing like crazy. Alberta has become one of the most exciting places for real estate in the country.
