Our Rental Property Was Broken Into—Then the Basement Flooded

Our Rental Property Was Broken Into—Then the Basement Flooded A break-in at one of our vacant Edmonton rental properties quickly turned into a much larger disaster. After entering through a basement window, the intruder appears to have shut off the electrical panel—possibly to disable the security system. Unfortunately, that also shut off the sump pump that had been keeping the basement dry during Edmonton's extremely wet summer. By the time our contractor arrived, his tools had been stolen and the entire basement was covered in water. In today's episode, we share the bizarre series of events, how we responded and why unexpected disasters are part of building a large rental portfolio. We also discuss the systems, reserve funds, experience and support investors need to remain calm when something goes wrong. Real estate investing is not completely passive, and problems are inevitable. The goal is not to eliminate every possible risk. It is to understand the risks, prepare for the most likely outcomes and build the confidence to handle whatever happens next. 🧠 What You'll Learn How a property break-in caused an Edmonton basement to flood Why shutting off the electrical panel also disabled the sump pump The additional challenges Alberta property owners are facing during a summer of heavy rainfall Why owning more properties naturally exposes you to more repairs, emergencies and unusual situations How strong systems and reliable contractors make portfolio problems easier to manage Why every rental property should have a healthy reserve fund The difference between blindly taking a risk and making a calculated investment decision How knowledge and experience create confidence during stressful situations Why investors must focus on what they can control and let go of what they cannot How coaching and community help investors prepare for problems before they personally experience them 👥 About Your Hosts Wayne and Gabby Hillier are Canadian real estate investors, entrepreneurs and coaches with approximately 15 years of experience building and managing rental properties. Through REI Masters, they help Canadian investors find profitable opportunities, build strong portfolios and develop the knowledge, systems and confidence required to succeed over the long term. 💡 Resources & Contact Learn About the REI Masters Mentorship Program 🌐 www.reimasters.ca Get Your Copy of The 5% Rule™ Available on Amazon Contact the Show 📧 [email protected] The Canadian Real Estate Investing Morning Show streams live every weekday morning with Wayne and Gabby Hillier. 📅 Upcoming Events Edmonton Garden Suites 101 📍 Edmonton, Alberta 📅 July 25, 2026 🌐 www.reimasters.ca/edmontongardensuites101 REI Masters Edmonton Real Estate Investing Bus Tour 📅 August 22, 2026 🌐 www.reimasters.ca/edmontonbustour REIcon — The Summit Series 📅 September 11–13, 2026 🌐 https://reiconference.ca/ Hosted by Calvin Realty 🤝 Sponsors Calvin Realty Edmonton Investor-Focused Realtor Team 🌐 www.calvinrealty.ca Finngo Bookkeeping & Tax Specialized bookkeeping and tax services for Canadian real estate investors 🌐 www.finngo.com/rei Kirkwood & Brennan Mortgage Group Investor-focused mortgage planning for Canadian real estate investors 🌐 www.kbmortgages.ca 📧 [email protected]