Single Family vs. Duplex: Which Rental Property Makes the Better Investment

Canadian Real Estate Investing Morning Show – July 28, 2026 Should you buy a single-family home, a duplex, or even both sides of a half duplex? In today's episode, Wayne and Gabby answer a listener email that explores one of the most common questions new real estate investors ask. They break down why choosing between a single-family home and a duplex isn't about the property type—it's about the numbers. They discuss how professional investors evaluate rental properties based on cash flow, return on investment, tenant profile, risk, and long-term appreciation potential. Wayne also explains why buying both sides of a duplex isn't always the advantage many investors think it is. The episode also includes an update on Edmonton's historic rainfall, the challenges it's creating for landlords, and why maintaining a healthy reserve fund is one of the most important principles of successful real estate investing. 🧠 What You'll Learn Whether a single-family home or duplex makes the better investment Why investment decisions should always be based on the numbers The advantages and disadvantages of buying both sides of a duplex How to evaluate return on investment instead of relying on emotion Why cash flow is one of the best risk mitigators in real estate How tenant profile should influence your buying decisions Why one mortgage isn't automatically better than two The importance of reserve funds during unexpected expenses Lessons from Edmonton's ongoing flooding and how experienced investors prepare for situations like this 👥 About Your Hosts Wayne Hillier is a Canadian Real Estate Investing Coach, entrepreneur, and active real estate investor with nearly 15 years of investing experience. He specializes in helping Canadians build profitable rental property portfolios using proven systems that reduce risk while maximizing long-term wealth. Gabby Hillier is a real estate investor and entrepreneur who oversees operations at REI Masters while helping investors build sustainable real estate businesses through practical systems and education. 💡 Resources & Contact 🎓 Join the REI Masters Mentorship Program https://www.reimasters.ca 📘 Get Wayne's Book – The 5% Rule™ Available on Amazon 📧 Email: [email protected] 🎥 Watch the Canadian Real Estate Investing Morning Show live every weekday on YouTube. 📅 Upcoming Events 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]