Townhouses: The Cockroach of Real Estate Investing

Townhouses may outperform most real estate investments in 2025.

By Wayne Hillier, Real Estate Investing Masters

May 2, 2025 | Edmonton, AB

When it comes to building a long-term rental portfolio, most investors think they need to chase duplexes, suited homes, or multi-family deals to win.

But here’s the truth:

Townhouses have quietly been one of the strongest performers for decades — and in 2025, they may actually outperform most real estate investments.

We’ve called them the “cockroach” of real estate investing — and that’s not a bad thing.

“Townhouses are the cockroach of real estate investing. They’ll survive anything.”

That resilience is exactly what makes them so powerful.

High Demand from Both Landlords and Buyers

What makes townhouses so unique is that they appeal to two markets at once:

• Landlords love them for their affordability, space, and low maintenance.

• Homebuyers see them as a great entry point into homeownership.

That dual demand creates a built-in safety net. If you ever need to sell, you’re not stuck trying to find a buyer — you’ve got investors, young families, downsizers, and first-time buyers in the mix.

Suited homes, by contrast, typically sell to investors only — which means your resale options are more limited.

Affordability Is Still King

In Alberta’s major markets, affordability is one of the strongest investment indicators.

Townhouses consistently rank as:

• More affordable to buy

• Easier to finance

• Easier to rent out with low vacancy

This means more stability in your numbers — and a much smoother long-term hold.

Desirability Without the Complexity

Suited homes can work well, but they often come with:

• Separate utilities

• Tenant conflicts between upper and lower units

• More ongoing management

• High turnover

Townhouses, on the other hand, are simple.

They offer:

• 3 bedrooms, 1.5+ baths

• Condo-managed exteriors

• Strong tenant appeal

• Low turnover

A Reliable Building Block for Your Portfolio

If you’re looking to grow a sustainable rental portfolio, townhouses give you everything you need:

• Positive cash flow

• Strong tenant demand

• Resale flexibility

• Fewer surprises

They may not be as flashy as some of the BRRRR or MLI Select projects out there — but they deliver what matters: steady results, month after month.

Final Thoughts

In a market where so many investors are overcomplicating their strategies, townhouses remain one of the smartest, most durable choices.

They’re affordable, desirable, and always in demand — and that’s exactly why they keep winning.

Wayne Hillier - Alberta Real Estate Investing Expert

About the Author

Wayne Hillier is one of Canada’s trusted experts in real estate investing education, specializing in Alberta’s thriving markets. Based in Edmonton, Wayne has over a decade of experience building a high-performing rental portfolio and coaching investors to achieve strong cash flow, sustainable wealth, and creative financing success. As co-founder of Real Estate Investing Masters, Wayne is a respected real estate investing coach and mentor, dedicated to helping Canadian investors confidently scale their portfolios. He is also the host of the Real Estate Investing Morning Show, where he shares daily strategies and insights for mastering real estate investing in Canada.