The "Alberta Advantage" Hasn't Vanished—It Just Moved North (Where to Invest in 2026)

The "Alberta Advantage" Hasn't Vanished—It Just Moved North

Date: December 12, 2025 | Category: Real Estate Investing, Market Trends | Reading Time: 5 Minutes

We all know someone who has done it. Maybe it was a neighbor in Surrey who sold their townhome to buy a detached house in Calgary cash-free. Maybe it was a colleague who bought a pre-construction condo in Airdrie.

The "Alberta Migration" isn't just a headline; it's a demographic tidal wave. In early 2025 alone, Alberta saw a net gain of over 17,000 people, with the vast majority arriving from British Columbia and Ontario.

But for investors sitting in Vancouver today, the question isn't "Should I invest in Alberta?" The question is: "Did I miss the boat?"

If you're looking at Calgary? Maybe. But if you look just three hours north to Edmonton, the ship is just coming in.

The Tale of Two Cities: Calgary vs. Edmonton in 2026

At Kraft Mortgages, we help clients finance properties across Western Canada. Here is the shift we are seeing in the data for 2026.

1. Calgary: The "Balanced" Big Brother

Calgary has been the darling of the real estate world for three years. Because of this, prices have jumped significantly.

The Reality: The "easy equity" has been made. Calgary has transitioned into a balanced market.

The Numbers: While prices are stable, the entry point is higher (detached homes averaging $750k+), and finding a property that is "cash flow positive" with 20% down is becoming as difficult as it is in the Fraser Valley.

2. Edmonton: The "Early Upswing" Opportunity

While Calgary prices spiked, Edmonton remained relatively quiet—until now.

The Opportunity: Edmonton is currently trailing Calgary by about 12-18 months in its market cycle. It is firmly in the "Early Upswing" phase.

The ROI: You can still find detached homes in good neighborhoods for $450k - $550k.

The Cash Flow: With significantly lower purchase prices and strong rental demand (driven by the same migration trends), Edmonton is one of the last major Canadian cities where a rental property can generate positive cash flow from Day 1.

The "Remote Landlord" Strategy: How to Buy Across the Border

Buying investment property in another province scares many people. It shouldn't. As your mortgage broker, we handle the financing exactly the same way we would if you were buying in Burnaby.

However, there are three "Golden Rules" for BC investors buying in Alberta:

1. The 20% Rule

Investment properties require a 20% down payment. No exceptions. But in Edmonton, 20% of a $450k house is only $90,000. In Vancouver, that same down payment barely gets you a parking spot.

2. Don't Ignore Property Management

You cannot manage a tenant from 1,000km away. We can introduce you to reputable local property managers who take 8-10% of the rent but save you 100% of the headache.

3. Get Pre-Approved for the "Total Picture"

We need to ensure your BC income and debts can support the new Alberta mortgage. The good news? We can often use 50% of the projected rental income from the Alberta property to help you qualify.

The Bottom Line for 2026

The "Alberta is Calling" campaign worked. The people have moved. Now, the housing demand is following them.

If you are priced out of the Lower Mainland investment market, or if you're tired of feeding a negative cash flow condo every month, it's time to look east.

Don't guess on the numbers.

📞 Book a 15-min Investment Strategy Call

Let's run the math on an Edmonton rental property vs. a local BC investment and see which one wins for your portfolio.