The "Geographic Arbitrage": How to Turn Your Surrey Townhouse into a Mortgage-Free Mansion in Alberta
Date: December 12, 2025 | Category: Relocation Strategy, Market Trends | Reading Time: 6 Minutes
We see the same story in our Surrey office every week. A family is "house rich" but "cash poor." They own a $1.1 million property in the Lower Mainland, but they are drowning in a $700,000 mortgage and struggling with the high cost of living.
They think they are stuck. They aren't.
In 2025, the smartest financial move for many BC residents isn't a new investment strategy—it's a map change. It's called Geographic Arbitrage: taking equity from a high-cost market (Vancouver/Surrey) and Moving to Alberta, a high-growth, lower-cost market (Calgary/Edmonton).
At Kraft Mortgages, we are licensed in both British Columbia and Alberta. This gives us a unique view of the market—and the ability to handle your entire move seamlessly. As your Mortgage Broker Surrey and Alberta specialist, we bridge both worlds.
The Math That Is Changing Lives
Let's look at a real-world scenario we recently handled for a client moving from Surrey to Edmonton.
📊 THE "BC EXIT" STRATEGY
The Outcome: This family went from a $550,000 mortgage in a cramped townhouse to a $150,000 mortgage in a detached home with a yard. Monthly payments dropped by over $2,500.
That is life-changing cash flow.
The Tricky Part: "Bridge Financing" Across Borders
Moving provinces is stressful. Financing it shouldn't be.
The biggest hurdle is timing. Often, you need to buy your new home in Calgary Mortgages territory or Edmonton Real Estate before you receive the cash from your sale in Vancouver or Surrey.
Most banks struggle with this when the properties are in different provinces. Because Kraft Mortgages operates in both BC and Alberta, we specialize in Bridge Financing. We can use the equity in your BC home to provide the down payment for your Alberta home, allowing you to move on your schedule, not the bank's.
Why Do This in 2026?
1. Alberta is Still Affordable (For Now)
While Calgary prices have risen, Edmonton Real Estate remains undervalued. You can still buy "luxury" for under $650k.
2. No Land Transfer Tax
When you buy in Alberta, you don't pay the massive Property Transfer Tax (PTT) you are used to in BC. That saves you another $10,000–$15,000 instantly.
3. Lower Income Tax
Keep more of what you earn. Alberta's income tax rates are among the lowest in Canada.
Stop Paying for "Potential" and Start Living for Real
If you are tired of the "BC Grind," let's run the numbers on your property. You might be sitting on a lottery ticket that can buy you financial freedom just one province over.
As your trusted Mortgage Broker Surrey with Alberta expertise, we make cross-province moves seamless.
Thinking of making the move?
🏔️ Book a "BC to Alberta" Strategy CallWe handle the mortgage on both sides of the Rockies so you only deal with one expert team.
About Varun Chaudhry
Licensed mortgage broker with over 18 years of experience in the Canadian mortgage industry. Specializing in MLI Select, construction financing, and self-employed mortgages across BC, AB, and ON.