While I love the idea of eventually owning a paid-off primary residence, I’m debating whether it’s smarter to sell our current house and use the equity as a down payment on the new home or to keep it as a rental.

I personally like the buy-and-hold strategy and we help clients who share this long-term, wealth building mindset. 

I would hold the cash for keys idea in my back pocket until I heard what they have to say.

Be careful when you select entity types.A pass-through entity in the United States, such as an LLC, may not hold the same characteristics in Canada.What market are you looking to invest in?

One major things to consider that many newer investors miss with 5+ units, is that if you intend to hold, the property will need to be at least 75% occupied and stabilized before you will be able to find reasonable financing terms. 

The reason I ask is at that rent point there is no profit on a sustained hold.   

If we are losing money every year, but do plan on holding on to it long term, with our goal being appreciation of the market and someone else paying a good chunk of our mortgage, is this worth doing on any level? 

I'm curious about number 4-could you expand on the idea there?

If the market is strong, holding could lead to future gains, especially with depreciation deductions offsetting rental income.

We intend to hold the property in our name for at least 12 months before starting construction.