When most people think about building a home, they imagine designing the perfect kitchen, choosing tile and trim, and bringing their vision of a dream home to life. But there’s another side to building—a quieter, often overlooked path—where construction becomes not just a creative pursuit, but an investment in long-term stability, legacy, and community.
Across North America, Alair teams are helping bring that vision to life—not just for homeowners, but for those seeking to invest in housing solutions that create lasting value. From gentle infill projects and secondary suites to multi-family and mixed-use developments, Alair is building more than homes. It’s helping build futures.
The Sierra Bungalow Home Design at Horizon Estates by Alair Peterborough
What Is an Investment Property, Really?
At its core, an investment property is a home or building purchased or constructed with the intention of generating income—either through rent, resale, or long-term appreciation. While it might sound like something reserved for developers or seasoned real estate professionals, the truth is, more people are getting involved in real estate investing than ever before.
In many communities, housing shortages, rising rents, and a growing demand for diverse housing options are creating space for new models—whether that’s a duplex with a basement suite, a secondary dwelling in a backyard, or a row of thoughtfully designed townhomes.
These aren’t just financial ventures. They’re contributions to the future of our communities.
The Award-winning Grand Revival Show Home by Alair Des Moines
The Builder as a Guide
For anyone exploring real estate investment, partnering with the right builder matters. Builders aren’t just executing a design—they’re often the ones connecting the dots: zoning regulations, financing realities, construction schedules, and community needs.
Alair partners across the network are embracing this role.
Through a regular “Investor Lab” mastermind call, they collaborate weekly to share lessons, crunch numbers, and walk through real-world case studies. The goal isn’t to sell—it’s to educate. To help Alair teams and their clients feel confident in exploring these kinds of opportunities with clarity and care.
Graeme Bell | Partner, and Investor Lab Creator
From Concept to Community: Stories of Possibility
Here are just a few ways Alair partners are helping shape communities—one investment property at a time:
1. Collaborating with Developers – Belleville
In Belleville, Ontario, partners Brendan Troy and Simon Gutierrez worked with a local developer on a waterfront project in cottage country. With help from Alair’s marketing and strategy team, they presented a full strategic plan—including a branded campaign, digital assets, and a dedicated development website. For the developer, it was about more than construction; it was about creating a destination. For the Alair team, it was about stewardship—bringing design, quality, and human connection to every part of the journey.
2. Building a Long-Term Pipeline – Manitoba
In Brandon, Manitoba, partners Mike Peters and Kyle Neufeld took a bold step. Rather than waiting for investor leads to land in their inbox, they proactively sourced and helped initiate a significant development opportunity—one with the potential to create five to ten years of sustained work. The project is rooted in collaboration, early planning, and relationship-building with investor partners who want to do more than build—they want to create impact. By identifying land, preparing high-level financials, and leaning into the tools of the Alair process, they’ve positioned themselves not just as builders, but as long-term partners.
3. Creating a Pipeline with Purpose – Alberta
In Alberta, Graeme Bell and his team have spent over a decade cultivating relationships with private investors. These aren’t mega-developments—they’re smart, intentional builds: duplexes, fourplexes, and laneway homes that respond to real housing needs. One investor they’ve worked with has developed five properties in five years—with Alair supporting every step. “These projects are grounded in values,” Graeme says. “They provide housing, create stability, and give our team a sustainable, rewarding kind of work.”
An award-winning multi-family infill development in Edmonton, Alberta,
Why It Matters
Real estate investment isn’t for everyone—and it certainly isn’t without risk. But for those who are curious, thoughtful, and patient, it can be a way to contribute meaningfully to the fabric of a neighborhood. Whether it’s building a secondary suite for a family member, revitalizing an aging property, or contributing to a broader community development, the possibilities are as personal as they are practical.
Graeme Bell leads the Investor Lab call. He has lead a number of investor-backed projects in Alberta and the Okanagan area.
“These projects are grounded in values…
…They provide housing, create stability, and give our team a sustainable, rewarding kind of work.”
/ Graeme Bell
