Why Now Is the Time to Rent Your Demo Property
- Admin Sunwise
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Canadian Real Estate Market Shift
The Canadian real estate market shifted in 2025, and many property owners are still adjusting to what that means in practice.
In cities like Vancouver, rental prices softened, vacancy increased, and renters gained leverage. Properties that once rented quickly now require more effort, better positioning, or a different approach entirely.
This change is especially noticeable for demo properties, redevelopment sites, and houses slated for demolition.
The question is no longer whether these properties can be rented. .It’s whether they’re being rented the right way.
Vancouver Rental Market Trends in 2025
Rental market data throughout 2025 showed a clear pattern in Vancouver and across parts of Canada:
Rental prices trended downward
Vacancy rates increased
Renters became more selective
Incentives returned to the market
This doesn’t signal a collapse. It signals a renter’s market.
In a renter’s market, properties that are older, imperfect, or transitional face longer vacancy periods unless they are positioned differently.
Why Demo and Redevelopment Properties Sit Empty
Many property owners assume that houses slated for demolition are unrentable.
That assumption is understandable, but often incorrect.
Traditional renters look for:
long-term stability
certainty of tenure
turnkey condition
Demo properties offer none of those. As a result, standard leasing strategies fail, and many owners default to leaving the property vacant while waiting for permits, rezoning, or construction timelines.
The issue isn’t demand. It’s fit.
The Real Cost of Leaving a Property Vacant
An empty redevelopment property still carries ongoing costs:
property taxes
insurance
security and vandalism risk
weather exposure and deterioration
neighbour complaints and municipal attention
Vacancy during a holding period is often treated as unavoidable. In reality, it is a decision, whether intentional or not.
That raises an important question:
What is the cost of doing nothing while a property waits for redevelopment?
Renting Demo Properties Requires a Different Operator
Demo properties are not conventional rentals. They require a specialized approach.
Sunwise focuses specifically on renting transitional properties, including:
houses slated for demolition
redevelopment sites awaiting permits
properties unsuitable for traditional long-term tenants
The model is designed around flexibility:
short- to medium-term tenancy
clear expectations for occupants
full property and tenant management
no interference with future redevelopment plans
This allows property owners to generate income during a holding period without locking themselves into long-term arrangements.
Why This Strategy Matters More in a Renter’s Market
When rental demand is strong, inefficiencies are easy to overlook. When the market softens, they become expensive.
In a renter’s market, specialized operators outperform generalist strategies. Sunwise does not compete with new builds or premium rentals. It operates in a separate lane, one built specifically for properties in transition.
For owners of demo or redevelopment properties, this approach reduces:
vacancy risk
carrying costs
operational headaches
While preserving full control over future plans.
A Practical Question for Property Owners
If a property is already waiting on approvals, permits, or construction timelines:
Is leaving it empty actually reducing risk, or just postponing a better outcome?
Sunwise Property exists to provide a practical answer to that question by turning underutilized, transitional properties into income-producing assets during their holding period.
If you own a house or property in Vancouver and believe it could be rented for 6–8 months, it may be a fit for Sunwise’s demolition rental program. Don't assume it needs to sit empty during a holding period, it may be worth exploring whether interim rental income is possible.
