Investing in Montreal real estate often starts with a plex: a duplex, a triplex or an income property where the rents help repay the mortgage. It is a concrete project, rooted in a neighbourhood you can visit and leases you can verify. It is also a purchase judged first on numbers: real income, complete expenses and the condition of the building.
Groupe Giuseppe Cartolano Inc., an agency affiliated with Groupe Sutton Synergie inc. and based in Saint-Léonard, guides plex buyers in Montreal and Laval, from the first calculation to the signing at the notary. Our job: help you tell a well-kept building from a well-presented one, and submit a promise to purchase that protects your interests.
Receive plexes and income properties that match your criteria → newlist.properties · or talk to our team: 514-360-6666
Featured plex listing
12360, 6e Avenue, Montréal (Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles) — Duplex, 2 units (2 × 3½) — $349,900 — Potential gross revenue: $21,600/year
Free guide: The Montréal Plex Investor Guide
Free guide: The Montréal Plex Investor Guide
Types of plexes in Montreal
A duplex has two units, a triplex has three, followed by fourplexes, fiveplexes and larger multi-unit buildings. Many Montreal plexes were built in the early twentieth century, with features to understand: foundations, plumbing, electrical systems and roofing all call for a careful inspection. Some buyers live in one unit of their plex; others buy purely as an investment. Both strategies are valid, but they change the financing, the required down payment and the notice periods if you wish to repossess a unit.
Reading income and expenses
A plex buyer first analyzes income: the rents in the current leases, vacant units and any declared additional income such as parking or laundry. Then expenses: municipal and school taxes, insurance, energy paid by the owner, snow removal, maintenance and repairs. The difference between income and expenses gives a first reading of performance, before debt service. We help you verify these figures from the seller’s documents — leases, tax bills, invoices — rather than relying on a single number highlighted in a listing.
The plex buying process, step by step
1. Define your criteria and financing
Budget, target areas, number of units and whether you intend to live in one unit: these choices shape the search and the financing. A mortgage pre-approval suited to income properties clarifies your borrowing capacity from the start.
2. Receive listings and visit
Sign up to receive new plexes as soon as they come on the market → newlist.properties. On a visit, we look at the general condition, signs of water infiltration, the age of the roof and systems, and the quality of the units.
3. The promise to purchase
We draft the promise to purchase with you: price, inspection and financing conditions, review of the leases and the building’s financial documents, inclusions and occupancy date. For a plex, verifying the current leases is an essential condition, not a formality.
4. Inspection and document review
A qualified building inspector assesses the property. At the same time, you review the leases, the declared income, any notices given to tenants and the certificate of location provided by the seller.
5. At the notary
In Québec, the purchase is completed at the notary you choose. The notary verifies the titles, prepares the deed of sale and the deed of hypothec, and calculates the adjustments, including rents paid in advance. You sign, the funds are disbursed, and the building is yours.
Buying a plex with Groupe Giuseppe Cartolano Inc.
- A team of 9 brokers based in Saint-Léonard, buying and selling plexes in Montreal’s east and north boroughs and in Laval.
- Dual expertise in residential homes and income properties: we speak the language of families and of investors.
- Guidance in French or English, with clear explanations of every document before you sign.
- Referrals to trusted professionals: building inspectors, mortgage brokers, notaries.
Frequently asked questions about plexes in Montreal
How much down payment do I need to buy a plex?
It depends on the number of units and on whether you will live in the building. An owner-occupied plex is usually treated differently from a building held purely as an investment. Your financial institution or mortgage broker will confirm the exact amount for your project; we help you frame that project before you start.
How do I verify a plex’s income before buying?
Through the documents: the current leases, tax bills, energy and maintenance invoices, and any notices given to tenants. The promise to purchase can include a condition to review these documents. We help you request them and read them before you are firmly bound.
Can I repossess a unit to live in it?
Repossession of a unit is governed by the rules of the Tribunal administratif du logement, with notice periods that vary by situation. If you plan to live in your plex, say so from the start: it affects the choice of building and the timeline to plan for.
Does an older plex cost more to maintain?
It can require particular attention to the roof, foundations, plumbing and electrical systems. That is why the inspection and the maintenance history matter as much as the income. A well-maintained older building can be a sound purchase; a neglected building, whatever its age, calls for a realistic work budget.
Do I need a pre-approval before searching for a plex?
It is strongly recommended. It confirms your borrowing capacity for this type of property and makes your promise to purchase more credible to the seller, especially when several buyers are interested in the same plex.
Start your plex search today — Receive new listings that match your criteria → newlist.properties. Also thinking of buying a house or condo? See our guide to buying a home in Montreal. Also thinking of selling a property? Request your free home evaluation → estimation.properties. Or speak directly with our team: 514-360-6666. Groupe Giuseppe Cartolano Inc. · 6401 Jean-Talon Blvd. E, Montreal, QC H1S 3E7
Plexes are not the same investment in every neighbourhood: rents, tenant profiles, building age and resale demand vary by borough. Our team, based in Saint-Léonard, buys and sells plexes across Montreal’s east and north ends. If you are looking for a duplex or a small plex, start with our guides to buying or selling in Saint-Léonard and buying or selling in Montréal-Nord, two boroughs where family demand keeps rental income steady — then talk to us before you make an offer.