Layoffs in mortgage started in May 2022.

I was laid off as part of a group layoff 3 weeks before the end of the year….so I missed it by 3 weeks.  

I know a lot of offices in Calgary and Edmonton were vacant and there were lots of lay offs. 

We don't know how many sectors are going to be hit hard (hospitals are laying healthcare workers off) and if you are relying on another job's income to cover your issues (like when the place doesn't have a tenant, when you underestimate costs, when someone trashes your place, you have a large dollar repair that is needed, you have to hire an attorney for an eviction or a lawsuit) instead of a healthy amount of cash or liquid assets; that could really rock your finances when a lay-off happens at the same time an expected one-time hit comes (those things above happen - and never at a good time).I wouldn't take on debt for additional real estate investment unless you had at least 6 months of your monthly expenses (all those debt payments) in the bank and don't touch it. 

I was convinced that COVID-19 would send home prices to the moon and also create enough buying opportunity with all the layoffs.

OK, let's lay off the personal attacks, especially if you're a third party.

That is where empathy is important, but that doesn't mean I am a push over either.Good people (prospective tenants) also get caught in bad situations which wreck their finances such as health issues, divorce, layoffs, death of spouse/partner for which they have no control over.

I had a friend who won't even download Robinhood app that I recommend even though he will get a free stock for just signing up for free because he is scared of getting hack or something.

I do note that some small to midsize tech startups are starting to lay off employees. 

On the other, people will be looking to rent more than ever, with tighter loan criteria and massive layoffs.