A survey by Manulife Financial found almost one in five homeowners expect they'll be accessing home equity to supplement their retirement income.

The Manulife Bank Debt survey, which questioned more than 2,300 Canadians, finding nearly one in five respondents see their home as part of their retirement income equation.

This is the last installment of a four-part homebuying series for new Canadians in partnership with the Epoch Times. Each month, the series has explored hot-topic issues such as understanding market trends, processes for buying a home, determining factors that influence house prices and more.

Emigrating to Canada six years ago, China born Yi-Chen "Nicky" Liao has made Calgary her home.

As both an immigrant and real estate agent, Liao has particular insight into the local housing market for newcomers to Canada, and shared some of that wisdom, along with a few Calgary particulars, with CREBNow.

CN: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Liao: I am from a Mandarin speaking background, but all my post-secondary education was in London, England.