Posts in Blog
Podcast 87: I just got scammed through online banking.

I guess it's happened to others before. And I realize that I should not have given as much information to the scammer as I did, but of course that's easy to see in hindsight.

Beware of scammers out there. Whether it's online banking, tenant fraud, or anything worse.

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Podcast 86: Need a Down Payment? Ask Your Parents for Help Buying a Home

How can young adults approach their parents for down payment assistance in Toronto’s challenging real estate market? Mikayla Thompson shares her experience saving while living with her parents. We talk about strategies like co-signing and contributing to down payments, the importance of planning, and the benefits of homeownership over renting.

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Podcast 85: What’s Happening with Prices and Inventory? September 2024 Toronto Real Estate Market Update

With the dropping mortgage rates and new CMHC rules, is now the right time to buy or sell? Join us we get into the latest stats for September 2024 and break down what this all means to potential home buyers and sellers.

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Fall Market Update (October 2024)

🚨 GTA Market Update: September 2024 🚨

Home sales are on the rise! With interest rates easing and new mortgage guidelines in place, buyers are taking advantage of more affordable options. Now’s the time to act—whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade. 🏡💼

📊 8.5% increase in home sales year-over-year

🏠 18,089 new listings

💰 Average price: $1.1M, offering more negotiation power for buyers!

Don’t miss your chance to secure your future investment!

📲 DM to discuss your next move.

#TorontoRealEstate #GTAMarketUpdate #HomeOwnership #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #TorontoHomes #RealEstateTips #InvestmentProperty

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Podcast 84: Getting rich in real estate with only 5% down

Wouldn’t it be ideal to earn huge returns in real estate with minimal money down? During the golden days of the past two decades, when interest rates were cheap, that was possible. You could buy almost any asset—not just real estate—and watch it soar, thanks to real negative interest rates (where borrowing costs were lower than inflation). However, those easy money days are over.

In today’s market, going all-in beats limping in when buying real estate. Join us as we explore why a solid deposit, despite the new CMHC mortgage insurance rules, is more crucial than ever for your property investment success.

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Podcast 83: This is the best tool to screen tenants (landlords too), with Weiting Bollu of OpenRoom.ca

The tenant screening process is crucial in avoiding future problems. Join me as I chat with Weiting Bollu of Openroom.ca, to discuss her platform that helps small landlords and great tenants navigate the rental market more effectively, contributing to a more connected and transparent ecosystem. Open Room allows users to search for tribunal decisions related to tenants or landlords, providing timely and crowdsourced data that might not be available through other sources like CanLii.

You must make this a critical part of your tenant/landlord screening (and reporting)! Visit www.openroom.ca.

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Podcast 82: What the Internet Is Asking About Toronto Real Estate

Why have prices only seen a modest decline in the Greater Toronto Area, despite soaring inventory and sluggish sales? What happens to condos when they get really old? Will they crumble and be insolvent? What happens if I can't close on my preconstruction purchase? Should I sell first or buy first?

Let's analyze the latest data on price changes, sales volume, and inventory levels from August 2024, and how the recent rate cuts by the Bank of Canada and rising unemployment impact the housing market.

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Podcast 81: When Will Home Prices FINALLY Drop in Toronto?

The burning question on everyone’s mind: When will real estate prices in Toronto finally drop? With interest rates at restrictive levels, an economy teetering on recession, and growing concerns about a potential real estate crash, we analyze the current state of the Toronto housing market.

Let’s walk through the critical factors influencing the market right now. We’ll examine key metrics like the sales-to-new-listings ratio, months of inventory, and the impact of rising interest rates. Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a first-time buyer, or simply curious about the market, this episode offers valuable insights that could help you navigate these turbulent times.

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Podcast 80: Picking the Best Neighbourhoods in Toronto in Summer 2024

Join us as we explore the vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto. With over 150 unique areas, Toronto offers something for everyone, whether you're an investor, a new resident, or looking for the perfect place to raise your family.

Toronto is a city like no other, with each neighbourhood offering its own unique charm and appeal. Whether you love historic districts, upscale shopping, family-friendly communities, or vibrant cultural scenes, there's a place for you here.

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Podcast 79 - Should Homeowners Be Concerned About About Rising Inventory?

Are you worried about the state of your home equity in today's unpredictable real estate market? With landlords exiting the condo market, a high number of new listings, and shifting buyer demand, it's crucial to stay informed. Check out this episode to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make the best real estate decisions.

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Podcast 78: Toronto's Real Estate Market Grinds to a Halt: Now What?

The Toronto real estate market has nearly ground to a halt. The challenges of selling in a sluggish market will likely lead to future implications of a potential housing crisis.

So let’s talk about the stagnant condo market and its impact on overall sales, the hurdles faced by first-time homebuyers and trade-up buyers, the shift from investors to end-users and what it means for the market, future predictions on housing supply and demand, and practical advice for navigating today's market conditions.

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Podcast 77: The Nightmare Condo Market: How to Survive

Are you feeling the pressure of the condo market downturn? You're not alone. In this video, we break down the realities of dropping condo values and rising interest rates. Discover practical strategies to manage negative cash flow, insights on long-term benefits of owning versus renting, and tips for making the best decisions in this volatile market.

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Podcast 76: Laneway Suites to Six-Story Buildings on Major Streets (with Craig Race, Lanescape)

When you have an already densely populated city like Toronto, creating more housing is not an easy thing to do. Constant population growth in Canada (increasing at 3% per year) has caused Toronto, the largest city, to be in an extreme housing crisis. This problem has been brewing steadily for the past two decades already, and likely won't be fixed even if we gave it two more decades to solve it.

One of the ways the city has responded to the housing affordability crisis is by introducing the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program by intensifying existing land. First was the laneway suite, and then came the garden suite. Now we are allowed multiplexes and eliminated single-family zoning, and recently, rooming houses are now allowed. I wanted to talk about the latest evolution, the city allowing small apartment buildings on major streets in Toronto.

I couldn't find a better person to talk to than Craig Race, one of the first people to bring laneway suites to reality in Toronto. Join us as we go through the cost benefits of each of these different housing typologies, noting the financial and regulatory challenges involved.

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Podcast 75: Everyone Is Upset At Real Estate Investors

There are people out there that hate real estate investors. They hate that we horde supply and profit off something that should be a fundamental basic human need.

I recently received a call from a frustrated individual accusing me of pumping up the market and contributing to the commoditization of homes. So join me as I share my perspective on the heated debate of real estate as an investment, the current market dynamics, and the challenges faced by both investors and tenants.

Whether you're a real estate enthusiast or a skeptic, this discussion offers valuable insights into the complexities of the housing market. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your feedback—your thoughts help shape future content!

And to the caller that reached out, thank you for that discussion. Would love to have a live discussion and debate with you!

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Podcast 74: Toronto's Spring Market Has Not Sprung

A massive surge of new listings came on to the Toronto real estate market, yet sales are still flat. Why?

Let's explore the latest trends and statistics from April. We discuss the implications of the upcoming interest rate announcement in June, the impact of employment rates on real estate, and the challenges faced by both buyers and sellers in this uncertain market.

We will analyze the sales-to-new-listings ratio, compare current market conditions to historical trends, and provide insights into potential opportunities for buyers and investors. We also highlight some unique investment properties and discuss the state of the rental market in Toronto. Whether you're a seasoned investor, a first-time homebuyer, or simply interested in real estate, this episode offers valuable information to help you navigate the market.

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Podcast 73: How To Afford A Home In Toronto

How To Afford A Home In Toronto?

There are lots of complexities in Toronto's real estate market. Let’s discuss the latest trends, market statistics, and strategies for both buyers and sellers. From rising mortgage rates to the increasing inventory that signals a buyer's market, find out how to navigate these challenges and make informed decisions in today's economic landscape.

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Podcast 72: My Take On The New Capital Gains Inclusion Rates

What is Capital Gains?

Want to make the most out of your investments? Understanding capital gains is crucial! In this video, we'll break down the essentials of capital gains, demystifying how they work, the difference between short-term and long-term gains, and how they can impact your tax strategy.

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Podcast 71: The State of Toronto's Condo Market

Think the condo market is crashing?

Despite headlines screaming "crash," the truth is far from it. Let's clear up some misconceptions. Firstly, the resale market is actually pretty solid right now. Properties are moving, offers are being made, and yes, deals are closing. Now, you might have heard that the rental rates aren't making sense for investors—well, that's partly true. But it's not because the market is bad; it's because the cost of capital has gone up. High interest rates are the real culprit here, squeezing out smaller investors who can’t cover their costs. But here’s the kicker: the market itself isn’t crashing. The data shows that average rents in major cities like Toronto are adjusting, not plummeting. And as for new construction projects? They're still happening, but yes, they're more expensive due to rising costs in materials, labor, and land. So, before you buy into the doom and gloom, check the facts and understand the real dynamics at play.

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Podcast 69: What Are Some Alternatives to Condo Investing?

Condos are great, but their value largely depends on market trends, which we've seen can fluctuate drastically. If rates go up, then suddenly your investment's worth drops 15-20%. With commercial real estate, you have more control. By increasing the property's net income through rent adjustments or renovations, you directly impact its value, no matter the market situation. Let me walk you through an example of a property that you can increase the value by 1.5x almost instantly, just by doing some minor tweaks to increase the net operating income.

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