The Canadian Real Estate Investor

February 2026 home sales were 8.1% below last year — the weakest comparable data since the 2009 financial crisis — despite improving affordability, as tariff fears, job losses, and rising delinquencies keep buyers on the sidelines Canada lost 83,900 jobs in February and mortgage arrears are climbing, with Toronto and Vancouver facing the highest projected delinquency risk as softer prices, weaker resale liquidity, and a shakier labour market all hit at once The national average is masking a country moving in opposite directions: Toronto's benchmark price is down 7.9% year over year while Quebec City is up 12.3% and Alberta stays resilient — there is no single Canadian housing market, only a national average pretending to be one Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal GST rebate for first-time buyers is now live — and most people are missing the real story. Yes, qualifying buyers can save up to $50,000 federally (and up to $130,000 combined with Ontario's provincial rebate) on eligible new homes. But Ottawa's own numbers imply the average benefit is closer to $22,400 per home. So what's actually going on? Nick and Dan break down the mechanics of the new rebate, why the government's own fiscal tables reveal this is less about affordability and more about keeping the construction pipeline from stalling, and why this policy is likely deflationary, not inflationary, for new home pricing. They also cover the existing purpose-built rental rebate, the retrofit gap nobody's talking about, and what buyers, investors, and sellers should actually do with this information. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick is joined by Josh & Ehren from BLD to go over the myths and truths of commercial financing.  CMHC demystified — the real qualification requirements, net worth, liquidity and experience you actually need to build multifamily in Canada (and why Instagram is lying to you) CMHC on the way in vs. out — the two main construction financing paths explained, when to use each, and what the risks are in today's volatile market How to get your first project done — practical advice on building your power team, finding a developer partner, and understanding tranches, soft costs and the true cost of building missing middle housing extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Theorem Development founders & owners Faizan & Suraj who break down their business for us.  A real multiplex deal, broken down: Suraj walks through a recent East Vancouver fourplex project from start to finish — $2M land acquisition, $2M construction, $350K in soft costs, and $6M in total sales revenue, delivering roughly 40% annualized return on invested capital to their citizen developer client. The biggest roadblocks holding back supply: From BC Hydro transformer upgrades that can cost $120K+ and delay projects by over a year, to 6–10 month permitting timelines that add $60–100K in holding costs, Suraj and Faizan break down exactly where time and money get burned — and who ultimately pays for it (hint: the buyer). Why Vancouver's multiplex math favors build-to-sell over buy-and-hold: Unlike Toronto where CMHC MLI Select financing pushes developers toward rental, Vancouver's strata title system and strong end-user demand at the $1.5–1.9M price point make merchant building the more compelling strategy, with 20%+ returns on cost. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this interview with Aboriginal law expert Tom Isaac we talk all about BC court rulings on Aboriginal title (e.g., Cowichan, Musqueam) that could undermine indefeasible land title, threaten private property and liquidity, and have broad economic and reconciliation consequences across Canada. Court language and agreements may mean Aboriginal title displaces Crown/fee-simple protections, creating clouds on property titles and making homes illiquid. Revenue-sharing and uncertainty threaten government services, investment, and the broader economy—hurting reconciliation and public welfare.  Outcomes depend on appeals; the issue could extend beyond BC nationally, and citizen engagement (voting, public pressure) is critical to drive thoughtful policy. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rates, Inflation, Jobs, Missing Middle? What the heck is going to happen this year and beyond?! Tune into hear Nick & Dan's Real Estate predictions for this year.  Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Adam & Matt from the Vancouver Real Estate Podcast to have a catch up discussion and settle the argument as to which market has been worse. Toronto or Vancouver. Tune in to find out.  Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian borrowers and investors are shifting from variable and long fixed terms toward 3-year fixed mortgages in 2026, seeking short-term certainty without locking into long rates, and how that decision ties into portfolio planning, refinancing risk, and programs like CMHC MLI Select. Fixed (3- or 5-year) = predictable payments, easier modeling for equity/refinance and portfolio scaling. Variable = a macro bet (rates must fall for it to be advantageous); can cause sudden payment spikes. 3-year fixed = compromise: short-term protection with flexibility if rates decline; financing programs (e.g., CMHC MLI Select) can affect timing and cost. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We cover a whole bunch of breaking news in this episode.  Construction productivity is collapsing (−37% since 2001) amid a massive retiring workforce and small‑firm dominance, constraining new supply and raising costs. Affordability gains are concentrated in condos — not broad-based — while taxes, development charges and stalled starts (RESCON’s HST‑holiday pitch) risk deepening the supply shortfall. Financial and market stress is rising: power‑of‑sale listings are spiking in Ontario, rental affordability is worsening regionally (Nova Scotia worst), and growing private‑credit exposure could tighten financing for builders and buyers. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bank of Canada and Better Dwelling argue Toronto’s condo boom was driven by investor speculation and presale funding, creating Ponzi‑like dynamics where ongoing new-buyer inflows were needed to sustain prices and projects; when demand and returns fell, many projects stalled, inventory surged, and systemic risk materialized. 3 major bullet points: Presale-dependent financing + high investor leverage (small deposits, assignment flipping) made the development model reliant on continuous new buyers rather than end-user demand. Rising interest rates, easing population growth, and oversupply collapsed expected short-term returns, leaving many investors with negative‑cash‑flow units and unsold inventory. Consequences: record unsold/returned units, halted starts and cancellations, developer stress : a market correction that resembles Ponzi finance dynamics but lacks outright fraud. Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management VANCOUVER MULTIPLEX EVENT TICKETS LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.