The Canadian Real Estate Investor

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.

Canada's weak housing market start to 2026, debating whether January's 16.2% year-over-year sales decline signals a deeper slowdown or just winter seasonality.⁠⁠​ National weakness across metrics: Sales down 16.2% YoY, new listings up 7.3%, sales-to-new listings ratio fell to 45%, and HPI down 4.9% YoY⁠⁠​ Regional divergence: Ontario markets (Hamilton, Oakville) down double digits, while secondary markets like Quebec City and Sudbury show double-digit gains⁠⁠​Investor positioning: Buyers have more negotiating leverage; sellers need to price correctly as multiple offers are limited to select markets 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 episode we sit down with a Vancity leader, Ryan Mckinley to unpack multiplex financing and policy across Canada. We explore why most multiplexes in Vancouver are strata-title, promoting homeownership, while Toronto’s market is trending toward rentals. Hear practical financing options for homeowners, investors, and small developers, plus a local case study and market outlook. We discuss the big opportunity for Toronto as condo ownership supply tightens, and how multiplexes can deliver lower construction and management costs, greater exit flexibility, and a pathway to more affordable ownership. 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 & Dan are joined by Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, Deputy Chief Economist at CMHC, who authored the recent report on the mortgage renewal wave. Over 1.5 million Canadians have already renewed at higher rates, with another million coming. While Toronto arrears have quadrupled, nationally only 0.25% of mortgages are in arrears. 1.5 million households renewed, 1 million more coming — the largest renewal wave in modern Canadian history⁠⁠​ Toronto and Vancouver are most stressed, particularly pandemic buyers, but most Canadian homeowners are still paying⁠⁠​  Despite rising arrears, only 0.25% of mortgages nationally are in arrears — this isn't a nationwide housing collapse⁠⁠ 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 news episode, Nick & Dan cover major challenges in Ontario's housing market, including regulatory enforcement against brokerages, inconsistent multiplex approvals despite new zoning policies, a new RBC-REALTOR partnership, and a severe collapse in residential construction threatening the provincial economy. RECO Trust Account Scandal: Save Max brokerages had $2.7 million unlawfully taken from trust accounts for operating expenses, resulting in suspensions and account freezes — the second major trust breach after iPro's $10.5 million scandal. Multiplex Policy Inconsistency: Toronto's "gentle intensification" policy shows conflicting results, one six-storey project on Islington got approved while a similar Pharmacy Avenue project was rejected over parking and "neighbourhood character," despite both streets being designated for small apartment buildings. Construction Crisis: Ontario's residential construction is collapsing with housing starts down 58% in Toronto, single-family sales down 71% in the GTHA, and 2025 marking the worst year for GTA new home sales in 45 years, threatening to shrink the provincial economy by 1.5-2.5% in 2026. 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.

Canada's rental market in Q1 2026, revealing a major shift from growth to stagnation. The main takeaway is that rent growth has essentially stopped nationwide, with some cities experiencing declines. Join us as we go through the Yardi Rental Report  Rent growth has flatlined: National rent growth is only 3.2% year-over-year (in-place rents) and new lease rents are up just 0.7%, with cities like Calgary and Toronto seeing negative growth on new leases. Vacancies at 5-year highs: National vacancy hit 4.5%, with Calgary at 6.1% and turnover exceeding 40% in some Western markets, giving renters unprecedented leverage. Operating costs squeezing margins: Average expenses are $8,000 per unit annually (highest in Ontario at $8,822), making it harder for landlords to maintain profitability as rent growth stalls. 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 & Dan do a comprehensive deep dive on Alberta's real estate market, part of "The Canadian Re Tour" podcast mini-series. We covers Alberta's economic fundamentals, major cities (Calgary and Edmonton), and mid-sized markets, with detailed data on home prices, rents, vacancy rates, and cap rates as of December 2025. Alberta has Canada's highest GDP per capita at ~$96,544, strong wages, and no rent control, making it attractive for cashflow-focused real estate investors. Calgary ($615,986 avg price) is more expensive and corporate-focused with 102 head offices, while Edmonton ($454,981 avg price) remains Canada's most affordable major citywith stable government employment. Vacancy rates have risen significantly in 2025—Calgary approaching 6%and Edmonton at 3.8%—due to a record 20,000 rental unit starts, helping stabilize the market after an extremely tight 2023. 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.

A January 2026 Senate report called housing "Out of Reach." We look at the report and cover the rental market squeeze, development charges, and regulatory delays that are driving up housing costs across Canada Toronto housing fees are staggering: New homes in Toronto carry approximately $200,000 in municipal fees, compared to under $10,000 in cities like Moncton or Charlottetown⁠⁠. Approval timelines are crippling supply: It takes an average of 11 years to get a new housing development approved and built from start to finish in some Canadian cities⁠⁠. Rental market reforms are coming: The Senate report recommends incentivizing rental construction through tax breaks, preserving affordable units, and potentially restricting institutional investors from buying up residential rentals⁠ 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.

Robert Kavcic, Senior economist at BMO specializing in Canada and housing outlooks. He discusses a long, slow move toward affordability. Investors exiting the market and why condos and rentals face extra pressure. How buyer advantage, rising supply, and persistent mortgage costs reshape choices for investors and owners.

Trump's proposed ban on corporate landlords buying single-family homes with Canada's MLI Select program, arguing that financial incentives work better than bans for directing institutional capital toward building new housing supply. Policy Contrast: Trump's ban excludes new construction, potentially pushing institutional investors toward building rather than buying existing homes—inadvertently achieving what Canada's MLI Select program does deliberately through financing incentives MLI Select Mechanics: Canada's program offers 50-year amortizations and 95% financing for multi-family projects that score points for affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility—making new construction more attractive than competing for existing homes Incentives vs. Bans: The fundamental lesson is that redirecting institutional capital through attractive financing works better than prohibition—creating alignment between investor profit motives and public policy goals without demonizing capital 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.