The Burn Your Mortgage Podcast

Jelani Smith is a personal finance guru with a passion for real estate & personal finance. He is a real estate agent at RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Inc., and a Team Lead for Vertex Real Estate. He bought his first home in Toronto as a recent U of T grad and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with students & recent grads. Jelani has received multiple agent awards, including, but not limited to, receiving the Chairman's Club Award 3 years in a row. With the intent of helping clients climb the real estate ladder, he closed 39 deals within the first 12 months of his real estate career. All in all, Jelani has the vision of providing guidance to investors, buyers, & sellers – with the underlying goal of wealth creation. In my interview with Jelani, we discuss: Current opportunities for real estate investors Garden suites and fourplex opportunities for investors The increase in the price cap for insured mortgages from $1M to $1.5M Advice for first-time homebuyers, as well as those looking to buy and sell in the current real estate market The current state of the rental market

Anthony Molinaro is a normal guy from Brampton who happens to buy investment properties with his buddies. He works as a marketer for Rock Star Real Estate and is also a property manager & tenant placement expert. In my interview with Anthony, we discuss: The current state of the rental market Pro tips for tenant screening Not so obvious tips from an experienced landlord The pros & cons of student rentals

Lesley-Anne Scorgie is an author, speaker, personal finance consultant, and the founder of MeVest.ca. She's been a guest on Oprah and is a past winner of Avenue's Top 40 Under 40 and was also featured in Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in the Future Leaders category by Women's Executive Network. She has shared her secrets to achieve financial success with CBC, Breakfast Television, the Globe and Mail and more. She's the lead money columnist at the Toronto Star. Her latest book is The Modern Couple's Money Guide: 7 Smart Steps to Building Wealth Together. She's also the author of Well-Heeled: The Smart Girl's Guide to Getting Rich and Rich by Thirty: Your Guide to Financial Success. In my interview with Lesley-Anne, we discuss: What LA is writing about right now Considerations when upsizing houses What are people doing with their careers to afford houses? What are the money hacks to own a home sooner?

Launched nationwide in April, Fastkey Technology allows lenders and mortgage brokers to easily access essential documents for mortgage or loan applications within minutes, including Notices of Assessment, income statements, proof of income, tax slips, and Canada child benefit details. It also has tools to help support borrowers, property managers and landlords.   Sam's Bio Sam Khajeei is the President and Co-Founder of Fastkey Technology Ltd. ("Fastkey"). Sam owns and operates a law firm in Canada called "SK Legal", is qualified as a lawyer in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, the State of Texas and the Emirate of Dubai and applies his 10+ years of experience as a corporate and M&A lawyer towards the continued success and development of Fastkey.  As Fastkey's President, Sam has broad roles and responsibilities which includes business development and sales, oversight on legal matters including joint ventures and partner collaborations and client support in all of Fastkey's verticals.   Dave's Bio The mortgage industry has been great to advice-based mortgage advisors like David Ford. While most banking institutions move away from strong communication, access, and advice, he has improved. This helps his clients keep up to the best mortgage products for their needs. David has 15 years experience in this industry, over 4000 files built, and nearly $1Billion in mortgages funded. David has been able to provide the best advice for his clients as they evolve through their lives, moves and mortgage terms. David has a special interest in efficiency, best practices and providing exceptional client support, and, as a result, is an invaluable addition to the Fastkey team in his capacity of Lender Relations.  In my interview with Sam and Dave, we discuss: What is Fastkey and what are its many benefits How Fastkey is helpful for borrowers (salaried employees, self-employed, etc.)

Barry Choi is an award-winning, Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert. As a completely self-taught, do-it-yourself investor with no formal training, Barry makes money easy to understand for all Canadians. He combines his knowledge of finance with his passion for travel and encourages people to see the world. Barry's specialties include personal finance, trip planning, millennial money, gen Z money, credit cards and trending destinations. In my interview with Barry, we discuss: Moving up in the real estate market from a 2 bedroom condo to a 3 bedroom townhouse Becoming a landlord Making the most of your credit cards on home renovations Getting a mortgage as self-employed

Lionel Romain is based in Toronto where he has worked with Kijiji Real Estate for over a decade, helping connect landlords and tenants across Canada. In my interview with Lionel, we discuss: What is the Canadian Rental Report and why does it exist? Insights in the report that could help landlords. What are potential renters looking for right now in rental suites?

Barbara Captijn had a 20-year career in communications and sales in the publishing and consumer goods industries. For the past 15 years, Barbara has been an independent consumer advocate for new home buyers, has advocated at all levels of the Ontario government for better consumer protection, and has written over 20 guest columns published in The Toronto Sun on this subject. Her first-hand experience as a new home buyer prompted her advocacy to fix what many have found to be a faulty system. Her advocacy work includes participating in ministry consultations, giving consumer feedback to Ontario legislative committees on new bills, helping consumers as a friend to navigate complex processes and writing a blog. In my interview with Barbara, we discuss: How she got involved with pre-construction condo and freehold homes What are “weasel clauses” How can consumers better protect themselves when buying pre-construction

Alex Kjorven is a CPA, CA and Chief Product Officer at Ourboro. Ourboro is a private, Toronto-based company dedicated to providing access to homeownership through co-ownership. Ourboro co-invests up to $250K towards a buyer's down payment, purchasing a share in the future value of the home. Once they are in their home, additional programs, such as maintenance check-ups and renovation credits, are available to co-owners to help preserve and increase the home's value. In my interview with Alex, we discuss: Barriers to homeownership Shared Equity to break into the market Co-owning the home with an investor

An 18-year veteran of the Canadian insurance industry, Stefan Tirschler has extensive experience advising Canadians as they journey through the process of buying, understanding, and using home insurance. At Square One, Stefan works with a team of creative professionals whose mission is to make home insurance effortless, whether getting a quote or making a claim. Holding one of the most sought-after designations in the industry, Stefan is a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional and Canadian Risk Manager who strives to inform consumers and professionals alike about insurance. In my interview with Stefan, we discuss: Tenant/renter insurance vs. home insurance House vs. condo insurance The importance of budgeting for home insurance when buying a home How to shop around for home insurance

Shannon Lee Simmons is an award winning Certified Financial Planner, speaker, bestselling author, Chartered Investment Manager and founder of the New School of Finance. She is a personal finance writer for the Globe and Mail as well as CBC Radio's Metro Morning money columnist and was a financial expert on The Marilyn Denis Show. Shannon's latest book “No-Regret Decisions” is a decision crisis playbook that will help you to make sound choices when the emotional and financial stakes are high. From the initial shock of Panic Mode to the insecurity of the Messy Middle, and finally, the acceptance of Your New Normal, Shannon Lee Simmons will teach you how to approach your decision crisis methodically, step by step.  In my interview with Shannon, we discuss: Creating a budget that works The Beyoncé Factor Saving money with the rising cost of living Making no regret financial decisions, including buying a home

Giacomo Ladas is the Communications Manager for Rentals.ca, a free-to-use, leading marketplace connecting private landlords and renters across the country. He fosters relationships with journalists, bloggers, and industry thought leaders. He is integral in the Rentals.ca National Rent Report publication as he handles all media inquiries throughout the year. In my interview with Giacomo, we discuss: The rental market that was in 2023 What's going on right now in the rental market Predictions for the rental market in 2024 Good places to invest across Canada right now as a landlord

Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and the CEO of Credit Canada, the longest-standing non-profit credit counselling agency in the country. He appears regularly on Cityline and Breakfast Television, has a national money column for CBC Radio, hosts a radio show on SiriusXM, and speaks at events from coast to coast. He is also the author of the Globe & Mail bestseller, “Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with money (and what you can do about it).” Credit Canada recently launched a free, multi-lingual online learning program about credit, developed specifically for newcomers to Canada. While there are many resources to support newcomers when they arrive, Credit Canada identified a gap in helping newcomers build their new life - education about credit that reflects a newcomer's experience, presented in their preferred language. In my interview with Bruce, we discuss: The unique barriers newcomers face when arriving in Canada Essentials of credit in Canada How to build your credit history in Canada How to improve your credit score What to do if you run into problems with credit

Not all journalists get to live their beat, but Rob Carrick does. His personal finance column in The Globe and Mail is one regular guy's attempt to make sense of the world of money. He's married with two 20-something kids and constantly figuring out ways to spend and invest intelligently. He asks the same questions you would and applies his experience and contacts to get answers. He got his start in financial writing back in the early 1990s when he covered the Bay Street business scene for The Canadian Press wire service. A few years later, he was transferred to CP's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa to cover consumer affairs and, later, the federal Department of Finance. He left CP and joined The Globe and Mail as investment reporter in 1996. He mentioned to his boss at the time that we didn't do much personal finance coverage at The Globe. The paper's Personal Finance column was launched shortly afterwards, with him at the wheel. What a trip it's been for Rob covering personal finance over the years. Rob's seen three bull markets for stocks, a couple of recessions and stock market crashes, one global financial crisis, the incredible rise of the housing market, soaring personal debt loads and an ever-present worry that Canadians aren't saving enough for retirement. Rob knows there's infinite personal finance content available these days online, in print and on TV and radio. Come to Rob for his experience, his willingness to challenge stale consensus thinking and, most of all, his ability to make you say after finishing one of my columns: “Now I understand.” In my interview with Rob, we discuss: His book "How Not to Move Back in With Your Parents” The Bank of Mom and Dad Top mortgage tips for first-time homebuyers Expenses that may surprise first-time homebuyers Why you shouldn't judge a bank by its hyped-up rate The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Jonathan Chevreau is a veteran financial columnist, blogger and author based in Toronto.  He was the Financial Post's personal finance columnist between 1993 and 2012 and editor-in-chief for MoneySense Magazine from 2012 to 2014.  He still writes the Retired Money column for MoneySense. In 2014, he launched the Financial Independence Hub, which usually publishes four blogs every week. Jon has authored several books with traditional book publishers like McGraw Hill and Key Porter books, including The Wealthy Boomer, and a series of mutual fund guides called Smart Funds. In 2016, he co-authored Victory Lap Retirement, a Globe & Mail bestseller. In my interview with Jon, we discuss: Housing affordability His 32-year-old daughter Helen saving in a FHSA General thoughts on Findependence What he's now doing in semi-retirement now he's turned 70

Tomas Ronis is the founder and CEO of Rhenti. Being both a landlord and a renter, Tomas has a unique perspective of the residential rental industry that enables the Rhenti team to build digital leasing tools for landlords in a way that shifts renters to the forefront of the experience. Rhenti is the busy landlord's trusted leasing platform, connecting them with more renters, faster. Rhenti helps busy landlords to protect their time and free themselves from menial and tedious tasks by reducing their overall time to lease. In my interview with Tomas, we discuss: What is Rhenti and how does it work What kind of property owners would get the most out of Rhenti Something we wish property owners and landlords understood more about the leasing process What we are seeing in the market right now As a listener of the Burn Your Mortgage Podcast, Rhenti is happy to offer listeners $60 Off on your first listing (for new clients only). To get this exclusive offer, email me at sean@burnyourmortgage.ca.

Larry Bates is an independent investor advocate, author of Beat the Bank: The Canadian Guide to Simply Successful Investing, consultant and speaker. Larry enjoyed a 35-year banking career with several major financial institutions in both Canada and the U.K. including as Global Head of Debt Capital Markets for RBC. Over the course of his career, Larry both collaborated with and advised many of the world's most sophisticated investors and financial institutions. Larry is currently on the board of FAIR Canada and is an Ambassador of the Transparency Task Force. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University. In my interview with Larry, we discuss: The high cost of investment fees How to better investment your down payment and keep more of your hard earned money The RRSP Home Buyers' Plan The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Pattie Lovett-Reid is a highly respected Canadian financial expert known for her expertise in personal finance. Starting as a bank teller right out of high school, she climbed the ranks in the investment world, eventually serving as Senior Vice-President at TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. In 2012, Lovett-Reid became the Chief Financial Commentator at CTV News, providing valuable financial insights on various platforms. Her ability to simplify complex financial concepts into practical advice quickly made her a respected figure in the industry. She continues to be a sought-after commentator and currently serves as the Chief Financial Commentator at HomeEquity Bank. Lovett-Reid is a Certified Financial Planner and co-author of national bestselling books. Her contributions to financial planning in Canada have earned her prestigious awards, including the Donald J. Johnston Award and the Financial Planning Canada Fellow of Distinction. Pattie Lovett-Reid splits her time between Toronto and Muskoka, Canada, where she resides with her husband, children, and grandchildren. In my interview with Pattie, we discuss: The challenges of being house rich and cash poor Reverse mortgages The importance of applying for a mortgage before retirement Downsizing not happening with as many baby boomers

Erica Alini is a personal finance reporter at the Globe and Mail and the author of the bestselling book "Money Like You Mean It, Personal Finance Tactics for the Real World." Erica started out her career in journalism as an economics reporter, chronicling the ripple effects of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 for the Wall Street Journal in New York. That background is why she's always exploring how larger trends -- from the housing affordability crisis to the impact of climate change on insurance -- affect Canadians' money struggles. Her book argues that economic, social and technological changes have complicated personal finance for everybody, but especially for Millennials and Gen Z. She then provides practical tips on how young Canadians can achieve middle-class financial goals despite the challenges they face. In my interview with Erica, we discuss: Creative ways the dream of homeownership can still be achieved. The money-bucket system and how it can help manage the cost of homeownership. Four powerful strategies to reduce the financial pain of mortgage renewal.

Alex Rascanu held senior marketing and senior policy advisory roles before entering the real estate industry, where he provides buy and sell-side real estate advisory services: suitable acquisitions analysis with portfolio and development strategy, and direct sales and digital marketing strategy development and execution to help you achieve the highest sale price in the current market. Alex completed a bachelor of business administration from the University of Toronto and a masters of public administration (management) from Dalhousie University, and is a registered real estate sales representative with Right at Home Realty. In my interview with Alex, we discuss why Alex became a real estate agent, what is the process of owning a home and what are some creative ways to get your foot into the door of the real estate market.

On today's show I'll be talking to Owen Winkelmolen. Owen Winkelmolen is an Advice-Only Financial Planner and CFP. He founded PlanEasy, an advice-only financial planning practice that makes financial planning easy, accessible, and inexpensive. As an advice-only planner, Owen does not sell products or manage investments. He works collaboratively with clients to build a detailed financial plan and make the most of their money. Through their innovative online platform Owen and his team at PlanEasy help average Canadian households maximize their cash flow by focusing on the right opportunities and help them feel great about their financial future. In my interview with Owen, we discuss how to best prepare for your mortgage renewal, making lump sum payments vs investing (with higher interest rates this is a hot topic) and how to handle carrying a mortgage into retirement.

Welcome to the Burn Your Mortgage Podcast. I'm Sean Cooper and it's great to be back for another episode. On today's show I'll be talking to Alfonso Salemi. Alfonso Salemi is the co-owner, co-founder of JAAG Properties. JAAG specializes in Rent to Home solutions and have helped over 250 families on the road to homeownership. Alfonso loves sharing his passion for Rent to Home and the benefits it brings to people's lives. He thrives on these interactions and enjoys helping others with their largest purchase or investment of their lives. He is the conduit to Joint-Venture Partners, Investors, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Tenant Buyer Clients, as well as other Real Estate Professionals. As a true ‘people person,' Alfonso enjoys presenting the benefits of JAAG's Rent to Home program and how it enables those who have experienced roadblocks to become homeowners. Bringing these entities together is one of the things that Alfonso values most about his role. Alfonso also serves as the President of C.A.R.O.P. (Canadian Association of Rent To Own Professionals) In my interview with Alfonso, we discuss what is Rent to Own (Rent to Home), why Rent to Own is more relevant now than ever before, and how to earn a great ROI by investing in Rent to Own. If you're interested in learning more about Rent to Own and to see if you're a good fit as a Tenant Buyer or Investor, please email me at sean@burnyourmortgage.ca to learn more.

On today's show I'll be talking to MacKenzie Wilson of SingleKey. SingleKey Helps Landlords Find the Right Tenant & Manage Risks That Come With Renting. Screen Tenants, Run Background-Checks & Protect Your Property with Our Rent Guarantee. Result in only 5 minutes! Trusted by 90K+ Landlords. MacKenzie Wilson increases the supply of affordable housing through grass root education of Alberta Landlords. He uses tech to instill best practices and reduce the risk for landlords & tenants across Canada. He is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the largest Facebook group for Alberta landlords, the Alberta Landlord Community. In my interview with MacKenzie, we discuss what is SingleKey, Singley Key's unique Tenant Report and Rent Guarantee, and how SingleKey helps make being a landlord risk-free. Please refer to our show notes, as we have an exclusive offer for all our loyal listeners. Without further ado, here's my interview with MacKenzie Wilson.

Steve Bridge, CFP®, is a dedicated financial planner with a decade of experience in personal finance. He prioritizes serving his clients' best interests as an advice-only professional, free from the distractions of selling financial products. Steve's profound understanding of personal finances has transformed lives, motivating him to share his expertise with both small and large groups. His goal is to empower individuals to make informed decisions and establish a strong financial foundation. Beyond his financial pursuits, Steve finds joy and balance in activities like running, mountain biking, and playing hockey with his over-the-hill men's league team. In my interview with Steve, we discuss making sure you're financially ready to buy a home, not becoming house rich and cash poor, and savings strategies for coming up with your down payment. Without further ado, here's my interview with Steve Bridge.

On today's show I'll be talking to Anthony Molinaro, Adrian Omasta and Conor Duffy. Anthony Molinaro is a normal guy from Brampton who happens to buy investment properties with his two buddies, Adrian and Conor. He works as a marketer for Rock Star Real Estate and is also a property manager & tenant placement expert. Adrian Omasta joint ventured with his two buddies from Brampton to buy 3 investment properties in 3 years while in their mid 20's. Conor Duffy is a 27 year old Chartered Insurance Professional. He bought his first property (joint-venture with Anthony & Adrian) in July 2021, and bought his second (joint-venture) in Sudbury in February 2022. In my interview with Anthony, Adrian and Conor, we discuss selecting the perfect partner for a joint venture in real estate, tenant screening done right and buying a rental property as your first property.

Welcome to the Burn Your Mortgage Podcast. I'm Sean Cooper and it's great to be back for another episode. On today's show, I'll be talking to Uytae Lee. Uytae Lee is the creative mind behind ‘About Here', a YouTube channel dedicated to covering the complex issues surrounding our cities. In addition to the channel, Uytae produces the CBC series ‘Stories About Here.' Check out more of his work at YouTube.com/abouthere In my interview with Uytae, we discuss addressing the missing middle, the heritage dilemma, and a “special” solution to the housing supply.

Welcome to the Burn Your Mortgage Podcast. I'm Sean Cooper and it's great to be back for another episode. On today's show, I'll be talking to Luc Lising. Luc Lising is a realtor in the GTA and the president of My Future Condo, a pre-construction real estate firm that helps people invest in pre-construction homes and condos. At only 22 years old, Luc reached the Top 1% bracket of all Realtors in Canada. Luc and his team have done over $180m in real estate sales, closing over 300+ deals over the last 2 years. In my interview with Luc, we discuss his journey to become a successful as a realtor at such a young age, what to look for when buying an investment property, and mental fortitude, the ups and downs of business.

Jelani Smith is a personal finance guru with a passion for real estate & personal finance. He is a real estate agent at RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY and managing editor & founder of Bay Street Blog, a Millennial Finance Hub. He envisions the blog to improve the financial literacy rates among millennials. Jelani bought his first home in Toronto as a recent U of T grad and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with students & recent grads. Jelani has received multiple agent awards – & closed 39 deals in the first 12 months of his real estate career & continues to help clients climb the real estate ladder. All in all, Jelani has the vision of providing guidance to investors, buyers, & sellers – with the underlying goal of wealth creation. In my interview with Jelani, we discuss what is house hacking and why do it, how to scale your real estate portfolio using the BRRRR Strategy, and how to successfully work with contractors.

Robinson Smith, financial strategist and author, reveals how Canadians can mitigate the challenges that homeowners face in raising their families, raising their net worth and raising their level of financial security in the face of rising costs of life. Robinson, a consultant with over 15 years in the investment industry, creator of a number of financial educational courses and the author of, “Master Your Mortgage and Retire Ready – The Smith Manoeuvre”, is dedicated to increasing Canadians' awareness of personal finances. In my interview with Robinson, we discuss why the Smith Manoeuvre is more relevant than ever before, why should you work with a Smith Manoeuvre Certified Professional (SMCP) mortgage broker instead of doing it yourself, and why home financing has very little to do with the rate. I recorded this interview with Robinson Smith a while ago. Most of the information is still relevant, but some things have changed. Mortgage rates are no longer as low as they once were. The question I get most often is, does the Smith Manoeuvre still make sense? The answer is a resounding yes. When rates are low, we have more money to invest, but we receive a lower tax refund. When rates are higher like they are right now, we have less to invest, but we receive a higher tax refund, so things even out. Not to mention, with markets down, it's a great buying opportunity. You're able to buy solid long-term investments while they're on sale. These are just a few of the many reasons why the Smith Manoeuvre still makes sense today.

Laura Stewart is the Director of Sales and Marketing for one of Canada's Top Real Estate firms. Having spent the last 15 years navigating her career, Laura has had the opportunity to gain education and experience in a multitude of industries. From nutrition to concierge services, to special needs caregiver, to fashion, to real estate and a degree in Science and a Master of Business Administration, Laura loves to discuss an array of topics with the hope of inspiring others to never settle. In my interview with Laura, we discuss why and how to purchase pre-construction condos, what do people need to know when signing the purchase agreement and the benefits of working with a realtor when buying pre-construction.

Mark Weisleder is a Senior Partner at RealEstateLawyers.ca. Mark is recognized as a real estate industry expert on real estate issues, having spoken for real estate associations, boards and brokerages across Canada. Mark is a regular guest expert on BNN, Global News, Citytv and CTV and has written columns for the Toronto Star and Real Estate Magazine on real estate issues. Mark has written best selling industry books for real estate agents, buyer, sellers and landlords. In my interview with Mark, we discuss how has the legal process changed when buying a home during COVID times, some important things to know about real estate deposits and how people can complete their refinancing to take advantage of the low interest rates.

Reza Khoshdel is on a mission to help you break free of the limitations that are holding you back from being the best version of yourself. Reza is a stock trader, a co-owner of a luxury floral boutique, and a real estate investor who strives to help people get on the path of financial freedom. For Reza, financial freedom is something deeper than money; it's the ability to live a purposeful life on your own terms. He strives to help people break free of the internal chains that hold them back from attaining this freedom through lessons from his own personal journey. In his free time, Reza runs a TikTok channel that he uses to teach people the technical skills needed to successfully trade the markets with a YouTube channel in the works. Reza's TikTok: @mistamarket Mona's business website: https://www.earthandglam.ca/

Natasha Feghali is one of the recipients of the 40 Under 40 United Way/ Leadership Windsor-Essex Award 2018 as well as numerous awards and recognitions; most notably the Sovereign Canadian Medal in 2015 for her dedication to education and the future of entrepreneurship and youth. More recently she has received the Odyssey Award from the University of Windsor and has been published in a book on Women and Leadership in Ontario by the Elementary Teachers Federation. As the owner of Feghali Group Inc (FGI), an independently owned and operated rental homes, rental storage units and holding group, Natasha has helped build a strong portfolio of homes in the Windsor-Essex County Region and works with local and international investors as well. FGI pride themselves on giving the best quality care and expertise when it comes to rental homes as well as the community at large and delivering great service for clients and tenants. In my interview with Natasha, we discuss the most important part of being an investor, why women could benefit from investing and creating your own life via real estate.

Christopher Bisson started his mortgage career in 1999. After 15 years in the mortgage industry, Chris went back to school and was able to realize his desire to obtain an MBA. He led a small group of classmates through a research project on the Appraisal Management Industry in North America, which was based on his experience in the mortgage industry. The research was the genesis for Value Connect, a new Appraisal Management Solution, where he's devoting 100% of his time to change the industry for the betterment of loan originators, appraisers and the users of reports.  In my interview with Christopher, we discuss when do lenders require an appraisal, how the appraisal process has changed since COVID-19 started and tips for homeowners to ensure the appraisal process goes smoothly.

Austin Yeh is a 25 year old real estate investor. Austin's journey began 29 months ago when he first picked up the book Rich Dad Poor Dad.  Since then, Austin has accumulated over 35 rental units in addition to completing 10+ wholesale deals. Moreover, Austin has founded and operates the RISE Network community. Currently, with over 3,200 members, this network continues to inspire and help the everyday investor break in to the world of real estate investing. He is also a co-founder of the RISE Real Estate Networking Podcast which highlights different investors' journeys' and strategies' as they navigate through the real estate world to achieve financial independence. Austin has most recently retired from his full time job at a large financial institution at the age of 25 to pursue real estate investing and wholesaling full time. Moreover, he has recently reaped the fruits of his labour by selling his first property and redeploying the profits to purchase his first ever primary residence without any financial assistance from his parents. In my interview with Austin, we discuss scaling your rental property portfolio, lessons learned as a real estate investor during COVID-19 and how the everyday person can enjoy similar real estate investing success.

Rizwan Malik is a realtor to reckon with. Becoming the youngest VP of Sales at Sotheby's International Realty Canada in the company's history, along with his credit as a host on HGTV Canada's Hot Market, Rizwan is fuelled with passion, knowledge and an innate desire to help people. In my interview with Rizwan, we discuss why buying a home makes sense even with five percent down, how he became a TV host on HGTV and COVID-19's continued effect on the real estate market.

Neal Winokur, a CPA, is the author of the new book, The Grumpy Accountant.  An active blogger, several of his articles have been published in the National Post. Neal feels a moral obligation to speak out against the inherent flaws, unfairness and needless complexities that define Canadian tax. His dream is for the Canadian tax system to be massively simplified to the point where his job as a tax accountant would no longer exist. His wife won't be too happy about this, but it's for the good of the nation. In my interview with Neal, we discuss the tax breaks first-time homebuyers receive, how the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan works and the tax implications of renting out your home.

Sarah Larbi specializes in helping take the mystery out of homeownership for Canadians who thought real estate investing was going to be out of reach. She has earned their trust and respect by having the drive and focus to embark, build and grow a 7-figure, 10 property, 14 door, investment portfolio by her mid 30's all whilst employed full time. She is now able to exit the job world as of fall 2020, only 7 years after buying her first investment property. Sarah is an invited back speaker and panelist with the Investor Forum and her expertise and insights are a sought after subject at professional networking groups and as co-founder, she also hosts regular investor learning sessions for experienced and newer investors through the successful REITE Club. In my interview with Sarah, we discuss how she was able to retire from her 9-5 job 30 years early, the importance of “key power team members” and how advanceable mortgages can help you grow your real estate portfolio.

Stephanie Jourdier came to Canada in 2017 after spending most of her life and career in Paris, France. She worked for almost 14 years in the asset management, real asset management and insurance industry, first as an HR specialist and then as a financial controller. In 2020 she and her husband took the plunge and bought a house in Canada in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. They called on my services to help them get a mortgage and were able to savour the joys and surprises of homeownership. It turned out that several unpleasant surprises invited themselves to the party. Stephanie will share her experience with you and offer you some helpful advice along the way.

Robin Taub is a financial writer, speaker and consultant. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) by training, Robin is also the best-selling author of Raising Money-Smart Kids: How to Teach Your Kids about Money While Learning a Few Things Yourself, a book that gives parents the information and skills they need to teach their kids about money. In my interview with Robin, we discuss some of the issues to consider when deciding to renovate or move, what COVID-19 may mean for the future of housing and personal finance as it relates to affordability.

Nathalie Boutet, based in Toronto, is an experienced family law lawyer, accredited mediator and certified Family Enterprise Advisor, skilled at providing unique strategies and out-of-court results to the complex legal, financial and human matters related to separation or divorce for high-net-worth families and business owners. In my interview with Nathalie, we discuss why you might consider having your partner sign a cohabitation agreement when moving in together, what's a matrimonial home and the property rights of common-law partners versus married spouses.

Lesli Gaynor is a real estate agent specializing in co-housing. In 2016, she founded GoCo Solutions, part of the Fridman Team at Forest Hill Real Estate, to help people navigate the process of co-operative real estate and find a home in the Toronto and GTA real estate market. As well as supporting her clients, Lesli hosts events and conferences to educate about co-housing. These have included ‘Co-housing speed dating' evenings, to match prospective home buyers together. In my interview with Lesli, we discuss why someone might consider the co-ownership of real estate, how weOwn.ca came to be and the life-changing benefits of co-ownership.

Katie Steinfeld is a seasoned real estate broker who is passionate about making the real estate industry better for both consumers and registrants.  She is a board member with the Real Estate Council of Ontario and enjoys staying involved in all levels of governance. Together, with her partner, Daniel, On The Block Realty and On The Block Auctions was created to bring more innovation and modernization to the Canadian real estate industry. Too many people have been frustrated and turned off by the limited information in the real estate process and they have set out to change that. Although rather new to Canada, the auction option has enjoyed consistent growing success in major markets like Australia and Great Britain. On The Block Auctions provides a secure bidding platform, allowing prospective home buyers the ability to purchase their dream home without guessing at what price to pay. In addition, sellers can be sure that they are maximizing the sale price of their home by giving all buyers an equal chance to offer their top price.  Their primary goal through this unique platform is to provide greater choice for consumers and greater transparency of the process. In my interview with Katie, we discuss the pros and cons of buying and selling a home the traditional way, the benefits of buying and selling through the auction process and how the real estate industry is going to be modernized in the coming years.

Anthony Molinaro and Adrian Omasta are two high school pals who are going all in on their dreams! Anthony Molinaro first found his way onto the front page of the Toronto Star at the age of 20 years old for his work ethic and drive to get ahead in life. Since that article Anthony has graduated university and now works full-time for a real estate investing educational company, Rock Star Real Estate. Now recently at the ripe old age of 24 years old, Anthony and Adrian have jumped into the real estate investing game and purchased their first investment property in St. Catharines, Ontario! With one property under their belt, they're soon going to purchase their second property and many more properties afterwards as well! They are also launching Rat Race Real Estate, an avenue for sharing content of their own journey of escaping the rat race using the power of real estate investing so that they can inspire and help other Canadians to escape the rat race as well. In my interview with Anthony and Adrian, we discuss factors to consider when buying an investment property, why you might choose to do rent-to-own for your investment property and tenant screening.

Toronto native, Jas Takhar, has been in the sales and service industry for over 25 years. Soon after deciding to try his hand in real estate, he co-founded the REC, and in the course of 15 years, has successfully propelled his team to the 1st place position in Canada under Royal LePage. In my interview with Jas, we discuss how Coronavirus is affecting the real estate market, steps realtors are taking to protect home buyers and sellers and how homebuyers can still views properties if they aren't comfortable seeing them in person.

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance enthusiast and a veterinarian. He has a master's degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has a passion for helping others win with their finances. As a first-time homebuyer in Canada, Enoch learned a lot about the intricacies of buying a home in Canada and has written about his experiences and other personal finance topics on his blog at savvynewcanadians.com. His writing has been featured or quoted in some of the top personal finance publications in Canada including the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, MSN Money and the Financial Post. In my interview with Enoch, we discuss buying a home as a new Canadian, getting a mortgage as a new Canadians and top tips to make the mortgage process go smoother as a new Canadian.

Julie Kuzmic is Director of Consumer Advocacy at Equifax Canada and a recognized authority on consumer credit. She often speaks to industry groups, government, clients and consumers to shed light on the credit lifecycle. She is passionate about financial literacy and is always testing out new metaphors to describe the nuances of credit scores. In my interview with Julie, we discuss how credit scores are calculated, why there are multiple credit scores and how credit scores are affected by shopping around for a mortgage.

Robert Gignac is the best-selling author of Rich is a State of Mind and a highly sought-after speaker at financial industry seminars and client events, currently based in Oakville, Ontario. With an entertaining yet direct speaking style, Robert offers a light-hearted look at financial planning with the serious message of personal responsibility. Audiences love his dynamic and engaging presentations which challenge them to see things from a different perspective. Robert has been a student of the financial planning process for almost two decades. His goal is to passionately encourage people to take control of their finances in order to have a “Richly Imagined Future.” In my interview with Robert, we discuss pitfalls to avoid when investing in real estate, the downsizing trend and achieving mortgage-free financial freedom.

Michael Walsh is the President and Broker of Record at Exclusively Buyers Inc (EBI), the only real estate brokerage in Ontario that is dedicated exclusively to home buyers.  His brokerage does not accept sales assignments, thereby avoiding the conflicts of interest inherent in traditional real estate brokerages.  Clients of EBI receive a guarantee of single agency, the gold standard of real estate brokerage services. In my interview with Michael, we discuss the driving force behind the proposed Trust in Real Estate Services Act 2019, what is multiple representation and why were some industry pundits lobbying for its prohibition.

Rachelle Berube is the founder of Landlord Rescue. She has 25 years' experience as a property manager. Rachelle rents properties on behalf of homeowners and manages properties. She does all the work for the homeowner. She shows the property, screens the tenants and makes up leases. She works hard to match the tenant to the homeowner. In my interview with Rachelle, we discuss the benefits of being a landlord, avoiding bad tenants and how to determine whether it's better to manage a rental property on your own or hire a property manager.

Sean Galbraith is President of Galbraith & Associates, a boutique urban planning firm in Toronto, specializing in small projects. Sean speaks the language of planning. Sean has over 20 years' experience as an urban planner. Sean's career has primarily been focused in the private sector, where he has worked on a wide variety of residential development applications. He also provides planning advice to community groups and others. In my interview with Sean, we discuss how a city's policies around urban planning influences the type of homes that are built, what could cities be doing better from an urban planning standpoint to help make real estate more affordable and what could all levels of government be doing to help put shovels in the ground faster for new homes.

Sandy Yong and Albert Ho are a married couple from Toronto. They are the property power couple that focus on renting out condos to tenants. Together, they have 2 condo units in Toronto that they rent out and another unit in Kitchener completing construction in Spring 2021. They are both Authors and Keynote Speakers. Sandy's newly published book is called The Money Master: Inside Secrets On How To Make Your Money Grow and Stay Safe which focuses on helping millennials create wealth through investing. Sandy combines her passion for public speaking with personal finance to host workshops and speak at conferences. Albert's book is called Checkmate: How to Win the Sales Game in Healthcare which focuses on healthcare sales. His book will be published in the New Year of 2020. Albert helps healthcare sales professionals generate $1 million within the first year. In my interview with Sandy and Albert, we discuss what is a good way for first time real estate investors to find their first property, how do you find a good real estate agent and the pros and cons of property managers.