The Canadian Real Estate Investor

Nick & Dan explain Canada's Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) and Section 45(2) elections, focusing on how to protect tax-free capital gains when buying a second property. The discussion covers how capital gains work in Canada (50% inclusion rate), the PRE's tax-free benefit, and the critical Section 45(2) election that allows homeowners to continue claiming their former home as a principal residence for up to 4 years after converting it to a rental. One exemption at a time: You can only designate one property per year as your principal residence, but buying a second property doesn't immediately eliminate the exemption on your first home Section 45(2) election protects you: When converting your home to a rental, this election prevents a deemed disposition and lets you continue claiming it as your principal residence for up to 4 more years—but you must not claim depreciation (CCA) on the property Change-of-use creates tax exposure: Without the Section 45(2) election, moving out and renting your home triggers a deemed disposition at fair market value, potentially creating a taxable capital gain even though you haven't actually sold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management LISTEN AD FREE Realist.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's banking system is dominated by just six major institutions (the Big Five plus National Bank), which control over 80% of banking assets. While this concentration was designed for stability, it creates limited competition and flexibility compared to the U.S., which has thousands of banks with diverse underwriting philosophies. Illusion of choice: Canadians feel like they have banking options, but are essentially rotating through six institutions that behave similarly in terms of rates, underwriting, and credit requirements. Designed for stability, not competition: Canada's concentrated banking system was intentionally created post-Depression to prioritize safety over flexibility, which helped avoid failures during the 2008 crisis but limits competition. Different bank personalities: Each of the Big Six has distinct lending approaches—RBC prefers "vanilla" borrowers, TD is systems-driven, Scotia is unpredictable, BMO is business-friendly, CIBC is mortgage-aggressive, and National Bank is regionally focused. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management LISTEN AD FREE Realist.ca  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick & Dan discuss co-ownership structures for real estate, focusing on joint tenancy vs. tenants in common, and land lease properties. Joint tenancy means equal shares with automatic transfer to surviving owners upon death, while tenants in common allows unequal shares that pass to heirs. Land lease properties let you own the building but lease the land, offering lower purchase prices but with ongoing ground rent and lease expiration concerns. Joint tenancy requires equal ownership and unanimous consent for major decisions, with automatic survivorship rights. Tenants in common allows flexible ownership percentages and independent sale of shares, but no automatic transfer on death. Land lease properties have lower purchase prices since you only own the structure, but require ongoing ground rent and the lease eventually expires. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's housing market remains stalled despite lower interest rates. The problem has shifted from mortgage costs to fundamental affordability — buyers don't believe prices have reset enough, sellers are discounting to move properties, and the market lacks conviction on both sides. Then in the second half of the show we are joined by our amazing event hosts for some national updates. Market weakness is broad-based: National sales down 10.7% year-over-year, prices down 3.8%, with Toronto and Vancouver leading the decline. Rates aren't the issue anymore: The Bank of Canada cut rates four times in 2025 to 2.25%, but affordability concerns and economic unease still prevent buyers from acting. 2026 outlook is mixed: Spring 2026 is the earliest realistic turning point, with strong growth expected in Quebec City, Montreal, and Regina, while Toronto and Vancouver prices continue falling. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick interviews Nathan Kennedy, otherwise known as New Money Nate discussing content creation, personal finance, and real estate investing. Nate's Background: Full-time content creator who started in 2018-2019 during college, grew to over 1 million followers across platforms, and transitioned from a full-time job to content creation in 2021 when social media income exceeded his salary. Content Philosophy: Takes a storyteller approach rather than giving direct advice, using scripted skits to educate viewers on personal finance topics while doing thorough research and consulting experts to ensure accuracy. Views real estate as requiring an "operator mindset" rather than a passive investment, warns against romanticizing it, and advocates for going in "eyes wide open" since success requires being hands-on initially before scaling to property managers. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's rental market experienced a dramatic shift in 2025, with vacancy rates rising to 3.1% nationally (the highest in a decade) due to record-high rental construction meeting slower population growth and reduced immigration. This has flipped the market from landlord-favored to renter-favored, with landlords now offering incentives like free months of rent to fill units. Vacancy hit 3.7% (highest since 1988), with landlords competing for tenants for the first time in a generation and offering significant incentives. Calgary maintained a balanced 5% vacancy despite adding 11% to its rental stock, thanks to strong interprovincial migration and employment. Despite rising vacancies, national rents increased ~5%, with landlords raising rates on existing tenants, and affordable units remain scarce. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The etymology and historical evolution of mortgages, from ancient collateral practices through to modern Canadian mortgage systems, including key regulatory developments and fundamental mortgage terminology. The word "mortgage" derives from Old French meaning "dead pledge", with collateral-based lending traced back to the fifth century B.C.and formalized through Roman law  Major transformations included CMHC's creation in 1945, the 1954 Bank Act enabling bank mortgages, and the 1970s establishment of the five-year fixed-rate standard, with recent stress tests implemented in 2018. Key terms include mortgage term (contract duration, typically 5 years), amortization (total repayment time, usually 25 years), and the distinction between fixed and variable rates, plus different mortgage types like conventional (20%+ down)and high-ratio (under 20% down). Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian real estate investors face new uncertainty due to Aboriginal title claims, particularly following the August 2025 Cowichan case in Richmond, BC. This landmark ruling recognized Indigenous title over 300 hectares of land that included existing private fee-simple properties – the first time in Canadian history this has occurred. The decision has triggered financing issues, cancelled deals, and government intervention, with BC Premier Eby announcing $150 million in loan guarantees. While no one has been evicted, the ruling challenges the traditional concept of "indefeasible" title and creates uncertainty for property owners, lenders, and investors across Canada. Plus in the second half of the show we are joined by an expert Bruce Pardy to get his perspective on the subject.  Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We finish part 2 of all the terms you need to know. Land assembly (combining properties for larger projects), liens (legal claims on property for unpaid debts), land transfer tax (provincial/municipal tax on purchases), letters of intent (preliminary commercial agreements), and minor variances (zoning exceptions). Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Real Estate, everyone speaks the same language but different sectors use different variations. Developers, flippers, lawyers, mortgage brokers, contractors, and realtors all use different variations of real estate terminology, in this episode we cover the first portion of very relevant terms you need to know. Each term includes what it is, how it works, why it's important, and practical context for Canadian real estate. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by commercial real estate broker, podcaster, investor and overall great guy, Dayma Itamunoala. Dayma has extensive knowledge and experience in the multifamily space and has also spent years interviewing the top figures in Canadian Real Estate.  What type of deals he is seeing right now What's working—and what's not How the podcast and LinkedIn changed the game for you Key lessons from interviewing Canada's top real estate professionals Emerging trends in the market Advice for professionals and investors just getting started Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are talking conditions (contingencies) in Canadian real estate offers – protective clauses that allow buyers to back out of deals if certain requirements aren't met. After nearly disappearing during the pandemic housing frenzy, conditions are making a comeback as the market shifts toward buyers. Firm vs. Conditional Offers: A firm offer has no conditions and binds you immediately, while a conditional offer includes safety valves that let you walk away penalty-free if requirements aren't met. Main Condition Types: The most common buyer protections include financing (mortgage approval), home inspection, insurance, sale of existing property, assignment rights, and general due diligence. Market Context Matters: In buyer's markets you have leverage to include protective conditions, but in competitive seller's markets, conditions can make your offer less attractive. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history and evolution of condominiums in Canada, covering their emergence in the 1960s through today's challenges, with a focus on multiplex stratification. The we are joined by Ben Singer of SR Law for a deeper legal dive.  Canada's first condo: The Brentwood Village townhouse complex in Edmonton (1967) was Canada's first registered condominium, enabled by the Condominium Act of 1967. Growth trajectory: Condos grew from less than 10% of Canadian homes before 1981 to 40-50% in recent years, with exponential growth since 1997. Multiplex stratification: Montreal and Vancouver have long embraced stratifying multiplexes into individually owned condo units, while Toronto is just beginning to explore this approach. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We cover the PWC-ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026 report, which analyzes Canada's real estate market through interviews with industry professionals. The report highlights housing affordability challenges while noting resilience in alternative sectors like retail, student housing, and industrial properties. Despite current difficulties, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic about adapting to find new growth opportunities. Housing remains the central challenge — Affordability issues are affecting the entire real estate market, with government programs like Build Canada Homes emphasizing modular construction to accelerate supply Alternative asset classes are outperforming — Retail, student housing, self-storage, seniors' housing, and industrial properties show strong performance, with approximately 7.6 million Canadians (18.9%) now 65 or older driving demand in seniors' housing Market is shifting to "the age of the operator" — Success now depends on operational excellence, cross-industry partnerships, and technology integration rather than just identifying the right asset class or location Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025) introduces major changes to landlord-tenant law aimed at speeding up evictions and reducing Landlord and Tenant Board delays. The legislation shortens timelines for tenants to respond to eviction notices, limits their ability to raise defenses at hearings, and reduces compensation requirements for certain evictions. Faster evictions for non-payment: Grace period cut from 14 days to 7 days, and tenants must now pay 50% of arrears upfront to raise maintenance issues as a defense Reduced tenant protections: Tenants can no longer raise new issues at hearings without advance notice, and appeal timelines shortened from 30 to 15 days Lower eviction costs for landlords: Landlords giving 120+ days notice for "own use" evictions no longer need to pay one month's compensation Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick & Dan discuss the benefits of owning a home, both financial (building equity, fixed mortgage payments, tax advantages) and emotional (stability, freedom, community), while acknowledging affordability challenges. They introduce the episode's focus: a step-by-step guide to buying your first home, including building a "power team" of professionals and using tools like the First Home Savings Account. Homeownership builds equity and wealth over time, unlike rent, while offering predictable costs through fixed-rate mortgages and potential tax benefits. Beyond finances, owning a home provides stability, freedom to personalize your space, pride in achievement, stronger community connections, and freedom from landlord-related frustrations. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canadian housing market in October 2025 showed modest growth with sales up 0.9% from September, marking the sixth increase in seven months. The market is balanced but gradually tightening, with the sales-to-new-listings ratio at 52.2% and months of inventory at 4.4 months. Prices have stabilized, with the national average at $690,000 (down just 1.1% year-over-year) and the MLS Home Price Index up 0.2% month-over-month. End-user demand is returning as interest rates reach "almost stimulative territory," though buyers remain cautious due to economic uncertainty. After corrections in 2022-2023, home prices have stabilized and are moving sideways to slightly up, with year-over-year declines narrowing to their smallest levels since spring. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium Deal AnalyzerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We interview Jayden Haywood  of River Developments  on site at one of his 4+1 developments to discuss what we think is the best way for homeowners, developers, and investors to make money in Canadian Real Estate right now.  Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management MULTIPLEX MASTERCLASS UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist Premium    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is real estate passive?! We look at real estate investing strategies, ranking 15 different approaches from most active (fix-and-flip) to most passive (turnkey rentals, REITs, and syndications). We explore the spectrum of real estate investment strategies, emphasizing that true passive income requires either upfront work to build systems or choosing inherently passive vehicles from the start. The more you do yourself in real estate, the less passive it becomes—the path to passive income involves either hiring property managers, partnering with experienced operators, or investing in vehicles like MICs and crowdfunding that require minimal involvement. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist PremiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's Budget 2025 and its impact on housing policy. The hosts critique the $25 billion housing investment as insufficient, noting it includes infrastructure conditions, a limited GST rebate, immigration cuts, and controversial OAS spending — while the construction industry warns of job losses. The federal HST rebate on new homes up to $1 million only helps about 20,000 buyers per year nationwide — essentially a political soundbite rather than a broad affordability solution. BILD and the Large Urban Centre Alliance criticize the budget for relying on backward-looking data while new-home sales have collapsed 67-82% across major markets, warning that 100,000 construction jobs are at risk. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY LISTEN AD FREE free 1 week trial for Realist PremiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.