Sync or Swim: The Multifamily Growth Show – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Canada’s rental crisis is often oversimplified as a mere supply and demand issue. However, for
today’s guest, Weiting Bollu, it became deeply personal after losing over $35,000 to delinquent
tenants and navigating Ontario’s complex rental compliance laws. Her experiences led her to
recognize the critical need for a transparent and cohesive rental ecosystem that rewards
responsible behavior, essential for building a fair and sustainable rental market. Drawing on her
extensive background in software product management across various sectors including
education, telecommunications, insurance, and AI, Weiting co-founded Openroom with her
husband, Vishal. This innovative crowdsourcing platform empowers tenants and landlords by
providing access to crucial tenancy court orders and enhancing transparency in the Canadian
rental market. In this episode, Weiting discusses the importance of treating rental properties as
compliant businesses and tenants as valued customers. She also offers practical advice for new
landlords and sheds light on the significant challenges posed by rent nonpayment. Tuning in,
you’ll gain valuable insights into creating a fair rental environment, practical tips for landlords,
and a deeper understanding of how Openroom is driving positive change in the rental market.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of the rental landscape today!

Key Points From This Episode:
• The tenancy dispute that Openroom was created to solve and what it offers today.
• Reasons that transparency and cohesion in the rental ecosystem are so important.
• Insight into Weiting’s entrepreneurial journey with her husband, Vishal.
• Why landlords should treat renting property as a business and tenants as customers.
• Education-focused advice for new landlords to help them overcome typical challenges.
• Stats from the LTB to illustrate the trouble landlords face with nonpayment of rent.
• How the law works to protect both landlords and tenants equally.
• Factors that contribute to unpaid rent and the repercussions that follow.
• Ways that Openroom is working to change the rental ecosystem for the better.
• How Weiting hopes to be a role model for other minority women in tech.
• Why Openroom maintains its grassroots focus, even as the company scales.
• Training programs, subscriptions, and more: Openroom’s approach to monetization.
• Weiting’s take on rental increase caps and rent control more generally.

Ever questioned the validity of the hot takes on Canada’s rental market? Then be sure to join us on this episode of the Sync or Swim podcast, as we dive into an open conversation and unpack the truths and myths of the rental market’s hottest takes. We are excited to have two incredible guests on the show, Max Steinman, the CEO at Rentsync & Rentals.ca, and Jenna Chick, the Director of Leasing at Fitzrovia. Together, we break down several hot takes prevalent in the Canadian rental market, including renting as a simple waste of money, Canada’s perceived low vacancy rates, arbitrary rent prices and the ability for landlords to make a fair return, rent control as a solution to housing affordability, and more! Thanks for listening, enjoy.

Key Points From This Episode:

• What listeners can expect from today’s Sync of Swim podcast episode.
• Our thoughts on the idea that renting is simply a waste of money.
• Redefining rental living in Canada.
• Are landlords only interested in profits and are they one-size-fits-all?
• We unpack Canada’s perceived low vacancy rates.
• The benefit of purpose-built rentals and the associated laws around them.
• We discuss the record-high interprovincial migration (from Ontario to Alberta).
• Jenna highlights tips on what landlords are looking for in possible tenants and how to beat the competition.
• Arbitrary rent prices and the ability to make a fair return.
• We analyze the new legislation around short-term rentals (and whether they’re ruining the housing market).
• Rent control as the solution to housing affordability.
• Advocating and educating on purpose-built rentals. 
• Why simply plugging a tenant into any unit won’t lead to success (for leasing agents!)
• How rent control works in Toronto.
• Our take on whether tenants have community involvement in renting situations. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Jenna Chick on LinkedIn
• Jenna Chick Email
• Max Steinman on LinkedIn
• Rentals.ca
• Fitzrovia
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email

In this episode, we take a look back at 2023 and the rental trends reported by Rentsync and Rentals.ca. The Canadian housing market seems to be setting and breaking records each day, but does the good outweigh the bad? To help us make sense of Rentals.ca and Urbanations's report, we are joined by three of its influential contributors; the Product Manager of Data Services at Rentsync, David Aizikov, the CEO of Rentsync, Max Steinman, and the President of Urbanation, Shaun Hildebrand. The trio is here to walk us through their findings, which include the steady of flow new rental trends that have played out throughout the year, supply and demand numbers, the undeniable national crisis relating to the cost of living, and the possible impact that reduced housing may have once it enters the market from 2024 onwards. We also learn about the hidden opportunities of affordability, the fears that most prospective homeowners share, the communal relief that rent and housing is top-of-mind for mainstream media and policy-makers, and what renters and landlords can expect from the market in 2024 and beyond. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing three key compilers of Rentals.ca and Urbanations's annual rental report, David Aizikov, Max Steinman, and Shaun Hildebrand.
• Assessing the consistency of new rental trends that we've witnessed throughout the year.
• Supply and demand numbers, and the factors that affect them.
• The cost-of-living crisis. 
• Exploring the possible impact of reduced housing's addition to the supply in 2024. 
• Whether the softening of demand and leveling of rents is closer than we may realize. 
• Community upliftment and other opportunities of affordability.
• The fears of a prospective homeowner.
• What it means for housing and rent to be at the top of policy-making agendas. 
• How landlords and renters ended up understanding the other's perspective.
• What renters and landlords can expect from the market in 2024 and beyond. 

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

Canada is in the grips of a housing crisis as the people who need homes far outnumber the available residential units. At the same time, Canada is also experiencing a vacancy problem after the steep decline in office space demand post-COVID. It would make sense, then, to convert the empty office spaces into residential units, but as today’s guest, Steven Paynter explains, this process is far from simple. Steven is the Global Leader of Building Transformation and Adaptive Reuse at Gensler – an elite global architecture, design, and planning firm. Steven and his team developed an algorithm to rapidly assess project viability for office-to-residential conversions, and he explains how this helped Gensler form a successful relationship with Calgary Economic Development. Our guest details the challenges that he comes across in other parts of North America, as well as the areas of opportunity to mirror the success of the work done in Calgary. We also discuss why offices will never be the same post-COVID, how “trash” office spaces can turn into diamond residential units, why most buildings are not suitable for office-to-residential conversions, and the costs of converting versus construction. To end, we gain a better understanding of the true value of Gensler’s algorithm, and what the future may hold for this game-changing initiative. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing the Global Leader of Building Transformation and Adaptive Reuse at Gensler, Steven Paynter. 
• Steven details his professional background and explains how he fulfils his role at Gensler. 
• The ins and outs of his algorithm for assessing potential office-to-residential conversions. 
• How Gensler formed a relationship with Calgary Economic Development.
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities that Steven sees in other parts of North America after Calgary’s success. 
• The way offices are changing and why they will never be the same as pre-COVID. 
• How some features of an unpleasant office space are actually ideal for a family home.  
• Why the percentage of buildings that are viable for conversions is so low. 
• The costs of office-to-residential conversions versus new constructions. 
• Understanding the true value of Steven and Gensler’s algorithm.

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

Multifamily marketing has seen a variety of changes over the last year, particularly with the integration of AI advancements. Joining us today to unpack this evolution is our very own Allie Langohr, VP of Client Service at Rentsync. Tuning in you’ll hear Allie shed light on how their team is incorporating AI into the Rentsync platform and the many ways AI tools are being used to support digital marketing efforts. Find out how ChatGPT is being utilized to generate property descriptions and the awesome power of image editing tools to elevate photographs with ease. Allie also provides a breakdown of Rentsync’s new Infinity Bundle and gives a detailed account of its unique approach to helping clients maximize visibility across listing sites. For all the fascinating details on how Rentsync is incorporating AI tools into its platform and the evolution of multifamily marketing, be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Allie Langohr, VP of Client Service at Rentsync.
• How Allie and her team are incorporating AI into the Rentsync platform.
• Unpacking their implementation of ChatGPT and AI image editing technology.
• The role of AI in their digital marketing efforts.
• Why it’s still necessary to have an expert editing AI-generated content.
• Updates on the latest developments in Rentsync’s digital marketing.
• The positive results they’ve seen from delivering ads on TikTok.
• Their website traffic campaigns and why they recommend them to clients with new websites.
• Details on their solutions for collecting leads on TikTok.
• Google ads and methods for keeping these up to date.
• How they are achieving reduced bounce rates and better lead quality in Google ads.
• An overview of the new Infinity Bundle by Rentsync.

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is a major deficit in purpose-built rentals in Toronto at the moment and today on the Sync or Swim Podcast, we are chatting about this issue with Jonathan and Gabriel Diamond from Well-Grounded Real Estate. Tuning in, you’ll hear about their focus in the real estate world right now, why this deficit is happening, differences between apartment development and contrast condos, and how these problems can be solved. We discuss what is effective in terms of innovation before talking about integrated product delivery. Finally, our guests tell us about their incredible 1925 Victoria Park building. To hear all this and more, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guests, Jonathan and Gabriel Diamond. 
• What they do now and their real estate goals for the future. 
• Why they believe there is a deficit in purpose-built rentals in Toronto right now. 
• Some key economic differences between apartment development and contrast condos. 
• How policy needs to change so that these issues can be resolved. 
• The problems with the Canadian fire code. 
• How our guests define innovation and why they feel we’re on the wrong innovation curve. 
• Why Jonathan and Gabriel are interested in improving the system of housing delivery. 
• What integrated product delivery is and why it’s beneficial. 
• Why Toronto has the ability to lead real estate innovation and what holds it back. 
• Jonathan and Gabriel tell us about their 1925 Victoria Park building. 
  
  

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Jonathan Diamond on LinkedIn
• Gabriel Diamond on LinkedIn
• Well-Grounded Real Estate
• 1925 Victoria Park
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email
  
  

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

With skyrocketing rental prices, the tenant-landlord relationship is becoming increasingly divisive. In this episode, we discover how RentFund, led by founder and CEO Thomas Deneve, is revolutionizing the rental landscape by incentivizing tenants to take better care of properties through a unique financial approach, fostering a win-win scenario for landlords and renters. Thomas explains RentFund’s streamlined rent collection process, with an emphasis on security and privacy, and shares the company’s aim to eliminate transaction fees altogether. Tune in for insight into the future of the rental industry, and RentFund’s role in shaping the way we rent and invest in properties across Canada.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Thomas Deneve, Founder and CEO of RentFund.
• What RentFund does and what inspired Thomas to start the company.
• RentFund’s unique approach to incentivizing tenants to take better care of properties.
• How this approach benefits both renters and landlords.
• The streamlined rent collection process RentFund facilitates, with an emphasis on security and privacy.
• RentFund’s aim to eliminate transaction fees.
• Thomas explains RentFund’s vision for the future of the rental industry.
• The company’s plans for expansion.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Thomas Deneve on LinkedIn
• RentFund
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

As rental demand rises, rental scams are becoming increasingly prevalent. Today, we are joined by Cameron Choquette, CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA), to discuss rental housing scams and their impact on both renters and landlords. Cameron highlights the increasing prevalence of scams targeting prospective tenants, offering key red flags and practical tips for renters to stay vigilant. He emphasizes the importance of verifying listings and shares insights for landlords to protect their properties. Tune in as we discuss the long-term consequences of rental scams and explore the significance of education and vigilance in the evolving landscape of rental housing.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Cameron Choquette and the Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA).
• The increasing prevalence of rental scams.
• Common types of rental scams. 
• Red flags for renters to look out for.
• What to do if you suspect a scam.
• How to verify the legitimacy of listings.
• The negative impact rental scams have on both renters and landlords.
• Common scams targeted at landlords.
• What rental housing providers can do to secure the process.
• Advice for subletters.
• The relationship between the SKLA and the government.
• Long-term consequences of rental scams.
• A final piece of advice for both renters and landlords on staying vigilant.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Cameron Choquette on LinkedIn
• Saskatchewan Landlord Association
• CanLII in Saskatchewan
• Giacomo Ladas on LinkedIn
• Rentals.ca
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

In recent months, we have delved into the pressing issue of the lack of rental supply across Canada. This episode explores a creative and innovative solution: repurposing vacant buildings! Today’s guest Howard Chai, a staff writer at STOREYS, has been writing about this topic for a while now and has chatted with many industry experts. He joins us to shed some light on this topic. He explains the concept of "adaptive reuse" with a focus on office-to-residential conversions. We discuss the driving factors behind this trend, successful conversion stories in North America and most notably, Calgary, and the lessons other cities can learn from the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program. We also discuss the challenges architects and developers face considering these conversions and how the community typically responds. We look at examples of how such conversions positively impact developers, immigration, and rental supply before Howard shares his predictions for the future of office space and residential conversions in the years to come. Tune in for fascinating insight into this potential solution to the problem of the lack of rental supply!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guest, Howard Chai, Staff Writer at STOREYS.  
• His thoughts on the current rental housing situation in Canada. 
• An overview of the concept of “adaptive reuse” and how this relates to office-to-residential conversions.
• The factors that are driving the trend of repurposing office space for residential use.
• Office-to-residential conversion success stories from Calgary and other cities where this has been done.
• Insight into the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program and what other cities can learn from it. 
• Some of the major challenges that architects and developers encounter when attempting this type of conversion. 
• The typical community response to these building conversions. 
• Conversion examples that brought a positive change for developers, immigration, and rental supply. 
• To what extent does the lack of data about conversion projects hinder their adoption. 
• Howard’s predictions for the future of office space and residential conversions in the coming years. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

• Howard Chai on LinkedIn
• STOREYS  
• Transforming Empty Offices into Housing: A Potential Solution to Canada's Housing Crisis? 
• Adapt or Die: Why Converting Offices Into Homes Hasn’t Taken Off in Canada
• Downtown Development Incentive Programs
• Gensler’s Steven Paynter on His Office Building Conversion Algorithm
• Rapid Housing Initiative
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email

Our guest today is a city planner by trade and has valuable insights into NIMBYism (Not In My
Backyard) and what is and isn’t working in terms of community engagement in the
real estate development world. Karin Brandt is the CEO and Founder of coUrbanize and, in this
episode, she schools us on the importance of community engagement and how technology has
evolved the way developers are engaging with communities. We discover why the younger
“asset-less class” is less inclined to get involved in local politics and how coUrbanize aims to
change that, by getting more diverse community-representative voices on approvals boards
throughout the US. Karin breaks down how increased community engagement benefits not only
the community but real estate owners too and explains how best to address NMBYism
fundamentally. Tune in to find out where developers and policy-makers are going wrong in their
attempts to engage with communities and what needs to change as well as what can be learned
from the homeless crisis in San Francisco.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The mission behind coUrbanize and what inspired Karin to start the company. 
• Why community engagement is so essential in real estate development today. 
• Challenges faced by developers when trying to engage with communities.
• Why the younger “asset-less class” is less inclined to get involved in local politics.
• How coUrbanize lowers the bar to participation and builds relationships within communities. 
• Strategies developers should consider when engaging with communities. 
• How technology has evolved the way developers are engaging with communities.
• What NIMBYism is and how it relates to real estate development. 
• Common reasons for NIMBYism and community opposition to development projects.
• Examples of notable NIMBYism cases and their outcomes. 
• The importance of data in getting board approvals for developments. 
• Regulatory changes that could alleviate NIMBYism and streamline the development process.
• The risk in development and the cost of delays from community opposition. 
• How community engagement benefits real estate owners. 
• What we can learn from the homeless crisis in San Francisco. 
• How COVID brought into question the traditional way of carrying out community engagement.
• The findings of Boston University’s study on neighborhood defenders. 
• What Karin considers to be the best way to fundamentally address NIMBYism.
• Examples of interesting community engagement approaches, globally. 
• Karin predicts the evolution of community engagement. 
• What should be included in the curricula for future city planners.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

• Karin Brandt on LinkedIn
• coUrbanize
• Rentsync
• Sync or Swim Podcast
• Sync or Swim Email