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

What does it take to build a life in a new country? On this episode of Sync or Swim, host Giacomo Ladas speaks with Stephanie Ford, Head of Content Strategy at Moving2Canada, about the newcomer experience in Canada. Stephanie shares how Moving2Canada grew from a Facebook group into a leading resource for immigration and settlement, and reflects on her own journey from Australia. The conversation covers key housing challenges, from misconceptions about basement suites to differences in rental rules across provinces. Stephanie offers practical advice on preparing documents, avoiding scams, and building credit, along with tips like starting with short-term accommodation before signing a lease. Tune in for insights on what newcomers face and how to make the transition smoother!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing guest Stephanie Ford, Head of Content Strategy at Moving2Canada.

• Moving2Canada's journey since starting as a Facebook group in 2011.

• Why Moving2Canada's free immigration resources are vital for accessibility.

• A breakdown of Stephanie's personal journey moving from Australia.

• Early challenges newcomers face: housing, healthcare, banking, and immigration rules.

• Misconceptions about basement suites and provincial rental laws.

• Exploring stigma around renting in Canada compared to Europe and Australia.

• Why Toronto and Vancouver tend to attract the most newcomers despite high costs.

• Tips for renters: credit scores, references, and landlord expectations.

• Key documents to prepare: references, bank statements, and proof of funds.

• Common mistakes, including scams and signing leases before knowing neighbourhoods.

• Short-term rentals as a safer first step before committing to long-term rentals.

• Tips for building credit from scratch as a newcomer in Canada.

Quotes:

"We're really designed to support newcomers throughout the entire immigration and settlement journey at no cost to them." — Stephanie Ford [0:04:10]

"Housing can be surprisingly expensive [for newcomers], which can be a really significant challenge, especially in the first few years." — Stephanie Ford [0:07:49]

"Young people are attracted to cities. We're seeing that everywhere. People are moving from regional areas to cities, ideally for better economic opportunities. That's played out in Canada's immigration as well." — Stephanie Ford [0:12:45]

"If you're applying for a house, just bear in mind that your landlord wants two things. They want someone who they can trust to treat their property with care and respect, and to pay rent on time." — Stephanie Ford [0:16:11]

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Stephanie Ford

Stephanie Ford on LinkedIn

Moving2Canada

Moving2Canada on Facebook

Moving2Canada on Instagram
Moving2Canada on TikTok
'How to Identify Rental Scams When Searching for an Apartment or Housing'
Rentals.ca
Giacomo Ladas on LinkedIn

Rentsync

Sync or Swim Podcast

Sync or Swim Email

Episode 94: Show Notes

How do you know if a building lives up to its claim of being well-maintained, professionally managed, and with a quality-living offering? That's where the Certified Rental Building Program (CRB Program) comes in. We are joined today by Dilan Cetinkaya, the Director of Certification at the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FPRO), the leading advocate for strong and stable rental housing and the largest association in Ontario representing those who own, manage, build, finance, service, and supply residential rental homes. At FPRO, Dilan oversees all certification standards for the Canadian Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP), and she begins our conversation by detailing the work and main focuses of CRBP.  We learn about the pain points the CRB Program is trying to solve, how it separates itself from other quality claims or qualifications, the standards that need to be met to obtain CRB certification, and how long it takes to get certified. Dilan also explains how the program helps landlords and property managers compared to renters before unpacking the CRBP's green initiative, Living Green Together. To end, our guest walks us through a step-by-step guide to becoming CRB certified, and we learn what the future may hold for the CRBP and its work. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The Canadian Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) and Dilan Cetinkaya's role at the organisation.

• Why the Certified Rental Building Program (CRB Program) was created; pain points it aims to solve.

• How the CRB Program differentiates itself from other past quality claims or qualifications?

• The standards buildings are required to meet to become CRB Program certified.

• Understanding the frequency of accountability checks and how long it takes to be certified.

• How the CRB Program helps landlords and property managers versus how it helps renters.

• Case studies that highlight the program's impact on tenant satisfaction and retention. 

• Living Green Together: Unpacking the CRBP's green initiative.

• Dilan explains how the program will make rental searches easier moving forward.

• A step-by-step guide to becoming CRB certified.

• What the CRBP has planned for its future and what tomorrow may hold for the CRB Program.

• How to find CRB-certified buildings in your rental search.

Quotes:

"For owners and managers, [the CRB Program] helps to ensure that your property is reducing its operational costs, mitigating risks, and improving asset performance. For renters, it essentially provides a stamp that this building is well-run, well-managed, [and] well-maintained." — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:02:04]

"By being CRB certified, you do get additional [ESG] points. We are recognized by [Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking] and we're an industry supporter. So, you're also helping to improve your ESG performance as well." — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:10:39]

"Overall, I just think [the CRB Program] will help make the rent search easier for residents." — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:16:52]

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dilan Cetinkaya on LinkedIn 

Dilan Cetinkaya Email

Canadian CRB Program (CRBP)

Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) 

BOMA BEST 

RentSafeTO 

Rentals.ca 

Rentsync

Sync or Swim Podcast

Sync or Swim Email

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

Quebec is a unique area in Canada with distinct differences in culture that set it apart from other regions. Naturally, the rental market reflects these differences. Today on the Sync or Swim podcast, we are joined by Rentsync's very own Quebec rental expert, Hudson Bytautas to take a deep dive into the Quebec rental market. Tuning in, you'll hear about Hudson's career journey, some surprising facts and trends in the Quebec rental market, how region-specific trends impact the market, key differences between the rental market in Quebec and other regions, and so much more! We delve into how the lower cost of living in Quebec impacts the culture before discussing the student population that needs to be catered to. We even talk about what other areas of Canada can learn from Quebec's rental market. Finally, Hudson shares his predictions for this unique area's future and shares advice for first-timers looking to rent property in Quebec. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Hudson Bytautas and how he became a rental expert in Quebec. 
• Differences, trends, and surprising facts about the Quebec rental market. 
• Region-specific trends and how they impact the rental market overall. 
• How the rental market in Quebec compares to those in other provinces. 
• The importance of marketing and catering to an influx of students throughout the year. 
• How the lower cost of living in Quebec shapes the culture in general. 
• What lessons other areas across Canada can learn from Quebec's rental market. 
• Where Hudson sees the rental market in Quebec over the next few years. 
• Hudson's advice for someone looking to rent in Quebec for the first time.

Rentals.ca and Raising the Roof have announced an exciting new partnership! So today, we are thrilled to be joined by the Director of Housing Development at Raising the Roof, Adrian Dingle. We begin our conversation by learning about Raising the Roof: its origin story and history, what the company does, and why its new venture with Rentals.ca is a match made in heaven. Then, we discuss the standout achievements that gave Raising the Roof its stellar reputation, how it garners support from various branches of government, what a day in Adrian's work life looks like, and what he looks for in an ideal development partner. To end, Adrian details the challenges of his work and what other industry leaders could do to alleviate these pain points, and discover how to get involved with Raising the Roof and other initiatives that are aimed at curbing Canada's housing crisis. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Adrian Dingle walks us through the ins and outs of Raising the Roof (RTF).
• Why its partnership with Rentals.ca is a blissful union. 
• RTF's noticeable achievements that highlight the good work it is doing. 
• Exploring its (healthy) relationship with municipalities and other forms of government.  
• What Adrian's role as Director of Housing Development entails. 
• Why the best partners in development are those who are also passionate about affordability and social impact.
• Everything you need to know about The Toque Campaign and RTF's other initiatives.
• The challenges of Adrian's work, and what he thinks the industry could do better.
• What we hope to see from the recent wave of policymakers addressing the housing crisis.  
• How to get involved with RTF and housing-related projects.

Technology is becoming a vital aspect of the rental space as, for one, it provides the opportunity for accurate property visualizations before they've been built; without having to view the actual building. As a leading PropTech company that develops and deploys innovative tech solutions for properties and residents, Gryd is one of the reasons that many landlords and renters are willing to embrace this new digital era. Today we are joined by the Vice President of Sales at Gryd, Josh Donen, who explains what his company is all about and what his role in it entails. We learn about Gryd's impressive technologies, how it works, and why the industry is clamouring to embrace it. Then, we look back at the pandemic as we discuss how the market reacted to it, how COVID swayed Gryd's new innovations, and how the pandemic inadvertently set new trends for the rental industry. We also discuss what a boost in rental supply may mean for the industry moving forward, why multi-market conferences matter, and the exciting work that Gryd has planned for the near future.   

Key Points From This Episode:

• Josh Donen's background and what his role as Vice President of Sales at Gryd entails.
• The ins and outs of Gryd, and why there's an increasing need for its technology.  
• How Gryd's technology works.
• The way COVID changed what Gryd prioritized in its innovations.
• How renters have become accustomed to digital renderings as a result of the pandemic.
• More on the increasing value of Gryd's technology offerings.
• Assessing how a major boost in rental supply may affect the markets.
• Why it's wise to attend rental conferences in other markets.
• Industry trends that Gryd is taking notice of, and what it has planned for the future.

In our rapidly evolving world, prospecting tenants expect more than just a place to live or work. They seek vibrant, all-encompassing communities that offer convenience, choice, and a sense of belonging. On this episode of Sync or Swim, we are joined by Dimitri Kritikos, Director of Property Management at Rhapsody, who offers us a unique perspective on the promise of mixed-use developments and how they satisfy the needs of today's discerning residents. Listening in, you'll gain insight into Toronto's exciting new master-planned community, The Well, which is one of the most ambitious mixed-used projects of its kind in Canada. You'll also learn about the benefits of the geothermal well the development takes its name from, the various amenities that residents will be able to take advantage of, and how The Well not only offers an incredible place to live but is even changing the stigma of renting. For a sneak peek into the future of purpose-built rentals, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A high-level overview of Dimitri's role at Rhapsody.
• Why he believes mixed-use developments are the future of purpose-built rentals.
• How the expectations of prospecting tenants have shifted in recent years.
• Insight into FourFifty The Well, a mixed-used development managed by Rhapsody.
• The benefits of the geothermal well that the development takes its name from.
• A look at the design of the residential suites: The Residences and FourFifty The Well.
• Amenities that are on offer for residents at The Well.
• How luxury mixed-use developments like these challenge the stigma of renting.
• The various demographics that The Well caters to.
• What Dmitri means when he refers to "peace of mind living."
• Where you can learn more about this exciting development!

Rentsync's Director of Sales and Business Development Matt Livingstone joins us in conversation today to explore recent innovations in Multifamily Marketing, why they are necessary, and what we might expect from the future. To kick off our conversation, we discuss the current climate in multifamily investment, the emergent needs and how they could be fulfilled. Exploring use cases and the development of the Floor Plan Navigator, we speak to increasing sophistication in condo development and the role and integration of interactive tools in the Canadian and US market. We touch on future plans for FPN based on the various ways in which it is currently being adopted, why there are so many possibilities arising from the advent of this tool, and potential benefits for corporate contexts, landlords, and renters. Join us today to hear all this and more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Context for this conversation: the housing crisis, rapid fluctuations, and more.
• Needs emerging from the current climate including cohesion and innovation. 
• Floor Plan Navigator (FPN) an interactive tool used to showcase unit availability. 
• Landlord and renter benefits that arise from using this tool.
• How sophistication has increased on the condo development side.
• Prevalence of interactive tools in the US market.
• Future plans for FPN with its beginnings in mind. 
• Use cases for FPN in a client context.
• The Point of Sale Device that has been developed.
• Why there are so many possibilities with this particular tool and how they might unfold.
• Potential corporate benefits of using the system.
• What is next for Rentsync beyond this model.
• How software can support safety and trust.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Matt Livingstone on LinkedIn

Rentals.ca

Rentsync

Sync or Swim Podcast

Housing affordability in Canada is a major concern for anyone hoping to purchase a home amid the current climate of increasing prices. For the same amount as a two-bedroom property in Toronto, prospective home buyers could purchase lake-facing castles in Europe or even entire private islands, according to content creator Millennial Moron, who has noted these absurdities in a series of viral videos. In today's episode of Sync or Swim, the Millennial Moron himself joins us to share his humorous yet insightful take on the Canadian real estate market, the housing bubble we find ourselves in, the need for more purpose-built rentals, and the impact that rising interest rates are having on mortgages, plus so much more! This conversation not only offers a well-informed perspective and valuable insights, but it also injects some much-needed humour into what many might consider a dire situation. For the Millennial Moron's guide to Canadian real estate in 20204 and beyond, be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What inspired the Millennial Moron to voice his opinion on the housing industry in Canada.
• Insight into his strategy to use humour to illustrate the serious topic of rising interest rates.
• Canada's housing bubble: how we ended up here and where we're going.
• The need to correct a long-term deficit in purpose-built rentals.
• Why owning property isn't always better than renting.
• What the cap on international students means for Canada's housing shortage.
• Millennial Moron's market predictions for the next 12-18 months.
• Correlations between the situation in Canada and the 2008 mortgage crisis in the US.
• The impact that rising interest rates and inflation are having on mortgages.
• Market sentiment versus cashflow and why the success of Canada's real estate markets in 2024 hinges on interest rates.

Housing is a hot topic in Canadian mainstream media and we couldn't be more grateful, because even though steps are being taken to improve the state of housing in the country, there is still much work to be done. Joining us today to speak about Canada's rental landscape is a journalist with her finger on the pulse – Toronto Star's Business Reporter, Clarrie Feinstein. After explaining what drew her to journalism and business reporting and real estate, Clarrie walks us through the current trends of the housing market, why many buyers are tentative and overwhelmed, what the HST removal could mean for developers and new developments, and how the housing crisis has negatively affected the general mood of Canadians. Then, we take a closer look at how the mass exodus from big cities is shaping smaller neighbouring towns, how housing costs influence Canada's international reputation, the ins and outs of short-term rentals, and our guest's vision for the future of the Canadian housing market.    

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Toronto Star's Business Reporter, Clarrie Feinstein. 
• How Clarrie decided on journalism and what drew her to business reporting and real estate.
• Notable trends that she's witnessed in the current housing market. 
• Why now is a confusing time for buyers, and why most are waiting for lower interest rates. 
• What the removal of the harmonized sales tax (HST) could mean for developers.  
• The looming shadow of bankruptcy and the nationwide gloom of the housing crisis.
• How the cost of housing is affecting Canada's reputation as an ideal home destination.
• The trickle effect of the mass big-city exodus on smaller towns and suburbs. 
• Taking a closer look at the short-term rental market. 
• How the economy and other social factors have impacted Canada's rental market as a whole. 
• Clarrie's predictions for the future of Canada's housing market.