Explore every episode of the podcast The Truth About Financial Independence for Canadians
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Canada's Most Connected Real Estate Investors Are Seeing Right Now | Nick Karadza | 09 Oct 2026 | 01:18:32 | |
What are Canada's most experienced real estate investors seeing right now? In this episode, Erwin Szeto sits down with Nick Karadza to discuss the state of the Canadian economy, where investors are finding opportunities today, the future of real estate investing, student rentals, Toronto density projects, and how AI is changing business and investing. They also explore why the easy-money era is over, what it takes to adapt in uncertain times, and why building the right network may be more important than ever. Nick also previews the Your Life, Your Terms Event on Saturday, October 17, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Mississauga, Ontario. Details are available at - www.yourlifeyourtermsevent.com If you’re looking for ways to build wealth more intentionally, create more passive income, and explore strategies beyond buying another rental property, join us at the next Zero Down Wealth Strategy event. We’re hosting two upcoming sessions:Tuesday, October 27th (Zoom only): https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/MWJBhX3QtFrKSaturday, November 7th (Oakville + hybrid): https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/UCtn7w6XdxlF Walking through the math, the loss scenarios, and how it fits alongside a real estate portfolio. | |||
| One $800k Bungalow Became Four Houses Worth $4.5M & NO Tenants | 05 Oct 2026 | 01:08:36 | |
What if one $800,000 bungalow could become four homes worth $4.5 million, without dealing with tenants? In this episode, Erwin sits down with Daniel Zimberoff and Ming to explore condominiumization, missing middle housing, and how developers are creating more housing options in Toronto. They discuss turning a single property into multiple ownership units, the economics behind walk-up townhomes, development risks, financing, construction costs, and why this model could be part of the solution to Ontario's housing shortage. Whether you're a real estate investor, developer, or simply curious about innovative housing strategies, this episode offers a fascinating look at a growing trend in Canadian real estate. 📌 Connect with Daniel and Ming: Website: https://harvietownhomes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvietownhomes/ Email: dan@dezmanagement.ca | |||
| Investing for the New AI Generation With Only 25% Down Payment | 08 Sep 2026 | 01:13:24 | |
Erwin Szeto sits down with Sadaf Chowdhury, Director of Investment Sales at Equitable, to discuss how Canadian investors are looking beyond rentals. They explain professionally managed stock funds with insurance features, estate planning, annuities, investment loans and how AI is changing professional fund management.
Free training: Join Erwin on Saturday, September 12 (Oakville + Zoom): iWIN Integrated Wealth Planning or Tuesday evening, September 15, (Zoom only): iWIN Integrated Wealth Planning for a deeper dive into zero or 25% down investment-loan strategies for qualified Canadians. Learn how the strategy works, what the risks are, and how to decide whether it may fit your financial goals. Educational purposes only. Investment loans and professionally managed stock funds involve risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Approval and performance are not guaranteed. Suitability depends on income, cash flow, risk tolerance and goals. | |||
| Turning a 22-Foot Lot Into 5 Units | Victoria Suen | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:39:12 | |
Victoria Suen bought her first investment property at 19 years old. She couldn't qualify for a mortgage on her own, so her sisters signed for it. Sixteen years later, she's a licensed architect and the founder of BuildEx Design, helping investors turn some of Toronto's tightest lots into 4 and 6 unit buildings. This episode is a crossover. Erwin's wife and business partner, Cherry Chan, CPA, sat down with Victoria for her Real Estate Tax Tips channel, and the conversation covered ground worth sharing with the full TAFI audience. Victoria walks through the missing middle: the duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and mid-rise buildings that used to be illegal to build on most Canadian lots, and why that's changing fast. She and Cherry get into the real numbers: lots as narrow as 22 feet fitting 5 units, development charges waived under CMHC's MLI Select program (worth $50,000 to $80,000 per unit), and why most investors are getting 80 to 85% loan-to-value rather than the 95% sometimes advertised. In this conversation, we cover:
🚨 Free live webinar: "The Strategy That Beat the Market by 28%" — Sat Sept 12 (Oakville + Zoom): iWIN Integrated Wealth Planning or Tue Sept 15 (Zoom only): iWIN Integrated Wealth Planning 👉Reserve your spot free | |||
| He Exited His Ontario Real Estate & Podcast To Build REI Businesses | Andrew Hines | 13 Jul 2026 | 01:17:20 | |
Andrew Hines spent 5 and a half years building one of Canada's top 3 real estate podcasts. Nearly 1.3 million downloads. Then, at its peak, he shut it down. Andrew is the co-founder of multiple US-based real estate acquisition companies operating across Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. His teams run house flips, land investments, creative finance deals, and direct-to-seller acquisitions. He also owns Grotto Getaway, a glamping and cottage resort near Tobermory, Ontario, that did $655,000 in sales last year. In this conversation, we cover:
Andrew's arc is the arc TAFI exists to cover: someone who built real wealth in Canadian real estate, watched the rules change, and rebuilt his entire model instead of waiting for the old one to work again. 📅 UPCOMING FREE TRAINING — "The Strategy That Beat the Market by 28%" Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 9:00am ET · Hybrid (iWIN Office, Oakville + Zoom) 👉Reserve your spot (Limited seats): https://www.infinitywealth.ca/20260530 | |||
| The 3:1 Investment Loan for Real Estate Investors | Mozzie Chleilat, DUCA | 06 Jul 2026 | 01:01:43 | |
Real estate investors understand leverage. 25% down, 75%from the bank, let the asset grow. But what if you could apply that same principle to the stock market, with no tenants, no tribunals, and no 2 a.m. calls? Mozzie Chleilat is an Account Manager Business Development at DUCA Specialized Lending, one of Canada's leading credit unions. He works with financial advisors and their clients to structure investment loans into professionally managed stock funds. The core product is the 3:1 loan: put 25% down, DUCA loans you 3 times that amount, and you're invested in a $100,000 portfolio from a $25,000 starting point. In this conversation, Erwin and Mozzie cover: ✅How the 3:1 investment loan works and why the 25% equity requirement exists ✅The minimum loan ($50,000, requiring $16,667 client equity) and the path to $1 million with limited underwriting ✅How DUCA counts 90% of gross rental income toward debt servicing (vs. 50% at the big banks) ✅Why DUCA does not report this loan to credit bureaus as a trade line item ✅The net worth qualification pathway for investors whose income on paper doesn't reflect their assets ✅DUCA's soft margin breach program: why they give you 30 days and options, instead of calling your loan the moment you hit a threshold ✅Erwin's own AMD margin call story during COVID: no phone call, no email, just liquidated overnight ✅The right investor profile for this strategy: long-term horizon, comfortable with leverage, cash flow to service interest ✅Why 80 to 90% of Mozzie's clients are overallocated in Canadian real estate and looking to diversify ✅A real client case study: a doctor who exited a Cambridge rental (down 8%), deployed capital into the market, and stopped being a landlord Chapters0:00 — Show Intro8:34 — Mozzie's background: RBC, Equitable Bank, specialized lending 11:44 — What is the 3:1 investment loan and how does it work 14:14 — The $25,000 example: what day one looks like 16:44 — Minimum loan $50,000, how it compares to buying a rental 18:50 — Interest-only structure, no prepayment penalties, interest may be deductible 21:41 — How to qualify: no income docs needed up to $1 million 23:44 — Corporate and personal loans available, up to $2 million combined 26:14 — TDSR 44%, net worth test: 1.5x the loan amount 29:14— DUCA counts 90% of gross rental income (banks count 50%) 36:44 — DUCA does not report this loan to credit bureaus 42:44 — Erwin's AMD margin call: bought at $45, liquidated without warning, stock went 10x 46:14 — Buy the dip, dollar cost averaging, Cherry's annual investment strategy 50:14 — 25% down in the stock market vs 25% down in real estate: the simple math 52:14— Why 80-90% of investors are overallocated in Ontario real estate 55:14— REIT funds vs S&P 500: why DUCA steers clients toward the index 58:44 — How to reach Mozzie Chleilat at DUCA Specialized Lending | |||
| 60-Hour Weeks for 25 Years. Then 10 Hours a Week. Then an 8-Figure Exit | Byron Darlison | 25 Jun 2026 | 01:37:42 | |
Byron Darlison founded Rise Vision in 1992 in Toronto and ran it for 30 years without raising a dollar of outside equity. For 25 of those years, by his own admission, the business was unfocused, unpredictable, and running him. In year 25, he hired a Metronomics coach and installed a business operating system. In the 5 years that followed, profits went from break-even to 20% sustained net margins, his work week dropped from 60 hours to under 10, and the business grew to serve organizations in over 100 countries. In year 30, he sold Rise Vision for an 8-figure exit to a Taiwanese industrial display manufacturer, with no earn-out and no employment clause. His team still runs and grows the business today. He now coaches a small number of founders privately and serves as Mentorship Chair and Accelerator Coach at Entrepreneurs' Organization Toronto. In this conversation, we cover:
Byron's arc is one of the clearest illustrations of what TAFI is now built around: multiple paths to financial independence, and the discipline to pick one and execute it properly. | |||
| A Hall Pass to Go All In and Build 200 AI Agents Across 7 Divisions - Mike Schwarz, MyZone AI | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:52:00 | |
What does it actually look like to go all-in on AI? Mike Schwarz, founder and CEO of MyZone AI, negotiated a hall pass from his wife, adjusted his medication, and spent 3 to 4 months working until 2, 3, and 4 in the morning to find out. The result: 200 plus autonomous AI agents running across 7 divisions of his business. Mike has 25 years in tech, from building nightlife social networks in 1999 before Friendster existed, to running a full AI solutions company out of Vancouver today. He coaches CEOs and speaks at Entrepreneurs' Organization and YPO events. And he says the window for getting ahead in AI is measured in months, not years. In this episode, we go from first principles. What is AI. What is an agent. What is the difference between an agent and ChatGPT. Why legacy SaaS companies are down 50 to 60 percent. And what a non-developer can actually do right now to start automating their business. Real examples from this conversation: Mike's agent replied to 183 unread LinkedIn messages in 30 minutes, starred the 19 personal ones, and left them for him. He built a custom math game for his son in an hour using an AI coding agent. And after a sales call, he can send a fully personalized 5-page proposal website to a prospect in 10 minutes. Mike's one thing: master the art of learning. It's not about being technical. It's about being a sponge. Because the window is short and it's moving fast. Mike teaches regular free monthly workshops at myzone.ai. Upcoming: June 18 — How to Secure Your Agents. July 9 — How to Become an Agentic Developer (no coding required). | |||
| From Factory Worker to $300K Realtor | Milena Simsic | 11 Jun 2026 | 01:11:57 | |
Milena Simsic made $300,000 in commissions in her first year as a realtor, without any prior real estate connections, using nothing but TikTok and Instagram. She had no social media presence before she got her license. She figured it out in public.
Milena is the founder of WindSocial Realty in Windsor, Ontario, and the publisher of the Windsor Real Estate Insider, a newsletter and magazine that grew to 9,000 subscribers in under a year. She also runs Windsor REI Social, a 3,000-member community that fills events with 100 to 200 investors. She is currently switching brokerages from EXP to Real and building a community for realtors who want to learn AI-powered marketing.
In this conversation, we cover:
Milena's arc is the arc TAFI was rebranded to celebrate: a factory worker and ICU nurse who saw where the highest-leverage play was, went all in, and built a media brand and a business that works without grinding 60 hours a week. CONNECT WITH MILENA SIMSIC Windsor Real Estate Insider: https://www.windsorrealestateinsider.comInstagram / LinkedIn / Facebook / YouTube: search 'Milena Simsic' Chapters 00:00: Introduction and Cold Open 01:20: Milena's background: factory worker, nursing, COVID, Windsor 03:00: Breaking news: brokerage switch from EXP to Real 04:00: Windsor Real Estate Insider magazine, 9,000 subscribers 05:30: Windsor market conditions: what is holding and what is not 07:00: The Gordy Howe Bridge delay 08:30: EV plant, population growth, downtown development 09:30: What investors are doing in Windsor right now 13:00: $300K first year off TikTok and Instagram 17:00: Building Windsor REI Social to 3,000 members 22:00: AI adoption gap: top agents vs. everyone else 28:00: Replacing a virtual assistant with Claude 31:00: How many hours per week to run the business 33:30: Teaching other realtors AI-powered marketing 38:00: The Windsor pageant: why she entered, first runner up 41:00: The autoimmune condition, the health pivot, business doubling 45:00: Salsa dancing as the one thing that started everything 48:00: Business owner loneliness and why dance helps 51:00: EXP vs. Real: why the switch and what Real is doing differently 58:00: AI tools, Fiverr comparison, what Claude does that nobody else can match 01:01:00: Advice for young people: build your skill set, buy a business, zero excuses 01:03:00: Wrap up and where to find Milena | |||
| Buying a 25-Year-Old Bookkeeping Firm | Ming Lim & Bryan Ma | 05 Jun 2026 | 01:17:50 | |
In January 2026, Ming Lim and Bryan Ma closed on AccounTrain, a 25-year-old bookkeeping firm based in Ottawa with clients across Canada. They beat out five other offers. They paid 1.3 times annual revenue. They spent almost two years searching for the right deal. Ming is the managing partner of Volition Properties, where his team has helped Canadians transact on more than $300 million of Toronto investment real estate. Bryan spent 20 years in Canadian financial services. He's a CPA, a CFA, and holds an MBA. He worked at three of the biggest professional services firms in the country and most recently at Intact Insurance in mergers and acquisitions. In this conversation, we cover:
This episode is part of TAFI's coverage of the great wealth transfer from retiring boomers to the next generation of Canadian operators. If you're an active real estate investor looking at what's next, this is the playbook. 📩Connect with Ming and Bryan AccounTrain: https://accountrain.com/ (Their bookkeeping firm) Volition Properties: https://www.volitionprop.com/ (Ming's real estate brokerage) Reach them through LinkedIn or via the AccounTrain website 📌 Free training on the investment loan strategy: Saturday, June 27th (Oakville hybrid):https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/x5X1OCIDrAXc and Tuesday, July 7th (Zoom only): https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/n98gpqD3cVoQ Walking through the math, the loss scenarios, and how it fits alongside a real estate portfolio. 📌 Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Tesla update01:30 – Investment club math ($35K → $140K)07:12 – Introducing Ming Lim & Bryan Ma09:30 – Why buy a business when you already own real estate 13:00 – How Ming and Bryan met and decided to partner up 17:00 – Two years of searching, joining Village Wealth 21:00 – Bookkeeping vs full accounting, why the simpler business won 26:00 – Deals closing in 24 to 48 hours, the competitive reality 31:00 – Multiples in the industry, 1.2 to 2.5 times revenue 41:00 – Vendor take-back mortgages, standard in business sales 46:00 – Maintaining the seller relationship after closing 52:00 – AI in the accounting industry, where it is and isn't useful 63:00 – Cash flow management as the real value of bookkeeping 67:00 – Toronto market check-in, May 2026 72:00 – Final thoughts on buying a business | |||
| 20 Years in Canadian Finance, Now He Only Buys $70K Cleveland Duplexes | Carlos Rodrigues | 28 May 2026 | 01:18:00 | |
Carlos Rodrigues spent 20 years in Canadian financial services. Mutual funds, life insurance both levels, and a full mortgage broker with five agents under him. He tried to start his own fund. Canadian compliance costs killed it. Now he drives 4.5 hours each way from Hamilton to Cleveland, Ohio to buy duplexes for $70,000 that appraise at $170,000 after renovation. In this episode, we get into:
Plus my own update: my Hamilton duplex tenant has been non-paying for 7 months, $12,000 deep, and we're still waiting on the LTB. This is the world we're operating in. Want the investment loan strategy that produced a 40.6% return since September 2025? I'm hosting a free training on Saturday May 30 (Oakville hybrid) and Tuesday June 2 (Zoom only). Walking through the complete strategy, the math, every loss scenario, and how it fits alongside a real estate portfolio. Register at: https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/uqyHFbipnPrK Connect with Carlos: Website: cashflowcarlos.com, Instagram & TikTok: @cashflowcarlos Connect with Erwin: Podcast: tafipod.ca Free Wealth Freedom Blueprint: infinitywealth.ca/freereport Book a Wealth Planning Call: linked at www.infinitywealth.ca | |||
| He Talks to AI While Walking the Dog | Greg Kowalczyk | 25 May 2026 | 01:25:04 | |
In this episode, Erwin sits down with Greg—an engineer turned real estate investor and e-commerce entrepreneur who scaled his business to $700K/month and is now leveraging AI to build apps, automate workflows, and save tens of thousands of dollars. From buying his first property with no experience to renovating duplexes across Ontario, Greg shares the real ups and downs of real estate investing—along with how he expanded into e-commerce and built multiple income streams. But the biggest shift? AI. Greg breaks down how he’s using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to:
To follow Greg: https://www.gregkowalczyk.com/ https://www.bronteharbourclassic.com/ (Discount code: Erwin) This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in real estate, business, and the AI revolution. | |||
| Rebuilding Wealth After Divorce: Sarah Coupland on Ontario Multifamily, Distressed Properties, and Creative Financing | 18 May 2026 | 01:19:45 | |
What would you do if you had to sell your entire real estate portfolio… and start over? In this episode, we sit down with investor Sarah Copeland, who went from managing over 60 doors to liquidating everything—and now rebuilding from scratch in today’s market. She shares the real, behind-the-scenes story of navigating divorce, selling cash-flowing properties, and resetting her entire strategy. We break down how she transformed a distressed 12-plex into a high-performing asset, the lessons from a $1M+ renovation, and why she’s shifting back to joint ventures and simpler deals. This is a raw and honest conversation about what actually happens in real estate investing—when things don’t go as planned. If you're an investor trying to make sense of today’s market or wondering how to move forward in uncertain times, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical takeaways. 📩 Want to connect with Sarah? website: SarahCopeland.ca / tagproperties.caor, email: sarah@sarahcoupland.ca Also, don't miss the 🔥 Free Live Training: The $100,000 Zero‑Down Strategy. I’m walking through the full math, risks, and real use cases live.📍 Saturday, May 30 (Hybrid – Oakville + Zoom)📍 Tuesday, June 2 (Zoom Only – 8pm ET) 👉 Register here: https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/uqyHFbipnPrK 🎧 Subscribe to The Truth About Financial Independence for Canadians (TAFI) 🌐 https://tafipod.ca | |||
| Welcome to the Truth About Financial Independence | 08 May 2026 | 00:22:11 | |
Passive real estate investing in Canada has changed — and for many investors, the math no longer works. In this episode, Erwin Szeto explains why he’s been telling investors to diversify out of Ontario real estate since 2023 and what he’s personally doing instead to build wealth without turning investing into a second job. You’ll learn:
This episode marks the evolution of the show into The Truth About Financial Independence for Canadians (TAFI) — focused on multiple paths to wealth, time freedom, and peace of mind. Also, don't miss the 🔥 Free Live Training: The $100,000 Zero‑Down Strategy. I’m walking through the full math, risks, and real use cases live.📍 Saturday, May 30 (Hybrid – Oakville + Zoom)📍 Tuesday, June 2 (Zoom Only – 8pm ET) 👉 Register here: https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/uqyHFbipnPrK 🎧 Subscribe to The Truth About Financial Independence for Canadians (TAFI) 🌐 https://tafipod.ca | |||
| The Zero-Down Wealth Strategy: How Canadians Use Leverage to Beat Inflation | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:15:30 | |
Real estate investors are feeling the squeeze—rising inflation, capital trapped in property, and nonstop landlord headaches. In this episode, Erwin breaks down the Zero-Down Wealth Strategy, a leveraged investing approach designed to help high‑income Canadians build long‑term wealth without buying more real estate. You’ll learn why investing $433/month can be equivalent to deploying $100,000, how leverage works outside of property, and who this strategy is (and isn’t) for. 🎓 Free Training (Limited Seats): • Saturday, May 30 (Hybrid – In Person + Online) • Tuesday, June 2 (Webinar Only) 👉 Link to register: https://wealthhacker.krtra.com/t/uqyHFbipnPrK | |||
| Ontario HST Rebate SURGE, Alberta CRACKS & $600K FSRA Fine | Canadian Real Estate 2026 | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:27:59 | |
In this episode of The Truth About Real Estate Investing, we unpack three stories that look disconnected in the headlines — but together reveal where Canadian real estate is really headed in 2026. Ontario’s HST rebate triggered a surge in new‑build sales, but the benefit for investors is far narrower than most realize — and the investor cutoff has already passed. In Alberta, especially Calgary, inventory is rising, rents are softening, and out‑of‑town investors are starting to walk away, despite the province’s long‑term fundamentals remaining intact. We also dig into a recent FSRA enforcement ruling that exposed major failures in private and syndicated mortgage lending — and share hard lessons about why due diligence on people matters just as much as due diligence on properties. This episode is about cutting through hype, spreadsheets, and sales pitches — and focusing on cash flow, landlord‑friendly rules, and real risk. If you’re investing (or thinking about investing) in Canada or looking beyond it, this conversation will challenge popular narratives and sharpen your decision‑making. Facts over headlines. Data over hype. | |||
| Ontario Landlord Horror Story: 7 Months No Rent vs Alberta's 30-Day Eviction | 20 Apr 2026 | 01:18:14 | |
Why do Ontario landlords wait 7+ months for an eviction while Alberta wraps it up in 30 days? Erwin sits down with Mackenzie Wilson of SingleKey — Canada's largest tenant screening service — to expose the massive risk gap between provinces. Inside: a live AI reference-check demo, the $60K rent guarantee product, why 76% of landlords never get reference calls, Calgary's rezoning reversal, and why turnkey beats development in 2026. A must-listen for every Canadian real estate investor. | |||
| Canada Is Losing Jobs and Population. Here Is Where I Am Investing Instead | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:13:50 | |
In this episode, we break down Canada’s rare population decline, rising unemployment, weakening income growth, and what these trends mean for housing prices, rents, and investment strategy. We also explore how inflation, interest rates, global conflicts, and political shifts are shaping capital flows—and why many investors are starting to look beyond Canada to places with stronger population and income growth. If you’re a Canadian real estate investor wondering where the market is heading next, this episode helps you skate to where the puck is going—not where it’s been. | |||
| Rent to Own 1 0 Is Dead. Here Is What Replaced It | 06 Apr 2026 | 01:04:37 | |
In this episode, rent‑to‑own expert Rachel Oliver shares how real estate investing has changed — and why the traditional rent‑to‑own model no longer works in today’s market. With over 16 years of experience and nearly 1,000 deals completed, Rachel explains Rent‑to‑Own 2.0, a strategy focused on cash flow, mortgage pay‑down, and stability in flat or uncertain markets. A must‑listen for investors, first‑time buyers, and anyone navigating modern real estate. | |||
| Best Selling REI Author About Lows Of Near Bankruptcy and Recovery to Leading Developer | 25 Mar 2026 | 01:47:26 | |
In this episode of The Truth About Real Estate Investing, Erwin Szeto sits down with best‑selling author and veteran investor Russell Westcott for an honest conversation about market cycles, hard lessons, and survival in Canadian real estate. Russell shares his personal journey through near‑bankruptcy, health scares, and tough portfolio decisions, along with why cash flow, fundamentals, and long‑term thinking matter more than hype. They discuss Alberta vs Ontario, development realities, policy challenges, and what investors should really focus on in today’s market. 🔗Connect with Russell: Website: https://www.russellwestcott.com/ | |||
| Build 6 Units in Toronto and Pay Zero Development Charges | 18 Mar 2026 | 01:18:24 | |
In this episode, Andy Tran breaks down what’s really happening in the Canadian real estate market in 2026 and explains why 4+1 and 6+1 properties have become the new investment sweet spot in Toronto. We discuss housing supply shortages, CMHC financing, missing‑middle housing, garden suites, and why smaller, repeatable projects are outperforming large‑scale developments. A must‑listen for investors looking to adapt and find opportunity in today’s market. 🔗Connect with AndyWebsite: suiteadditions.com YouTube: suiteadditions | |||
| He Funded His Trading With DoorDash. Now He's a Professional Trader | 13 Mar 2026 | 01:15:56 | |
In this episode, Erwin sits down with Anderson, a professional trader who went from driving DoorDash and trading on his phone to getting paid to trade stocks, options, and futures. Anderson shares his real journey—immigrating to Canada, funding his trading account through side hustles, and learning disciplined risk management over years of hard work. They also discuss buy‑and‑hold investing, options trading for everyday people, real estate investing in Barbados, and why buying back your time matters more than chasing hype returns. 🔗Connect with Anderson Email: thetraderdesk@outlook.com Include your name and phone number -- one-on-one coaching through The Trader Desk. | |||
| How Canadians Can Win in U.S. Real Estate in 2026 (Without Betting on Appreciation) | 05 Mar 2026 | 01:16:37 | |
In this episode, Erwin talks with Glen Sutherland, a full-time Canadian investor actively scaling US real estate from Canada. They break down what’s working in 2026, why relying on appreciation is risky, and how experienced investors use systems, creative financing, and organization to scale remotely. A practical conversation for Canadians investing in US real estate who want real-world insight—not hype. | |||
| 70 Properties. Private Money. Mental Breakdown. The Truth About Scaling Real Estate | 02 Mar 2026 | 01:40:39 | |
Rasna Arora built a $50 million real estate portfolio across 70 properties using private money, refinancing, and aggressive scaling. Then the market shifted — and everything unraveled. In this raw and honest conversation, we unpack the realities of leverage, hard money loans, refinancing risk, and what happens when trusted advisors collapse. This episode goes beyond strategy and numbers — it dives into integrity, mental health, and the true cost of scaling too fast. There’s no Lamborghini story here. Just the real truth about real estate investing in Canada — the wins, the warnings, and the lessons every investor needs to hear. | |||
| From 18 Income Streams to Zero: A Real Conversation About Risk in Real Estate | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:57:10 | |
Serena Holmes shares a powerful perspective on money, mindset, and real estate investing. In this episode, she breaks down why money isn’t evil, how scarcity thinking holds investors back, and the mindset shift required to build wealth with intention and impact. A must-listen for anyone serious about financial freedom | |||
| From Corporate CFO to Personal CFO: A 2026 New Year Wealth Reset for Investors | 28 Jan 2026 | 01:13:29 | |
In this episode, Erwin Szeto sits down with former corporate CFO turned personal wealth strategist, Winnie Tsang, to unpack why so many Canadian real estate investors feel stuck—and what smarter, more resilient wealth planning actually looks like today. They dive into landlord challenges, diversification beyond property, leveraging the stock market, corporate‑owned life insurance, and how families can build long‑term financial security without sacrificing time, health, or peace of mind. | |||
| Mortgage Market Update for 2026 | Residential, Commercial, Development, Canada, USA & Mexico! | 23 Jan 2026 | 01:10:44 | |
Thinking about investing in U.S. real estate as a Canadian? In this episode, Scott Dillingham shares the real truth about cross-border real estate investing — from mortgages and financing challenges to tariffs, hidden costs, and lifestyle impacts. A must-listen for Canadian investors exploring the U.S. market. | |||
| From Houses to Hotels: A Real Life Monopoly Story | 16 Jan 2026 | 01:41:47 | |
Mike Rosehart shares his real estate journey from buying his first student rental while in university to scaling hundreds of units across residential, hotels, and motels in Canada. We talk house hacking, leverage, market timing, selling at the peak, and why hotels and motel conversions offer massive opportunities today. A raw, numbers-driven conversation on what actually works in real estate investing. Listeners can connect with Mike at: 🔗Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikerosehart/ | |||
| How a Canadian WealthGenius Coach Scaled a U.S. Multifamily Portfolio | 06 Jan 2026 | 01:24:26 | |
Canadian real estate investor Thomas Lorini joins Erwin Szeto to reveal how Canadians can break into the US property market. From overcoming financing and legal hurdles to building wealth in Ohio multifamily real estate, Thomas shares practical tips, landlord strategies, and his coaching journey. Perfect for anyone curious about cross-border investing, landlord rights, and scaling up in real estate. | |||
| How to Sell a Tenanted Property in 2026: What Investors Need to Know Now | 04 Dec 2025 | 01:02:15 | |
Discover how to sell a tenanted property in 2026! Investor and property manager Tim Hong joins host Erwin Szeto to break down market trends, new regulations, and practical strategies for selling with tenants in place. Get expert tips on maximizing your investment, navigating challenges, and making smart decisions in today’s real estate market. Plus, get a sneak peek into the upcoming FREE webinar: "How to Sell an Investment Property for Maximum ROI" on January 13th, 8 p.m. EST. 🔗Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/how-to-sell-investment-property-for-maximum-roi-tickets-1976760405586?aff=podcast | |||
| Bill 60 Explained: Ontario’s New Rental Laws & What Landlords Need to Know | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:08:17 | |
Discover how Ontario’s Bill 60 is reshaping rental laws for landlords and tenants. Host Erwin Szeto breaks down the key changes, including lease expiry rules, eviction timelines, and new protections for property owners. Tune in for practical insights and expert advice on navigating the evolving real estate landscape in Canada. | |||
| How Canadian Developers Are Using Grants to Fund Affordable Rentals (Without Giving Up Control) | 07 Nov 2025 | 01:11:37 | |
Learn how Canadian developers and real estate leaders are unlocking government grants, building affordable housing, and driving innovation. Chelsey Fawcett shares practical tips and inspiring stories from the front lines of real estate and community development. | |||
| How Canadians Actively Invest in America: E-2 Visa, Co-Living Strategy & Execution | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:53:30 | |
Thinking about investing or moving to the U.S.? 🇺🇸 International lawyer Lauren Cohen joins Erwin Szeto to reveal the truth about E2 visas, cross-border investing, and the rise of co-living real estate. Learn how Canadians can build wealth, gain U.S. residency, and create freedom through smart global investing. | |||
| Apartments vs Business Income: How Real Estate Investing is Evolving in 2025 | 23 Oct 2025 | 01:16:06 | |
Real estate coach Elizabeth Kelly joins Erwin Szeto for a candid conversation on surviving and thriving in the 2025 Canadian real estate market. From government financing and cash flow challenges to the importance of education, mindset, and adapting your investment strategy, this episode delivers practical advice, honest stories, and actionable insights for investors at any stage. Ready to rethink your approach to real estate and wealth building? Tune in for lessons learned, market trends, and strategies that work now. | |||
| Why Canadian Multifamily Real Estate Still Makes Sense in 2025 — Insights from Alfonso Cuadra | 16 Oct 2025 | 01:11:37 | |
How do top investors thrive in Canada’s real estate market? Alfonso Cuadra reveals why multifamily wins, the dangers of private lending, and how to hedge against inflation. Learn strategies for scaling, financing, and surviving market shifts—plus the truth about equity vs. debt. 🔗 Learn more: https://wealthgenius.ai | |||
| Pensions vs. Real Estate: Which Really Builds Wealth? | 02 Oct 2025 | 01:22:13 | |
Luis Rivas shares how he left a 22-year government career, cashed out his pension, and pivoted into real estate investing and coaching. From the fear of leaving “golden handcuffs” to building wealth through multifamily properties, private lending, and U.S. opportunities, Luis dives into pensions, Canada’s economy, AI’s impact, and creating financial freedom on your own terms. | |||
| Financial Freedom After Family Crisis | Arminda Simao’s Holistic Wealth Planning in Action | 18 Sep 2025 | 01:25:15 | |
From family crisis to financial freedom — this is the inspiring journey of Arminda Simao, a single mom who built stability through student rental investing. She opens up about balancing kids’ expensive tuition, losing her husband, and how smart real estate choices created cash flow, resilience, and generational wealth. 👉 Tune in to learn how student rentals, planning, and persistence can help you build financial freedom too. | |||
| Canada’s Housing Crisis & The Missing Middle Conference 2025 | 09 Sep 2025 | 01:08:20 | |
In this episode, Erwin Szeto talks with Jimmy La & Kartik Singla (SDG Canada) about their Clapperton Village project in Barrie and how they’re reshaping rental housing with modular builds, multi-generational units, and CMHC’s MLI Select financing. Plus, a preview of the Missing Middle Conference in Toronto. 🔗 themmc.ca (Code: MMC15% for discount) | |||
| From Bodybuilding to Real Estate Investing | Michael’s 24-Year Investor Journey & Lessons Learned | 04 Sep 2025 | 01:12:16 | |
🎧In this episode of The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians, Erwin sits down with Michael, a 24-year veteran of real estate investing who has seen it all — from health scares that pushed him into bodybuilding discipline, to buying his first $78K townhouse in Edmonton, to scaling into multifamily properties across Canada. Michael also shares details about the upcoming Savvy Investor Summit, a free two-day virtual conference happening September 13–14, 2025 👉 Register now at https://thesavvyinvestor.ca | |||
| Ontario Landlord Crisis | Tenant Fraud, Evictions & SOLO.ca Solutions | 29 Aug 2025 | 01:16:21 | |
Ontario’s small landlords are struggling with LTB delays, tenant fraud, and rising risks. Host Erwin Szeto talks with Boubah, co-founder of SOLO.ca, about how a grassroots movement of nearly 9,000 members is supporting landlords, pushing for fair reforms, and fighting back against a broken system. | |||
| Painting for Profit: Maximizing Renovation ROI with Brian Young | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:57:39 | |
🎧 Brian from Home Painters Toronto shares how he scaled a painting business to $4M+, leveraged real estate, and mastered marketing. Learn high-ROI renovation tips, business systems, and investor insights to boost property value & cash flow. Learn more about Home Painters Toronto: www.homepainterstoronto.com | |||
| How I Went from Failures to 5 Duplexes, a Ski Chalet & Ground-Up Development | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:59:06 | |
From early investing mistakes to building 5 duplexes, a luxury ski chalet, and breaking ground on a commercial development, Brad shares his journey through real estate’s ups and downs. Learn how he scaled fast, mastered short-term rental math, and shifted to complex strategies in today’s market. Packed with tips on location, scarcity, and building wealth with hard, scarce assets. You can follow Brad’s weekly writing at - biggerthings.substack.com | |||
| Legal Landmines in Real Estate JVs – with Shawn Quigg | 05 Aug 2025 | 01:05:46 | |
Real estate lawyer and Cardinal Law co-founder Shawn Quigg joins Erwin Szeto to expose the biggest legal risks investors face in 2025—from joint venture breakups to disastrous private lending structures. They cover real-world deal failures, the importance of contracts, how to avoid losing your property to the province, and how to properly structure deals using CMHC MLI Select, limited partnerships, and more. Whether you're a new investor or a seasoned developer, this episode is packed with essential legal insights to help you protect your capital and partnerships in today’s market. | |||
| Is Private Lending Safe? The Real Risks & Infinite Banking Exposed | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:17:53 | |
Financial advisor Adam Niman joins Erwin Szeto to share how he turned private lending into a real estate portfolio—and the hard lessons learned along the way. Adam breaks down how he evaluates deals, handles failed loans, and why many Canadians are being misled about participating life insurance and the Infinite Banking concept. 🎯 Topics include:
📘 Grab Adam’s ebook at NimanFinancial.ca | |||
| From Burnout to 20 U.S. Properties: How Share is Revolutionizing Real Estate for Canadians | 22 Jul 2025 | 01:22:40 | |
In this mind-opening episode of The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians, Erwin sits down with Andrew Kim to discuss how Share, a tech-enabled real estate asset management platform, is revolutionizing U.S. property investing for Canadians. With over 20 properties across four states, Andrew reveals how institutional-grade systems and AI-driven tools allow everyday investors to scale smartly—without the hassle of day-to-day property management. Whether you're a new investor or looking to scale beyond your first few doors, this episode is packed with practical insights and strategies to help you navigate today’s market—on both sides of the border. Explore more: Website: www.sharefrs.com | |||
| From Environmental Law to Impact Real Estate Rodney Wilts' Journey to Sustainable Development | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:57:25 | |
In this episode, developer Rodney Wilts shares how he's turning contaminated land into zero-carbon housing—including the award-winning Zibi Project. From ESG-driven returns to affordable retrofits, learn how real estate can solve Canada’s housing and climate crises. 🎧 For investors, developers, and change makers alike. Explore more: zibi.ca | theiapartners.com | |||
| Canadian Financial Advisor Reveals Why He Chose to Invest Everything in the U.S | 07 Jul 2025 | 01:14:42 | |
In this episode of The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians, we follow the journey of Carlos Rodrigues, a former Canadian financial planner who sold off his entire Ontario real estate portfolio to start over in Cleveland, Ohio. Carlos shares the real story—including the $30K he lost to a shady property manager, the challenges of lead paint certification and evictions, and how he uses DSCR financing to invest without personal income. 🎯If you're a frustrated Canadian landlord looking for cash flow, control, and freedom in the U.S. market, this episode is your roadmap. 📚 Grab his book Property Profits on Amazon 🎧 Tune in now for the unfiltered truth about U.S. real estate investing as a Canadian. | |||
| An American Virtual Wholesaling From Canada | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:59:29 | |
This week on The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians, I’m joined by Nathan Payne, founder of Painless Flipping—and no, that’s not just a clever name. Nathan’s a full-time real estate wholesaler who runs his entire U.S.-based business virtually… from small-town Ontario, Canada. We get into: ✅ How he wholesales houses without ever meeting sellers in person ✅ His pivot during COVID that expanded his business nationwide ✅ Why he prefers wholesaling in the U.S. over Canada (spoiler: faster evictions, better cash flow, and yes—fewer meth labs) ✅ The truth behind wholesaling income claims, guru coaching fluff, and what new investors are getting wrong ✅ His hands-on apprenticeship model—a no-fluff, partner-on-deals approach to learning the business Nathan doesn’t just talk about values—he lives them. From faith, family, and integrity-first investing, to feeding missionaries and knocking doors in rural Ontario during a snowstorm... This guy walks the walk. 🎯 If you're looking for practical wholesaling insights without the “get rich quick” pitch, this episode’s for you. | |||
| Who’s Fighting for Landlords? Canada’s Biggest Landlord Advocate Speaks Out | 27 May 2025 | 01:18:06 | |
I’m thrilled to have Tony Irwin on the show today. Tony is the President and CEO of both the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA) and the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO)—two of the largest organizations advocating for landlords and rental housing providers at the provincial and national levels. With years of experience in policy, government relations, and housing advocacy, Tony is at the forefront of the fight to protect landlords, encourage rental supply, and push back against policies that make it harder to provide housing. If you own rental properties or are thinking about investing, this is a must-listen episode. The policies being decided today will impact your bottom line for years to come! | |||
| From Housing Crash to Acquiring $2 Billion of Real Estate | 12 May 2025 | 01:00:15 | |
Are you a Canadian investor struggling with low cash flow, rent control, or expensive renovations? In this episode, we sit down with Ben Barry, a U.S. real estate expert who's deployed over $2 billion in capital and helped transform how investors like you succeed south of the border.
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