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Montreal: The model for Canadian residential rents?

Montreal is an attractive and unique Canadian city for many reasons – from its French-Canadian culture to its festivals and thriving universities. One additional factor that makes it stand out from other major cities in Canada is its lower average rents. If you look...

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Engaging the next generation in your real estate business

Over my many years of working closely with successful apartment developers across the country, I have had a front-row view to the family dynamics that accompany a prosperous real estate business, especially as new generations come into the picture. Sometimes, as I’ve...

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The return of the vendor takeback

Over the past seven to 10 years, it seemed as if the market had forgotten how to spell VTB. With interest rates as low as they were, the vendor takeback mortgage was essentially an unnecessary device that sat unused. But the vendor takeback, or VTB, is a specific tool...

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How will my children afford a house in today’s market?

It’s no surprise housing affordability is a major concern for young Canadians. Due to rising house prices, high interest rates and stagnant wage growth, many young adults perceive home ownership as an unattainable goal. Many are resigned to being perpetual renters and...

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Apartment buildings and the value of community

Everyone can agree that establishing a feeling of community in your building is a worthwhile goal, but creating those bonds of friendship between neighbours can be challenging, not to mention a burden on regular property management responsibilities. Apartment Life...

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Vertical villages can help solve affordable housing crisis

With my work in the apartment industry and more recently my book The Self Funding House, I’ve developed a real passion for solving the affordable housing crisis. I’ve come to recognize this is a huge multi-faceted problem with no single solution. We must address, and...

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The rise of the permanent renter

More and more today, we are seeing people being blocked out of the housing market by increasing home prices. Although two-thirds of Canadian households owned their home in 2021, the percentage of renters has increased at three times the rate of homeowners over the...

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An invitation: Make a 2023 longevity resolution

During the past four months, myself and about 20 others in the real estate industry have gotten together for an hour one Sunday morning each month to talk about our health and longevity. The New Year is upon us and there’s a good chance you’re about to make a New...

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