From Toronto Firefighter to Mid-Size Multifamily Developer ft. Bryan Bouchard Ep. 14

What does it really take to scale from duplexes to ground-up developments? 

In the fourteenth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Bryan Bouchard, a seasoned investor and developer who has built a career helping Canadians navigate CMHC programs, construction financing, and multifamily development. From comparing CMHC construction loans to conventional financing to managing investor expectations and building teams, Bryan reveals the strategies that can make or break your development projects.

He shares why understanding capital structures, construction costs, and lender requirements isn’t just important, it’s critical for maximizing profit and reducing risk. From velocity of capital and takeout strategies to choosing the right markets and building-to-sell versus building-to-hold, Bryan brings practical, no-nonsense insight for real estate investors looking to grow beyond the first few units.

In this episode, we explore:
 ✅ Why CMHC construction debt can make sense even with higher premiums
 ✅ How conventional financing compares, and when it might work better
 ✅ The importance of capital velocity, equity, and cash flow in development projects
 ✅ Investor communication: why transparency builds trust and fuels future growth
 ✅ Choosing the right markets for development: tertiary cities, emerging opportunities, and risk mitigation
 ✅ Building-to-sell vs. building-to-hold strategies for scaling portfolios
 ✅ How design, construction, and financing all intersect—and why small mistakes can cost hundreds of thousands
 ✅ Lessons from scaling from house-hacks and duplexes to multi-million-dollar developments
 ✅ Why having a skilled team and hiring for gaps in your expertise is the ultimate growth advantage

Whether you’re a new investor looking to buy your first rental or a seasoned operator ready to scale to ground-up development, this conversation is a masterclass in navigating financing, scaling smartly, and building profitable, sustainable real estate projects.

Who is Bryan Bouchard?

Bryan Bouchard is an entrepreneur, an avid real estate investor, and a High-Performance Coach located in Toronto, Canada. With limited guidance, Bryan’s career began as a construction worker before becoming a professional poker player, a Toronto firefighter, and ultimately working with the right mentors to become an entrepreneur, seasoned investor and educator. Bryan has helped hundreds of people across Canada and the United States to increase their income, transform their bodies, and most importantly, build unbreakable habits through deliberate self-development practices. Mr. Bouchard is the President of a holding company which owns private businesses including real estate acquisitions, property management, personal and professional education, and real estate development. Bryan’s core belief is to first master our own self by building our mind, building our body and building our wealth before pursuing our true purpose, which involves making an impact on the people and the world around us.

Follow & Connect with Bryan Bouchard:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bryan.the.investor/ 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-bouchard-pic/
Website - https://www.bryanbouchard.com/

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passiveinvestingcanada/
Website - https://passiveinvestingcanada.com/

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