Podcast Episode 56:
“You’ve Got How Many Vacancies?”

This is the story of one investor’s path from single-family dwellings to multifamily properties. Multifamily lenders fund mortgages based on renta…

Podcast Episode 55:
“It Took How Long?”

Many things can slow down a mortgage application. Two weeks is a minimum for your financing condition, but some sellers might not like it; getting pre-approved…

Podcast Episode 54:
“Get it in Writing.”

What happens when a real estate deal is delayed past the closing date? The seller can choose not to sell, but they still keep your deposit. Verbal agreements …

Podcast Episode 52:
“Some Deals Have It All.“

When doing joint ventures with friends and family, you still need formal documentation. If problems arise, deal with them promptly or pay the price.

Dow…

Podcast Episode 51:
“30 Days to Close Is Crazy.“

There are many things that can delay real estate transaction. 30 days is a minimum, but keep in mind that closing time should only begin after final c…

Podcast Episode 50:
“Cornerstones Program.“

In Edmonton, AB, we have a program where homeowners can get a loan from the City to put in or fix up a secondary rental suite. The difficulty is that the C…

Podcast Episode 49:
“Nailing It Down.“

When an inspection reveals problems with a potential property, these need to be fully resolved—even when they seem like they might be OK. Before removing condit…

Podcast Episode 48:
“Plan B.“

Money and financing are essential parts of any real estate transaction. Always make sure to have a backup in order to make sure that you can still close a deal… just in …

Podcast Episode 47:
“Lender Lessons.“

Let’s look at five different aspects of ensuring financial success for your real estate business. Banks like things plain and simple. You need to deal with condi…

Podcast Episode 46:
“Current Realities.“

Lending policy changes, as does the interpretation of existing rules and regulations. Make sure you stay on top of the current situation with your lender, the…

Podcast Episode 45:
“You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know.“

A new real estate investor managed to avoid a rookie mistake. He was about to enter into a rent-to-own agreement with someone, but the paperw…

Podcast Episode 44:
“Illegal Suites Are Everywhere.“

People often add onto or subdivide their properties, which can make diligence tricky for investors. Did the seller have a permit for a secondary s…

Podcast Episode 43:
“There’s A Dead Guy In My Suite! (Follow-up)”

This Tale follows up on the previous one about what you can do when a tenant passes away. Our example shows the steps taken by a land…

Podcast Episode 42: “There’s A Dead Guy In My Suite!“

What do you do when a tenant dies? Most landlords will want to re-rent their property as a soon as possible, but wills and estates can take a lon…

Podcast Episode 41: “Rubik’s Cube Condo: An Investor’s Near-Miss.“

Purchasing a condominium unit as an investment can be tricky business because of the many other parties you need to deal with. There…

Podcast Episode 40: “Diligence with Alberta Health Services.“

The Public Health Act in Alberta also includes statutes regarding Minimum Housing and Health Standards. Investors and landlords need to b…

Podcast Episode 39: “Fourplex Diligence.“

A ‘fourplex’ is not a legal term, and so we’ve done some digging through bylaws to show how this idea is actually expressed in the law. Many duplexes have il…

Podcast Episode 38: “Do I Need a Real Property Report (RPR)?“

Due diligence is one of the most important aspects of success with real estate. In this third part of our series on Real Property Reports…

Podcast Episode 37: “Who Needs a Real Property Report? (Part 2)“

Continuing from our previous Tale, we have another example of what can happen in a real estate deal without getting a proper survey do…

Podcast Episode 36: “Who Needs a Real Property Report?“

Before buying a piece of real estate, make sure to get an up-to-date survey of the property done by a professional. This report will help you t…