Podcast Episode 35: “Follow-up Is Essential.”

Why follow-up on a slam-dunk, for-sure mortgage? Sometimes paperwork just gets lost; having a Plan B is essential.

Podcast Episode 34: “Lenders Are Not Reasonable.”

Here’s three examples of how lenders can sometimes be unreasonable. Logic and a good track record will not necessarily change the lender’s mind or po…

Podcast Episode 33:
“$200 Is No Big Deal, Or Is It?”

Your good credit can be affected by inaccurate credit reporting. Even a small, bogus claim reported to Equifax or Trans Union may give you major g…

Podcast Episode 32: “Condominium Parking.”

In this episode, Barry explains how condominium parking works. Do you have title to your parking unit, exclusive use of that parking unit, or is it simply y…

Podcast Episode 31:  “Disaster At Penhorwood.”

The 168 unit Penhorwood condominium complex in Fort McMurray, Alberta suffers from many deficiencies including structural, mechanical, electrical, build…

Podcast Episode 30:  “Condo Reserve Fund Studies.”

This episode is about the collective woes that buying a condo makes into your personal problem. Condominiums /strata corporations exist Canada wide.…

Podcast Episode 29:  “Home Inspections Part 2: Painted Ladies.”

Part two of this mini-series on home inspections covers houses that look good but have hidden flaws. Show homes are sometimes described…

Podcast Episode 28:  “Home Inspections Part 1: Knob and Tube.”

Sometimes Tales from the Trenches shows narrowly avoided real estate disasters, and this is one of them. Old, unsafe knob and tube wirin…

Podcast Episode 27:  “Is It Black, White, or Grey? (Part Two).”

Part two of this mini-series on the basics of real estate investing continues the discussion of situations as black, white, or grey. Yo…

Podcast Episode 26:  “Is It Black, White, or Grey? (Part One).”

This mini-series on the basics of real estate investing starts with a discussion of how to describe situations as black (bad, stay away…

Podcast Episode 25:  “When Is Your Portable Mortgage Not Portable?”

This Tale explains some of the pitfalls of relying on the portability clause in your old mortgage to buy a new house. It also talks…

Podcast Episode 24:  “Fourplex Puzzle (Part Two).”

The second part of this podcast mini-series on fourplexes gets into some problems that can arise after the deal closes. When buying a fourplex, or a…

Podcast Episode 23:  “Fourplex Puzzle (Part One).”

In this episode, you’ll hear about things to consider when changing your real estate strategy from single-family to multifamily. How your success ch…

Podcast Episode 22:  “How Snoopy Should You Be?”

This episode delves into commercial financing of real estate (usually six units or more ). NB, it’s quite different than retail/residential financing.…

Podcast Episode 21: “It’s Just Paperwork, Right?”

This Tale is about the problem with getting behind on your paperwork as a real estate investor. Not filing your annual tax return is serious business…

Podcast Episode 20: “Developer = Issues.”

In this episode, Barry talks about the differences between buying a property from a developer vs. a previously owned home through a realtor. Developers have…

Podcast Episode 19: “Taming Your Legal Bills 4/4 – Dos and Don’ts.”

The conclusion of this podcast mini-series on legal fees finishes up with some miscellaneous advice on saving money. Real estate l…

Podcast Episode 18: “Taming Your Legal Bills 3/4 – Hourly Fees.”

Complex legal work on real estate deals is typically billed by the hour. In this episode, Barry provides helpful tips to improve serv…

Podcast Episode 17: “Taming Your Legal Bills 2/4 – Fixed Fees.”

A continuation of Barry explaining how your lawyer figures out your legal bill for a real estate transaction. Fixed fees only apply to…

Podcast Episode 16: “Taming Your Legal Bills 1/4 – Fees Disbursements Taxes.”

This episode explains how your lawyer figures out your legal bill for a real estate transaction. It also features discuss…