How do Strata Councils and Condo Boards make valid decisions when they can't get everyone in the boardroom? In this episode, Greg Bickert (co-founder of Unicli, and managing broker of Inspire Property Management) joins Thomas Beattie (CEO of OctoAI) to dismantle the myth of the "informal email decision."Greg shares the legal realities of decision-making between meetings and offers three practical frameworks to keep councils moving without breaking the Strata Property Act: sensible delegation, 5-minute micro-meetings, and the structured "email meeting." Later, they discuss how Unicli uses AI to help managers handle the mundane deluge of inbox inquiries, freeing them up to build better relationships with their communities.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s condo intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Unicli: https://unicli.ai/► Learn more about Inspire Property Management: https://inspirepm.com/

Kimberly Knook of AgentMarket joined Thomas Beattie of OctoAI to break down the #1 mistake most buyers and sellers make when they embark on a real estate transaction: working with the first agent they meet. Selecting the right real estate agent matters because they are your trusted guide through one of the most complex and significant financial transactions you’ll ever make. A knowledgeable and experienced agent has deep local market expertise, access to up-to-date listings, and negotiation skills that can save you thousands of dollars or help you get a better sale price. Beyond just showing properties, a good agent manages crucial tasks like timing the market, handling complex paperwork, and advising you on pricing and contract terms. Their professional guidance helps you avoid costly mistakes, navigate legal and financial complexities, and ultimately make better-informed decisions that protect your interests and reduce stress.Moreover, choosing the right agent means finding someone whose personality, work style, and specialization align with your unique needs. Agents who specialize in specific property types or neighborhoods understand local nuances, market trends, and pricing strategies far better than generalists. This specialized knowledge allows them to provide tailored advice, anticipate challenges, and uncover opportunities others might miss. Transparency in agent selection, such as you will find on AgentMarket, empowers buyers and sellers to compare agents thoughtfully, ask critical questions, and build trust, ultimately leading to more successful and satisfying real estate experiences. And for Realtors? It's inbound: clients that actually want to work with them will get in touch.KEY TOPICS COVERED:• How to choose the right real estate agent• Why people often make poor agent selections• AgentMarket: A transparency solution for agent selection• Interview questions to ask potential agents• Agent specialization by property type• Geographic market knowledge importance• Marketing materials and sales performance evaluation• Building trust and transparency in real estate• Technology's role in improving agent selection• Buyer vs. seller agent considerationsLEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s condo intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about AgentMarket: https://agentmarket.ca/

Ever wondered what happens when two guys who would rather do just about anything other than bookkeeping decide to talk about bookkeeping for strata corporations? Well, you’re about to find out! This episode launches with a classic outtake, because let’s be honest: most strata volunteers would rather be anywhere else than knee-deep in receipts and spreadsheets, and so would we.​But don’t tune out yet; Sean Jordan of StrataPress shares simple, practical tips for staying out of bookkeeping trouble and understanding BC’s essentials: monthly reconciliation, budget planning, document organization, and why even the least accounting-inclined council member can build confidence and trust in their community. Plus, get an early peek at new features coming soon from StrataPress for self-managed condos and stratas.​If you’ve ever wrestled with a chart of accounts, worried about CRF compliance, or just want to keep it simple and avoid expensive mistakes, stick around, because we’re here to make bookkeeping a little less daunting (and maybe even fun... sort of).LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s condo intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about StrataPress: https://stratapress.com/

Welcome to this exciting episode where the future of building maintenance takes flight - literally! Thomas Beattie of OctoAI chats with Grant Persall of Skydweller Technologies about the groundbreaking shift from traditional squeegees to state-of-the-art drones for cleaning building exteriors.Grant shares how Skydweller’s patented drone technology not only cleans faster and safer but also extends the life of buildings by up to 30%, all while dramatically reducing workplace injuries and costs. It’s a fascinating mix of high-tech innovation and practical impact, from hospitals to residential towers and commercial buildings.If you’ve ever wondered how drone swarms could revolutionize building care or how window cleaning can become a high-tech, low-risk operation (even at night!) this conversation is for you. Plus, learn about the clever ways technology is transforming building scans into detailed engineering reports, helping property managers stay ahead of costly repairs.Join us for an informative, and yes, surprisingly fun dive into the future where drones are cleaning windows, saving lives, and changing how we think about building maintenance.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s condo intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Skydweller Technologies: https://skydweller.ca/

Are you a strata council member, property manager, or condo owner struggling to manage difficult personalities in your building? This episode features experienced strata lawyer Phil Dougan (Citadel Law) in conversation with Thomas Beattie (OctoAI), diving deep into the best practices, legal considerations, and real-life strategies for handling bullies, hoarders, and other challenging owners in BC strata communities.Key topics covered:- Types of problem owners and the psychology behind their behavior- Step-by-step legal process for bylaw enforcement (Section 135)- Why rigorous documentation and due process protect your council- The difference between powers and duties – and why it matters- Tips for balancing firm enforcement with fairness and empathy- How proactive leadership and preventative legal advice can save thousands- When to escalate to the CRT or Supreme Court for injunctions- Compassionate approaches to issues like hoarding or mental illnessLearn how council members can enforce bylaws effectively, uphold their duty of care, and create a safe, supportive community—without endless litigation or burnout.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Citadel Law: https://citadellawyers.ca/

Get ready to rethink everything you know about strata general meetings, because the future is hybrid, and it's already here. Join Ryan Grant of Property Flute and Thomas Beattie of OctoAI for a session packed with eye-opening stories, actionable tips, and a few hard truths about why the "old way" of gathering just doesn't cut it anymore. Ryan will reveal what it takes to run meetings that are secure, transparent, and actually get people engaged, whether they're sitting in the room or dialing in from the beach.Learn how hybrid governance brings councils and owners together (no, really!), hear case studies from BC stratas already thriving on this model, and step-by-step advice to make your next AGM painless for every participant and those running the show. It’s not just evolution. It’s a revolution in how strata communities make decisions, connect, and build trust. Join us and help lead the change!LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Property Flute: https://propertyflute.ca/

Join Kelly McFadyen of Condominium Lending Group and Thomas Beattie, CEO of OctoAI, for a candid conversation on how condo loans can provide a path to funding projects...without the need for special levies.Kelly brings deep experience in navigating financing options for strata communities, while Thomas offers a forward-looking perspective on how data and technology are reshaping decision-making in condo governance. Together, they’ll explore how loans are another tool to help communities tackle major repairs, upgrades, or energy initiatives while spreading costs fairly and protecting liquidity.If you’re a council member, strata manager, or owner looking for practical alternatives to levies, this discussion will show you how to align project financing with long-term planning and community stability.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Condominium Lending Group: https://condolending.com/

Who’s really in charge, your strata council or your strata manager? Too often the lines get blurry, and that’s when conflicts, delays, and headaches begin.Join Sean Jordan, founder of StrataPress, and Thomas Beattie, CEO of OctoAI, for a webinar that clears the air on “who does what” in strata governance. You’ll get straight answers on council authority versus manager responsibilities, plus real-world tips to prevent role confusion and keep things running smoothly.This session helps you:- Avoid common power struggles and misunderstandings- Set clear boundaries while building collaboration- Improve communication, transparency, and trust across your communityPlus, the Top 5 complaints from strata managers on how strata council's treat them!If you’ve ever wondered where a manager’s role ends and a council’s begins, this is your chance to get clarity and walk away with tools to make your strata work better.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about StrataPress: https://stratapress.com/

Insurance premiums for strata properties don’t have to be a mystery. Paul Murcutt, Senior Vice-President at BFL CANADA Realty, joins Thomas Beattie of OctoAI for an actionable look at how your strata can position itself as a preferred risk, directly impacting insurance costs and coverage flexibility.Drawing from the expertise of British Columbia’s largest strata insurance broker, this session delivers:- Practical checklists for fire safety, water damage prevention, seasonal maintenance, and incident reporting that make proactive management easier.- How consistent inspections, transparent incident reporting systems, and clear property management policies can reduce overlooked risks and defend your claims.- Savings opportunities such as BFL's Flowguard program, which offers discounted premiums if water detection and shutoff systems are installed.- The benefits of stakeholder engagement and creating a culture of prevention, accountability, and shared responsibility throughout your building community.- Documentation best practices that help strata councils negotiate better insurance terms and stand out in a competitive insurance marketplace.- Critical seasonal strategies that keep your strata prepared and resilient.Whether you’re on strata council, your condo board, a property manager, or an engaged owner, this session will deliver clear, actionable tips to foster long-term peace of mind, lower your insurance costs, and help your condo community reduce risk and cost.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about BFL CANADA Realty: https://www.bflcanada.ca/real-estate-insurance-services/

Unlock the secrets to building successful vendor relationships in the strata management world! 🎉 Join us as we chat with Jaclyn Jeffrey, a writer and former strata manager with insider insights on how vendors can connect effectively with busy strata managers, stand out with authentic communication, and win council approvals smoothly.In this video, you'll learn:✅ What a strata manager really does behind the scenes✅ How to approach and communicate with strata managers like a pro✅ Why price isn’t always the key — value and trust matter more✅ Proven tips on making your vendor proposals shine✅ How to handle follow-ups without being pushy✅ The importance of reliability, humor, and genuine connections✅ Real-world stories and lessons from the strata trenchesWhether you're a vendor looking to grow your strata business or just curious about how these complex relationships work, this video will give you valuable tips and perspectives to succeed in this unique industry.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Jaclyn Jeffrey: https://www.harddeparture.com/