Ever wondered if your rental property insurance is providing adequate coverage? Get ready for some eye-opening insights as we delve into the crucial aspects of insurance coverage for real estate investors!

In this podcast episode, host Garret Wong sits down with insurance expert Sandy McDonald to explore the intricacies of rental property insurance. Sandy draws from her extensive knowledge in the insurance industry to shed light on the often overlooked aspects of coverage that can make a significant difference in the event of a claim. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the importance of understanding policy details, the implications of named perils and replacement cost coverage, the risks of vacant properties, and much more.

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• The difference between Named Perils and Replacement Cost coverage
• The importance of documenting visits to vacant properties
• The risks associated with not updating your insurance coverage
• The significance of understanding bylaw improvement coverage
• How different insurance companies define "vacant" properties
• And so much more!

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Doug Blaylock, a Certified Financial Planner and Senior Financial Consultant at IG Wealth Management.

Doug shares his background, from working as a funeral director before transitioning into financial planning. Doug defines traditional investments as stocks, bonds, and GICs. He explains their characteristics and goes into the order of risk and return for the three types of investments: stocks, bonds, and GICs. He mentions historical data on home prices and the stock market since 1980 and highlights the significant increase in the stock market compared to the real estate market.

They delve into real estate funds, distinguishing between private syndication funds and real property funds. Doug shares misconceptions about real estate and traditional investments. He explores ways to potentially grow assets through real estate or insurance policies and highlights the advantages of rental properties. Finally, he recommends seeking advice from true professionals to make informed investment decisions.

Join Garret and Doug as they engage in this insightful conversation covering the pros and cons of real estate versus traditional investments, recency bias, risk and reward in real estate, and the significance of cash flow in successful real estate investing.

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Is real estate investor friendly?
• The importance of aligning investments with specific financial goals and timeframes.
• The order of risk among stocks, bonds, and GICs.
• Understanding capital appreciation and taxes.
• The impact of higher interest rates on home prices.
• The importance of considering net income, tax, and inflation. 
• Why it’s vital to understand profit potential and not just focus on revenue. 
• The value of a risk-diversified mindset.
•  How Doug defines success and what winning looks like to him.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Fercy Perez, a Business Development Coordinator at Upper Edge Property Management. With nearly five years of experience with the company, Fercy plays a crucial role in onboarding clients, evaluating their properties and investment plans, and ensuring a seamless transition.

Cash flow is a top concern among various types of investors, including novice, accidental landlords and seasoned investors. Approximately 90% of people who use property management services are primarily interested in cash flow. Fercy offers a unique perspective on cash flow. He also sheds light on the importance of considering factors other than cash flow when evaluating potential real estate investments.

Fercy dives into the significance of capital appreciation to long-term wealth generation and how it compares to focusing solely on cash flow. He also addresses the impact of rising mortgage interest rates on investors' cash flow prospects.

Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach, Fercy highlights the importance of setting rental amounts that take into account overall costs and long-term stability, rather than solely prioritizing maximum cash flow.

Fercy also points out a common mistake made by cash-flow-oriented investors, and its potential to result in dissatisfied tenants and lease non-renewals. The conversation also explores the notable transformation of the real estate industry into a more technology-driven landscape, along with evolving expectations from investors and tenants.

Join Garret and Fercy as they engage in this insightful conversation, uncovering the balance between securing high-cash-flow properties and attracting quality long-term tenants. Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies for successful real estate investing. 

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• About Garret’s company, Upper Edge Property Management.
• The difference between a first-time investor and an accidental landlord.
• Other critical factors to consider when assessing investments.
• How to mitigate the risk of vandalism and squatting. 
• Common mistakes investors make with cash flow.
• Prioritizing tenant satisfaction. 
• How Fercy defines success and what winning looks like to him.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

https://upperedgecapital.com/about-us

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with John Tsai, President of eXp Realty Canada. With an impressive track record and numerous accolades, John has established himself as an exceptional realtor, consistently ranking in the top 1% of agents and achieving remarkable sales results of over $100 million. John's journey is inspirational and originated in his goal to generate rental income for retirement after being inspired by a retiree he met in Taiwan.

John delves into his transition from a highly successful real estate salesperson to the role of President of eXp Realty. He highlights the contrasting approaches of traditional competition prevalent in the real estate industry and eXp Realty's ethos of collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and believes its benefits can be extended beyond the brokerage to the entire market.

While the collaborative model of eXp Realty offers numerous benefits, it is not without its challenges. John candidly explores these challenges, highlighting the advantageous aspects of eXp Realty's deliberate decision to operate without traditional brick-and-mortar offices.

Drawing from a great analogy of the road to Hana in Maui, John discusses the importance of embracing the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination, promoting a mindset that appreciates the process and all its intricacies.

Join Garret and John in this insightful discussion as they delve into eXp Realty's unique model, the power of collaboration over competition, and John's exceptional strengths as an entrepreneur. Prepare to gain valuable insights and perspectives from a seasoned professional in the real estate industry.

Enjoy! 

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• John's background in real estate sales.
• Building equity and multiple streams of income.
• How the spirit of collaboration is implemented at eXp Realty.
• How collaboration over competition positively impacts the customer experience.
• The importance of training your team to deliver an excellent customer experience. 
• Glenn Sanford, the founder of eXp Realty. 
• How eXp Realty aims to further expand its reach and influence through collaboration.
• Why the secret to living is giving.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

John Tsai

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Stewart Heath, CEO of Harvard Grace Capital and a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. Stewart shares his background in accounting and his transition into real estate, which ultimately led to the creation of Harvard Grace Capital, a syndication firm focused on commercial properties.

A major topic of their conversation is the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on Stewart's approach to real estate investing. He reflects on his aggressive strategy at the time, which involved buying properties with no equity and relying heavily on cash-out refinancing. However, he acknowledges that this approach had its pitfalls during the crisis and emphasizes the critical lessons he learned, particularly the importance of including reserves in any real estate deal.

Stewart recounts a recent experience in which he and his partner exited a real estate deal.  He emphasizes a comprehensive approach to real estate investment, considering both cash flow and equity, and conducting a thorough property analysis before making investment decisions. He also describes an example of a recent acquisition in which he carefully negotiated with owners over several months to secure a favorable deal. He cautions against making emotional decisions in real estate and stresses the importance of making money on the purchase rather than relying on potential future profits from the sale of the property.

Stewart emphasizes the importance of cash-flowing assets as a core component of an investment portfolio. He also shares his preference for commercial real estate, particularly suburban office space and service retail. You will gain insight into Harvard Grace's approach to real estate syndication and learn about key considerations in syndication valuation. In addition, he discloses  some of the firm’s risk management strategies for mitigating the potential risks associated with real estate investing.

Notably, he highlights the anticipated significant influx of commercial mortgages coming due, which presents a generational opportunity for investors.

Join Garret and Stewart for an insightful discussion on the lessons Stewart learned from the 2008 financial crisis,  purposeful investing in commercial real estate and real estate syndication.

Enjoy! 

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• How Stewart’s interest in real estate was sparked by his successful clients. ‘
• Building equity and cash flow at the same time.
• The importance of thorough due diligence in real estate investing.
• The need for a calculated and patient approach to real estate investment.
• The problem with real estate owned by physicians.
• About his company, Harvard Grace, and its operations and future plans.
• Investing locally in the Tennessee Valley.
• How he defines success and what winning looks like to him.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

Stewart Heath, CPA | LinkedIn

In this solo episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong recaps the key points from a previous episode, focusing on commercial lending and cap rates. He addresses each of the five C's of credit from the perspective of a commercial lender: character, conditions, capital, capacity, and collateral.

For more in-depth information on collateral, Garret recommends listening to earlier episodes that covered this topic in detail.

In the final part of the episode, Garret looks at cap rates. While cap rates provide a general indication of the strength of the asset, Garret emphasizes the importance of considering other factors when evaluating an investment.

To summarize the episode, Garret offers his key takeaways.

Join Garret for this thought provoking discussion.

Enjoy! 

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Why the previous episode had to be taken down.
• The five C's of credit.
• Definition of the capitalization rate and how it is calculated.
• The importance of thorough research and analysis when considering an investment property.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Daryl Colin, a seasoned mortgage agent with 15 years of experience.

Daryl recounts a pivotal experience that ignited his passion for investing and led him to enroll in a financial planning program and work as a financial advisor. He then describes his journey from financial advisor to specializing in mortgages and eventually becoming a mortgage agent. Additionally, he provides insights into his portfolio, including his first investment property in Windsor, Ontario, which he purchased during the 2008 financial crisis. You’ll learn how Windsor has experienced a remarkable recovery and significant growth.

Daryl shares his decision to explore investment opportunities in other provinces, focusing particularly on the Winnipeg market. He explains why the Winnipeg market aligns with his business model and long-term goals. Daryl shares his experience buying and renovating a property for a "flipping" strategy, highlighting the success and learning curve involved. He discusses the advantages of the Winnipeg market compared to Toronto, making it a more attractive investment option. He acknowledges the importance of professional property management.

Although he recognizes the value of joint venture partnerships, he discusses his strategic decision to reposition his investments and pursue opportunities independently. He expresses his intention to continue investing in Winnipeg.

Join Garret and Daryl for an insightful conversation about investing in Manitoba and diversifying your investments.

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Why Daryl decided to invest in real estate. 
• The importance of spreading investments across different markets.
• His first house-flipping investment. 
• How to find the right realtor in Winnipeg.
• Challenges of investing in Winnipeg.
• How Daryl defines success and what winning looks like for him.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

In today's episode of Investing to Win, titled ‘Episode Reflections,’ Garret Wong presents his reflections on recent interviews with Ataf Khokhar and Cal Reich. His goal is to share valuable insights and key learnings from these conversations.

During the interview with Ataf, a real estate attorney, they delved into joint ventures. Ataf provided valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of independent legal representation and the significance of written contracts. He also pointed out the need for thorough exit planning, proper valuation, and seeking advice from knowledgeable advisors.

Cal, an expert in property management, provided valuable insights into the formation of co-ownership groups through bare trust corporations. He also stressed the importance of co-ownership agreements, a strong team and compatibility among co-owners. In addition, he introduced the concept of not ‘building a grand piano,’ but focusing on strategic renovations rather than complete rebuilding.

Garret explains why it made sense for Cal to take his percentage as a fee, despite he himself favoring equity over cash. You’ll also discover why Cal favores credit unions for financing and advises setting expectations and being transparent with potential co-owners from the beginning.

In this concluding segment, Garret shares his top 10 takeaways from these podcast episodes.

Join Garret for this enlightening discussion on joint ventures, co-ownership, and transparency. 

Enjoy! 

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The definition of a joint venture agreement.
• The concept of a ‘bare trust corporation.’
• Cal’s interesting perspective on distressed properties.
• The long-term approach to real estate investing.
• The need to plan the exit strategy from the beginning.
• And so much more..

Resources:

Garret Wong

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Cal Reich, a seasoned real estate investor specializing in multifamily residential properties and co-ownership.  Graduating with a degree in Urban Studies and achieving a property management designation, Carl worked as a commercial real estate appraiser for 3 years in Southern Ontario while at the same time flipped homes on the side. He returned to Manitoba 14 years ago to run the family property management and investment business, in charge of 2000 units spread over 90 buildings. In addition to running the management side of the business, Cal became very adept at finding an apartment building, putting together groups of investors, then acquiring, renovating, refinancing and managing the individual investor relationships to ensure a successful asset.

With extensive experience in property management and a background in commercial real estate appraisal and house flipping, Cal brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. He provides insight into the co-ownership model and its distinct ownership structure, highlighting how it differs from joint venture agreements. Listen in to learn why he emphasizes the importance of strategic management for investment-grade properties. You'll gain valuable tips on finding and cultivating relationships with potential investors and building a reliable network.

Cal also talks about the process of identifying investment-grade properties and how to conduct a thorough analysis. He describes the example of a client who proposed an opportunity in a smaller town with a good cap rate and minimal adjustments, underscoring the importance of such opportunities. He provides advice on budgeting for major repositioning projects and explains the importance of understanding Tenancy Act legislation.

You’ll get an inside look into his project management agreement, which facilitates collaboration among co-owners, and emphasizes the need for transparency and periodic  communication. As a bonus, he discloses his service fees and why he prefers to accept them in cash rather than in equity. Finally, you’ll learn how to deal with an owner's decision to exit a co-ownership project.

Join Garret and Cal for an insightful discussion on co-ownership, the importance of long-term value, transparency with all co-owners and why you should focus on properties that align with your investment goals.

Enjoy! 

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The concept of co-ownership in real estate.
• What is a “Bare Trustee”?
• The importance of consulting with experts like accountants and lawyers.
• Steps to take in identifying and bringing together investors. 
• Building a network of investors.
• What builds up cap rates. 
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

In today's episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong talks with Ataf Khokhar, managing partner of Lange Khokhar Law Corporation. Ataf Khokhar is an experienced business and real estate attorney who is well-versed in various legal matters.

His areas of expertise include commercial and real estate development, business acquisitions and sales, financing, restructuring, and drafting various agreements including shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, and stock purchase agreements. Ataf will share his journey, from his parents' immigration to Canada to pursuing a career in law. You'll learn what inspired him to name his son Kobe, after basketball legend Kobe Bryant. 

He will then delve into joint ventures, explaining what differentiates a joint venture from a long-term partnership and what considerations are critical in creating a successful joint venture in real estate. You will learn why it is essential to consult a lawyer when negotiating joint venture agreements.

Ataf will also discuss various benefits and risks that should be considered in a joint venture, as well as some common mistakes that should be avoided. Disputes in joint ventures are usually resolved through mediation, arbitration, or litigation. He’ll discuss the above procedures and explain which one is often preferred. You will learn how to carefully plan exit strategies for joint ventures and why it is beneficial for all parties to agree in advance on the valuation process in the event of a split or event requiring an exit.

On a personal level, Ataf will share why it’s vital to improve continuously and become stronger in all aspects of life.

Join Garret and Ataf for an insightful discussion on joint ventures and personal development.  

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• How to choose a business partner.
• What is a joint venture arrangement in the context of real estate?
• Why trust is the number one factor in joint ventures.
• Best practices for negotiating joint venture agreements.
• The importance of having independent legal advice.
• Advantages and risks of joint ventures.
• How Ataf defines success and what winning looks like for him.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Garret Wong

Ataf Khokhar