Real Estate Investing on the True Condos Podcast

Benjamin Tal is the Deputy Chief Economist with CIBC World Markets. On this episode we discuss the global economy including what’s happening in China and Europe, his positive outlook on the USA, Ben’s recent “Canada Jobs Report”, and listen to hear what Ben thinks about the recent trend of institutional investors getting into the Toronto High Rise Market.

David Wex, who along with his partner Mark Reeve, are Urban Capital. Since David started in the condo industry in the 90s, he has been a trailblazer with a vision to build high design condominiums and get into areas years before they have gentrified. River City is a multi-phase condo community in the West Don Lands - once derelict lands that are now one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city, and River City 3 is unlike anything else ever built in Toronto.

Ben Myers of Fortress Real Developments just released his latest “Market Manuscript” detailing the current state of several of the major housing markets across Canada. I asked Ben about what the chances are of a major housing correction in Canada, which bank said that Canadian real estate is undervalued, and how oil prices might affect the real estate market.

HST rebates continues to be a very confusing issue for some condo investors - but they don’t have to be! Andrew la Fleur catches up with tax expert Mark Purdy to discuss the the latest on the HST as they continue their conversation from episode #11 of the podcast.

Peter Freed started out as a labourer at age 20 and worked his way up to become one of the top condo developers in Toronto. We talked about his biggest and most ambitious project to date: Art Shoppe Condos + Lofts at Yonge and Eglinton.

Anson Kwok of Pinnacle International sits down with Andrew la Fleur and discusses Pinnacle’s upcoming mega project 1 Yonge, the differences between Vancouver condo development and Toronto condo development, and what’s in store for the next generation of Toronto’s waterfront.

Amit Puri, mortgage broker and CA, talks about the historically low interest rates we are experiencing and gets us behind the scenes to learn what is driving the current mortgage rates. He also provides some advice for getting a mortgage if you are a first time condo investor, and he gives his opinion on the key question of is it better to buy your condos in a company name or a personal name?

Ralph Del Duca of Chestnut Hill Developments talks about why Pickering is a great city to invest in, what is driving the strong rental rates in Pickering, and the "miracle" that happened in his first condo in Pickering - San Francisco by The Bay Phase 1.

Hunter Milborne, President of Milborne Real Estate Inc has sold tens of thousands of condos. He is quite possibly the most experienced and successful condo investor ever in Toronto, having started his career in 1976 by selling 33 Harbour Square. The “Dean of Condos” sits down with Andrew la Fleur to share some of his secrets to success from a nearly 40 year career in the Toronto condo market.

George Carras, President of Realnet, talks about the latest economic and market data and how this affects the Toronto real estate market as well as how policy makers need to work with the industry and consumers to make a better market moving forward.