Stratagize

Electrical Planning Reports (EPRs) are now mandatory for most strata corporations in British Columbia, but what do they actually tell you—and what should councils do with the information? In this episode, Brent and James sit down with mechanical engineer Riley Doyle of RDH to unpack what EPRs are, why they were introduced, and what they reveal about a building's future electrical capacity. From EV charging and heat pumps to aging boilers and potential future regulations, Riley helps separate fact from fear and explains how councils can use EPRs as a planning tool.

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In this episode, Brent and James sit down with Matt Scalena to unpack what's actually happening inside real estate deals right now.

With buyers having more options than they've had in years, the conversation has shifted. It's no longer about getting into the market. It's about finding a reason to walk away.

And that's exactly what's happening.

From first impressions in the lobby, to cluttered parkades, to unclear or incomplete strata documents, buyers are picking up on signals that councils often overlook.

The result?

Deals that should work… don't.

This conversation breaks down where things are falling apart, why some buildings are still moving, and what councils can do to improve how their building is perceived in a much more competitive market.

If you're on council, this is a look at how your building is being evaluated when you're not in the room.

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Most strata councils think insurance is random. It's not.

Premiums go up. Deductibles change. And it often feels completely out of a council's control.

In this episode of Stratagize, Brent Anderson and James Milne sit down with Kim Lundberg from BFL to unpack how strata insurance actually works behind the scenes, and what insurers are really evaluating when they price a building.

They explore how hard and soft markets function, why claims history and loss ratio matter, and how maintenance and post-loss decisions shape future outcomes. You'll also hear why brokers aren't just placing insurance, they're selling your building into a competitive market.

The core insight is simple, but uncomfortable: Insurance outcomes aren't random, they're a lagging reflection of how a building is run over time.

If you're on council, this episode will change how you think about risk, maintenance, and long-term planning, and why the decisions you make today matter most when the market eventually turns.

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Highlights from our 4th Annual Vendor Trade Show: what councils are delaying, and why it keeps costing more.

Our annual Vendor Trade Show has quietly become one of the most anticipated events for strata councils, and for good reason. It's one of the few opportunities where you can step out of email threads and boardrooms and actually meet the people behind the work, face-to-face, and have real conversations.

In this episode, we pulled experts from each of our three panels: Protect, Respond, Restore, Preventative Maintenance: Is It Worth It?, and Your Legal Questions Answered to unpack what that looks like in real buildings. The same issues keep showing up, deferred maintenance, unclear accountability, legal exposure, but rarely as emergencies at first. They start small, sit too long, and then come back with a price tag.

If there was one theme that showed up across every panel and every conversation, it's this: stratas don't fail from surprises, they fail from delays.

We're also joined by our first-ever podcast sponsor, Design Roofing, with Vice President Kim Wallace adding a grounded perspective on what proactive maintenance looks like before things escalate.

If you couldn't make it this year, this is the closest thing to walking the floor.

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In this episode, we sit down with strata lawyer Polina Furtula to unpack one of the most powerful, and most abused tools in strata governance: the proxy. We examine how proxies are supposed to protect owner participation, and how they can just as easily be weaponized to seize control of councils, block critical repairs, or overturn years of progress. Polina walks through real-world examples, including large buildings thrown into chaos by organized proxy campaigns. The conversation finishes with practical advice for councils and owners on how to spot proxy manipulation and protect the integrity of their building's decision-making.

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In this episode, we sit down with CIO Jeff Hahn to unpack why the industry's decades-old operating model is no longer sustainable—and what the next era of service will look like. Jeff breaks down how HODA, RSS, and the upcoming Cyan platform will fundamentally shift communication, efficiency, and manager workload across North America. If you want a clear, insider view of where property management technology is headed, this conversation lays out the roadmap.

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In this episode, Brent and James sit down with Manuj Aggarwal, AI thought leader and pioneer of the "digital twin" concept, to explore how artificial intelligence will reshape the way we live, manage, and make decisions in strata communities. Manuj breaks down the coming shift in homeowner expectations, why self-service is becoming the norm, and how AI can reduce stress, streamline communication, and improve decision-making for councils.

They dive into practical examples, from triaging leaks to predicting building needs, while painting a clear picture of what strata living could look like five years from now.

Whether you're curious about AI or wondering how it will impact strata governance, this conversation is both eye-opening and surprisingly accessible.

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Most first-time buyers focus on mortgage rates and monthly payments. But according to Farrah Turcotte, mortgage broker, personal finance coach, and strata council insider, that's only part of the equation. In this episode, Farrah joins Brent and James to unpack the full cost of owning in a strata: from rising maintenance fees and special levies to budgeting for appliances, insurance deductibles, and those sneaky amenities you might never use but still pay for.

They dig into how to prepare your finances before you buy, how to stress test your budget, and why so many buyers are walking into ownership unprepared for the long-term costs. Whether you're buying your first unit or helping someone else through the process, this episode is a must-listen before you sign anything.

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In this reaction episode, Brent and James unpack Sanjay Maharaj's decision to sell his strata management company and reflect on the broader questions it raises. What happens when rising costs, talent scarcity, and evolving client expectations converge? Is the current service model built to withstand the long-term pressures of the job?

Brent and James take a thoughtful look at the emotional and operational demands that led Sanjay to move on, and what leaders in the space can learn from his story. It's not a crisis, it's a moment for reflection.

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A large accounts receivable (AR) can be more than just an inconvenience for a strata, it can cripple its ability to operate. In this episode Oscar Miklos, founder of Refresh Law returns to reveal the hidden risks of letting unpaid strata fees linger and provides actionable strategies on how to recoup those funds.

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