The Hard Truth Podcast

“If CMHC wasn’t around, the multifamily construction side would have completely collapsed over the last couple of years.”

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with mortgage broker and multifamily financing expert Ehren Laycock of BLD Financial to break down the realities behind CMHC financing, MLI Select, commercial lending, and how the last 5 years have completely reshaped Canadian real estate.

From rapid growth during the 2020–2022 boom to today’s tougher underwriting, stricter policies, and rising vacancies, Ehren shares the unfiltered truth about what investors must understand before taking on leverage in today’s market.

We dive into:
✅ CMHC vs. MLI Select — leverage, premiums & real qualification rules
✅ How 2020–2022 cheap money created today’s financing challenges
✅ Why BRRRRs collapsed and investors got caught when rates spiked
✅ MLI Select risks: rental achievement, timelines & policy changes
✅ The hard truth about “full-time investors” vs. real, scalable real estate businesses
…and much more.

Ehren also breaks down the behind-the-scenes challenges with CMHC: timelines, underwriter changes, policy resets, rural vs. urban risk profiles, and how financing decisions are really made at the lender — not on Instagram.

Whether you’re a new investor, a mid-level builder scaling into 8–30 unit projects, or someone evaluating CMHC/multifamily strategies, this episode gives you the real, unfiltered breakdown of what’s happening in the market today.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
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Have a guest or topic idea? Drop it in the comments.

Follow & Connect with Ehren Laycock:
Ehren Laycock on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laycock22/
Ehren - 226-980-5048
BLD Financial Instagram - https://instagram.com/bldfinancial
BLD Financial Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BLDfinancial
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bldfinancial

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 #HardTruthPodcast #CanadianRealEstate #CMHC #MLISelect #MultifamilyInvesting #RealEstateInvesting 

“The laws have not protected anyone, not even the good tenants.”

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with landlord and housing advocate Kayla Andrade of Ontario Landlords Watch to explore the realities of property management, tenant rights, and navigating Ontario’s complex housing policies.

From managing multi-unit properties to advocating for landlords, Kayla shares her journey of balancing cash flow, tenant accountability, and government regulations.

We dive into:
✅ How tenant protection laws have evolved and the impact on landlords
✅ The challenges landlords face with rent controls, eviction delays, and municipal bylaws
✅ How to hold tenants accountable while still providing safe, livable units
✅ Navigating politics and advocating for landlord rights at multiple levels of government
✅ The hard truths of being a landlord: thick skin, education, and the need to harden your heart
✅ Practical tips for new and seasoned investors to protect themselves and their investments

Kayla also shares her experience engaging with politicians, municipal staff, and industry groups to drive change and support both landlords and tenants.

Whether you are a new investor, a seasoned landlord, or someone interested in Ontario’s housing policies, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about property management, advocacy, and surviving as a landlord in a challenging market.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Follow & Connect with Kayla:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaylaandradeolw/?hl=en
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kayla-andrade-b4855648
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Kayla.Andrade.olw/

Follow & Connect with Ontario Landlords Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ontariolandlordswatch
Ontario Landlords Watch Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ontlandlordswatch/
Ontario Landlords Watch Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/OntarioLandlordsWatch/
Ontario Landlords Watch Website - https://ontariolandlordswatch.com/

Find more info about FrontLobby: Rent Reporting Services for Landlords Canada
https://www.instagram.com/frontlobbyinc/

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#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast

If your goal is to make $10,000/month of cashflow off your rental properties, Kory MacKinnon has a Hard Truth you need to hear! 

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, Kyle Ford sits down with real estate investor and coach Kory MacKinnon, who shares how growing up in a duplex gave him an early start in real estate and how he went from buying his first off-market six-plex in London, Ontario to building a scalable, diversified portfolio.

Before going full-time into real estate, Kory spent 17 years as VP of Operations at Student Works Painting, where he mastered the systems, hiring, and leadership skills that would later shape his investing strategy. Today, he helps investors treat real estate like a true business with professional standards, strong operations, and fast execution.

We cover:
✅ How Kory bought his first six-plex off-market from his landlord
✅ Why treating rentals like a business separates top investors from average landlords
✅ The real impact of today’s tighter rules, higher prices, and thinner margins
✅ Why “making money on the buy” still matters most
✅ How new investors can adapt with bigger down payments and creative entry strategies
✅ The hard truth about living off rental income and why hybrid income streams are key
✅ Why Kory has shifted from small BRRRRs to purpose-built developments, commercial properties, and storage
✅ How to prune your portfolio and redeploy capital into stronger assets
✅ How Kory is teaching his kids entrepreneurship and financial literacy through real-world lessons

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your portfolio, this episode reveals what it really takes to build lasting wealth and why the most successful investors think like business owners, not landlords.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Follow & Connect with Kory:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/korymackinnon/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kory-mackinnon-19095b4/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/KoryMacKinnon 
Website - https://korymackinnon.com/

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with realtor and investor Abe Thiessen to reveal the unconventional strategies making flips profitable in Ontario.

From from growing up in Mexico to buying his first property at 19 off Kijiji, Abe shares how he scaled into duplex builds, double-lot severances, and deep-discount flips that most investors overlook.

We dive into:
✅ How Abe bought his very first rental property at 19 on Kijiji
✅ Why he avoids long-term rentals in favor of fast, high-velocity deals
✅ The “double-lot severance strategy” that unlocks hidden equity on day one
✅ How wholesalers helped him land deals 20–50% below market value
✅ The real tension between realtors and wholesalers (and how he navigates it)
✅ The hard truths of breaking in as a beginner vs. scaling past five deals

Abe also shares how one networking event stopped him from quitting real estate altogether and set him on a path to building a thriving team that now serves both investors and first-time buyers.

Whether you are just starting out or already scaling a portfolio, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about wholesaling, flipping, and building wealth in real estate the unconventional way.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Follow & Connect with Abe:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/real_abethiessen/
Website - https://www.royallepage.ca/en/agent/ontario/listowel/abram-thiessen/69980/

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast

"Politicians say things like, 'We want to build communities.' 
These are the guys actually building communities..."

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Kartik Singla and Jimmy La from the Sustainable Development Group, who are real estate developers and entrepreneurs building a village of over 100 units in Barrie, Ontario.

They share their journey from buying a single-family home to creating multi-unit communities, including how they navigate city approvals, scale efficiently, and turn every property into an opportunity for growth. From early wins to building Clapperton Village, this episode reveals the real process behind successful development.

We cover:
✅ How a single downtown lot turned into their first 10-unit building
✅ The buy-box model they use to convert homes into multi-unit communities
✅ Why working with the city is the key to scaling faster
✅ The growing pains of partnerships, capital raising, and sleepless nights
✅ How they are turning 9 projects into Clapperton Village, a full neighborhood with gyms, coworking, and more
✅ And why Canada’s housing crisis needs bold solutions like the Missing Middle

Whether you are starting with a duplex or dreaming of large-scale development, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build neighborhoods and wealth from the ground up.

🎧Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Don't miss the Missing Middle Conference in Toronto on September 12th: https://www.themmc.ca/

Follow & Connect with SDG:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sdg.canada/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdg-canada/
Website - https://sdgcanada.com/

Follow & Connect with Jimmy La: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimmylainvestor/
LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-la-7188b3a9/

Follow & Connect with Kartik Singla: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/healthykarts_/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karter-singla/

Follow & Connect with me on Social Media:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast

Bouncer to Brokerage CEO: The Hard Truths Behind Real Estate Success

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Justin Konikow realtor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Prime Real Estate Brokerage.

We cover:
✅ Why most agents and investors stay stuck
✅ The “success trap” no one talks about
✅ How Justin earned mentorship from giants like Ryan Serhant & Scott McGillivray
✅ Why real wealth comes from relationships, not transactions
✅ The mindset shift that made Prime a dominant force in Southwestern Ontario
✅ And how to audit your life to break through your current ceiling

Whether you're just starting out or stuck at 5 properties, this conversation will hit you with the unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a real business in real estate.

🎧Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Follow & Connect with Justin: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justin.konikow/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkonikow/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jkoni/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/justinkonikow
Website - https://www.justinkonikow.com/

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast

"Everyone forgets this: you’re in it to make money..."

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Wybo, real estate investor, social media personality, and partner at Foundation Capital, to unpack what it really means to build wealth in real estate—not just broker it for someone else. Jeff shares his journey from realtor to investor, and why he's making the conscious decision to “skip right to the rich part” by taking control of the deals himself.

We dive into the power of social media, the mindset shift every realtor needs to hear, and how Foundation Capital is helping everyday investors grow their wealth without the headaches of being a landlord. From investing in REITs to finding the right markets and building systems that scale, Jeff drops hard truths and practical strategies for anyone serious about growing real estate wealth—without reinventing the wheel.

Did you enjoy & get value from this podcast episode? Have a guest you would like to see featured or a topic you want covered? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. 

Follow & Connect with Jeff: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeffwybo/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwybo/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jeffwyborealestate/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JeffWybo

Follow Foundation Capital:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/foundation.capital/
Website - https://foundationcapital.ca/

Follow & Connect with me on Social Media:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Ford-Invest/61556960051291/
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

"Right now we are at $350,000 owed in rent..."

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with James Fernandez, real estate investor and entrepreneur, to uncover the Hard Truths behind building and scaling a successful real estate business.

We dive into his journey—how he scaled from 0 to 40 units in just one year, bought a 33-unit apartment building and navigated the pivot to investing in self-storage. James opens up about how he is currently owed over $350,000 in lost rent, the moral dilemma of tenant evictions, and the infamous machete story that changed how he operates. From building solid systems and processes to investing in self-storage, this episode gives you an unfiltered look at the strategies, challenges, and resilience required to successfully grow and sustain a real estate business.

Did you enjoy & get value from this podcast episode? Have a guest you would like to see featured or a topic you want covered? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. 

Follow & Connect with James: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/james.fernz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fernandezinvestments/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2m93M5Haqkr8-T8ZTljWQ

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

"I don’t care what your guru told you, not everybody can do this."

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Zack Brittain, real estate investor and owner of Phipps Brittain Real Estate and King Street Construction, to explore the Hard Truths of building a sustainable real estate business.

We dive into his journey, from investing without using OPM to launching King Street Construction and developing a sustainable real estate model. Zack shares what it really takes to stay focused, scale, and integrate different parts of your business in a way that lasts. We also get into the gritty side of real estate—the sh*tty work most people don’t talk about—and why this business isn’t for everyone. From creating strong buying strategies to fighting for your bottom line, Zack breaks down what it means to be an operator, how good deals are made, and what’s next for him and his companies.

Did you enjoy & get value from this podcast episode? Have a guest you would like to see featured or a topic you want covered? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Follow & Connect with Zack:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zacharyjohnbrittain/

Follow & Connect with PhippsBrittain Real Estate: 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/phippsbrittainrealestate/ 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/phippsbrittainrealestate 
Website -  https://phippsbrittainrealestate.com/ 
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsS6pz6hoibP_txWm6wdfw

Follow & Connect with King Street Construction:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kingstreetconstruction/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/King-Street-Construction/61554365396641/
Website - https://kingstreetconstruction.com/

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

"The days of 10 duplexes are over. If you're risk adverse you're not making money in this market."

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Josh Findlay, a professional mortgage broker, real estate investor, co-owner of  @bldfinancial and CMHC specialist, to explore the hard truths of the MLI Select program and why it's essential for investors to have capital in order to succeed in the real estate game.

We dive into his journey—from meeting Matt McKeever and shooting videos for the Canadian Real Estate Channel to becoming a trusted advisor for mid-sized investors across the country. Josh shares the challenges facing the mortgage industry today, including the affordability crisis, the red tape surrounding CMHC programs, and the importance of understanding the nuances of the MLI Select vs. CMHC Standard programs. We also discuss the current state of the real estate market and why "the money is in the money."

Did you enjoy & get value from this podcast episode? Have a guest you would like to see featured or a topic you want covered? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. 

Follow & Connect with Josh Findlay:
Josh Findlay on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jfins/
Josh - 519-729-9212
BLD Financial Instagram - https://instagram.com/bldfinancial
BLD Financial Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BLDfinancial

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