LEVerage With Rachel Levy

YouTube - https://youtu.be/-j3U-qy-jZM Thinking about building a deck, renovating your home, or starting a custom build in Toronto? Before you begin, you may want to hear from someone who has seen the process from both sides. This week on Leverage, I sit down with Leila Karam, President of Q Architects and former City of Toronto Building Inspector. Leila shares insider knowledge on building permit...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/t_O1Rx8lqJg Toronto’s pre-construction condo market has hit a 35-year low, inventory is piling up, and buyers are no longer chasing speculation. In this episode of LEVerage, Natalka and Rachel break down what’s really happening across the GTA housing market, which neighbourhoods are still attracting buyers, and why fundamentals matter more than ever. Topics include: • Th...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/ZE3PMkM6yDA Is Toronto’s condo market actually in crisis, or are we simply watching a major market correction unfold? In this episode of LEVerage, President of The Daniels Realty Corporation, Dominic Tompa, discusses the realities behind Toronto real estate, including condo affordability, shrinking unit sizes, development charges, investor speculation, future housing sho...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/Lhn-nmoq9Vc What actually separates a great real estate agent from an average one? In this episode of LEVerage, Rachel sits down with real estate broker Sean McCann to break down: • Why most agents feel “commoditized” • The KPIs that actually matter (but no one talks about) • How the role of a realtor has evolved from gatekeeper → service provider → experience curator →...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/Kke2M2wRwGw Everyone’s talking about foreclosures, power of sale deals, and a “crashing” market… but what’s actually true? In this episode of LEVerage, we break down: • The REAL difference between power of sale vs foreclosure • Why “cheap deals” are often a myth • What actually happens when someone misses mortgage payments • How banks really handle distressed properties...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/m8KGIpybzhw Is the Toronto housing market crashing… or resetting? In this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with Steve Tabrizi, COO of RE/MAX Hallmark, to break down what’s actually happening in the real estate market right now. With headlines predicting everything from housing collapses to massive rebounds, we cut through the noise and look at the data, trends, and econom...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/IRzHmQDdheo On this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with Ori Ohayon & Tory Ricalis to break down how AI and blockchain are transforming one of real estate’s most outdated systems: property title searches. They share how their company evolved from authenticating collectibles to tackling real estate data, why traditional title production can take weeks, and how their c...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/lYdy2cNOZiU In this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with veteran financial expert Mark Halpern to break down the planning mistakes most families and even wealthy individuals make. From the surprising number of people who still don’t have a will to the hidden risks inside bank mortgage insurance, this conversation is packed with practical insights every homeowner, parent,...

Interest rates, affordability, fixed vs variable, and the biggest mistakes buyers are still making in today’s market. In this episode of LEVerage, we sit down with experienced mortgage broker Morgan Vaughan to break down what’s actually happening with Canadian interest rates in 2026. We compare where rates were last year versus today, explain why waiting for “better affordability” may not work, an...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/U48lKWgLqek Sun or Snow? What do you prefer? LEVerage is back for 2026 and we are starting off with some warm weather conversations Linzi Breuhan joins me on my first episode of 2026, as we head into -30 temps this weekend to discuss, the hows, the whys and the where’s of moving to Florida It’s not for everyone but IYKYK and some love it! Follow me on Socials: Instagram...

Ending the year off for LEVerage with the FAMOUS Rafi Yablonsky, Executive Director of Shaare Zedek Foundation in Canada. Our last episode of 2025 talks about the incredible medical innovations that Shaare Zedek delivers to the world and how each event matters. Gratitude and giving back is essential to life in my opinion. This year I have the incredible honour of co-chairing this year’s poker nigh...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/hwcxzO-K4Fw 2025 WAS THE WORST YEAR IN REAL ESTATE! OR WAS IT…??? I am thrilled to have Alex Nisenker, Vice President at Greybrook Private Capital Markets Group, to recap 2025 with me and share our predictions for the 2026 market. The word of the year and will continue to be… UNCERTAINTY. Join me as we cover everything that happened (truly happened and not just the headl...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/n92IDSVtQgg ATTENTION RENTERS!! Want to pay your rent with your credit card? Want to get cash back when paying bills? Then you need NeoBanc! Join me as I speak to Kyle Collier, cofounder of NeoBanc, on this week’s episode of LEVerage. A Canadian fintech built by renters, for renters, turning your biggest monthly expenses into a stepping stone toward financial progress. N...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/mR5zloZZc_Y HAS THE CITY OF TORONTO THRIVED OR REGRESSED UNDER MAYOR CHOW’S LEADERSHIP? This week on LEVerage it was an incredible honour to have Daniel Tate, Executive Director at IntegrityTO, join me to give his perspective of the city under Mayor Chow’s leadership. We discuss crime, the Toronto Police, city services and more! Whether you rent or own in Toronto you don...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/X4Y_LfS97UE This week on LEVerage I have the pleasure to sit down with Mike McAra, Executive Director of Reach Canada to discuss: Is AI here to stay and how will it change real estate? Does the consumer want to see an AI version of their realtor online or in their videos? Will AI replace the home buying experience and realtors? How is it being used now and how is it brin...

I am so excited to have the fabulously talented Megan Crosbie on this week’s LEVerage to talk all things design. If you are considering a renovation, full custom build or just a quick refresh of a room you won’t want to miss this week’s episode! What to Splurge On - And What to Skip: https://www.megancrosbiedesign.com/the-edit-blog/what-to-splurge-on-and-what-to-skip Follow me on Socials: Instagra...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/_943DiNLfGQ As New Home Sales (preconstruction) grind to a halt and new projects are being shelved indefinitely…..people are questioning if they will ever come back. The answer is yes but the better question is whenLen Finegold, Senior Council for Cambridge LLP’s Construction Law Group joins me again to talk all things PreconstructionI have to admit something. I have nev...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/JHZFgSU7edk LEVerage is thrilled to have our unofficial co-host Joel Kadish back for this week’s episode. I was recently referred new clients who had a bad experience with a realtor. What unfolded was a nightmare for them when they wanted to make the switch. Join us this weekend to find out why you MUST READ ALL CONTRACTS, trust your agent, and be aware of all risks. Fol...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/hdxGDsZjr-c LEVerage welcomes Reuven Gorsht, the founder of Deeded, to this week’s episode. We discuss the current state of the Toronto Real Estate market, the foreseeable future of it, and why the actual experience of buying real estate is so important. Reuven co-founded and was CEO of MoveSnap, which was ultimately bought by RBC in 2019. He is a Harvard Business gradua...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/Gw3gCxYUteY Fall season starts with Jackie Prince the founder of Guests on EarthIf you were lucky enough to get one of our Spring Cleaning Kits this year you know how amazing this product is to have in your home. It’s Canadian Owned, all natural with a very low environmental footprint. They have also recently launched their new Laundry Detergent. Look out for a discount...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/WW75y8rlEfc Want to save money on your renovation? Small or big it doesn’t matter!! Then you need to learn about bidmii The founders of this company have taken the RFP commercial process to the home renovation space and are killing it. I chat with Jon Christensen about how bidmii is the right choice to disrupt the renovation space as we know it. Follow me on Socials: Ins...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/PETbfd97vlg Welcome Mark Cadesky to this week’s episode of LEVerage! Mark brings 30 years of real estate experience to his consulting role helping small to medium size brokerages achieve optimal performance on all levels from agent retention to profitability. I sat down with Mark to talk about why he started this consulting business and where he found the biggest need in...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/xn5Hxl9MIuM It is with great honour that I had the opportunity to interview Leonard Finegold on this week’s episode of LEVerage. Leonard Finegold leads Cambridge LLP’s Construction Law Group and brings more than 35 years of focused experience in construction law. His resume reads like a book I hope he writes one day as his experience is vast across all aspects of buildin...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/lh4jHqH-JUQ On the heels of the swimming pool closures in Toronto, and the mayor's ability to pass the buck at every turn…I am so excited to welcome Brad Bradford back to LEVerage to discuss his no-nonsense, logical approach to this amazing city of ours. We talked crime, cats on leashes….and so much more! Maybe even his hint at throwing his hat into the mayoral race...

YouTube - https://youtu.be/dHXMSrETCk0 Is Doug Ford making deals with his friends or building a better Ontario? Eric Lombardi takes on Doug Ford in this week's edition of LEVerage. If you didn't catch Eric's opinion piece in the Star on May 28th, here it is - https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/we-should-be-talking-about-how-and-where-to-grow-in-ontario-instead-doug-ford/article_fe41587d-...