Espace Montréal Podcast

What if renovating a duplex required a political campaign?   In this episode, I share the behind-the-scenes story of one of our current projects in Verdun, Montreal—a simple plan to convert a rundown duplex with commercial space into five residential units and office space. But what should have been a straightforward redevelopment turned into a complex process involving CCU approval, neighborhood...

What if the path to solving housing challenges wasn't just policy—but smarter development?   In this episode, I sit down once again with urbanist and investor Jeffrey Kirton to break down the biggest projects reshaping Montreal's real estate landscape. We dive into MAC's $3.5 billion redevelopment at Jean-Talon, explore density-driven solutions like mixed-use buildings, and talk about how city pla...

What if rent growth wasn't guaranteed—and your assumptions were the real risk?   In this episode, I sit down once again with urbanist and investor Jeffrey Kirton to unpack the latest national rental data and what it means for developers and investors. We dive into CMHC and StatsCan's updated rent reports, exposing the gap between advertised and actual rents, and the danger of relying on outdated m...

What if zoning rules weren't barriers—but puzzle pieces?   In this episode, I sit down again with urbanist and investor Jeffrey Kirton to demystify the complex world of city planning, zoning, and permitting in Montreal. We break down acronyms like PPCMOI, PIIA, and CCU, and explain how developers can navigate these layers of approval to unlock real opportunities. From overlapping regulations to po...

What if your best real estate insight came from the city planner's desk?   In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey Kirton, an urbanist turned investor, to explore how city planning, zoning knowledge, and on-the-ground experience can shape smarter real estate decisions. Jeffrey shares his journey from civil engineering dreams and poker tables to working within Montreal's urban system—and how those...

What if the biggest threat to your next deal wasn't interest rates—but hesitation?   In this episode, I share a real-time pulse check on what's happening in the Quebec real estate market. From stalled absorption to construction strikes and policy delays, things are shifting—and investors are feeling it. I unpack how rising labor costs, city approvals, and social acceptance are changing timelines a...

What if your biggest rental risk wasn't vacancy—but poor planning?   In this episode, I break down what's really going on in today's rental market and why absorption has become one of the most misunderstood challenges in real estate. I share lessons from the field, explain why there's no housing crisis—but an affordability crisis—and what that means for your next project. From luxury vacancies to...

What if your biggest advantage wasn't a deal—but your mindset?   In this episode, I sit down with Laurent Soulé to explore how a deep commitment to learning can reshape the way we invest, grow, and lead. We go beyond real estate and business buying to talk about reading smarter, changing mental filters, and developing the kind of clarity that leads to better decisions. Laurent shares the books, po...

What if you could buy a business with zero capital and still win big?   In this episode, I sit down with Laurent Soulé to explore the mindset shift from real estate to business ownership. We unpack why buying a business doesn't require millions, how to build equity without cash, and the underrated power of confidence and creativity in deal-making. Laurent shares how the same skills used in real es...

What if the secret to better tenants wasn't luck—but process?   In this episode, I sit down with Cory Friedman from Kompaspm.com to unpack the full "lead to lease" process—how top property managers turn interest into signed leases with less risk and more precision. Cory shares how centralization, tech, and team specialization help his firm screen tenants faster, smarter, and more thoroughly.   We...

What if planning with your builder from day one could save you hundreds of thousands?   In this episode, I sit down with Nick Roth, founder of Habikon, to break down what truly makes a real estate project succeed. From building high-end custom homes to multifamily developments, Nick shares how he turned his love for structure into a company that thrives on trust, collaboration, and detailed planni...

What if raising property value wasn't about square footage—but smarter service?   In this episode, I sit down with Mathieu Laquerre, VP of Sales at WiFiPlex, to dive into how tech is changing real estate investing. Forget just adding a laundry room or parking space—Mattie explains how internet infrastructure, IPTV, smart intercoms, and leak detection are now essential tools to boost NOI and tenant...

What if building real estate was less about bricks and more about relationships?   In this episode, I sit down with Benoit Carrier, Director General at Nordev, to explore the true complexity behind real estate development. What looks like a simple process—buy land, build, rent—is actually a maze of permits, partnerships, and problem-solving. From unexpected delays caused by frogs to managing dozen...

What if your biggest business breakthrough came from frustration?   In this episode, I sit down with Laurent Soulé, a resourceful entrepreneur who turned everyday problems in property management into an innovative 3D mapping solution. We talk about how his early ventures—from selling a landscaping client list to building tech for real estate—were all driven by a refusal to settle for inefficient s...

What do you do when your biggest investment project hits an 18-month wall?   In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of one of my toughest real estate experiences yet. I open up about the realities of dealing with zoning changes, financial pressure, and self-doubt while trying to push forward a stalled project. It wasn't easy navigating capital constraints and uncertain city approvals—b...

What's the biggest mistake landlords make during lease renewal season?   In this episode, I sit down with Cory Friedman, founder of KompasPM.com, to dig into the real struggles of property owners and managers—especially during Quebec's intense lease renewal cycle. Cory explains how having proper accounting systems and a smart approach to rent increases isn't just helpful—it's essential. From navig...

What happens when self-storage becomes a space for transformation and empowerment?   In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Lafrechoux, Director of Real Estate at Avenir Properties, to talk about Montreal Mini Storage's newest location—and the bigger mission behind it. Andrea shares how their latest development is not just about lockers and square footage, but about creating meaningful spaces tha...

What does it really take to transform a city block? In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Owen, partner at Mondev, to talk about the five-year journey to redevelop L'ilot vaoyageur in Montreal. From stalled city tenders to innovative partnerships, we get into how this 1,000-unit project finally moved forward—with half of the units dedicated to social and affordable housing.   We also talk about...

What should you really consider before locking in your mortgage rate?   In this episode, I sit down with Mathieu-Alexandre Poupart from Orbis Mortgage Group to unpack the real estate and mortgage landscape in a time of high uncertainty. We talk about bond yields, Bank of Canada rate decisions, and how U.S. economic policy impacts Canadian housing. Matt shares how timing, prepayment penalties, and...

What does it take to turn a local event into a world-class experience?   In this episode, I sit down with Serujan to talk about the upcoming Elev8 Conference in Montreal. Serujan shares how he went from organizing a one-day local event to planning a massive three-day international experience with over 4,500 expected attendees. He talks about the vision behind it, why sales and marketing matter for...

What does it take to transform an entire city through real estate investing? In this episode, I sit down with Nikolay Ray, a visionary investor and the founder of Collège MREX and Fierbrooke, to explore how he's reshaping Sherbrooke through impact investing. Nikolay shares his journey from investment banking to real estate, detailing his approach to acquiring and revitalizing properties to create...

How do you navigate real estate investing with confidence? In this episode, I sit down with Marc Leroux, President and Founder of Cardinal Realty Group, to discuss the ins and outs of the real estate market in Montreal and beyond. Mark shares his journey from franchise development to building a real estate brokerage, emphasizing the importance of education, client guidance, and strategic investing...

Comment la tokenisation change-t-elle l'industrie immobilière ? Aujourd'hui, nous explorons ce sujet avec Laurent Féral-Pierssens, expert en blockchain et en finance immobilière. Il partage son parcours et explique comment la tokenisation permet de fractionner la propriété et d'ouvrir de nouvelles opportunités pour investisseurs, gestionnaires et courtiers.   Nous discutons des défis et des avanta...

Is your real estate portfolio ready for the energy transition?   In this episode of The Very Real Estate Effect Podcast, I sit down with Philippe Hudon, President and Founder of Akonovia, to discuss energy efficiency, decarbonization, and their financial impact on real estate. Philippe shares insights on how shifting regulations and carbon taxes are shaping investment strategies, the risks of owni...

How will AI and blockchain change real estate investing?   The future of real estate is shifting fast. In this episode, I sit down with Patrice Minar, founder of PMML, to explore how artificial intelligence and blockchain are reshaping commercial real estate transactions. We discuss the power of data collection, how AI enhances business intelligence, and why vertical integration is key to staying...