REI Hot Seat

In this Questions of the Week segment on the REI Hot Seat, we break down one of the most important metrics in real estate investing: cash on cash return. We explain what cash on cash actually means, how to calculate it properly, and why it is often the most important number investors should be paying attention to. We also walk through common mistakes, like leaving out key closing costs or expenses...

In Episode 153 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jacob break down a freshly listed 8-unit mixed-use property in Belleville, Ontario. This one is a standout. Fully renovated from the inside out, this deal is essentially a “restomod” building: the original structure remains, but the internals have been completely rebuilt with modern systems and full documentation to support it. From engineering reports...

In this Questions of the Week segment on the REI Hot Seat, we answer a common question from investors: where do you actually find reliable rental and market data when analyzing deals? We walk through the tools we use to analyze over 1,500 deals a year, from platforms like Door Insight and CoStar to simple resources like ChatGPT, market reports, and property managers. We also explain why your numbe...

In Episode 152 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jacob are breaking down an active mixed-use deal in Scarborough on Eglinton that brings something a little different to the table. This is a freehold strip-plaza unit (not condo), fully vacant, with roughly 1,000 sq ft per floor: a 3-bedroom residential unit upstairs and 2,000 sq ft of commercial across the main and lower levels. The flexibility here is...

In this Questions of the Week segment on the REI Hot Seat, we break down one of the most common and misunderstood parts of commercial leasing: tenant allowances. We explain what tenant allowances are, why landlords offer them, and how they compare to other tenant inducements like free rent or landlord completed renovations. Using real examples, we walk through how tenant allowances work in practic...

We’re officially in 2026 — so what does this year actually look like for real estate investors? In Episode 151, we break down: How 2025 wrapped up and what Q4 told us about the market Why buyer demand is strong heading into 2026 Whether prices and rents have stabilized If we’ve truly hit the bottom How cap rates and interest rates are finally aligned again What to expect across multifamily, retail...

In this Questions of the Week segment on the REI Hot Seat, we answer a question that comes up all the time from investors, especially those entering the commercial and multifamily space for the first time: what questions should you be asking before hiring a commercial realtor? We break down why commercial real estate is fundamentally different from residential, why experience in the space matters,...

In Episode 150 of the REI Hot Seat, we break down a unique on market deal that’s now a power of sale and what that actually means for you as a buyer. Dave and Jake walk through the realities of buying bank controlled properties, why power of sale listings often come with limited information, and what you need to understand about as is where is conditions, no reps and warranties, and the schedule t...

In this episode of Questions of the Week on the REI Hot Seat, we build on last week’s discussion around CMHC financing and answer a question we get all the time: what deals can you not bring to CMHC? We break down which property types are immediately disqualified, how CMHC looks at mixed use buildings, and why both square footage and revenue allocation matter. We also get into common misconception...

Same street, same owner, different building. This Episode 149 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jake break down a nine-unit multifamily deal with a stronger suite mix, assumable CMHC debt at 2.69%, and a real conversation around whether good debt justifies paying a premium. Dave walks through why older 1950s and 1960s buildings often include what investors call the “boiler room special,” how that impa...

In this episode of Questions of the Week on the REI Hot Seat, we answer a question we get all the time: Why do so many of our deals go straight to CMHC financing, and why is that important? CMHC often gets criticized for higher fees, longer timelines, and extra hoops, but there’s a reason we consistently underwrite deals this way. In this segment, we break down what CMHC actually does, why lenders...

In Episode 148 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jake break down an on market 9 unit opportunity in London, Ontario and walk through why it’s compelling even in today’s market. They cover the building’s strong exterior capex, unit mix, neighborhood fundamentals near Fanshawe College, and how they’re underwriting pricing to hit a six cap and attractive price per door. They also get into a topic investo...

In this episode of Questions of the Week on the REI Hot Seat, we answer a question we hear from sellers all the time: why do we need all of your documents before listing a building? We break down why having a complete data room upfront is critical, how buyers actually underwrite multifamily and commercial properties, and why missing or inaccurate information can create major issues during due dili...

In Episode 147 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jake walk through a real-time market update for multifamily and commercial real estate in Ontario. They break down current sentiment, what’s actually moving, where inventory is getting gobbled up, and why institutional and family office capital is back in a big way while smaller investors sit on the sidelines. They compare different asset classes and ma...

In this week’s Questions of the Week, we answer a big one from an investor: “Does the Major Streets By-law change in Toronto affect the value of my building?”We break down what the by-law actually is, why it matters, and how Toronto’s updated development rules on major streets could influence future value. If you’re a building owner or investor trying to understand whether this policy shift impact...

In Episode 146 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jake break down a mixed use waterfront asset in the Kawartha Lakes area featuring a staple commercial tenant the public library a boutique café with optionality six residential units with strong lift and a public coin operated laundromat that produces real cash flow. They walk through how CMHC looks at mixed use deals, how to treat public laundry for fi...

In this segment of Questions of the Week on the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jacob break down one of the most confusing parts of commercial leasing: TMI (Taxes, Maintenance & Insurance).If you’ve ever wondered what’s included, how it’s calculated, why it changes, or how it compares to CAM (common area maintenance)… this one’s for you. Whether you're a first-time commercial tenant, moving from a...

In episode 145 of REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jake break down a 62-unit, condo-grade multifamily portfolio in Ayr, Ontario with assumable CMHC financing at 2.85% and 85% LTV.We cover the unit mix, rents, Pro Forma, operating expenses, cap rate, and debt structure, and talk about who this deal is perfect for, small funds, family offices, REITs, and long-term “patient capital” investors looking for cash-...

New studio, new look, same deep dives. In episode 144 of the REI Hot Seat, Dave and Jacob break down a 25-unit building near Bruce Power in Hanover, Ontario and show how a well-structured VTB can turn a solid deal into a great one. They walk through the numbers, cap rate, price per door, cash-on-cash returns, and then dig into how to properly structure a Vendor Take-Back (VTB) clause so it actuall...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-form In episode E145 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew Hines, Jacob Campagnaro, and David Hulshof analyze a Hamilton multifamily deal at 17 Cloverdale—a well-kept, purpose-built walk-up of all two-bedroom units priced around ~$130k per door but hampered by legacy rents of $700–$900 and a long-term,...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-formIn episode E144 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew and David review a 15-unit purpose-built building in Guelph and walk through its numbers, financing options, and long-term investment potential. The property stands out with its brick construction, sloped roof, newer balconies, and unusually lar...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-form In episode E143 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew and David analyze a pair of multifamily investment opportunities.  The first deal is a 10-unit townhouse property in Shallow Lake, just outside Owen Sound. With a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, a strong rent roll of around $14,000 per month...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-form In episode E140 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew and Jacob break down the current state of the real estate market, with a particular focus on multifamily assets and broader opportunities in different asset classes.  They begin by reflecting on how interest rate hikes since 2022 have driven pr...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-form In episode E140 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew and Jacob dive into a Toronto mixed-use investment opportunity, highlighting why retail assets in prime locations are gaining favour with lenders.  They break down the property—a 1971-built building in Trinity Bellwoods with two levels of comme...

Become an REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠https://submit.jotform.com/info_Admin_info831/rei-hotseat-insider-sign-up-form In episode E140 of the REI Hot Seat, Andrew Hines and David Hulshof dive into the analysis of a power of sale multifamily deal in St. Catharines, Ontario—a 20-unit purpose-built building listed at $3.85M, significantly reduced from a previous $4.8M listing.  Dave emphasize that power of...