Category Archives: Real Estate Investor

Having Short Term Pessimism for Long Term Optimism

27 doors, BRRR, career, cash flow, Cashflow strategies, corporate life, Cory Froc, distressed properties, Education, franchising, GO station, Investing, joint venture partners, little hockey, Long Term Optimism., multi-location, multi-million dollar Real Estate Investment, Optimism, Pessimism, Podcast, Podcast Guest, Portfolio, pre-built condos, properties, Real Estate, real estate cycle, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, refinancing, retirement goals, Setting up teams, Short Term Pessimism, sleeping bag, St. Catharines, The REITE Club, transport hub, transportation, TRC, vacant properties, Vaughan, Weekly Podcast, zero to 50%

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Following a major life shift Cory Froc, who has been in a corporate life throughout his career wanted to have more control over his future. He looked at a number of opportunities including franchising but liked the freedom and flexibility that real estate investing offered him. 

Guest: Cory Froc, Real Estate Investor

Following a major life shift Cory Froc, who has been in a corporate life throughout his career wanted to have more control over his future. He looked at a number of opportunities including franchising but liked the freedom and flexibility that real estate investing offered him. 

In his late 30’s Cory started buying distressed properties in London, fixing them up and refinancing, which he later discovered was called BRRR. Believing transportation as one of the key fundamentals in real estate investing he has spread his portfolio to pre-built condos in Vaughan near a new transport hub. Now, with a couple of joint venture partners, he is looking at properties near to the new GO station in St Catharines. 

He is able to have this multi-location strategy because of a big learning curve, not having the best team in place when he was hit in the recession, having 27 doors going from a vacancy rate of zero to 50% in a short space of time. This resulted in his spending weekends in a sleeping bag in his vacant properties and burning through money with negative cash flow. Fortunately, he was able to get beyond that nightmare. 

With a constant approach of always expecting the end of a real estate cycle, Cory now has built a robust, multi-million dollar Real Estate Investment Portfolio with 9 properties and has been helping his clients for over 13 years. His passion, vision and expertise in Real Estate Investments have helped him work closely with his clients to get closer to their financial and retirement goals. 

When he isn’t finding the next great property for his clients, you’ll find Cory spending time with his family or playing a little hockey. 

In this episode learn about:- Setting up teams in different areas 
– Key factors you need to reconsider
– Insights on certain markets and fundamentals
– Cashflow strategies
– Understanding Joint Venture partnerships 

To get in touch with Cory: 
Website: coryfroc.com
Email: cory@coryfroc.com
Instagram: @coryfrocinvestments

Success as a Newbie Real Estate Investor and Lessons Learned

'always learning, always growing', buy and holds, Certified Engineering Technologist, Education, flip, Fort Erie, future freedom, homebuyer investor, Investing, Investing insights, Lessons Learned, mantra, mobile university, Newbie Real Estate Investor, Niagara region, Podcast, Podcast Guest, podcasts, Port Colborne Market, Portfolio, Professional Quantity Surveyor, Project Management Professional, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, real estate investing education, Real Estate Investor, Roger Sherwood, student debt, team sport, The REITE Club, TRC, Understanding the fundamentals, Weekly Podcast

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Roger Sherwood is a young, newer Real Estate Investor having started a little over a year ago and already has two buy and holds and recently bought his first flip. Although he has many of the challenges that younger people face, like student debt he still was open to looking at real estate investing and was immediately attracted to the future freedom it offers.

Guest: Roger Sherwood, Real Estate Investor 

Roger Sherwood is a young, newer Real Estate Investor having started a little over a year ago and already has two buy and holds and recently bought his first flip. Although he has many of the challenges that younger people face, like student debt he still was open to looking at real estate investing and was immediately attracted to the future freedom it offers.

His goal is to have 31 doors in 5 years and he focuses on up and coming areas in the Niagara region having already found properties that have future development potential as he builds equity in his portfolio. Roger attributes his early success to taking action and following his mantra of ‘always learning, always growing’ being sure to surround himself with the right people. As he says real estate investing is a team sport.

Roger continues to be employed full-time, is a Certified Engineering Technologist, Professional Quantity Surveyor and Project Management Professional and uses his daily commute as his very own mobile university listening to podcasts and continuing his real estate investing education.

In this episode learn about:
– Investing insights and process for the first-time homebuyer investor
– Opportunities in the Fort Erie and Port Colborne Market
– Understanding the fundamentals before investing in an area
– Breaking down some of the figures in his investments 

To get in touch with Roger: 
Website: https://ontariopropertyfreedom.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ontariopropertyfreedom/
Instagram:www.instagram.com/ontariopropertyfreedom/

Successfully Leaving Secure Employment by Investing in Yourself

buying properties, Carlo Cocozza, CEO, Education, Elite, Elite Property Investments Inc., Entrepreneur, hands-off passive opportunity, Investing, Investing in Yourself, local government, Maria Esposito, multi-family focus, multifamily arena, off-market opportunities, personal development, Podcast, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investing Business, Real Estate Investor, Secure Employment, St. Catharines, supplier relationships, TRC, unfulfilled life, Weekly Podcast

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Life was good by most people’s standards but something was missing for Maria. She loved her family and had a great government job but was restless and feeling unfulfilled. Spending 15 years in this unfulfilled life she made the decision to leave her husband and start a new life with her two girls.

Guest: Maria Esposito, Real Estate Investor and Entrepreneur 

Life was good by most people’s standards but something was missing for Maria. She loved her family and had a great government job but was restless and feeling unfulfilled. Spending 15 years in this unfulfilled life she made the decision to leave her husband and start a new life with her two girls. 

In 2015 she left the security of that government job and pension, liquidated all of her assets and re­invested her life’s savings in the personal development of herself. Having been born and raised in St. Catharines and having such a passion for the region, it made total sense for her to focus her real estate investing business in the area. 

Maria is now the CEO of Elite Property Investments Inc. a real estate investment company that she founded together with her partner Carlo Cocozza. Managed by Maria, who has spent time building local government and supplier relationships, the company has quickly built a reputation as St. Catharines market specialists with a laser focus on the downtown core in the multi­family arena.  Elite has two main avenues available for real estate investors, one an active focus in off­-market opportunities and then secondly a more hands-off passive opportunity.

In this episode learn about:
– tips on having a multi-family focus and the benefits of that strategy
– how to find good deals and the fundamentals to look for when buying properties
– benefits of relationship building with local government and suppliers
– the importance of investing in your personal development

To get in touch with Maria: 
Websites:  elitepropertyinv.com 
Email: info@elitepropertyinv.com
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/elitepropertyinv/

Building Trust Through Genuine Long Term Relationships in Real Estate Investing

Basketball fan, Bilingual, Day job, Education, George El Masri, Handwritten notes, Investing, Long Term Relationships, Marathon Runner, Podcast, Podcast Guest, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, Real Estate Investor Forum, Realtor, Referrals, TRC, University of Toronto, Weekly Podcast, Well Off Podcast

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George El Masri has been a Realtor since 2013 and is also a Real Estate Investor with 2 properties currently working on his third but has always had a dream of having a big portfolio.  He likes to focus on working with young people looking to break into real estate investing and uses his realtor business to focus in that space. 

Guest: George El Masri, Real Estate Investor and Realtor

George El Masri has been a Realtor since 2013 and is also a Real Estate Investor with 2 properties currently working on his third but has always had a dream of having a big portfolio.  He likes to focus on working with young people looking to break into real estate investing and uses his realtor business to focus in that space. 

Born in Toronto, George studied in the French school system and is bilingual. After graduating from the University of Toronto he entered the tech space but the pull of real estate was too strong.  He is a strong believer in referrals and works hard at building trust through genuine long term relationships that he underlines with small acts of kindness and handwritten notes. 

George is also the host of the monthly Well Off Podcast, interviewing other real estate investors and is also a marathon runner, basketball fan and loves the challenge of stretching his brain by playing chess. 

In this episode learn about:
– Insights on a day to day job as a realtor
– Advantage and disadvantages of being a realtor when looking for their own properties
– Tips on how to keep working for people’s best interests. 
– How to build relationships with clients and prospects

To get in touch with George: 
Websites: welloff.ca 
Podcast: welloffpodcast.ca
Instagram: @welloffx
george@welloff.ca
647 719 2040

Understanding What Land Development Involves as a Real Estate Investing Strategy

Calvin Poon, infill developments, Investing, Land Development, mentorship coaching, Podcast, Podcast Guest, pros and cons, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, The REITE Club, timelines and processes, TRC

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Calvin Poon and his fiancée, Lichee, had some initial hard lessons after buying at the height of the market but ended up successfully renting out their first property and then completing a flip. 

Guest: Real Estate Investor, Calvin Poon

In this episode learn about:

  • Insights on developing land and infill developments 
  • Risks and the pros and cons of land development, including financing and costs
  • Various stages of land development, timelines and processes
  • The value of mentorship coaching

Calvin and his fiancée, Lichee, had some initial hard lessons after buying at the height of the market but ended up successfully renting out their first property and then completing a flip. 

Now they are doing an infill land development project in St. Catharines, Ontario and documenting their journey on their website to help other real estate investors see what it takes to do what they term “Flat (land) to Doormat”. 

Not coming from a construction background, Calvin emphasizes that land development and construction is more about your mindset, he has discovered it is 80% mental and only 20% actual construction. 

Get in touch with Calvin:
Website: www.calvinpoon.net

The Philosophical Versus Passion Approach to Real Estate Investing

Alex Kouramanis, Cashflow strategy, Cognitive Science & Philosophy, Florence Littauer, Gary Chapman, Investing, multifamily properties, online courses, Ontario Flipping, Passion Approach, Philosophical, Podcast, Podcast Guest, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, Skillshare platforms, solid broker, The 5 Love Languages, The REITE Club, Toronto Properties, TRC, Wholesale and Flipping strategies

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Alex Kouramanis is a real estate investor from Toronto, specializing in Wholesale and Flipping strategies throughout Ontario and is easily recognized at investor meetings for wearing his name badge upside down! Double B. A. majors in Cognitive Science & Philosophy and graduating on the Dean’s Honour roll could have meant a very different career path than real estate. 

Guest: Real Estate Investor, Alex Kouramanis

In this episode learn about:

  • Leveraging the internet for sharing knowledge through online courses
  • Having a different mindset and not caring about real estate
  • Cashflow strategy tips and tips on planning and financing your deals
  • Why is it important to have a solid broker
  • The reason he wears his name badge upside down

Alex Kouramanis is a real estate investor from Toronto, specializing in Wholesale and Flipping strategies throughout Ontario and is easily recognized at investor meetings for wearing his name badge upside down! Double B.A. majors in Cognitive Science & Philosophy and graduating on the Dean’s Honour roll could have meant a very different career path than real estate. 

However, after leaving school he invested almost all his savings on a real estate investment program in 2013. With no prior construction experience, Alex borrowed everything to buy his first bungalow in the overheated Toronto market and then worked 7 days a week as a bartender to help cover renovation costs and support himself. 

Alex has still been able to use his degrees and knowledge for practical application by putting together three online courses on the Udemy and Skillshare platforms, with over 11,000 students, covering investment, finance, relationships, personal development, psychology and philosophy.

After a handful of successes in real estate, in 2017, Alex quit his job as a bartender so he could take real estate investment on as a full-time career. As of 2019, he has done over a dozen deals in Ontario, using flips and assignments to create investment capital that he can funnel into rental properties to hold for long term wealth. Alex’s greatest achievement to date is his assignment of a prime Toronto property he bought with a $1 deposit and using under 24 hours of his time, for a whopping $130,000 fee.

When he stops thinking about real estate Alex loves spending his time with his wife and dog, as well as skateboarding, playing videogames, board games, reading, thinking, writing, travel, watching documentaries, enjoying great beer & food, and just about all other things fun. His ultimate goals are to be a professional bum living off of passive income from multifamily properties, to help other investors succeed and to raise a family and grow old with his wife.

Book Mentioned:
Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Get in touch with Alex:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.kouramanis
Facebook Blog: https://www.facebook.com/AlexWillMakeKnown/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwbo2biWi3YUQbhCyD5PLw
Udemy:https://www.udemy.com/user/alex-kouramanis/

Millennial Approach to Real Estate Investing Success With Limited Funds or Experience

Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine, coach, Entrepreneurial Mindset, full-time investor, international professional athlete, Investing, mentor, Millennial, Millennial Approach, multi-family properties, Podcast, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, REITE Club, Sarah Eder, Sarah Eder Investments, standard deal, Take Back Mortgage

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Sarah Eder went from a former international professional athlete to raising over 7-figures in real estate investments in a little over 3 years. As the owner of Sarah Eder Investments, she approaches the real estate investing world differently than most, with an innovative approach and the mind of a savvy, socially connected millennial.  

Guest: Real Estate Investor, Sarah Eder

In this episode learn about: 
– Understanding a Vendor Take Back Mortgage
– What to do when you can’t find a deal.
– Leveraging social media to gain more than visibility.
– Structuring for a standard deal.
– Tips for short and long-term goals.

Sarah Eder went from a former international professional athlete to raising over 7-figures in real estate investments in a little over 3 years. As the owner of Sarah Eder Investments, she approaches the real estate investing world differently than most, with an innovative approach and the mind of a savvy, socially connected millennial.  

Her firm focuses on flips, multi-family properties, and more lately, larger-scale developments and commercial conversions. She specializes in
multi-family properties and has funded an entire portfolio using none of her own money. 

Now a full-time investor, coach, and mentor, Sarah is constantly developing innovative ways to raise capital, as well as mentoring others on how to successfully use joint ventures. She has been on multiple stages speaking about these topics and her success has been recently featured in Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine. 

Get in touch with Sarah:
Website: www.saraheder.com

Email: sarah@saraheder.com

Social media tags: @sarahederinvest

Benefits of Expanding Your Portfolio Into Short Term Vacation Rentals

Advertising platforms, AM 570 news, Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine, cottage vacation rental, customer service, Dean Curtis, Investing, Podcast, Portfolio, potential investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, repeat rentals, Serenity Vacation Rentals, short term vacation rentals, The REITE Club, Vacation Rental Success, Vacation Rentals, Your Money Matters

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With over 20 years of investing experience in Ontario, Dean Curtis has chosen over the last 6 years to specialize in the growing investment area of short term vacation rentals. 

Guest: Real Estate Investor, Dean Curtis

In this episode learn about: 
– Looking at the numbers and financials and what else to consider when considering potential investments.
– Key amenities to look for that command higher rentals.
– Challenges you can encounter and how to avoid them.
– Advertising platforms and alternative ways to advertise. 
– The differences in using a property manager for vacation rentals.
– How technology is going to change the market in the future.

With over 20 years of investing experience in Ontario, Dean Curtis has chosen over the last 6 years to specialize in the growing investment area of short term vacation rentals.

Through his management company Serenity Vacation Rentals he has grown his own personal investment portfolio and also manages an inventory of cottage vacation rental properties.

A sought after media source, Dean has been featured in Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine, and on AM 570 news “Your Money Matters” and the “Vacation Rental Success” podcast.

Dean also coaches investors from start to finish with purchasing the perfect cottage vacation rental, maximizing income potential, furnishing the property appropriately and providing customer service that ensures repeat rentals.

Get it touch with Dean:
Dean can be reached through his website at www.serenityvacationrentals.ca

Looking at Private Equity Investing as a Balanced Approach to Building Wealth

Building Wealth, commercial construction industry, first-time investor, Investing, investing markets, Mortgage Agent, Pinnacle Wealth Brokers, Podcast, Private Equity Investing, Private Market Specialist, Profit Magazine, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, Steve Blasiak, The REITE Club

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Steve Blasiak paints a very different picture now from an early career in the paint industry. Stemming from a background immersed in the residential and commercial construction industry, he brings over 30 years of accumulated experience to his current passion and position in wealth management consulting. 

Guest: Real Estate Investor & Wealth Management Consultant, Steve Blasiak

In this episode learn about: 
– Insights on different investing markets
– Private equity investing and why we don’t hear more about this
– The private equity investing risks 
– Steps to take for the first-time investor

Steve Blasiak paints a very different picture now from an early career in the paint industry. Stemming from a background immersed in the residential and commercial construction industry, he brings over 30 years of accumulated experience to his current passion and position in wealth management consulting.

Comfortably transitioning from on-site to behind-the-scenes, Steve now enjoys the role of finding a match between investor and investment as a Private Market Specialist and Mortgage Agent with Pinnacle Wealth Brokers who have been recognized as one of the top growth companies in Canada in 2013 and 2018 by Profit Magazine. 

Recognizing a sound investment opportunity includes all aspects; from concept and strategy to the communication and execution for everyone involved. Steve’s mission is to maximize all potential gains for both investor and investment success.

Get it touch with Steve:
Website: https://pinnaclewealth.ca
Email:  steven.blasiak@pinnaclewealth.ca
Phone: 416-464-3085

Real Estate Investing’s Hot Strategy, Understanding Legal Second Suites with Ken Bekendam.

building code requirements, container businesses., drawings, duplexes, four-plexes, Investing, Ken Bekendam, King Homes Inc, legal basement conversion, Legal Second Suites, millennial investor, Podcast, project management, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investor, REITE Club, rental property renovations, second suites, self-storage, student rentals, triplexes, zoning

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Through his company King Homes Inc, Ken Bekendam helps and advises other investors with their portfolios through rental property renovations and in particular legal second suite conversions. Ken does permit drawings and project management and currently has 6 legal second suite bungalows under construction in Brantford and Hamilton.

Guest: Real Estate Investor, Ken Bekendam

Through his company King Homes Inc, Ken Bekendam helps and advises other investors with their portfolios through rental property renovations and in particular legal second suite conversions. Ken does permit drawings and project management and currently has 6 legal second suite bungalows under construction in Brantford and Hamilton.

In this episode learn about: 

– What is a legal basement conversion and how long can a project take from start to finish?
– Tips to meet building code requirements and the minor variance process.
– Where to find the information needed for zoning and drawings.  
– The benefits of real estate investing when life throws you curveballs.

As a young, millennial investor Ken got started investing personally in 2010. He and his partners (Dad and 2 brothers) own and manage a diverse portfolio of 50 plus rental units including student rentals, second suites, duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes, self-storage and container businesses. 

Ken lives on a hobby farm with his family and over 35 alpacas! 

Get in touch with Ken:

Website: Download his property verification checklist www.legalsecondsuites.com/checklist 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenbekendam
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kenbekendam