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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 pricing downward and created a true buyer’s market. Buyers now have leverage to dictate terms, while sellers face bleak sentiment, often needing to price below recent averages just to attract offers. Inventory has been tight in some regions, but correctly priced assets are still moving.

The key, they emphasize, is structuring deals from the buyer’s perspective—making sure an opportunity makes sense today, not just based on potential future improvements.

The conversation then shifts to how investors should position themselves in this environment. Jacob highlights that while creative financing can still be useful, it is no longer essential to make deals work; instead, buyers should prioritize simplicity, negotiating time to secure CMHC financing rather than paying premiums for complex structures.

Multifamily continues to be popular due to relatively low barriers to entry and financing options, but the market is saturated, while industrial and office assets are declining and may present future opportunities if purchased at the right price.

They also touch on the fading presence of wholesalers in Canada, attributing the decline to steep price corrections—up to 30% off peak in Ontario—that erased the margins wholesalers once enjoyed.

Looking ahead, Andrew predicts continued stagnation in the market until interest rates eventually settle near a neutral level, likely under 2%, with potential cuts driving incremental improvements. On housing, he challenges the narrative of a “crisis,” suggesting that the real issue is declining living standards as more families consolidate housing or delay independent living, rather than an outright shortage of units.

Don't forget to join the Insiders list for access to off-market deals and other unique opportunities.

Andrew's linktree : https://linktr.ee/theandrewhines

REI Hot Seat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reihotseat/

Jacob Campagnaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_campagnaro/

Disclaimer: This episode, as with every episode of this show, should NOT be considered as advice. Investment advice is NEVER given on this show. Always consult a competent investment advisor before making an investment decision.

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Andrew Hines is a seasoned real estate investor, business-builder, educator, and podcast host, well-recognized for his extensive experience in the field. Andrew graduated with an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2008 and spent three years teaching introductory business at Western University as a Lecturer. He has been investing in real estate since 2011 and completing value-add projects since 2015, primarily in the luxury student rental space. Andrew started a project management company for building out new-construction townhomes in 2016 and has since built over 50 residential units throughout Southwestern Ontario. Andrew is an advocate for treating real estate investing like a business and uses his experience in his educational endeavors, coaching numerous investors on strategies to achieve financial independence and scale their portfolios effectively.

His podcast, "The Andrew Hines Real Estate Investing Podcast," serves as a platform for sharing insights, strategies, and success stories, connecting a community of like-minded individuals passionate about real estate investing. With a background that blends practical investing experience and investor-focused work, Andrew has become a pivotal figure in the Canadian real estate investing community.

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 commercial space and three residential units—emphasizing the importance of securing a long-term AAA tenant to stabilize income.

With cap rates starting around 5% and projected to climb into the mid-sixes over several years, the property presents a strong long-term hold play for investors willing to structure deals creatively.

The discussion covers financing challenges, such as CMHC restrictions on mixed-use buildings, and potential solutions including vendor take-back mortgages and first-second structures to enhance leverage.

Jacob outlines rent rolls, vacancy considerations, and expense recovery strategies, underscoring how the retail component drives most of the value.

They also note opportunities to add value through tenant repositioning, parking income, and potential unit conversion. Ultimately, the episode makes the case that Toronto, long seen as “untouchable” for smaller investors, is now opening up thanks to changing market dynamics, creating a rare chance to secure prime assets in a world-class city.

Don't forget to join the Insiders list for access to off-market deals and other unique opportunities.

Andrew's linktree : https://linktr.ee/theandrewhines

REI Hot Seat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reihotseat/

Jacob Campagnaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_campagnaro/

David Hulshof Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davehulshof.realestate/

E141 Generational Wealth Starts With Assets Like This

1:17 – Why Toronto Remains Expensive

5:00 – Filling Commercial Tenancy

6:20 – Retail Stability & Cap Rates

12:14 – Financing Limits & CMHC Restrictions

18:09 – Asking Price & Bank Appetite

19:05 – Vendor Take-Back & Deal Structuring

24:47 – Long-Term Hold Strategy

Disclaimer: This episode, as with every episode of this show, should NOT be considered as advice. Investment advice is NEVER given on this show. Always consult a competent investment advisor before making an investment decision.

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Andrew Hines is a seasoned real estate investor, business-builder, educator, and podcast host, well-recognized for his extensive experience in the field. Andrew graduated with an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2008 and spent three years teaching introductory business at Western University as a Lecturer. He has been investing in real estate since 2011 and completing value-add projects since 2015, primarily in the luxury student rental space. Andrew started a project management company for building out new-construction townhomes in 2016 and has since built over 50 residential units throughout Southwestern Ontario. Andrew is an advocate for treating real estate investing like a business and uses his experience in his educational endeavors, coaching numerous investors on strategies to achieve financial independence and scale their portfolios effectively.

His podcast, "The Andrew Hines Real Estate Investing Podcast," serves as a platform for sharing insights, strategies, and success stories, connecting a community of like-minded individuals passionate about real estate investing. With a background that blends practical investing experience and investor-focused work, Andrew has become a pivotal figure in the Canadian real estate investing community.

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 sale opportunities are high-risk, high-reward and should be approached only by experienced investors due to their “as-is, where-is” nature and lack of typical buyer protections such as condition periods and environmental reports.

The property features several vacant units with unclear renovation status, presenting a value-add opportunity — but due to its current condition, it will initially require bridge financing before becoming eligible for CMHC-insured refinancing post-renovation and lease-up.

They walk through the numbers using both stabilized and bridge-financing scenarios, estimating a 5.75% cap rate and ~$192K per unit acquisition cost.

After budgeting for approximately $280K in renovations across seven units and an additional $80K in bridge financing costs, they demonstrate that, if executed well, investors could achieve a 1.2 debt coverage ratio and retain the property with just $225K of capital left in the deal.

Dave stresses the importance of working with mortgage brokers and lenders who specialize in CMHC financing due to rapidly changing rules and underwriting complexities.

The episode also contrasts Canadian power of sale with U.S. foreclosure and “subject-to” financing strategies, noting that the latter enables long-term mortgage assumption at low locked-in rates, a major advantage in U.S. markets.

Don't forget to join the Insiders list for access to off-market deals and other unique opportunities.

Andrew's linktree : https://linktr.ee/theandrewhines

REI Hot Seat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reihotseat/

David Hulshof Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davehulshof.realestate/

E140 How To Structure High-Risk Multifamily Deals in 2025

0:37 – 20-Unit Deal Breakdown

5:15 – Vacancy & Rent Analysis

6:22 – Bridge First, CMHC Later

8:33 – U.S. vs. Canada Strategy

11:18 – Full Deal Structure

14:25 – CMHC Risks & Rules

17:06 – Final Numbers Breakdown

19:11 – No Inspection Risk

23:02 – 30-Day Irrevocable Offers

Disclaimer: This episode, as with every episode of this show, should NOT be considered as advice. Investment advice is NEVER given on this show. Always consult a competent investment advisor before making an investment decision.

---

Andrew Hines is a seasoned real estate investor, business-builder, educator, and podcast host, well-recognized for his extensive experience in the field. Andrew graduated with an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2008 and spent three years teaching introductory business at Western University as a Lecturer. He has been investing in real estate since 2011 and completing value-add projects since 2015, primarily in the luxury student rental space. Andrew started a project management company for building out new-construction townhomes in 2016 and has since built over 50 residential units throughout Southwestern Ontario. Andrew is an advocate for treating real estate investing like a business and uses his experience in his educational endeavors, coaching numerous investors on strategies to achieve financial independence and scale their portfolios effectively.

His podcast, "The Andrew Hines Real Estate Investing Podcast," serves as a platform for sharing insights, strategies, and success stories, connecting a community of like-minded individuals passionate about real estate investing. With a background that blends practical investing experience and investor-focused work, Andrew has become a pivotal figure in the Canadian real estate investing community.