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, and how deal flow, underwriting, and team structure can directly impact your outcomes. We also discuss the importance of working with brokers who actively operate in the market, understand financing, and bring a full team of professionals to the table before you ever enter a deal.

This conversation highlights common mistakes investors make when choosing representation, why being sent deals without proper analysis is a red flag, and how the right advisor should help you filter opportunities rather than overwhelm you.

If you are considering hiring a commercial realtor or evaluating your current one, this episode will give you a clear framework for asking the right questions upfront.

Have a question you want us to answer next week? Send it our way and we will cover it.

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Questions of the Week | What Should Your Commercial Realtor Be Doing for You?

0:00 Questions of the Week intro
0:27 The question investors keep asking
0:59 Why commercial is different from residential
1:48 Why experience and deal history matter
2:45 The importance of off market deal flow
3:09 Why team structure is critical
4:38 Understanding financing and underwriting
5:38 How real deal analysis protects buyers
6:49 Common mistakes investors make with brokers
7:39 The top three questions to ask a commercial realtor
8:27 How to submit questions for future episodes

DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED INVESTMENT ADVICE. INVESTMENT ADVICE IS NEVER GIVEN ON THIS SHOW. ALWAYS CONSULT A QUALIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISOR BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS.

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 that can override your entire agreement.

They also cover how to protect yourself when the rent roll, expenses, and documentation are incomplete, including building your own rent roll from a unit by unit walkthrough, pulling public tax data, estimating utilities using comparable properties, and underwriting with conservative cushions and a risk premium. You will hear why some power of sale deals can close fast, how that can create opportunity for buyers with capital ready, and how aligning your offer with the lender’s motivation can lead to better pricing.

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EP 150 Power of Sale Secrets Buyers Need to Know

0:05 A unique on market deal that turned into a power of sale
0:48 What power of sale means and why banks must market the property
2:18 Why power of sale listings have limited info and no reps and warranties
3:23 The schedule and how the owner can reclaim the property before closing
4:09 The upside and the risks buyers need to be ready for
6:24 Deal overview Wasaga Beach motel conversion and why the area is bullish
8:10 Pricing assumptions and how the deal could look at different purchase prices
9:48 Why touring comes first on this one and what to document unit by unit
11:48 How to mitigate risk when the schedule supersedes your clauses
12:43 Building your own rent roll using tours, taxes, and comparable utility data
13:38 Underwriting with cushions, risk premium, and why returns look higher
14:41 Fast closes, timelines, team readiness, and how to win power of sale deals
17:02 Getting an opinion of value and joining the insider list

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.

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 misconceptions around mixed use assets, minimum unit counts, and how some owners and investors miss out on CMHC financing simply because they assume their building does not qualify.

Using real examples, we explain how reclassifying space properly, understanding nuances around basements and common areas, and doing things the right way can unlock significant refinancing and acquisition opportunities. We also cover the risks of misrepresentation, CMHC inspections, and why clarity upfront is critical before moving forward with financing.

If you own a building or are considering purchasing one and wondering whether CMHC financing is an option, this episode will give you clarity.

Have a question you want us to answer next week? Drop it in the comments.

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

Questions of the Week | Which Deals Do Not Qualify for CMHC Financing?

0:00 Questions of the Week intro

0:18 What deals cannot go to CMHC

0:41 Property types that are immediately disqualified

1:07 Mixed use buildings and the 30 percent rule

2:06 How basements and common areas are treated

2:49 Revenue allocation and why it matters

3:20 Unlocking CMHC on misunderstood mixed use deals

4:29 Minimum unit counts and deal sizing

6:07 CMHC compliance, inspections, and doing it right

8:32 Final takeaways on qualifying for CMHC

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.

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 impacts unit count and value, and why assumable debt can dramatically change how a deal pencils. We dig into cap rates, loan-to-value, cash-on-cash returns, and the trade-offs investors face when leverage is lower but financing terms are exceptional. The discussion ultimately comes down to price discipline, creative structuring, and knowing when a deal is close versus when it actually works.

This episode is a real example of how we underwrite deals in real time, pressure test assumptions, and work backwards to find the number that makes sense, rather than forcing a deal to fit.

Sign up to the REI Hot Seat Insider:[https://www.jotform.com/form/241655418022249]

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

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

EP 149 Why “Good Debt” Can Still Be a Bad Deal

0:00 Welcome back to REI Hot Seat

0:25 Same owner, same street, different deal

1:03 Suite mix and the boiler room special explained

2:24 Assumable CMHC debt at 2.69 percent to 2031

3:43 Cap rate, price per door, and LTV concerns

4:31 Cash on cash returns and lift potential

5:30 VTB discussion and why it is not an option

7:15 Is good debt worth overpaying for

8:00 How we would actually price this deal

9:25 What purchase price makes this deal compelling

10:27 Creative deal structuring and final thoughts

11:46 Closing remarks and next steps

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.

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 love it, and how it allows investors to structure stronger, more resilient deals with less capital in the deal.

We also talk through when CMHC makes sense, when it doesn’t, and why we’re always focused on choosing the most favourable debt options available, not just one financing strategy.

Sign up to the REI Hot Seat Insider: ⁠[https://www.jotform.com/form/241655418022249]

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Questions of the Week | Why Investors Rely on CMHC More Than Ever?

0:00 – Questions of the Week intro

0:24 – Why so many deals go straight to CMHC

1:08 – What CMHC actually does

2:19 – Guarantees, risk & non-recourse loans

3:07 – Amortization, rates & lender flexibility

4:23 – Final summary & when we’d pivot

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.

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 investors ask about all the time, why we show acquisition versus stabilized value, how our underwriting sheet is used as a filter across hundreds of deals, and what “best case” lift looks like when market rents are achieved over time. From there they discuss CMHC strategy, debt coverage, capital required, cash on cash returns, and how buyers can think about funding down payments through joint ventures or home equity while still staying focused on cash flowing deals.

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EP 148
Would You Buy This 9-Unit? London Multifamily Deal Breakdown

0:07 Matching uniforms and should we drop the shirts

0:34 Deal overview 9 unit in London and why the exterior is compelling

1:02 Price target cap rate and price per door breakdown

1:57 Location fundamentals near Fanshawe and tenant profile discussion

4:16 Value add upside and what stabilized value could look like

4:55 Acquisition versus stabilized numbers and why we model it this way

6:34 The deal filter and why you need to analyze hundreds of deals

8:06 CMHC strategy debt coverage and conservative interest rate assumptions

10:00 Bond yields spreads and how lenders price deals

12:18 Capital required cash on cash returns and why this is attractive
15:58 Funding the down payment JVs lines of credit and home equity

17:26 The risk of negative cash flow and what to avoid

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.

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 diligence. From utility audits and operating numbers to construction history and reports, this conversation explains how doing the work early protects value and keeps deals on track.If you are thinking about selling a building or investing in one, this episode will give you a clear understanding of why preparation matters.REI Hot Seat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reihotseat/

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

Jacob Campagnaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_campagnaro/Questions of the Week | Why Missing Documents Can Kill A Commercial Real Estate Deal

0:00 Why sellers question the need for a data room

1:00 Why documents must be ready before listing

2:10 How buyers underwrite buildings like businesses

3:30 How inaccurate numbers lead to price reductions

5:05 What a data room is and why it protects valueDISCLAIMER: 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.

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 markets, from stalled development sites and struggling small plexes to strong-performing retail plazas and 20+ unit multifamily buildings. They also dig into cap rates, CMHC financing, fear vs greed, what they expect for pricing and cap rate movement over the next 6–12 months, and how sellers and buyers should be positioning themselves right now.

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Jacob Campagnaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_campagnaro/EP 147 - Fear vs. Greed: Who’s Actually Buying in Today’s Market

0:07 New studio intro and market update setup

0:45 Dave’s take on inventory, pricing and power of sale deals

2:16 Should you list now or wait and how sellers are approaching timing

2:53 Jake on which markets are hot and which are stagnating

3:52 Who’s actually buying right now and the fear vs greed dynamic

6:24 Development, retail, multifamily and how each asset class is performing

8:11 Larger buyers moving down into smaller unit counts

8:46 Will cap rates compress and what happens if interest rates hold

9:59 Normalizing interest rates, realistic cap rates and spoiled expectations

11:32 Final thoughts, predictions and why now is a strong buying market

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.