Have you been to Prince Edward Island? Have you ever interviewed a billionaire? The unsexy side of real estate investing.  All that and more on this week’s Truth About Real Estate Investing For Canadians episode!!

I’m your host Erwin Szeto and I’m a big believer in education and this show is about exploring truth based strategies, tips, tricks and experiences to help listeners build successful investment portfolios so they may live more fulfilling lives. My show is like a buffet, we have guests from all parts of the spectrum to share their journeys in investing so you the listener can pick out what you like to apply to your own practice to optimize returns, reduce risks for a happier retirement or to fund those things important to you like travel, charity, helping out the kids with tuition or housing costs.

This past weekend, I hosted a bunch of family and friends at my house for my mom’s birthday.  I cooked my specialty, brisket, smoked and baked for 10 hours to perfect melt in your mouth consistency.  No steak knives needed.

Anyone who knows me knows I love to listen and talk about real estate.  One of my guests, and old family friend lives in the most expensive neighborhood in all of Canada: West Vancouver.  It was interesting to hear her own perspective on the costs of sending kits to university and crazy rents.  Her brother is the polar opposite who lives in Minnesota and his name is Phillip and he says it doesn’t matter how successful one is in Minnesota, everyone there can afford a house, LOL. What a tale of two cities and just reinforces my pursuit for affordability and cash flow for my own portfolio in the USA.

How great is Canada? I just returned from a Leadership Conference in Charlottetown, PEI

The event was epic. Our keynote speaker was Robert E Grant. He’s a billionaire, he stayed the entire conference including the excursions and dinners with and engaged with each of us in a small setting. My mind is blown and my work is cut out for me as Robert agreed to come on my podcast. It’ll be a nice warm up for Robert before he goes on Joe Rogan’s podcast lol 

Robert is no regular billionaire either not that I’ve met many, his businesses are altruistic. While we were at the summit, Robert showed me on his Instagram how his company rang the bell, the opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq.  I said I couldn’t believe he missed such a momentous event… This is a company he founded, owns the majority of with a market capitalization of $1 billion dollars. 

Robert replied, “oh no, it’s OK, I was there for the opening ceremony earlier this year” and shows me again on his Instagram where he’s front and center of the Opening Bell Ceremony at the Nasdaq.  The same stock exchange that is home to Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google, NVDIA, Netflix, Tesla, etc…

I went to hear about Robert’s thoughts on limiting beliefs, I didn’t believe he’d come on my podcast but I asked him anyways at break to which he said yes!

Holy cow Batman, I’m going to interview a billionaire who’s the nicest guy, genius IQ, polymath meaning he has expertise in multiple, unrelated fields like Leonardo Davinci so keep an eye out for that episode.

Did I mention how much I like Canada? If you’ve been to PEI then you know what I’m talking about. Everything there costs less, the people are polite, the city is clean, I ate more than one lobster per day on average. The golf and waterfront there is beautiful. I met a lovely couple from Nashville, TN who said they may make PEI their summer home.

This was an entrepreneur’s leadership summit too and from speaking to others, no one is happy with the direction of our country and anyone who wanted to talk about real estate, I happily obliged them about investing in the USA on how much better the landlord rights, cash flow, opportunities are down there. I don’t see how any everyday investor chooses a condo or duplex after seeing what we have to offer in the USA.

I was speaking to a home inspector just today who lives in Mississauga and he was recounting to me about all the flooding they had recently experienced, the Toronto Star reports the damage at $1 billion dollars.  When I told him how when investing in the USA, there aren’t any basements to which he said, he’d never want a house with a basement, too many risks and problems which is what I’ve been saying all this time.

Who would invest in a basement apartment when tenants have all the rights, flooding and insurance risk is greater than ever and the cost to renovate a basement into an apartment could buy you 1-3 houses in the USA where it can be way more passive.

The writing is on the wall and new opportunities to invest in the USA is a dream come true for this Canadian real estate investor. If you’re curious about how Canadians can tap into these opportunities, join us at the hybrid workshop on October 19th, 2024. You’ll not only learn how to identify cash-flowing properties, but you’ll also dive deeper into the legal and tax structures essential for cross-border investors with Cherry Chan, CPA, CA. 

In-person seating is limited and always sells out, so grab your spot before it’s too late!

Get your ticket here: https://USworkshop-er.eventbrite.ca/?aff=podcast

Building Systems, Packing Up, Moving from BC To Ohio with Meghan Hubner

On to this week’s show! Our guest Meghan Hubner is a real estate business consultant who helps investors run their portfolios like a business. After a 12-year career in medical and pharmaceutical sales, Meghan transitioned to entrepreneurship, using her degree in entrepreneurship to work with various businesses. About 4 years ago, she started focusing on real estate investors, helping them with accounting, finance, operations, and building systems to stabilize and grow their businesses. Meghan is also an experienced real estate investor herself, having built a portfolio in British Columbia, and a cohost of the Real Estate Reliance Summit along with fellow dynamic investors: Elizabeth Kelly and Victoria Cluney.

For information and to register go to https://realestateresilience.ca/ but don’t delay, the all virtual conference is Saturday and Sunday Sept 28th and 29th.  Cherry and I are proud speakers and SHARE and I are proud to be sponsoring quality educational content providers at affordable prices by Elizabeth, Victoria and this week’s guest Meghan Hubner.

Please enjoy the show!

Meaghan on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanhubner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanhubner?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Web: www.meghanhubner.com

To Listen:

HELP US OUT!

BEFORE YOU GO…

Before you go, if you’re interested in what kind of properties I am looking at in the landlord friendly states of the USA please go to iwin.sharesfr.com for what I consider the best investment for most Canadians, most of the time.

I’ve been investing in Ontario since 2005 and while it’s been a great, great run. I started out buying properties in the 100,000s and now it’s $800,000 to $1,000,000.  How much higher can it go? I don’t know

To me, the remaining potential for appreciation does not match the risk hence I’m advising my clients to look to where one can find rental properties that are affordable range of $150,000 to $350,000 US$, with rents that range from $1,400 to 2,600/month plus utilities.   As many Canadians recognize, these numbers will be positive cash flow and are night and day compared to anything locally. Plus the landlord has all of the rights, no rent control, and income is US dollars which are better than Canadian dollars.

If you don’t believe me, US dollars are better than Canadian dollars, go ask 100 non-Canadians which currency they prefer to be paid in.

So to regain control of your retirement planning.  Go to iwin.sharesfr.com and check out what great cash flow properties are available in the USA.  

The best part is, my US investments will be much more passive compared to by local investments as I’m hiring an asset manager called SHARE to hand hold me through the entire process.  As their client and shareholder, Share will source me quality income properties, help me with legal structure and taxes, they manage the property manager and insurance provider while passing down to me preferred rates so I save both time and money.  

Share will even tell me when to strategically refinance or sell.  SHARE can even support investors all over the country for proper diversification hence my plan is to own in Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas.  Share is like my joint venture partner but I only have to pay them fees while I keep 100% ownership and control.

If your goal in investing is to increase cash flow, I don’t know of a better strategy for most Canadians most of the time.  One last time that’s iwin.sharesfr.com to see what boring, cash flowing real estate investing can look like on your path towards financial peace.

This is how I’m going to make real estate investing great again for my family and hope you choose the same.  Till next time!

Sponsored by:

This episode is brought to you by me! We don’t have sponsors for this show. I only share with you services owned by my wife Cherry and me.  Real estate investing is a staple in my life and allowed me to build wealth and, more importantly, achieve financial peace about the future, knowing our retirement is taken care of and my kids will be able to afford a home when they grow up.  If you, too, are interested in my systematic strategy to implement the #1 investment strategy, the same one pretty much all my guests are doing themselves, then go visit www.infinitywealth.ca/events and register for our next event.

Till next time, just do it because I believe in you.

Erwin

W: erwinszeto.com
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Disclaimer:

As a committed advocate for transparent and responsible real estate investment, I want to openly share my involvement with SHARE SFR (Single Family Rental) as an Advisor. I hold an equity position in this company and receive a referral commission for clients I introduce to their services. My endorsement of their business model – focusing on direct ownership of positive cash flow income properties – is consistent with my own personal investing since 2005, is based not only on a professional assessment but also on my personal experience and belief in their approach. Please note that while I stand behind my recommendations, it is crucial for each individual to conduct their own due diligence and consider their unique circumstances before making any investment decisions. As always, my priority is to provide you with honest, insightful, and practical real estate investment education.