Where Should I Invest? Real Estate Investing in Canada

Mat Piché flipped more than 150 houses in Southern Ontario before making the move south about two and a half years ago. Today, 95% of his deals are vacant land in the US, bought at around 50 cents on the dollar, often without putting down a deposit.

Sarah Larbi and co-host Ryan Sweda sit down with Mat for a candid (and occasionally controversial) conversation about why he left the Canadian market and how his land business works. He shares the cross-border setup Canadians need to avoid paying tax twice, and what it really takes to get an E-2 v...

Glen Sutherland started out investing in his own backyard in Cambridge, Ontario, but eventually made the leap south, building a portfolio across Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Michigan and Texas.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest?, hosts Sarah Larbi and Ryan Sweda sit down with Glen to unpack what it actually takes for a Canadian to build and scale a US real estate business, from visas to financing to picking the right market.

“The greatest thing in the world is to get paid in US dollars over Canadian dollars.”
Glen Suth...

Season two of Where Should I Invest? kicks off with a new voice in the room. After 10 years and more than a million downloads, Sarah Larbi welcomes co-host Ryan Sweda, a US-based investor with seven DIY renovation projects and 50 acres of timber in western New York under his belt. Their first guest together is a show favourite: Matt Pickering, Mortgage Specialist at National Bank.

Should you go fixed or variable today, and why? We dig into the questions you should be asking before making that decision.

We also discuss loans from National Bank at...

Most investors spend years building the confidence to do their first deal. Bryce Kander initiated his first joint venture at the age of 13. In this episode of Where Should I Invest?, host Sarah Larbi sits down with the Red Deer-based realtor and investor to unpack how a home school “financial planning” class turned into a property portfolio — and how he’s now using an unconventional strategy called condo deconversion to build serious equity in Alberta’s softened condo market.

What We Cover:

Is the Ontario rental market stacked against you? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jacqui Cummins, founder of Anchor Point Property Management. Jacqui leverages a 25 year career as a law clerk and 20 years of personal investing experience to protect her clients from professional tenants and LTB nightmares. From the rise of the “cash for keys” phenomenon to the high-tech fraud used in rental applications today, Jacqui reveals the exact systems she uses to mitigate risk. If you are a Durham Region investor or anywhere in Ontario, this episode is your survival guide for the modern rental landscape. In this epis...

In this raw and honest episode, Sarah Larbi sits down with Adam Kitchener, a seasoned investor and former property manager who built a massive career only to see it dismantled by the CRA.
Adam shares the devastating chain of events where an audit of a former client led to an investigation into his own finances, ultimately resulting in his bank calling all of his mortgages due.

This is a vital conversation for any investor about the importance of corporate structure, the reality of tax audits, and the mental grit required to rebuild from zero.

In this episode, Sarah Larbi sits down with Albert Belo, the founder of Tribelo Properties, to discuss his incredible 30 year journey in the construction industry.

Albert reveals the personal catalyst that led him to leave a secure 20 year career in insurance restoration at age 50 to pursue his own business.

They dive deep into the technical side of property investing, from the importance of detailed documentation to selecting materials that are actually indestructible for rentals. Albert also shares his expertise on dealing with mold, asbestos, and the critical importance of having a properly insured team on...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with long-time real estate experts and tech innovators Maher Murshed and Voytek Mardula. While many of you know Voytek for their turnkey US property success, they are now leading the charge in the AI space with their new venture, Speak Nova.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi is joined by guest co-host Kelly Gong to interview Michal Wach, a real estate tax specialist who transitioned from a career in policing to helping investors navigate the complex world of Canadian taxes.

Michal breaks down why “doing it yourself” is the fastest way to fall behind and why the CRA’s new tools mean transparency is no longer optional.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi welcomes back Kasey Wong to discuss what it really takes to build long-term financial freedom through Canadian real estate. Kasey shares how being let go early in his career pushed him to pursue secure, income-producing real estate, starting with a Toronto triplex in 2003. Years later, real estate gave him the leverage to walk away from his final job on his own terms. Together, Sarah and Kasey unpack: Why “generational wealth” is really about passing down education and experience Why 5–10 years is a realistic timeline for financial freedom The dangers of coache...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with registered psychotherapist Samir Boulazreg to explore the mental and emotional side of entrepreneurship, investing, and high performance.

Samir shares practical frameworks around mindfulness, movement, nutrition, and therapy, and explains why mental health work isn’t about “fixing yourself,” but about building awareness and resilience over time.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with Kayla Andrade, a landlord advocate and long-time Ontario real estate investor, to unpack what’s really happening in Ontario’s rental market. Kayla shares her journey from landlord to advocate, the regulatory pressures pushing landlords out of the market, and why many investors are reconsidering long-term rental strategies altogether. They dive into Bill 60, municipal licensing fees, tenant-landlord dynamics, and the growing importance of landlord communities and advocacy. This episode offers a grounded, firsthand look at how policy decisions are reshaping the rental landscape and what landlords need to un...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with Natalie Cloutier, a real estate developer, author, and builder who has carved out a unique niche in the Canadian investing landscape: Build to Rent.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with Kenold Knight, a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and mentee of self-made billionaire Michael Lee-Chin, to explore strategies for building long-term wealth beyond real estate. Kenold shares how he helps clients develop a written financial framework, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on sustainable investments. He dives into his “Three Ps” (Predict, Plan, Persevere), the 5 laws of wealth creation, and why investing in emerging sectors like clean energy and healthcare could shape the future of smart portfolios.

If you’re looking to get out of the “shiny object” cycle and start c...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, I chat with Chad Carter a former sports chiropractor turned real estate investor who’s building a turnkey single-family portfolio in Rochester, New York, specifically designed for Canadian investors.

Chad shares how he went from buying his first properties with family to partnering through joint ventures and now launching investment funds to scale his business. We talk about how he’s using institutional credit lines from US lenders to acquire, stabilize, and refinance properties and how he’s achieving double-digit returns while keeping things efficient and repeatable.

From ma...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, host Sarah Larbi sits down with Ryan De Laurentis, an Ontario-based real-estate investor who’s completed more than 70 flips and hundreds of wholesale deals. Ryan shares his no-fluff approach to flipping — from managing renovations and sourcing materials to knowing when to pivot, drop your price, and protect your capital.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi sits down with Daniel Foch, co-host of The Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast, to talk about navigating today’s real estate landscape with clarity, data, and strategy.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with Carrie Soave, an AI strategist and real estate entrepreneur who’s helping investors adapt to the fast-changing tech landscape.

Carrie shared how she transitioned from being a licensed agent to running a million-dollar company powered by AI, with a lean team and smart systems. She shared why AI isn’t just the future, it’s the present and how ignoring it could cost you your edge.

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with returning guest Marcin Drozdz to talk about what it really takes to scale in real estate through capital raising. Since his last appearance, Marcin has focused on expanding his portfolio, navigating market shifts, and doubling down on the high-income skill of raising capital. He shares what’s working right now when it comes to investor conversations, lead generation, and team building, and why it’s more important than ever to have systems in place as markets tighten. From scaling up to a nine-figure fund to managing rela...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with Nick Hill, a real estate investor, mortgage broker, and co-host of The Canadian Real Estate Investor podcast. They had a no-fluff conversation about what it takes to build wealth in today’s market.

Thinking about expanding your portfolio across the border?

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with Fritz Vilegas, a registered nurse, twin mom, and real estate investor whose story is rooted in resilience, purpose, and community.

Originally from the Philippines, Fritz immigrated to Canada, worked multiple jobs to save her first down payment, and began a real estate journey that has grown across Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta.

Fritz’s path wasn’t easy especially during the pandemic when burnout led her to reevaluate everything. But with determination, education, and support from her wife and mentors, she’...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with Debbie Balfour, a real estate investor and coach whose story goes far beyond spreadsheets. From launching her investment journey in 2019 to navigating a devastating house fire and a sudden layoff within two months of each other, Debbie’s resilience has helped her rebuild, not just her portfolio, but her entire life. She opens up about what it’s really like to adapt when your strategies stop working, when regulations change, or when life throws you curveballs. This is a grounded, honest conversation about aligning your investments with...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sat down with Babar Moghal, a returning guest whose real estate journey has gone from small multifamily BRRRRs to major development projects, including senior housing and large-scale multifamily across Alberta. Babar walks us through how he leapt from investor to developer, covering deal structuring, capital raising, partnerships, and how he’s navigating today’s challenging market environment. If you’ve been wondering how to scale or what it takes to move into bigger deals, this conversation is packed with real-world insight. What You’ll Learn: How Babar transitioned from small BR...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi reconnects with mortgage expert Dalia Barsoum from Streetwise Mortgages to unpack what’s going on in real estate financing mid-2025. With over a decade of collaboration, Sarah and Dalia dive into what’s changed, what’s working, and how investors can adapt to the new economic realities.

From interest rate hikes to value drops, Dalia explains why Ontario’s market may be struggling, but also where opportunities are quietly emerging. Whether you’re worried about upcoming renewals or thinking about expanding your portfolio, this episode is a practical...

What happens when you buy your first property at 19, move across the world, and build a portfolio that’s aligned with your lifestyle, not someone else’s idea of success? In this episode of Where Should I Invest, Sarah and Kelly sit down with Amy Brooke, a CPA-turned-full-time investor who left corporate life to pursue real estate full-time with her husband Nigel. Amy shares the real story behind their success, including the mistakes, mindset shifts, and strategy pivots that helped her scale without losing sight of what matters most.

We talk about how she navigated over-leveraging, burnout, and the pres...

Ever thought about walking away from the security of a 9–5 to build your own real estate business?

And he’s not holding anything back.

Kyle walks us through his 18-year journey in real estate from buying his first rental during the 2008 crash to building a multi-million dollar portfolio, launching a construction business, and stepping fully into...

What if your next investment wasn’t in your backyard but across the border? In this episode of Where Should I Invest, I sit down with James Lloyd and Voytek Mardula from USProperties.ca to talk about why Detroit is becoming one of the most attractive markets for Canadian investors.

I recently bought a property through them, and share my own experience from why I chose Detroit to how the numbers made sense.

We dig into Section 8 rentals, Airbnb strategy, cross-border financing, and how Canadians can start building wealth in the U.S. without the overwhelm.

Are you building a real estate portfolio that supports your lifestyle or one that traps you in hustle mode?

Curious about hotel investing but not sure where to start?

Looking to sharpen your marketing skills as a real estate investor?

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, we sit down with marketing coach and entrepreneur Jean-Claude “JC” Nasr, who shares powerful insights that can help you stand out and attract the right clients even if you’re juggling a full-time job.

JC keep things practical and down-to-earth in a conversation about building a smart and effective marketing strategy in today’s digital world.

He breaks down how to truly understand your audience, create content that connects, and make social media work for you...

From creating a financial safety net to fueling your real estate investments, our guest today, Liz Lamond, breaks down how to make your money work harder!

We’re also diving into wealth-building strategies! This episode is a must-listen if you want to secure your future while supercharging your portfolio!

Liz is passionate about transforming financial potential into a lasting legacy, and she’s here to share how whole life insurance can be a game-changer for investors.

In this episode, you will be a...

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, I’m thrilled to introduce my new co-host, Kelly Casimiro!
Kelly’s journey is incredible. She went from having zero real estate experience to building a thriving midterm rental business, all while managing a full-time job and family life. And now? She’s thinking even bigger with her eyes set on hotel ownership in 2025.

I...

In this special election edition of Where Should I Invest, Sarah Larbi welcomes back Darren Cabral to unpack the key housing, energy, and economic policies from the Liberal and Conservative parties ahead of Canada’s April 28th election.

Known for his no-nonsense, entrepreneurial lens, Darren breaks down what each platform means for real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and the future of Canada’s economy.

If you think you need a ton of cash and perfect credit to get started in real estate, think again!

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, I’m joined by Donny Wong, a powerhouse investor and property manager who transformed his life from having zero money and terrible credit to thriving in the world of short-term and midterm rentals.

Join me and co-host Kelly Casimiro as we dive into Donny’s journey, his unique rental arbitrage strategies, and how he built a profitable business without hefty upfront costs.

Donny’s pass...

If you think you need a ton of cash and perfect credit to get started in real estate, think again!

In this episode of Where Should I Invest, I’m joined by Donny Wong, a powerhouse investor and property manager who transformed his life from having zero money and terrible credit to thriving in the world of short-term and midterm rentals.

Joining me and co-host Kelly Casimiro as we dive into Donny’s journey, his unique rental arbitrage strategies, and how he built a profitable business without hefty upfront costs.

Donny’s pass...

In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Cam McCarroll, a seasoned real estate investor and entrepreneur, to discuss his journey through various investment strategies, including real estate, stock options, and Bitcoin.

We kicked off the conversation with a light-hearted exchange about my recent trip to Costa Rica, a place Cam has been visiting since 1999. He shared his insights on how the country has evolved over the years, touching on both the positive changes and some concerning security issues that have emerged. While we initially veered int...

Unlocking Financing Opportunities: Insights from Matt Pickering at National Bank

In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Harry, a seasoned real estate investor and developer with over 40 years of experience. Harry, who humorously mentioned he was in prison (figuratively, of course), shared valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs he has faced in his various projects, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising interest rates.

We kicked off the conversation by discussing Harry’s current projects, including the long-delayed Beachwalk Flats in Cobourg, which he hopes to deliver by March-April 2025. He emphasized the importance of perseverance dur...