“I had the mayor standing in my unfinished basement because the city was blocking housing they said they wanted.”

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Dan Illes, a real estate investor and developer with a background in civil engineering and urban planning, to break down the real challenges behind infill development, zoning, and municipal approvals in Ontario.

Dan shares how a three-year battle over parking and basement units led to a public city council presentation and ultimately triggered a city-wide zoning change. We discuss how municipalities say they support density, but quietly block projects through bylaws, delays, and conditions, and how investors can push back using policy, not emotion.

We dive into:
✅ Infill development and land severance strategies
✅ Navigating zoning, parking rules, and municipal resistance
✅ Why planning delays quietly destroy investor returns
✅ Entitlement-based flips vs. construction-heavy deals
✅ Duplex-to-fourplex conversion strategy
✅ Corner lot advantages and parking solutions
✅ Negotiating conditions of approval to save real money
…and much more.

If you're an investor in need of a reality check, this episode is a masterclass in winning with policy, not emotion.

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Have a guest or topic idea? Drop it in the comments.

Follow & Connect with Dan Illes:
Dan Illes on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/illes_invest/
Website - https://waterbillsolutions.com/
Dan Illes Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dan.illes
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCH5vB-IOwIhnQ8LhqPB9NCg

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Ford-Invest/61556960051291/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kyleford576
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#HardTruthPodcast #CanadianRealEstate #CMHC #MLISelect #MultifamilyInvesting #RealEstateInvesting

“If CMHC wasn’t around, the multifamily construction side would have completely collapsed over the last couple of years.”

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with mortgage broker and multifamily financing expert Ehren Laycock of BLD Financial to break down the realities behind CMHC financing, MLI Select, commercial lending, and how the last 5 years have completely reshaped Canadian real estate.

From rapid growth during the 2020–2022 boom to today’s tougher underwriting, stricter policies, and rising vacancies, Ehren shares the unfiltered truth about what investors must understand before taking on leverage in today’s market.

We dive into:
✅ CMHC vs. MLI Select — leverage, premiums & real qualification rules
✅ How 2020–2022 cheap money created today’s financing challenges
✅ Why BRRRRs collapsed and investors got caught when rates spiked
✅ MLI Select risks: rental achievement, timelines & policy changes
✅ The hard truth about “full-time investors” vs. real, scalable real estate businesses
…and much more.

Ehren also breaks down the behind-the-scenes challenges with CMHC: timelines, underwriter changes, policy resets, rural vs. urban risk profiles, and how financing decisions are really made at the lender — not on Instagram.

Whether you’re a new investor, a mid-level builder scaling into 8–30 unit projects, or someone evaluating CMHC/multifamily strategies, this episode gives you the real, unfiltered breakdown of what’s happening in the market today.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and share your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic idea? Drop it in the comments.

Follow & Connect with Ehren Laycock:
Ehren Laycock on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laycock22/
Ehren - 226-980-5048
BLD Financial Instagram - https://instagram.com/bldfinancial
BLD Financial Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BLDfinancial
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bldfinancial

Follow & Connect with me on Social Media:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Ford-Invest/61556960051291/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kyleford576
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#HardTruthPodcast #CanadianRealEstate #CMHC #MLISelect #MultifamilyInvesting #RealEstateInvesting

“The laws have not protected anyone, not even the good tenants.”

In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with landlord and housing advocate Kayla Andrade of Ontario Landlords Watch to explore the realities of property management, tenant rights, and navigating Ontario’s complex housing policies.

From managing multi-unit properties to advocating for landlords, Kayla shares her journey of balancing cash flow, tenant accountability, and government regulations.

We dive into:
✅ How tenant protection laws have evolved and the impact on landlords
✅ The challenges landlords face with rent controls, eviction delays, and municipal bylaws
✅ How to hold tenants accountable while still providing safe, livable units
✅ Navigating politics and advocating for landlord rights at multiple levels of government
✅ The hard truths of being a landlord: thick skin, education, and the need to harden your heart
✅ Practical tips for new and seasoned investors to protect themselves and their investments

Kayla also shares her experience engaging with politicians, municipal staff, and industry groups to drive change and support both landlords and tenants.

Whether you are a new investor, a seasoned landlord, or someone interested in Ontario’s housing policies, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about property management, advocacy, and surviving as a landlord in a challenging market.

🎧 Found value in this episode?
Like, comment, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
Have a guest or topic you’d like featured? Drop it in the comments below.

Follow & Connect with Kayla:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaylaandradeolw/?hl=en
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kayla-andrade-b4855648
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Kayla.Andrade.olw/

Follow & Connect with Ontario Landlords Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ontariolandlordswatch
Ontario Landlords Watch Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ontlandlordswatch/
Ontario Landlords Watch Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/OntarioLandlordsWatch/
Ontario Landlords Watch Website - https://ontariolandlordswatch.com/

Find more info about FrontLobby: Rent Reporting Services for Landlords Canada
https://www.instagram.com/frontlobbyinc/

Follow & Connect with me on Social Media:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleford
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Ford-Invest/61556960051291/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kyleford576
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlhb05ieTA8yAugwmTT4Og

#realestate #realestateinvesting #hardtruth #hardtruthpodcast