The Savvy Investor Podcast

The Savvy Investor
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Savvy Investor Podcast, where we provide practical insights on real estate investing, market trends, and expert tips from industry professionals. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned investor, our show offers actionable advice to help guide you through the world of real estate investing with confidence. Tune in to elevate your investment knowledge and help you live a savvy life.

  1. 58m ago

    Overcoming Fear in Real Estate Investing with Melanie Robinson

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode You've run the numbers twice. The deal works. And you still haven't hit submit. That's not a numbers problem. It's fear, and it's good at disguising itself. It sounds like "I need more information" or "the timing isn't right," but underneath those reasonable excuses is usually the same thing holding you back. Whether you're buying your first rental property or your fiftieth, fear finds its way in. Savvy Squad mindset coach Melanie Robinson is back on the Savvy Investor Podcast to talk about what to do the moment fear shows up. Melanie is a real estate investor with a portfolio across British Columbia and New Brunswick and a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Through her Mindset Mastery Program, she helps investors keep moving forward while the fear is still in the room with them. In this episode, they talk about: What's happening in your head when you're ready to make an offer but can't pull the triggerWhy the fear of scaling a real estate portfolio feels different from the fear of buying your first propertyGetting comfortable with a new investing strategy or a market you've never invested inHow to tell the difference between fear that's protecting you and fear that's costing you dealsThe approach Melanie uses with her coaching clients to help them take action before the fear goes awayIf fear has ever cost you a deal, or it's sitting between you and your next one right now, this conversation is for you. Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanie___robinson/ Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - Calvin Realty Calvin Realty is a top-tier, investor-focused real estate team based in Edmonton. Our goal is to transform lives and build lasting relationships through real estate. We strive to offer exceptional service and guidance, ensuring every client’s success throughout their journey. We’re proud to be recognized as the top-rated real estate team in Edmonton and area, with over 570 Google reviews and the highest client satisfaction rating. Clients consistently describe us as responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to delivering exceptional service. In 2025, Calvin Realty earned the prestigious Northern Alberta Consumer Choice Award in the Commercial Real Estate category—marking us as a leading team in the region. We specialize in investor-focused services, providing exclusive access to private deals, a strong professional network, and strategic market guidance designed to help clients expand their portfolios and identify opportunities early. With our award-winning reputation, proven results, and investor-first approach, Calvin Realty stands out as a premier real estate partner in Northern Alberta. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/calvin-realty/ Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  2. Sep 30

    Recession Proofing Your Real Estate Portfolio with Mark Khuri

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode Real estate has always moved in cycles. Up, then flat, then down, then back up again. Anyone who's been doing this long enough has lived through at least one stretch like the one we're in right now. Rents are coming down in a lot of markets. Values have slipped. Inventory is sitting longer than it used to, and buyers have more leverage than they've had in years. If your cash flow has felt tighter this year than it did two years ago, you're not the only one. Here's what a stretch like this actually does. It doesn't create bad deals. It exposes them. A property that only worked because rents kept climbing every year, or because a refinance at a lower rate was baked into the plan, that property is having a rough time right now. A property that was underwritten with room for things to go wrong is still doing exactly what it was built to do. That's the difference I wanted to dig into on this episode. Mark Khuri is CEO and co-founder of SMK Capital Management, a private equity real estate firm that's put together more than 120 properties worth over $1.5 billion. He's built more than 70 partnerships with investors, and a lot of them keep coming back to invest with him again. In this episode we get into: How to underwrite a property so the numbers still hold up if rents drop or vacancy runs higher than plannedWhy self-storage, mobile home parks, multifamily, and industrial tend to hold up better than most asset classes when values are falling and inventory is highWhat real diversification actually looks like across asset class, market, and operating partner, not just owning a few properties in the same city and calling it spread outHow Mark reads where we are in this part of the cycle, and what that's telling him about where to put capital right nowWhat past downturns taught him about the kind of deals that survive versus the ones that fall apart, and how that shaped the way SMK underwrites every property todayIf your numbers have felt off this year and you're trying to figure out whether that's the market or something in how the deal was put together, this one's going to give you a lot to work with. Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - Ellements Financial Group Ellements Group offers real estate investors like you the peace of mind that comes from their insightful, full-team approach to financial coaching, holistic financial planning and managing your entire financial picture, not just your portfolio. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/ellements-financial-group Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  3. Sep 23

    Build Wealth Without Burning Out with Genevieve Vienneau

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode Geneviève Vienneau was working full time as a lawyer while building her real estate investing business on the side. She gave everything she had to both, and eventually it caught up with her. A breakdown forced her to step away from law entirely and figure out who she was outside of the constant push to do more. In this episode of the Savvy Investor Podcast, Michael Ponte and Geneviève talk openly about burnout in real estate investing and how she rebuilt a healthier relationship with why she was working so hard in the first place. If you're growing a rental property portfolio while holding down a full-time job or another business, this one is for you. In this episode: The overwhelm that led to her breakdown and what it felt like from the insideHow being driven can quietly work against the life you're trying to buildHow she checks in with her why so portfolio growth isn't the only focusThe warning signs she wishes she'd paid attention to soonerWhat lifestyle real estate investing looks like when you enjoy your life today while you're still building wealthIf you've been so focused on growing your portfolio that you can't remember the last time you enjoyed where you're at, this episode is going to hit home. Follow Geneviève on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldwithgen/ Learn More About Our Trusted Partner -  Barr LLP Barr LLP is a full service law firm based in the Province of Alberta with a broad range of practice areas to assist all clients. Their Commercial and Residential Real Estate and Finance team helps new and experienced clients navigate the world of real estate investing in an easy and open manner.  Would you like to learn more about Barr LLP or get in touch with them? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/barr-llp Savvy Investor Links:   Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our FREE Savvy Investor Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/341243106757064 Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  4. Sep 16

    Distressed Property Secrets with Logan Fullmer

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode At a young age, Logan Fullmer watched a sheriff move his family’s furniture onto the lawn after his dad missed a mortgage payment. Years later, after inheriting nearly $1 million and losing most of it, Logan found himself with just $5,000 while working in the oil field. On his weekends off, he started walking neighborhoods in San Antonio, Texas, knocking on doors and buying vacant lots for as little as $5,000. After purchasing a couple dozen properties, one of those lots changed everything when someone offered him $200,000 for a property he had bought for $10,000. That experience led Logan to an overlooked niche in distressed real estate investing — properties with unpaid taxes, multiple owners, legal issues, and complicated situations that most investors avoid. Today, Logan operates across seven states with more than 200 properties in his pipeline. In this episode, he shares how he finds off-market real estate deals, uses public records and court dockets to build lead lists, negotiates with property owners, manages risk, and built a 30-person team to scale his business. In This Episode: Finding distressed and tax delinquent propertiesUsing court records and tax records to find off-market dealsNegotiating directly with property ownersEvaluating risk when buying complicated propertiesWhy Logan often skips title insuranceBuilding systems to scale a real estate investing businessGrowing from a solo investor to a 30-person team across seven statesIf you're interested in distressed real estate, tax sale properties, vacant land investing, or off-market real estate deals, this episode is packed with strategies and lessons you can apply to your own investing journey. Follow Logan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logan_fullmer/ Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - Green Mortgage Green Mortgage has been specializing in working with real estate investors since 2008. 80% of Green Mortgages’ clients are investors, and Green Mortgage has funded over $1Billion in mortgages over its lifespan. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/green-mortgage-team/  Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  5. Sep 9

    Former Prisoners As Tenants? with Taylor Van Pelt

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode In this episode of the Savvy Investor Podcast, Michael Ponte explores an often-overlooked tenant market: formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities and looking for stable housing and employment. While most landlords compete for tenants with excellent credit, clean backgrounds, and stable jobs, this creates significant competition and can put downward pressure on rents. Our guest, Taylor Van Pelt, has taken a different approach. She owns and manages rental properties serving formerly incarcerated individuals and has analyzed whether this tenant profile can actually work as a profitable investment. Taylor is also the Workforce Development Director at the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia, where she connects employers with talent and works on programs supporting economic mobility and second-chance employment. Follow Taylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeandco_/ In This Episode, We Discuss How Taylor screens and qualifies formerly incarcerated tenants.Whether the numbers make sense compared with traditional rentals.The risks — and misconceptions — landlords have about this tenant pool.The support tenants may need beyond housing.How employment and stable housing can work together during reentry.How investors, Chambers of Commerce, and workforce organizations can collaborate.What Taylor wishes more investors understood about reentry housing.This fascinating conversation challenges some common assumptions about tenant selection and explores whether an underserved tenant population could represent both an investment opportunity and a meaningful way to create social impact. If you're struggling to fill your rental units or looking for new ways to think about tenant demand, this episode is one you won't want to miss. Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - FrontLobby Rent Reporting, Credit Building, Tenant Screening, Debt Recovery Do you want to reduce your risk, reduce delinquency rates, and build stronger rental portfolios? FrontLobby was built to solve industry challenges. Late payments? Start reporting rent to the Credit Bureaus. Tenant applications? Screen them using fast, affordable services. Unpaid balances? Recover rental debts using effective and compliant tools. Tenancy questions? Ask the industry’s first Landlord Al. We understand how demanding managing rentals can be, which is why FrontLobby helps power smarter decisions and better outcomes. Savvy exclusive offer: Use special code: SAVVY26 when you activate your premium membership to receive a $10 credit. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/front-lobby  Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our FREE Savvy Investor Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/341243106757064 Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  6. Sep 2

    Landlord Insurance: Are You Covered? with Michael Durigon & Matt Nelson

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode Are you confident your investment property insurance actually protects your real estate business? Many investors renew the same insurance policy year after year without reviewing whether their coverage still matches their portfolio.  In this episode of the Savvy Investor Podcast, host Michael Ponte is joined by insurance brokers Michael Durigon and Matt Nelson from BrokerLink Insurance to discuss what every real estate investor should know about landlord insurance, rental property coverage, and protecting their investments from costly surprises. Whether you own a single rental property or a growing real estate portfolio, this conversation explains the differences between homeowner's insurance and landlord insurance, why rebuild cost matters more than purchase price, and how the right policy can protect your cash flow and long-term investment strategy. You'll also learn about common insurance mistakes, renovation coverage, deductibles, liability protection, and why many investors discover coverage gaps only after filing a claim. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between homeowner's insurance and landlord insurance.Why every rental property should have insurance designed for investors.How rebuild cost impacts your insurance coverage.Insurance considerations for single-family homes, duplexes, and small multifamily properties.How deductibles affect claims and out-of-pocket expenses.Why unreported renovations can impact your coverage.The difference between landlord insurance and tenant insurance.Common insurance gaps that could leave real estate investors exposed.Practical tips for reviewing your insurance policy before you need to file a claim.If you're a real estate investor looking to protect your rental properties, improve your risk management strategy, and avoid expensive insurance mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply today. Follow their Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokerLink Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokerlinkca/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKdtPhkE78WAF7dP3B_UNjw Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brokerlink Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - Rook & Knight Law Whether you are buying your first rental, scaling a portfolio, refinancing, using private lending, purchasing multifamily property, or planning for long-term wealth and estate protection, our team helps you navigate the legal side with clarity and confidence.  We understand that investors need more than a standard real estate closing — they need structure, strategy, communication, and practical guidance that supports the bigger picture. With a fully virtual model and a process-driven approach, Rook & Knight helps make your transactions smoother, your legal structures stronger, and your investment journey easier to manage. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/rook-knight/ Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  7. Aug 26

    Building Wealth By Wholesaling with Teanna Clark & Cody Kelly

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode In this episode, Michael Ponte sits down with Cody Kelly and Teanna Clark of JPL HomeBuyers, a family-run wholesaling business based in Alberta. Wholesaling has been around for years, but there’s still a lot of confusion around how it actually works—and what it takes to build a real business from it. Cody and Teanna have taken a very hands-on approach, starting with door knocking and handwritten letters and eventually building a buyers list of more than 10,000 investors. Cody came into wholesaling after building his own flipping business, giving him a strong understanding of the numbers and what makes a deal work. Teanna brought eight years of high-ticket sales experience to the business. Together, they’ve built a company that has closed assignments ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than $100,000 on a single property. In this conversation, we get into the practical side of wholesaling, including: What wholesaling actually is and how it differs from flippingHow to find motivated sellers and recognize a genuinely distressed propertyHow Cody and Tiana built a buyers network of more than 10,000 investorsThe legal issues new wholesalers need to understandMistakes that can damage your reputation in the industryWhat it really costs to operate a wholesaling business each monthWhat they would tell someone looking to get their first wholesale dealIf you’ve been curious about wholesaling, wondering whether it still works, or trying to figure out how to build a real business around it, this conversation is worth a listen. Follow their Socials: https://www.instagram.com/teannaclark/ https://www.instagram.com/mightyirishhomeinvestors/ Learn More About Our Trusted Partner - Ellements Financial Group Ellements Group offers real estate investors like you the peace of mind that comes from their insightful, full-team approach to financial coaching, holistic financial planning and managing your entire financial picture, not just your portfolio. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/ellements-financial-group Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

  8. Aug 19

    Mistakes That Sink Developers with Robert Nichols

    Let Us Know What You Thought Of The Episode Zoning is changing faster right now than at almost any point I can remember. Cities across Canada & the US are opening the door to four, six, even ten units on lots that used to allow one. Now on paper that sound like an amazing opportunity. But for many investors it can be a nightmare when they don’t know what the heck they are doing. That gap, between what's legally possible and what's actually buildable, is where a lot of good intentions turn into expensive mistakes. Robert Nichols has spent more than 20 years closing that gap. He's a real estate developer out of Boston who's completed over 40 projects and personally led entitlement and permitting on 17 of them in one of the most difficult regulatory markets in the country. He's also a capital advisor through MIG Advisory, where he's placed over $800 million across commercial real estate deals, so he's seen this business from the development side and the money side. His path here wasn't a straight line. He set out to become an attorney, ended up in a corporate job instead, and it was buying his first property at 23 that changed everything. From there he learned development from the ground up, working under a development company that also ran a lending arm, which is where he picked up how to actually underwrite a deal. Here's what we get into: How zoning and entitlement decisions early on can make or break a project's returnWhat actually goes into building a capital stack that doesn't fall apartWhy understanding your exit strategy before you even close on landThe most common and most expensive mistakes he sees first-time developers makeHow he thinks about scaling from a single project into a repeatable development businessAnd so much moreHe also gives us a sneak peek into where he's seeing the best development opportunities right now. If you've been wondering whether your next move should be development instead of another single or multifamily property, then you really want to listen to this right to the very end. Follow Robert on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertlnichols/ Learn more about our Trusted Partner - SingleKey Used by more than +1 Million housing providers and tenants across the U.S. and Canada, SingleKey is a digital platform that helps property owners make more informed decisions when selecting tenants and managing their risk. Their tenant screening service, automated rent collection tool, and Rent Guarantee Program bring trust, transparency, and accountability into the rental process, allowing homeowners, renters, property managers, and realtors to rent risk free. Stop guessing with tenants. SingleKey’s got the tools: Screening, automated rent, and a Rent Guarantee. Used by 150,000+ landlords. Don’t risk it. Get SingleKey. Use promo code SAVVY10OFF or use the link below to login into your SingleKey account or create new account. Savvy members are entitled to an exclusive recurring 10% discount on all single credit bureau reports regularly priced at $29.99. Would you like to learn more? Visit: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/singlekey   Savvy Investor Links: Website: https://thesavvyinvestor.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_investors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesavvyinvestor Join our Savvy Squad Community for 14 Days Absolutely FREE! https://thesavvyinvestor.ca/join Disclaimer: The views and advice expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the podcast host or affiliated parties. The content is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional financial, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. The podcast host and producers are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

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About

Welcome to the Savvy Investor Podcast, where we provide practical insights on real estate investing, market trends, and expert tips from industry professionals. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned investor, our show offers actionable advice to help guide you through the world of real estate investing with confidence. Tune in to elevate your investment knowledge and help you live a savvy life.

Information

  • Creator
    The Savvy Investor
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Savvy Investor Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Savvy Investor Podcast

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