The Hard Truth Podcast

Hard Truth Podcast
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The Hard Truth Podcast with Kyle Ford

  1. JAN 24

    The Market Isn’t Crashing — Wealth Is Built in Corrections ft. Mica Sadler | Ep. 19

    "The market isn’t crashing — it’s correcting. And the best opportunities don’t feel good while you’re buying them." In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Mica Sadler, a real estate investor, former tech executive, and co-founder of the Real Estate Collective, to unpack 20 years of real estate cycles, from BRRRRing student rentals before YouTube, to navigating today’s volatile market with conviction. Mica shares how he started buying student rentals in Kitchener-Waterloo in his early 20s, cash-flowing properties long before the term “house hacking” was popular, and how the 2008 crash pushed him into tech roles at BlackBerry and a company that later IPO’d. We talk about why he ultimately returned to real estate with a mission to raise professionalism, integrity, and collaboration across the industry. We cover: ✅ BRRRR strategies before they had a name ✅ Student rentals, house hacking, and early cash flow plays ✅ Lessons from 2008 that still matter today ✅ Why today’s market is a correction, not a crash ✅ Where real opportunities exist including condos, cottages, and long term plays ✅ How AI is eliminating busy work but not replacing sales ✅ The Real Estate Collective and Development Day ✅ Why collaboration beats competition in real estate …and much more. If you’re an investor, realtor, or entrepreneur trying to cut through the noise and build something sustainable for the next 10 to 20 years, this episode delivers the hard truth. 🎧 Found value in this episode? Like, comment, and share your biggest takeaway. Have a guest or topic idea? Drop it in the comments. 3rd Annual Development Day 2026 - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/3rd-annual-development-day-2026-tickets-1976499295599 Follow & Connect with Mica Sadler: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealEstateCollective-e4i/ Mica Sadler on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mica_sadler/?hl=en Mica Sadler on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mica-sadler-3679b426/ Sadler Realty on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Sadlerrealestategroup The Real Estate Collective on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_therealestatecollective/?hl=en The Real Estate Collective Website - https://thecollectiverealestate.ca/ Website - https://sadlerrealty.ca/ 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 #HardTruth #CanadianRealEstate

    33 min

  2. 12/26/2025

    The 3-Year Zoning Battle That Changed How a City Approves Housing ft. Dan Illes | Ep. 18

    “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. 🎧 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 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  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

    42 min

  3. 11/23/2025

    The Hard Truth About CMHC, MLI Select & ‘Full-Time’ Investors ft. Ehren Laycock Ep. 17

    “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

    59 min

  4. 10/31/2025

    Ontario’s Broken Rental System ft. Kayla Andrade Ep. 16

    “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

    53 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    The Hard Truth About Living Off Rentals ft. Kory MacKinnon Ep. 15

    If your goal is to make $10,000/month of cashflow off your rental properties, Kory MacKinnon has a Hard Truth you need to hear!  In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, Kyle Ford sits down with real estate investor and coach Kory MacKinnon, who shares how growing up in a duplex gave him an early start in real estate and how he went from buying his first off-market six-plex in London, Ontario to building a scalable, diversified portfolio. Before going full-time into real estate, Kory spent 17 years as VP of Operations at Student Works Painting, where he mastered the systems, hiring, and leadership skills that would later shape his investing strategy. Today, he helps investors treat real estate like a true business with professional standards, strong operations, and fast execution. We cover: ✅ How Kory bought his first six-plex off-market from his landlord ✅ Why treating rentals like a business separates top investors from average landlords ✅ The real impact of today’s tighter rules, higher prices, and thinner margins ✅ Why “making money on the buy” still matters most ✅ How new investors can adapt with bigger down payments and creative entry strategies ✅ The hard truth about living off rental income and why hybrid income streams are key ✅ Why Kory has shifted from small BRRRRs to purpose-built developments, commercial properties, and storage ✅ How to prune your portfolio and redeploy capital into stronger assets ✅ How Kory is teaching his kids entrepreneurship and financial literacy through real-world lessons Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your portfolio, this episode reveals what it really takes to build lasting wealth and why the most successful investors think like business owners, not landlords. 🎧 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 Kory: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/korymackinnon/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kory-mackinnon-19095b4/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/KoryMacKinnon  Website - https://korymackinnon.com/ 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

    35 min

  6. 09/30/2025

    Secret Double-Lot Severance Strategy Making Flips Profitable ft. Abe Thiessen Ep. 14

    In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with realtor and investor Abe Thiessen to reveal the unconventional strategies making flips profitable in Ontario. From from growing up in Mexico to buying his first property at 19 off Kijiji, Abe shares how he scaled into duplex builds, double-lot severances, and deep-discount flips that most investors overlook. We dive into: ✅ How Abe bought his very first rental property at 19 on Kijiji ✅ Why he avoids long-term rentals in favor of fast, high-velocity deals ✅ The “double-lot severance strategy” that unlocks hidden equity on day one ✅ How wholesalers helped him land deals 20–50% below market value ✅ The real tension between realtors and wholesalers (and how he navigates it) ✅ The hard truths of breaking in as a beginner vs. scaling past five deals Abe also shares how one networking event stopped him from quitting real estate altogether and set him on a path to building a thriving team that now serves both investors and first-time buyers. Whether you are just starting out or already scaling a portfolio, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about wholesaling, flipping, and building wealth in real estate the unconventional way. 🎧 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 Abe: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/real_abethiessen/ Website - https://www.royallepage.ca/en/agent/ontario/listowel/abram-thiessen/69980/ 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

    33 min

  7. 08/30/2025

    Solving Canada's Missing Middle Crisis: SDG's 10-Plex Infill Strategy Ep. 13

    "Politicians say things like, 'We want to build communities.'  These are the guys actually building communities..." In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Kartik Singla and Jimmy La from the Sustainable Development Group, who are real estate developers and entrepreneurs building a village of over 100 units in Barrie, Ontario. They share their journey from buying a single-family home to creating multi-unit communities, including how they navigate city approvals, scale efficiently, and turn every property into an opportunity for growth. From early wins to building Clapperton Village, this episode reveals the real process behind successful development. We cover: ✅ How a single downtown lot turned into their first 10-unit building ✅ The buy-box model they use to convert homes into multi-unit communities ✅ Why working with the city is the key to scaling faster ✅ The growing pains of partnerships, capital raising, and sleepless nights ✅ How they are turning 9 projects into Clapperton Village, a full neighborhood with gyms, coworking, and more ✅ And why Canada’s housing crisis needs bold solutions like the Missing Middle Whether you are starting with a duplex or dreaming of large-scale development, this conversation gives you the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build neighborhoods and wealth from the ground up. 🎧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. Don't miss the Missing Middle Conference in Toronto on September 12th: https://www.themmc.ca/ Follow & Connect with SDG: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sdg.canada/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdg-canada/ Website - https://sdgcanada.com/ Follow & Connect with Jimmy La:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimmylainvestor/ LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-la-7188b3a9/ Follow & Connect with Kartik Singla:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/healthykarts_/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karter-singla/ 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

    43 min

  8. 07/05/2025

    Bouncer to Brokerage CEO: Earning Mentorship & Success Traps ft. Justin Konikow Ep. 12

    Bouncer to Brokerage CEO: The Hard Truths Behind Real Estate Success In this episode of the Hard Truth Podcast, I sit down with Justin Konikow realtor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Prime Real Estate Brokerage. We cover: ✅ Why most agents and investors stay stuck ✅ The “success trap” no one talks about ✅ How Justin earned mentorship from giants like Ryan Serhant & Scott McGillivray ✅ Why real wealth comes from relationships, not transactions ✅ The mindset shift that made Prime a dominant force in Southwestern Ontario ✅ And how to audit your life to break through your current ceiling Whether you're just starting out or stuck at 5 properties, this conversation will hit you with the unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a real business in real estate. 🎧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 Justin:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justin.konikow/?hl=en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkonikow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jkoni/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/justinkonikow Website - https://www.justinkonikow.com/ 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

    47 min
See All (19)

About

The Hard Truth Podcast with Kyle Ford

Information

  • Creator
    Hard Truth Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Hard Truth Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Hard Truth Podcast

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