Let's Talk Real Estate Investing

Debbie Balfour
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View and Subscribe The Let's Talk Real Estate Investing PodcastYour Host: Debbie BalfourIf you’ve ever thought about investing in real estate but weren’t sure where to start… this podcast is for you. Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing is designed for aspiring and novice investors who want real, practical insights from people actually doing the work. Each episode features real estate investors, from those just getting started to seasoned pros, along with trusted service providers who support the industry. You’ll learn: How investors got started and built their businesses What strategies worked and why What went horribly wrong and how to avoid those mistakes How they’ve adapted to industry changes Practical tips you can apply right away

  1. Sep 30

    Why Construction Projects Go Over Budget Before They Even Start

    Most construction projects don’t get into trouble when the excavators arrive. The problems often started months earlier. Poor planning. Missing scopes. Weak communication. Unrealistic schedules. Trades arriving in the wrong sequence. Budget assumptions that were never properly tested. And by the time those problems show up on site, fixing them can get very expensive. In this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, I sit down with Akash Sinha, Founder of Dharma Developments, to break down what real estate investors and developers should be doing BEFORE construction begins to reduce risk, control costs and keep a project moving. Akash has been involved in the construction and development industry for more than two decades and has worked on close to 200 units across custom homes, townhouses, multifamily developments and construction management projects. And one of the biggest lessons he has learned? The success of your project is often determined long before the shovel hits the ground. We get into the practical side of pre-construction and construction management, including: • How value engineering can help keep a project financially viable • The three areas developers need to control: scheduling, procurement and project communication • Why trade scopes need to be extremely clear before bids come in • Why RFIs, site instructions and change orders must be documented • How sequencing mistakes can create expensive construction delays • How multifamily construction differs from building a single-family home • Akash’s five recommendations for setting up a development project for success • Why a strong accounting and reporting system is critical to controlling your construction budget We also talk about something every investor and developer eventually faces: Change orders. They may be inevitable, but uncontrolled change orders don’t have to be. Akash explains why every change needs to be evaluated not only for its impact on cost, but also its impact on schedule, building performance and the long-term value of the property. And if you’re developing multifamily housing, that becomes even more important. Plumbing stacks, mechanical systems, fire separation, sprinklers, ventilation and other systems all need to work together across multiple floors. What looks simple on a 2D drawing can become very different when construction begins. That is why having the right people involved early matters. Akash’s Top 5 Recommendations for Developers 1. Build the right project team 2. Do your due diligence when selecting trades 3. Develop a realistic construction schedule 4. Create strong communication and documentation systems 5. Maintain a clear, robust accounting system One of my favourite parts of the conversation comes when Akash describes standing in a freshly excavated site, sometimes ten or twelve feet underground, looking at nothing but dirt and rock and imagining the families who will eventually live there. That vision is what keeps him passionate about construction. Because ultimately, development isn’t just about buildings. It is about creating places where people live their lives. Connect With Akash Sinha **Dharma Developments** LinkedIn: Search Akash Sinha Instagram: @build_your_dharma Website: Dharma Developments Email: asinha@dharmadevelopments.com If you’re a real estate investor, developer, builder or aspiring multifamily investor, this conversation will help you understand what needs to happen before and during construction to reduce surprises, protect your budget and give your project a much better chance of success.

  2. Sep 16

    The Deal Closed... Now What? Rental Property Mistakes That Kill Cash Flow

    Buying a rental property is only the beginning. Some of the biggest threats to your real estate investment cash flow happen after the deal closes. Poor tenant screening, missed inspections, incomplete documentation, maintenance delays, compliance mistakes, and weak systems can all affect your investment. In this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, Debbie Balfour sits down with Jason Matthews, Founder and CEO of Kera, to discuss the rental property management mistakes that can quietly cost landlords time, money, and peace of mind. Jason brings a technology and operations perspective to property management, working with landlords and property managers to make rental housing easier and more efficient to operate. In This Episode, You'll Learn: ✅ Common operational mistakes landlords make after buying a rental property ✅ Why regular rental property inspections matter ✅ How documentation can protect you when tenant issues arise ✅ What landlords should consider when screening and verifying tenants ✅ Why your memory should never be your property management system ✅ How to create repeatable workflows for leases, maintenance, inspections, accounting, and tenant communication ✅ What investors should ask when hiring a property management company ✅ Why hiring a property manager does NOT mean you can stop managing your investment ✅ How much visibility owners should have into expenses, rent payments, maintenance, and tenant issues ✅ Where AI tools like ChatGPT can help landlords save time ✅ How automation could change the future of property management Your Rental Property Is a Business Your rental property is not just an investment. It is a business. You don't have to personally handle every task, but as the owner, you still need to understand what is happening with your property, tenants, finances, maintenance, and property management team. As Jason puts it, you are the CEO of the business. The right systems can help investors stay organized, maintain accurate records, identify problems sooner, and protect their rental income. Technology and automation can reduce repetitive work while still keeping human judgment at the center of property management. About Jason Matthews Jason Matthews is a Toronto-based founder, product builder, and technologist focused on making rental housing easier to operate. He is the Founder and CEO of Kera, a platform designed to help landlords and property managers simplify areas including leasing, rent collection, accounting, maintenance, inspections, tenant communication, and compliance. 🎁 Special Offer Jason is offering listeners of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing one month free with Kera. Use code: DEBBIE Learn more at GetKera.com About Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, hosted by Debbie Balfour, features conversations with investors, entrepreneurs, coaches, and industry professionals about real estate investing, business, and wealth building. Whether you're buying your first rental property, building a portfolio, working with a property manager, or exploring technology and automation, this episode offers practical insights to help you protect your investment and cash flow. If you enjoyed this episode, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, and turn on notifications for more conversations like this. 💬 What is one property management task you wish you could automate? Let us know in the comments!

  3. Aug 26

    What Wealthy Investors Know About Diversification

    Are you putting all your investment eggs in one basket? Many investors build their entire portfolio around real estate or the stock market, believing diversification simply means owning more properties or more stocks. But true diversification goes much deeper than that. In this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, I sit down with Stacey Chan, a real estate investor with more than 20 years of experience, to discuss alternative passive investments, how they fit into a long-term wealth strategy, and how investors can evaluate opportunities before risking their hard-earned money. Stacey shares why she believes successful investing isn't about chasing the highest returns. It's about building a portfolio that can weather changing markets while creating long-term wealth. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ Why diversification means much more than owning multiple rental properties ✅ The biggest mistakes investors make when evaluating opportunities ✅ How to identify quality investments instead of following hype ✅ What alternative investments actually are ✅ How institutional investors think differently from retail investors ✅ Why cash flow, capital preservation, and risk management matter more than ever ✅ Questions every investor should ask before investing Whether you're a real estate investor, stock market investor, or simply someone looking to build long-term wealth, this conversation will help you think differently about protecting and growing your portfolio. About Stacey Chan: Stacey Chan is a real estate investor with more than 20 years of investing experience, a real estate professional, and a licensed Dealing Representative with Enoch Wealth. She specializes in helping investors build diversified portfolios using real estate, private credit, infrastructure, private equity, and other alternative investments focused on long-term growth, cash flow, and capital preservation. Connect with Stacey: Facebook: Stacey Chan Email: wealth.builder.stacey@gmail.com If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who wants to become a smarter investor. Every week on Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, I interview experienced investors, developers, lenders, and industry experts to help you build wealth through smarter investing. #RealEstateInvesting #AlternativeInvestments #PassiveIncome #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #PrivateEquity #Diversification #CashFlow #Investing #CanadianRealEstate #PersonalFinance #RealEstatePodcast

  4. Jun 24

    The Truth About Passive Income Investing with a $225M Real Estate Investor

    Most people say they want passive income. Very few understand what it actually takes to build it. In this episode of Let's Talk Real Estate Investing, I sit down with August Biniaz, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of CPI Capital and LinkedIn Top Voice, to discuss how investors can build wealth through commercial real estate, multifamily investing, and build-to-rent communities. With more than $225 million in multifamily and build-to-rent assets, August shares the lessons he's learned from raising capital, navigating market cycles, protecting investors, and building a successful private equity real estate firm. In this interview, you'll learn: ✅ What multifamily investing really is ✅ The difference between multifamily and build-to-rent communities ✅ How Canadians can invest in U.S. commercial real estate ✅ How syndications, funds, and joint ventures work ✅ What passive investors should look for before investing ✅ How to perform proper due diligence on operators ✅ Why did some investors lose money during the recent market downturn ✅ Why August believes we're near the bottom of the real estate cycle ✅ How to raise capital and build credibility with investors ✅ The importance of education, trust, and investor relationships One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation: "The horse is the asset class. The jockey is the operator. Find the right jockey." If you're a real estate investor, aspiring syndicator, capital raiser, or passive investor looking to make smarter decisions, this episode is packed with practical insights. 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with successful real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. 👍 If you found value in this episode, please like, comment, and share it with someone who wants to build wealth through real estate. Connect with August Biniaz 🌐 http://cpicapital.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz/ https://www.instagram.com/cpicapital/ https://web.facebook.com/soheil.biniaz #RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #MultifamilyInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #BuildToRent #RealEstateSyndication #CapitalRaising #FinancialFreedom #PassiveInvesting #USRealEstate #CanadianInvestors #RealEstatePodcast #LetsTalkRealEstateInvesting #AugustBiniaz #DebbieBalfour

  5. Jun 10

    How to Raise Private Money for Real Estate (Without Chasing Investors)

    Most real estate investors think they have a deal problem. The truth is they have a capital problem. No matter how good the opportunity is, if you don't have access to funding, you'll eventually miss deals, lose momentum, and struggle to scale. In this episode of Let's Talk Real Estate Investing, I sit down with private capital expert Mitch Messer to discuss how successful investors build relationships that provide access to private capital long before they need it. Mitch shares how he built a $6 million real estate portfolio, lost everything during the 2007 market crash, and rebuilt by focusing on credibility, relationships, and private lending strategies that continue to fuel real estate deals today. In This Episode You'll Learn: ✅ Why most investors fail when raising capital ✅ The #1 mistake people make when looking for private lenders ✅ How to attract investors without pitching or begging for money ✅ The power of visibility, credibility, and trust ✅ Why storytelling helps attract private capital ✅ Private Lending vs Joint Ventures ✅ How experienced investors evaluate deals ✅ How to build relationships with lenders before you need funding ✅ Why communication is critical to long-term investor relationships ✅ How Canadian investors can access funding for U.S. real estate deals ✅ The simple strategy Mitch recommends for building a private lending track record If your goal is to scale your real estate investing business, attract more capital, and create opportunities before you need them, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately. Connect with Debbie Balfour Helping real estate investors build a network of people ready to invest with them. If you'd like access to Mitch's private capital community, send me a direct message and I'd be happy to make an introduction.

  6. May 28

    He Lost $6 Million, Then Built a Real Estate Empire He Runs From a Beach

    Real estate investing doesn't have to keep you tied to one city, one desk, or one country. In this episode of Let's Talk Real Estate Investing, Mitch Messer shares how he and his wife Monique built a $6 million portfolio, lost it all in the 2007 crash, and rebuilt everything through relationships, a powerful network, and private capital, all while living as full time digital nomads. Mitch is recording this interview from a rooftop in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, overlooking the Caribbean. He and Monique now live and work from cities like Medellín, Lima, Buenos Aires, and Santiago, while continuing to fund and close real estate deals from anywhere in the world. If your why behind investing is lifestyle freedom and the ability to travel while still growing a fully funded real estate business, this conversation is for you. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How Mitch rebuilt after losing a $6 million portfolio in the crash ✅ Why relationships and private capital matter more than any single deal ✅ How to fund and run real estate deals while travelling internationally ✅ What it really takes to live the digital nomad life as an investor ✅ How private lenders and operators can connect to do more deals together 💬 FREE COMMUNITY INVITATION: Mitch has opened up complimentary lifetime access to his private UnfundableAF Skool community for our listeners, a carefully vetted, no-spam space where private lenders and real estate operators connect to fund deals. This is especially valuable for Canadian operators looking to access private lending for US deals. To claim your free membership, message Mitch Messer directly on LinkedIn and let him know you heard about it through the Let's Talk Real Estate Investing podcast. All members are personally vetted. 📌 Don't miss the follow up episode dropping in two weeks, where Mitch and Debbie go deeper on private lending and private borrowing, including funding options for Canadian investors operating in the US. 👉 If you got value from this episode, please do two things: 1️⃣ Hit LIKE so more investors can find this conversation 2️⃣ SUBSCRIBE so you're notified when the next episode drops 🔔 Subscribe for more real estate investing interviews, capital raising strategies, and conversations that help you build a confident, fully funded investing business. #RealEstateInvesting #PrivateMoney #DigitalNomad #RaisingCapital #RealEstatePodcast #PassiveInvesting #PrivateLending

  7. May 13

    Why Discipline Beats Returns in Real Estate Investing | Ann Jenga (Navy Vet, 400 Units)

    Real estate investing discipline is the single biggest factor that separates seasoned operators from new investors who keep losing deals. In this interview, Navy veteran and multifamily investor Ann Jenga breaks down why chasing the highest returns is the fastest way to lose money in real estate investing, and what disciplined operators do instead. You'll learn how to evaluate deals without emotion, why structure and process matter more than shiny numbers, and how new investors can underwrite deals, build credibility with brokers, and find the right mentor in the multifamily space. Ann also shares her perspective on smaller real estate deals versus multifamily, how to add value to sellers beyond price, and what questions new investors should ask seasoned operators when raising capital. Timestamps: 01:27 Why discipline beats returns in real estate investing 04:47 What separates seasoned operators from new investors 12:13 What most real estate investors are overlooking right now 18:35 How to build long-term credibility as a new investor 22:54 Top 5 things every new real estate investor must do 26:41 Raising capital and adding value to investors Connect with Ann Jenga on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (links below). Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anne.njenga.3551/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njenga7077/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-njenga/ Subscribe for more real estate investing interviews, capital raising strategies, and multifamily investing insights.

  8. Apr 30

    How to Buy Real Estate With NO Money Down

    Most people believe you need thousands of dollars to start investing in real estate. That belief is keeping them stuck. In this episode, I sit down with real estate investor and mentor Rob Lamontagne, who went from zero properties to financial independence in just 10 years... using creative financing and other people's money. No massive savings. No waiting. No excuses. We break down exactly how he used strategies like: ➡️ 100% financing ➡️ Lines of credit and HELOCs ➡️ Vendor take backs ➡️ Joint ventures ➡️ Rent-to-own deals ➡️ Refinancing to scale If you've ever said: "I don't have the money to invest" This conversation will completely shift how you think. This isn't theory. This is how real investors build wealth. ⏱️ What You'll Learn: ✅ How to buy real estate with NO money down ✅ The truth about creative financing (and the risks) ✅ How to use other people's money to grow your portfolio ✅ Why mindset matters more than money ✅ The biggest mistakes new investors make ✅ How to structure deals that actually cash flow Who This Is For: 🎯 New real estate investors 🎯 Investors stuck waiting for capital 🎯 Anyone who wants to build passive income through real estate 🎯 Entrepreneurs ready to think differently about money Ready to Go Deeper? If you want to learn how to attract investors and fund your deals BEFORE you find them... 👉 Comment TRUST below and I'll send you the next steps.

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View and Subscribe The Let's Talk Real Estate Investing PodcastYour Host: Debbie BalfourIf you’ve ever thought about investing in real estate but weren’t sure where to start… this podcast is for you. Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing is designed for aspiring and novice investors who want real, practical insights from people actually doing the work. Each episode features real estate investors, from those just getting started to seasoned pros, along with trusted service providers who support the industry. You’ll learn: How investors got started and built their businesses What strategies worked and why What went horribly wrong and how to avoid those mistakes How they’ve adapted to industry changes Practical tips you can apply right away

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