Where Should I Invest? Real Estate Investing in Canada

Sarah Larbi
  • 3.9 (9)
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Real Estate Investor, Developer, Mentor

  1. 2D AGO

    The $20,000 Tenant Trap: How to Protect Your Ontario Rentals

    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 episode, you will learn: The “Prior-Prior” Reference: Why the current landlord is the last person you should trust. Document Verification: How Jacqui spots doctored letters and fraudulent credit reports. The Cash for Keys Crisis: How to handle $20,000 demands and why entitlement is changing the game. Contractual Safety: The specific clause you need when selling a tenanted property to avoid being sued. Boutique Management: Why local proximity is the key to white-glove service. Get in touch with Jacqui Cummins, Anchor Point Property Management Info@anchorpointpm.ca Website: https://www.anchorpointpm.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchorpoint_mgmt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577825797819To work with Sarah Larbi contact at https://sarahlarbi.com/contact/ or sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post The $20,000 Tenant Trap: How to Protect Your Ontario Rentals first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    23 min

  2. APR 24

    Losing Everything to the CRA: A Cautionary Tale for Investors

    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. What You Will Learn The Fourplex Sweet Spot: How Adam used residential mortgages to execute perfect BRRRs. The Audit Domino Effect: How being a third party contractor for a troubled firm put Adam in the CRA crosshairs. The Sole Proprietorship Trap: The specific structural mistake that allowed the CRA to target Adam’s personal assets and his family members. Banking Default Realities: Why banks can call a mortgage even if you have never missed a payment. Rebuilding with Grit: How Adam is using his construction expertise to launch Renovation Solutions and move forward. This episode brought to you in part by Dalia Barsoum at Streetwise Mortgages https://streetwisemortgages.com/ Get in touch with Adam Kitchener, Renovation Solutions adamraykitchener@gmail.com Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/renovationsolutionsinc/# Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576545914368# Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-k-21a985137/ To work with Sarah Larbi contact at https://sarahlarbi.com/contact/ or sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post Losing Everything to the CRA: A Cautionary Tale for Investors first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    52 min

  3. APR 10

    Quitting at 50 to Become a Full-Time Entrepreneur

    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 your job site. What You Will Learn: The Mid Life Leap: Why Albert chose entrepreneurship over a stable 9 to 5 career path. The Insurance Restoration Edge: How appraising multi-million dollar claims taught Albert to see the hidden details in every renovation. Investor Specific Renos: Why vinyl flooring and IKEA kitchens are the gold standard for ROI and longevity. Risk Management: The non-negotiables of WSIB, liability insurance, and working with specialized trades. Building Tribelo: How Albert is bridging the gap between high level construction management and residential investing. Learn more about Albert and Tribelo Properties – https://tribeloproperties.com/ This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – https://flipsavvy.ca/ Ryan Carson, Carson Law – https://www.carsonlaw.ca/ or email ryan@carsonlaw.ca Matt Pickering, National Bank matthew.pickering@nbc.ca The post Quitting at 50 to Become a Full-Time Entrepreneur first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    35 min

  4. MAR 27

    Leveraging AI Voice Agents to Scale Your Real Estate Business

    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. They discuss how AI is no longer just “ChatGPT” for writing emails—it’s now a sophisticated tool that can handle inbound calls, qualify leads, and book appointments without human intervention. In this episode, Sarah, Maher, and Voytek discuss: Beyond the Bot: The difference between basic chat text and sophisticated AI Voice Agents. Speed to Lead: Why answering the phone instantly is the #1 factor in conversion, and how AI ensures you never miss a call. The “Mundane” Replacement: How to free up your human staff to do high-level tasks by automating the FAQ and qualifying process. Implementing Speak Nova: How easy it is for a real estate business to “train” an AI on their own data. US Properties Update: A brief look at why Detroit remains a strong turnkey market for foreign nationals. To learn more about Speak Nova, visit: https://speaknova.com To learn more about US Properties, visit: https://usproperties.ca This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – Attend next week’s webinar https://flipsavvy.ca/webinar/ Ryan Carson, Carson Law – https://www.carsonlaw.ca/ or email ryan@carsonlaw.ca   The post Leveraging AI Voice Agents to Scale Your Real Estate Business first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    52 min

  5. MAR 13

    Real Estate Taxes, AI Audits, and Staying Ahead of the CRA

    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, Sarah, Kelly, and Michal discuss: The “Invisible” Partner: Why the CRA is always a partner in your deals and how to manage that relationship. AI and the CRA: How technology is making it easier for the government to find discrepancies. The HST Monster: Understanding why HST is never “your money” and the dangers of neglecting it. Personal vs. Corporate: When is the right time to move from owning properties in your personal name to a corporate structure? The Power Team: Why having a bookkeeper and a tax-specialist accountant is non-negotiable for growth. Common Pitfalls: The biggest mistakes investors make during tax season and how to avoid them. Michal Wach is the founder of Wach Tax Services. After building his own real estate portfolio and serving as a police officer, he realized his true passion lay in the “detective work” of tax strategy. He now specializes in helping Canadian real estate investors keep more of what they earn through smart planning and meticulous bookkeeping. To learn more and access past episodes, visit: https://sarahlarbi.com/podcast-home Connect with Michal Wach: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wachtaxservices/ Website: https://wachtaxservices.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michal-wach-cpa-ca-2955a37/ This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – flipsavvy.ca/webinar/ Matt Pickering, National Bank matthew.pickering@nbc.caDo you need help or ideas for your own real estate investing business? Reach out and let us support your journey www.sarahlarbi.com or email sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post Real Estate Taxes, AI Audits, and Staying Ahead of the CRA first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    35 min

  6. FEB 27

    A Honest Conversation About Building Financial Freedom the Right Way

    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 coaches promising 1–2 year exits Why multifamily and student housing remain reliable long-term plays How to test rent demand using “ghost ads” The reality of 30–35% down payments for larger multifamily deals Cash-for-keys debate Tenant horror stories and the mental staying power required in this business Kasey Wong is a Canadian real estate investor specializing in multifamily and student housing properties. After starting with a Toronto triplex in 2003, he built long-term income-producing assets that eventually allowed him to leave traditional employment behind. Kasey focuses on practical, conservative investing strategies and has recently returned to coaching and sharing real estate analysis via social media. This is an honest conversation about building freedom the right way without hype.To learn more and access past episodes, visit: https://sarahlarbi.com/podcast-home Contact Kasey Wong here: Website: https://cacoeli.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kasey_wong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasey_wong_apartments/ This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – https://flipsavvy.ca/ Ryan Carson, Carson Law – https://www.carsonlaw.ca/ or email ryan@carsonlaw.ca Dalia Barsoum, Streetwise Mortgages https://streetwisemortgages.com/ Do you need help or ideas for your own real estate investing business? Reach out and let us support your journey www.sarahlarbi.com or email sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post A Honest Conversation About Building Financial Freedom the Right Way first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    56 min

  7. FEB 13

    Embracing Wellness: Anxiety & Stress Management for Entrepreneurs

    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. They unpack how anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and burnout quietly impact ambitious professionals and why waiting for the “perfect time” often keeps people stuck. 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. This conversation is especially relevant for entrepreneurs, investors, and high achievers who are building toward financial freedom but struggling to stay present along the way. What You’ll Learn: Why most people live in the past and how it fuels anxiety How depression creates a negative feedback loop (and how to interrupt it) Why starting imperfectly beats waiting for the perfect plan The real difference between psychotherapy and life coaching How mindfulness helps regulate high-achieving personalities Why men and first responders often avoid therapy and why that’s changing How movement and routine support long-term mental resilience Samir Boulazreg is a registered psychotherapist who works with entrepreneurs, high performers, and first responders. His approach blends evidence-based therapy with practical strategies around mindset, behaviour, and well-being. Samir specializes in helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout while building meaningful and sustainable lives. Listen here: https://sarahlarbi.com/podcast-home Contact Samir Boulazreg here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-boulazreg-001695330/ Website: https://mypsychology.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypsychology.ca/ This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – https://flipsavvy.ca/ Ryan Carson, Carson Law – https://www.carsonlaw.ca/ or email ryan@carsonlaw.ca Matt Pickering, National Bank matthew.pickering@nbc.ca Do you need help or ideas for your own real estate investing business? Reach out and let us support your journey www.sarahlarbi.com or email sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post Embracing Wellness: Anxiety & Stress Management for Entrepreneurs first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    35 min

  8. JAN 30

    Bill 60 and Beyond: A Guide for Ontario Landlords

    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 understand to survive and adapt. What You’ll Learn Why landlord–tenant relationships are becoming more strained How Bill 60 impacts evictions, rent reporting, and landlord rights Why some landlords are selling or converting rental properties The risks of over-regulation in Ontario’s rental market How tenant behaviour and loopholes affect small landlords Why landlord advocacy and community support matter more than ever What investors should watch for over the next 12–24 months Kayla Andrade is an Ontario-based landlord advocate and real estate investor. She is the founder of the Ontario Landlords Watch community and has become a leading voice for landlords navigating Ontario’s evolving regulatory environment. Kayla works closely with municipal and provincial leaders to push for balanced housing policy and practical reform. Listen now at https://sarahlarbi.com/podcast-home/ Contact Kayla Andrade here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaandradeolw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-andrade-b4855648/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kayla.Andrade.olw/ Websites: https://ontariolandlordswatch.com/, https://landlordcreditbureau.ca/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ontariolandlordswatch X: https://x.com/OLWLandlords This episode has been brought to you in part by: Ryan DeLaurentis, Flip Savvy – https://flipsavvy.ca/podcast/ Ryan Carson, Carson Law – https://www.carsonlaw.ca/ or email ryan@carsonlaw.ca Dalia Barsoum, Streetwise Mortgages https://streetwisemortgages.com/ or email dbarsoum@streetwisemortgages.com Do you need help or ideas for your own real estate investing business? Reach out and let us support your journey www.sarahlarbi.com or email sarah@sarahlarbi.com The post Bill 60 and Beyond: A Guide for Ontario Landlords first appeared on Sarah Larbi Developments.

    39 min
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Real Estate Investor, Developer, Mentor

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