Breakthrough Real Estate Investing Podcast

Rob Break & Quentin DSouza
  • 4.5 (6)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semimonthly

We put this show on to inspire you and help you breakthrough to the life that you want to live through the power of real estate investing.

  1. Aug 25

    Episode #244 - Multifamily Mastery with Paul Hecht

    Here's what you'll learn in this episode with Paul Hecht: Turning early investing mistakes into a real strategy — Paul shares the lessons from his first deals, including buying based on price, dealing with poor tenant screening, and a Buffalo flip that cost him $15,000 and two years before pushing him to seek coaching and a better system Scaling rapidly through rent-to-own — How Paul acquired 22 properties in just 24 months by working with investors, and what that experience taught him about using other people's capital and creating repeatable systems The shift from residential to multifamily investing — Paul's "aha" moment when he realized multifamily financing could be based largely on the income produced by the building rather than his own personal borrowing qualifications Moving from fourplexes to larger apartment buildings — How Paul progressed into multifamily, including the acquisition of an Etobicoke eightplex, and the financing, renovation, contractor, and property-management challenges that came with scaling up Renovating and repositioning multifamily properties — Practical insights into budgeting for vacancy, managing renovations, dealing with existing tenants, and using cash-for-keys agreements while navigating Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board environment Designing your investments around the life you actually want — How losing his mother at a young age shaped Paul's desire for early retirement, why mindset work and investor communities became important to his journey, and how real estate ultimately allowed him to spend three years living in Costa Rica Paul is a best-selling author, CEO of private equity real estate fund PHDMFT, and founder of the Canadian Multifamily Blueprint apprenticeship program. He shares the full evolution of his investing career, including the deals that went wrong, the coaches and communities that changed his approach, and the breakthrough that ultimately led him from smaller residential properties into multifamily investing. From a disastrous Buffalo flip to acquiring 22 rent-to-own properties in 24 months and eventually moving into larger multifamily buildings, Paul's story is a reminder that becoming a successful investor rarely follows a perfectly straight line. Learn how better systems, financing strategies, mentorship, and a focus on building income helped him scale his portfolio while creating greater freedom over his time and lifestyle. http://www.paulmhecht.com/ http://www.multifamilyblueprint.ca/

  2. Jul 15

    Episode #243 - Why Todays Buyers Have the Advantage Again with Anita Bongers-Lewis

    Here's What You'll Learn in Our Interview with Anita Why today's market may offer better opportunities than the frenzy of a few years ago. How Anita went from chiropractor to successful real estate investor and agent. The investing strategies that are working best in the current market. How house hacking and small multifamily properties can accelerate long-term wealth. The biggest mistakes buyers are making today, and how to avoid them. Why negotiation has shifted back in buyers' favor and how to use it to your advantage. Anita Bongers-Lewis is a real estate broker, team lead, and investor based in Durham Region. She didn't come to real estate through the traditional path — she left a career as a chiropractor after she and her husband bought five rental properties in their first year of investing, while raising their first child. That experience hooked her, earned her a CREW award, and eventually pulled her into real estate full-time. Today she leads Doors to Wealth Real Estate Group, working with investors at every stage — from first-time investors and house hackers to buyers scaling into small commercial, larger multi-residential, and development — across Durham, Northumberland, Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Website: https://doorstowealth.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/doorstowealth IG: https://www.instagram.com/doorstowealth/

  3. Jun 15

    Episode #242: The Mad Scientist of Multifamily: Using Technology to Find Better Real Estate Deals with Neal Bawa

    Here's what you'll learn in our interview with Neal... Why data beats gut feel in real estate investing How technology is changing multifamily investing What Build-to-Rent (BTR) development means for investors How AI is impacting the future of real estate Ways to use data analytics to identify stronger investment opportunities and much, much more... Neal Bawa is a technologist, real estate investor, and entrepreneur widely known throughout the commercial real estate industry as "The Mad Scientist of Multifamily." As CEO of Grocapitus, Mission10K, and MultifamilyU, Neal oversees more than $660 million in assets under management and has helped thousands of investors make more informed real estate decisions through a data-driven approach. Combining expertise in technology, data science, and real estate, Neal has built a reputation for identifying market trends before they become mainstream. His portfolio spans projects across multiple states and metropolitan markets, with a strong focus on multifamily and Build-to-Rent development. Neal is also a frequent speaker, podcast guest, and author whose philosophy centers around two core beliefs: "We can only manage what we can measure" and "Data beats gut feel by a million miles." Connect with Neal Website: www.grocapitus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nealbawa/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MultifamilyU Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/NealBawaMFU

  4. May 15

    Episode #241 - From One Duplex to 10 Properties: The BRRRR Playbook with Tanner Lewis

    Here's what you'll learn in this episode with Tanner Lewis: How to launch your REI journey during market downturns — Tanner shares his 2021 COVID strategy of purchasing a turnkey side-by-side duplex at low interest rates and scaling through turnkey purchases, BRRRRs, and strategic refinancing Cash flow vs. equity growth trade-offs — Why Durham offers strong cash flow potential compared to Lindsay/Peterborough markets, and how to prioritize returns based on your investment goals Converting properties into higher-unit multifamily — Practical insights on converting duplexes and even former group homes into triplexes and fourplexes, including navigating municipal permit delays Managing financing and tenant quality — The importance of debt coverage ratios, careful tenant screening, and delegating work to scale your portfolio efficiently Planning your next level — Tanner's roadmap for pursuing larger multifamily investments (6–10+ units), including a recent four-unit purchase in Lindsay and considerations for adding a fifth unit or accessory rental unit (ARU) In this episode, Rob and Quentin kick things off discussing Quentin's recent 280 km hike across Costa Rica and upcoming travel plans before welcoming guest Tanner Lewis, owner of Accustone Landscaping and Century 21 Percy Fulton realtor. Tanner is a Durham REI member and active real estate investor with 10 two-to-four-unit properties who shares his journey from COVID-era investing to building a diversified portfolio. Learn how strategic financing, smart market selection, and delegation can accelerate your path to larger multifamily investments. Tanner Lewis | LinkedIn https://www.instagram.com/tannerlewisrealtor?igsh=MWlzcTcyamh4ZmdrMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

  5. Mar 17

    Episode #240 - U.S. Financing for Canadians with Gillian Irving

    Here's what you'll learn in our interview with Gillian… Why Canadians are investing abroad How U.S. investor financing actually works Ways to finance different deal types How to pick the right market without overthinking it and much much more... Gillian Irving describes herself as an “accidental investor,” a label that traces back to a 2009 purchase of a downtown Toronto duplex made with little planning. After realizing that her early success was driven more by luck than strategy, she committed to a more disciplined, data driven approach, motivated by the need to build long term security for her family. With a background in market research, Gillian built a sizeable real estate portfolio across five Ontario markets and New Brunswick. Today, as a mortgage agent with LendCity, she combines investor and lending experience to help Canadian clients structure investor focused financing, including supporting those exploring cross border opportunities in the United States and Mexico. Email: Gillian@lendcity.ca Phone: 647-404-7271 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-irving/

  6. Feb 15

    Episode #239 - No Hype, Just Proven Fundamentals with Kory MacKinnon

    Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to choose the right real estate asset class, from multifamily to storage, based on your goals Why systems, processes, and cash reserves matter more than the deal itself How to navigate today’s market and make smarter buy, hold, or sell decisions Practical financing and management strategies that create clarity and long-term success And Much Much More... Kory MacKinnon is a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience across multiple investment strategies, including multifamily, development, furnished rentals, and self-storage. ​ As a partner of Strategic Success Consulting, Kory is passionate about helping people reach their next level through custom resources such as coaching, events or communities of like minded investors or business owners.  With a multiple 8-figure portfolio and financial freedom achieved, Kory now focuses on empowering others to achieve the same success to live an intentional life on their own terms!  Kory is also a father of 4 who enjoys travel, most every sport and being a health nut in his spare time.  Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korymackinnon/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KoryMacKinnon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kory-mackinnon-19095b4

  7. Jan 15

    Episode #238: Smart Property Valuations With Greg Hall

    Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Greg: • How Greg’s career began in the 1980s, from the video business to finance and real estate, and the key lessons learned from decades of market cycles. • The story behind a major real estate venture in Toronto’s Annex, and what long-term investors can learn from high-value urban properties. • Why Greg stepped back into finance due to health challenges, and how perseverance helped him return to real estate investing in 2024 with renewed focus. • The importance of planning, patience, and adaptability when navigating ups and downs in real estate and business. • An introduction to Prop Vest IQ, Greg’s new property valuation and management tool designed to help investors analyze deals and make smarter decisions. • How Greg is offering Prop Vest IQ free to viewers in exchange for feedback, and why real-world user input is shaping the platform’s future. • Personal stories, industry insights, and a look ahead at upcoming real estate projects and investment opportunities. greg@propvestiq.com www.propvestiq.com www.greg-hall.ca greg.hall@rbc.com   Greg’s career in finance and real estate has unfolded over several decades, shaped by experience rather than a straight line. He began in finance in the early 1980s, moved into entrepreneurship in 1985, and purchased his first rental property in the late 1980s—only to sell it at a loss during the 1989 crash. In the early 2000s, he converted a single-family home in Toronto’s Annex into a multi-unit and sold it at a profit. In 2009, a severe hip injury led to multiple surgeries and years of recovery. During that period, he requalified in finance and joined RBC Dominion Securities in 2013, where he remains today. Greg was finally able to re-enter real estate in 2024 and 2025, purchasing a duplex in Oshawa and converting two Brantford single-family homes into a duplex and a triplex. Now in his mid-60s, he is back on track—grounded by hard-earned experience and perspective.

  8. 12/15/2025

    Episode #237 - Condo Flips, Deal Analysis, and Scaling Up

    Here’s What You’ll Learn in our interview with Jordan Walczak: • How Jordan got started in real estate at just 19 years old, buying her first home and building momentum early as a young investor from Vancouver Island. • What it’s really like flipping condos in Calgary, including the advantages, challenges, and realities of working with condo boards and navigating special assessments. • Why reviewing condo documents carefully is critical, and how missing key details can turn a good-looking deal into a costly mistake. • The importance of detailed construction cost estimators and deal analyzers when flipping condos, and how they protect investors from thin or risky profit margins. • Common pitfalls of taking on projects with margins that are too small, and why discipline in deal analysis matters more than speed. ....and much much more.... Jordan Walczak is a Vancouver Island–born investor who bought her first home at just 19 years old and has been breaking barriers ever since. After moving to Calgary at 20, she founded Stirling Investments and built experience across flipping, BRRRRs, wholesaling, STRs, leasing, property management, and also holds her real estate license. Still under 30, Jordan has flipped 22 properties, including a notable 5-unit condo portfolio where she raised just shy of $2M. Her mission is to inspire young and female investors to pursue big goals. Instagram @jordwal website www.stirlinginvestments.ca

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We put this show on to inspire you and help you breakthrough to the life that you want to live through the power of real estate investing.

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