BLD Financial Podcast

Josh Findlay & Ehren Laycock

Long-form interviews with developers, lenders, investors and policy voices on how housing and development are financed in Canada.

Status: active · BLD Financial (commercial mortgage brokers, DLC)

Episodes

1. Sep 7, 202635 min

   More Capital. Tougher Lenders. Canadian Real Estate Financing in 2026 Ep. 34

   Capital is available. So why is real estate financing getting harder? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, Josh & Ehren sit down without a guest to break down what they’re actually seeing across the Canadian real estate financing market in 2026. While there’s no shortage of capital available, getting a deal funded is becoming increasingly dependent on the strength of the borrower, the project and the numbers behind it. Josh & Ehren discuss how CMHC and lenders are respondi...

2. Aug 12, 202651 min

   Real Estate Development in Canada: The Brutal Reality ft. Darren Voros Ep. 33

   “We’ve finally figured out the formula that works.” What does it really take to become a successful real estate developer? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, Josh Findlay and Ehren Laycock sit down with Darren Voros, a real estate investor and developer with more than 20 years of experience, to explore the realities of building missing middle housing in Toronto. Darren shares his evolution from buying his first rental property to developing multi-unit projects across...

3. Jul 30, 202620 min

   Why Your Real Estate Deal Gets Approved... or Rejected | Finance Friday Ep. 02

   This is the part of the real estate financing process most investors never see... Welcome to Finance Friday, a special series within the BLD Financial Podcast. In these shorter episodes, Josh and Ehren break down timely developments in commercial real estate finance, lending, underwriting, and investing, giving Canadian investors practical insights they can apply in today's market. In this episode of Finance Friday, Josh Findlay and Ehren Laycock from BLD Financial break down how inte...

4. Jul 17, 202647 min

   From Investor to Operator: Scaling Beyond Small Multifamily ft. Alex Pal Ep. 32

   "The best deals in real estate are made. They're not found." What happens after you've bought your first duplex? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, Josh Findlay and Ehren Laycock sit down with Alex Pal, founder of Pal Capital Group, to explore the evolution from small multifamily investing into capital raising, apartment syndications, property management, and building an integrated real estate investment business. From renovating his first Hamilton bungalow to acquiring apartmen...

5. Jul 5, 202617 min

   CMHC Just Changed Everything for Multifamily Investors... | Finance Friday Ep. 01

   Rental housing financing is changing... and CMHC just made another round of updates that multifamily investors and developers need to understand. Welcome to Finance Friday, a special series within the BLD Financial Podcast. In these shorter episodes, Josh and Ehren break down timely developments in commercial real estate finance, lending, underwriting, and investing, giving Canadian investors practical insights they can apply in today's market. In this episode we break down the latest...

6. Jun 25, 20261 h 1 min

   The Urban Planner Behind Toronto's Missing Middle Movement ft. Blair Scorgie Ep. 31

   "I watched most of my generation get priced out of Toronto and I took it personally." What happens when an urban planner decides the housing system needs to change? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, Josh Findlay and Ehren Laycock sit down with Blair Scorgie, Managing Principal of Scorgie Planning, instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the leading voices behind Toronto's Missing Middle movement. From laneway suites and multiplexes to transition zones, sixplex...

7. Jun 7, 202659 min

   What a Private Lender Learned From Funding Hundreds of Deals ft. Matt Gonsalves Ep. 30

   What can a private lender who's funded hundreds of real estate deals tell us about the future of housing in Canada? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we're joined by Matt Gonsalves, Vice President & Broker at Foremost Financial, one of Ontario's leading private construction lenders. Drawing from more than a decade of experience financing construction, land development, bridge loans, and Missing Middle housing projects, Matt shares what he's seeing in today's market and w...

8. May 18, 202650 min

   Why Canada Makes Housing So Hard To Build ft. Chris Spoke Ep. 29

   “The harder it is to build housing, the less housing gets built… and then we have an affordability crisis.” Canada says it wants more housing… So why does the system make it so difficult to actually build it? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with developer, housing advocate, and Toronto Standard partner Chris Spoke to break down the real reasons Canada’s housing affordability crisis continues to get worse despite years of policy changes and government intervention....

9. Apr 28, 202648 min

   Is the BRRRR Strategy Dead in Canada… Or Is There Still Opportunity? ft. Jack Bernstein Ep. 28

   "Does the BRRRR strategy still work in Canada… or is it over?” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Jack Bernstein of Bernstone Capital to break down what’s actually happening in today’s Canadian real estate market and why many of the strategies that worked over the last cycle are no longer producing the same results and how investors are being forced to adapt in today’s market. From rising interest rates and shifting cap rates to softening rents and tighter lending...

10. Apr 12, 202645 min

    President of Canada’s Largest Mortgage Network Reveals What's Coming with AI ft. Eddy Cocciollo Ep. 27

    “We believe the next 5 years will be the best 5 years the mortgage industry has ever seen.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Eddy Cocciollo, President of DLCG Mortgage Group, one of Canada’s largest mortgage brokerage groups, supporting over 9,000 agents Canada wide. This episode breaks down where the Canadian mortgage and real estate market is actually headed, from someone who has worked inside banks, CMHC, and now leads one of the most influential mortgage org...

11. Mar 28, 202647 min

    Why Most Developers FAIL Before They Even Build ft. Zachary Jancsar Ep. 26

    “You think you're walking into a project… and then you find out after you've acquired it, you can’t even do it.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Zachary Jancsar, a mid-market real estate developer, brokerage owner, and investor who has scaled from small residential deals to over 70 multifamily units across Southwestern Ontario. This episode breaks down the real, behind-the-scenes truth of real estate development, from first deals to mid-size m...

12. Mar 8, 202647 min

    $11 Billion in Energy Incentives: Are Developers Missing the Opportunity? ft. Jayden Haywood Ep. 25

    “A major mistake right now is that a lot of money gets left on the table when developers don’t think about rebates and incentives early enough.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined again by Jayden Haywood, founder of PL Energy, an engineering firm specializing in energy modeling, CMHC MLI Select compliance, and helping developers unlock energy rebates and incentives across Canada. This episode covers CMHC MLI Select, energy efficiency incentives, real estate dev...

13. Feb 23, 202650 min

    Ontario's ADU Boom: The Operator Behind the Backyard Housing Shift ft. Yasser Majd Ep. 24

    "We’re building a house behind a house.... we have a neighbor to the left, neighbor to the right, neighbor to the rear... very niche space in that aspect." In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Yasser Majd, owner/operator of 555 Construction Management Inc and the Original ADU Home Service Provider for Home Depot Canada. With over 15 years of experience as both a real estate investor and construction operator, Yasser brings a rare, ground-level perspective on how Onta...

14. Feb 8, 202633 min

    From Triplexes to 60 Acres: Scaling Into Development ft. Dane Buttenaar Ep. 23

    “Once you control the land, everything becomes a business decision — not an emotional one.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Dane Buttenaar, a real estate developer who scaled from small multifamily properties into controlling 60 acres of development land in Ontario. Dane walks through what scaling actually looks like — from early triplex and fourplex deals, to missing-middle projects, to large-scale land development. We unpack the realities behind construction ...

15. Jan 21, 202642 min

    The Debt Hangover: A Reckoning After 20 Years of Easy Money ft. Vince Gaetano Ep. 22

    “People were drunk off of the appreciation of the assets over two decades... It's almost like a bad hangover” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Vince Gaetano, a veteran mortgage professional with over 35 years of experience who has lived through every major real estate cycle — from working with bailiffs in the early 1990s to advising homeowners and investors in today’s high-pressure market. Vince brings a rare, data-first perspective shaped by decades in the indu...

16. Jan 4, 202654 min

    How Skyline Built a $10B Real Estate Empire in Canada ft. Jason Castellan Ep. 21

    “People envy where you are now — they don’t envy how you got there.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Jason Castellan, CEO and Co-Founder of Skyline Group of Companies, one of Canada’s largest private real estate operators with $10.5B+ investment in assets under management. Jason breaks down how Skyline grew from student rentals in the early 1990s into a multi-fund platform spanning multifamily, retail, industrial, and clean energy — and why today’s market feel...

17. Dec 14, 202545 min

    Meet the 'Fixer' Trusted by Canada's Old-School Real Estate Families ft. Joe Mysak Ep. 20

    “It’s not the money, it’s the game — that’s what I actually love about real estate.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Joe Mysak, the 'fixer' trusted by Canada’s old-school real estate families. With more than 35 years in the business, Joe has built a reputation for quietly solving the deals others cannot. His work lives behind the scenes, helping multi-generation landlords, family offices, and long-time asset owners navigate complex transactions where trust, ju...

18. Nov 30, 202549 min

    Collapse of Canada's Middle Class: Inflation, Housing & Hard Assets ft. Nick Karadza Ep. 19

    “Most people think housing got more expensive. It didn’t — the dollar got weaker.” In this episode, we sit down with Nick Karadza, an investor, educator, and co-founder of Rock Star Inner Circle whose work has helped thousands of Canadians navigate the intersection of money and real estate. Nick breaks down how the 2008 financial crisis changed his worldview, why younger investors today are far more educated than previous generations, and how the erosion of Canada’s currency has...

19. Nov 11, 202552 min

    Death, Taxes, Family Trusts & When To Incorporate ft. Michal Wach Ep. 18

    In this episode of The BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Michal Wach, a real estate investor, tax accountant, and coach who has been investing since 2008. Michal shares how he built a portfolio that includes a Muskoka luxury cottage, navigated multiple market cycles, and transitioned into tax advisory for investors and self-employed Canadians. They unpack common mistakes investors make with taxes, incorporation, and structuring, and explore how smart planning and professional guidance c...

20. Oct 28, 202539 min

    2025 Market Recap: Rates, Bonds & What’s Next for Investors | BLD Podcast Ep. 17

    “2025 was the year of volatility — but out of the chaos came stability.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, Josh & Ehren break down what defined the Canadian real estate market in 2025—and what investors need to prepare for heading into 2026. They unpack the interest rate shifts, CMHC policy updates, and bond yield movements that shaped the past year, and share actionable insights for navigating the multifamily, construction, and development sectors as the market stabilizes. ...

21. Oct 12, 202547 min

    “We’ve Killed the Condo Market”: Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford on Housing Fixes | Ep. 16

    “We’ve Killed the Condo Market.” Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford joins Josh & Ehren to break down how policy, red tape, and costs are choking housing supply — and what it’ll take to make Toronto buildable again. Listen to the full conversation on Toronto’s housing crisis, missing middle development, and the future of affordability. In episode 16, urban planner–turned–City Councillor Brad Bradford shares how smarter planning, better policy, and collaboration can unlock housi...

22. Sep 28, 202542 min

    Nick Hill's Warning: UBI & AI Will Transform Canadian Real Estate Forever Ep. 15

    Nick Hill shares a warning every Canadian real estate investor, broker, and entrepreneur needs to hear about the future of AI, Universal Basic Income (UBI), and the direction of Canadian real estate investing. In the fifteenth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Nick Hill, Canadian real estate investor, mortgage agent, and co-host of the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast. From building one of Canada's top real estate podcasts to helping thousands of investors understand...

23. Sep 6, 202547 min

    From Toronto Firefighter to Mid-Size Multifamily Developer ft. Bryan Bouchard Ep. 14

    What does it really take to scale from duplexes to ground-up developments? In the fourteenth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Bryan Bouchard, a seasoned investor and developer who has built a career helping Canadians navigate CMHC programs, construction financing, and multifamily development. From comparing CMHC construction loans to conventional financing to managing investor expectations and building teams, Bryan reveals the strategies that can make or break your...

24. Aug 12, 202544 min

    Multi-Family Insurance Secrets to Protect Your Profits ft. Samuel Castillo Ep. 13

    What does it really take to navigate rising insurance premiums? In the thirteenth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Samuel Castillo, an expert in multi-family and builder’s risk insurance who’s built a career helping investors protect their assets and their bottom line. From understanding loss ratios to navigating CMHC requirements, Samuel reveals the strategies and hard truths that can save—or cost—investors thousands. From builder’s risk rates and surety bonds to the i...

25. Jul 12, 202544 min

    Financially Free by 26 → BRRRRing Apartment Buildings ft. Carlos Afanador Ep. 12

    What does it really take to go from maxxing out your credit cards for a downpayment on a 2-bedroom house to doing a $1M renovation on a 32-unit apartment building? In the twelfth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by multifamily real estate investor & developer Carlos Afanador. With a track record of scaling from student rentals to midsize multifamily properties without partners, Carlos has built a multimillion dollar real estate portfolio. From executing a $1M ren...

26. Jun 24, 202541 min

    The New Breed of Toronto Developer: Why Most Projects Fail ft. Ryan Valente Ep.11

    What’s the real reason most real estate development projects fail? In the eleventh episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Valente, a hands-on real estate developer with over 15 years of construction experience and a growing portfolio of mid-sized multi-family projects across Toronto. From custom home building to CMHC-financed 4-plexes, laneway suites, and now an 18-unit build in High Park—Ryan has lived every phase of the development cycle. In this episode, we dive into...

27. Jun 3, 202559 min

    The War Against Real Estate Developers is Coming To An End ft. Josh Kaufman Ep. 10

    Is the war on real estate developers finally coming to an end? In the tenth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Josh Kaufman, one of the most experienced minds in Canadian real estate development. With over three decades of leadership across firms like Starlight Investments, Dream, and Rogers, and a portfolio that spans residential, commercial, and industrial sectors across multiple provinces, Josh brings unmatched perspective to the table. In this episode, we explore: - Jos...

28. Apr 1, 202544 min

    How Appraisers ACTUALLY Calculate Multifamily Property Values ft. Graham Morrison Ep. 09

    Ever wonder what factors real estate appraisers utilize when calculating the value of a multifamily property? In the ninth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Graham Morrison, Principal, Senior Director, Valuation & Advisory Services at Avison Young, to talk about the key factors driving multifamily real estate valuations in the GTA. Graham shares how appraisers calculate cap rates, including the critical role of location, unit count, and historical market data. ...

29. Mar 9, 202540 min

    The Brutal Reality of Hard Money & Private Lending ft. Kyle Ford Ep. 08

    Why would you ever go to a 'C Type Lender' for borrowing money on your investment property? In the eighth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Ford to explore the world of private money lending. Kyle explains why private lenders are a great option for real estate investors, especially when purchasing multifamily properties. We dive in to how private money lending can be a valuable tool for real estate success, offering investors the opportunity to access capital when c...

30. Feb 18, 202559 min

    Mid-Level Investments & The Future of High-Rise Housing ft. Daniel Foch Ep. 07

    “We never learned to deal with these issues, because they never existed in our life. Our generation grew up without ever thinking about inflation.” In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Foch, Chief Real Estate Officer at Valery.ca and host of the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast to discuss the macroeconomic forces shaping the Canadian real estate market, the challenges facing pre-construction condo buyers, and why investors need to understand the bigger e...

31. Jan 30, 202552 min

    The Beauty of Multiplex Condo Unit Legal Structuring ft. Ben Singer Ep. 06

    'We are seeing huge interest in people building up as-of-right multiplexes & small apartment buildings in Toronto & the GTA". In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast we sit down with Ben Singer, condo development real estate investor focused lawyer from SR Law to discuss the 'beauty' of Multiplex Condo Unit legal structuring and the benefits it can have for investors, buyers & the Canadian housing market. Who is Ben Singer? Ben Singer maintains a general commercial r...

32. Dec 1, 202452 min

    Ditching Ontario for Alberta Real Estate ft. Mark Loeffler Ep. 05

    After years of investing in the Ontario real estate market, why has Mark Loeffler pivoted to Alberta? In the fifth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast we sit down Mark Loeffler, realtor, investor & podcast host to chat about EVERYTHING going on with real estate in Canada and why he's pivoted from investing in Ontario to Alberta. If you've been considering of expanding your real estate portfolio outside of Ontario this is an episode you do not want to miss! Follow & Connect with Ma...

33. Nov 17, 202451 min

    Why Canadians Are To Blame For Inflated Real Estate Prices ft. Andrew Hines Ep. 04

    What has Andrew Hines been up to since stopping his podcast? In the fourth episode of the BLD Financial Podcast we sit down with the man, the myth, the legend, Andrew Hines to chat about EVERYTHING going on with real estate and what he's been up to for the last few months since stopping his podcast. We cover everything from some of his personal horror stories while investing in the US market to what he's seeing in the commercial real estate market and even addressing some of the core fundam...

34. Nov 2, 20241 h 7 min

    Energy Efficiency Upgrades Saving Investors Thousands Ft. Jayden Haywood Ep. 03

    Are you a real estate investor looking to learn more about how to improve the energy efficiency of your properties? Want to learn how investors are taking advantage of the new 4 plus 1 developments in the GTA? In the third episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit-down with Jayden Haywood, a real estate investor, developer with River Developments and an engineer with Pacific Light & Energy where he is helping investors save thousands through low-cost energy efficiency upgrades utilizi...

35. Oct 20, 202444 min

    The 'Missing Piece' to Missing Middle Construction Financing Ft. Kunj Patel Ep. 02

    After many years of creating educational based content for YouTube & social media, we are excited to announce the launch of our first podcast: the BLD Financial Podcast!🎙 This podcast is a chance for us to share the indepth insights & conversations we have with experts from various industries affecting real estate, financing, capital raising, development and more! 🏗💰🏘🏢 In this second episode we sit-down with Kunj Patel, Assistant Vice President at First Source Capital, a boutique mo...

36. Oct 4, 202456 min

    BRRRR Method Is Cancer To Canadian Real Estate Ft. Jack Bernstein Ep. 01

    After many years of creating educational based content for YouTube & social media, we are excited to announce the launch of our first podcast: the BLD Financial Podcast!🎙 This podcast is a chance for us to share the indepth insights & conversations we have with experts from various industries affecting real estate, financing, capital raising, development and more! 🏗💰🏘🏢 In this premiere episode Josh Findlay & Ehren Laycock of BLD Financial sitdown with Jack Bernstein of Bernstone...

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Directory compiled 2026-10-28. Details come from public listings and the show’s own feed.