The Truth About Real Estate Investing... for Canadians

Systemized Management of 168 Units All Over Ontario and Cleveland with Lena Gurgis

·44 min·4 clips

Erwin Szeto reveals he's selling Canadian properties to invest in the US, where houses are $100,000 to $300,000.

The episode begins with host Erwin Szeto sharing personal updates on his real estate journey, including plans to sell Canadian student rentals in Hamilton and St. Catharines to invest in US markets like Atlanta, Ohio, and Texas. He mentions an upcoming US investing workshop with partners Andrew Kim and Scott Dillingham. The main interview features Lena Gurgis, who runs Envy Property Management and Stilettos and Hammers. Lena details how she manages 168 units, with 32 being her own, across diverse locations from Ottawa to Cleveland. She explains her automated systems, use of online portals, and reliance on service managers and trades in each city. Lena reveals that many team members were former tenants, providing a unique recruitment strategy. The conversation covers market conditions, with Lena noting high tenant demand but lower quality applicants in Hamilton, where she had 32 showings in one house. She discusses creative ways to increase cashflow, such as charging separately for parking and storage. Lena shares her investment focus on US multifamily properties and development opportunities in Ontario. She warns about the risks of private lending, recounting a case where borrowers defaulted and fled to Africa, requiring her to take over a mortgage. Towards the end, Lena reflects on teaching her daughter about trust, value exchange, and solving problems to achieve financial success.

As heard by us

A grounded look at Cleveland rentals, multifamily cash flow and redevelopment choices.

This single-episode review follows a real estate operator sorting through where cash flow and development effort currently make sense. The host begins with pressure from higher insurance and expected property-tax costs, then the discussion moves into Cleveland activity: short-…

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Want a practical look at Cleveland rentals, multifamily cash flow, and older properties with redevelopment upside?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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