This Week in Real Estate

TWIRE S25 E50: Why 2026 Might Be the BEST Year to Buy a Home

Is 2026 the window smart buyers have been waiting for?
This week, we break down Nova Scotia’s shocking new 2% down payment program, what it means for first-time buyers, and why it could signal a bigger shift across Canada.
We dive into:
Why so many buyers are sitting on the sidelines
The real reason consumer confidence is low
Whether 40-year amortizations should return
Why once the market turns… it could turn FAST
And why 2026 may be the year people say, “I’m so glad I bought.”
If you’re thinking about buying — or waiting — this episode is a must-watch.

TWIRE S25 E49: Would You Buy a Home on Indigenous Land? The Hidden Risks Nobody Explains

Would you buy a home knowing you might never truly own the land? In this episode, Rob Golfi, Conrad Zurini, and Brian Hogben dive into the hidden risks of buying property on Indigenous land. They unpack real-world examples of lost cottages, expiring leases, financing roadblocks, and why banks are often hesitant to touch these deals. Plus, the conversation expands into real estate industry red flags every consumer should understand before putting down a deposit.

TWIRE S25 E48: Putting 20% Down Might Be Costing You More Than You Think

Many buyers believe putting 20% down is always the smartest move — but that may no longer be true. In this episode, Rob Golfi sits down with mortgage expert Brian Hogben from Mission 35 Mortgages to break down the real math behind CMHC insurance, insured vs uninsured rates, and why some buyers are actually better off putting less down. They also discuss 30-year amortizations, payment strategies, and how keeping cash on hand can make homeownership far less stressful in today’s market.

TWIRE S25 E47: Who Really Gets the Deposit When a Deal Falls Apart?

When a real estate deal falls apart, who actually gets the deposit? In this episode, Rob Golfi, Conrad Zurini, and Brian Hogben break down why the current deposit system is broken, how buyers and sellers get stuck in limbo, and why “mutual release” creates more problems than solutions. From missing sellers to hostage deposits and outdated rules, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s real estate market.

TWIRE S25 E46: The Numbers Don’t Lie: It’s Time to Level Up

The latest stats are out — and they tell a story most people don’t want to hear. In this episode, we break down the numbers, what they really mean, and why staying comfortable is no longer an option. Progress demands honesty, accountability, and a willingness to level up. If you’re serious about growth, this conversation is for you.

TWIRE S25 E45: Toronto’s New $3M Home Tax: Will It Break the Luxury Market?

Toronto has approved a new land transfer tax on homes selling over $3 million, but will it actually help housing affordability, or make things worse? In this episode, Rob Golfi sits down with Conrad Zurini and mortgage expert Brian Hogben to break down how the new tax could impact luxury buyers, sellers, and the broader real estate market. They discuss whether wealthy buyers will simply absorb the cost, move outside the city, or pass the pain down the chain and why areas like Oakville, Niagara, and Vaughan could be the real winners. If you care about where Toronto real estate is heading, this is a must-listen.

TWIRE S25 E44: Lottery Mansions Are a Trap: Why $50M Winners Lose Millions in Real Estate

Winning the lottery sounds like a dream. Until you build a mansion that no one wants to buy. In this episode, Rob Golfi is joined by real estate expert Conrad Zurini and mortgage specialist Brian Hogben to break down why lottery winners often lose millions in luxury real estate. From overbuilt mansions to inflated appraisals, they reveal the costly mistakes behind $30M homes that sell for half the price and what smart money should do instead.

TWIRE S25 E43: Markets Bucking the Trend: Montreal, Halifax & Gatineau Explained

Why are Montreal, Halifax, and Gatineau thriving while Ontario markets cool off? In this episode, Rob Golfi, Conrad Zurini, and Brian Hogben break down the affordability shift driving buyers east, surprising migration patterns, investor activity, and the latest housing-start statistics. Plus: insights on luxury listings, interest rate predictions, and how new U.S. tax proposals could spill into the Canadian market. Packed with real data and frontline perspectives, this episode explains what’s really happening behind the headlines.

TWIRE S25 E42: Mortgage Myths, Market Truths: What’s Really Happening in Canadian Real Estate

In this week’s episode, Rob Golfi sits down with Conrad Zurini and Brian Hogben to unpack the truth behind Canada’s shifting real estate and mortgage landscape. From falling delinquency rates to the hidden risks in private lending, balloon mortgages, and over-leveraged developers, the trio breaks down what’s really happening beneath the headlines. Whether you're a homeowner, investor, or market watcher, this episode cuts through the noise with real numbers, real insights, and real talk.

TWIRE S25 E41: Investors vs Homeowners: Who Wins If 50-Year Mortgages Arrive?

n this episode, Rob Golfi sits down with Conrad Zurini and Brian Hogben to unpack one of the hottest debates in real estate: the potential arrival of 50-year mortgages.They break down who actually benefits — investors seeking cash flow or homeowners trying to stay afloat — and what extended amortizations could mean for equity, pricing, and market confidence. The conversation also dives into Canada’s housing policies, mortgage renewals looming in 2025, and why long-term financing tools might trigger a wave of unexpected market behavior.