LEVerage Podcast

YouTube – https://youtu.be/h-awVJrawUQ

Most people think estate planning is something they can deal with later. The reality? Failing to have an up-to-date will, powers of attorney, and a proper estate plan can leave your family with unnecessary taxes, legal headaches, and difficult decisions.

In this episode of LEVerage, financial expert Mark Halpern joins me to break down:

• Why everyone needs a will

• The hidden costs of probate

• The difference between primary and secondary wills

• Why powers of attorney are essential

• The risks of putting children on property titles

• How an estate directory can save your family stress and confusion

• Why estate planning is really about protecting the people you love

No matter your age or net worth, this conversation is packed with practical advice that could save your family time, money, and heartache.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to start planning for the future.

Mark Halpern – https://wealthinsurance.com/about-us.html

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Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/-j3U-qy-jZM

Thinking about building a deck, renovating your home, or starting a custom build in Toronto? Before you begin, you may want to hear from someone who has seen the process from both sides.

This week on Leverage, I sit down with Leila Karam, President of Q Architects and former City of Toronto Building Inspector.

Leila shares insider knowledge on building permits, inspections, Committee of Adjustment applications, and the costly mistakes homeowners make when they skip the proper process.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why you need a permit for a deck

• How neighbour complaints can lead to expensive consequences

• The truth about Toronto’s permit process and inspection system

• Committee of Adjustment and recent density changes

• How the City of Toronto handles building applications behind the scenes

• Common mistakes homeowners and builders should avoid

Whether you’re planning a renovation, building a custom home, or simply curious about how the permitting process works, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Guest:Leila KaramPresident, Q Architects

📍 Q Architects

5409 Yonge Street, Unit 207, Toronto, ON

📞 (647) 470-4041

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with anyone planning a renovation or new build.

Follow me on Socials: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomesCheck out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.comProduced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/t_O1Rx8lqJg

Toronto’s pre-construction condo market has hit a 35-year low, inventory is piling up, and buyers are no longer chasing speculation. In this episode of LEVerage, Natalka and Rachel break down what’s really happening across the GTA housing market, which neighbourhoods are still attracting buyers, and why fundamentals matter more than ever.

Topics include:

• The collapse of GTA pre-construction condo sales

• Why some suburban markets are outperforming

• The psychology driving today’s buyers

• Brampton, Scarborough, Richmond Hill and beyond

• Housing market predictions for the rest of 2026

Listen now and let us know what you’re seeing in your market.

Follow me on Socials:

Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomes

Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/ZE3PMkM6yDA

Is Toronto’s condo market actually in crisis, or are we simply watching a major market correction unfold?In this episode of LEVerage, President of The Daniels Realty Corporation, Dominic Tompa, discusses the realities behind Toronto real estate, including condo affordability, shrinking unit sizes, development charges, investor speculation, future housing shortages, and why 2028 could become a major turning point for condo supply in the city.The conversation also explores:• Why condo sizes got smaller• The role of investors and speculation• Government taxes and development charges• Why builders stopped launching projects• The future of condo amenities and maintenance fees• Whether housing affordability can realistically improveIf you’re interested in Toronto real estate, condos, investing, or housing policy, this episode gives a rare inside look from someone with over 40 years in the development industry.Dominic Tompa – https://danielshomes.ca/team/dominic-tompa/Follow me on Socials: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomesCheck out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.comProduced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/Lhn-nmoq9Vc

What actually separates a great real estate agent from an average one?

In this episode of LEVerage, Rachel sits down with real estate broker Sean McCann to break down:

• Why most agents feel “commoditized”

• The KPIs that actually matter (but no one talks about)

• How the role of a realtor has evolved from gatekeeper → service provider → experience curator → transformation partner

• Why referrals don’t work the way they used to

• And why today’s market might be a bigger opportunity than people think

This is a deep dive into the real value of a great agent and where the industry is heading next.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Do you think most agents are interchangeable?

Sean McCann – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccann-543b5b21/

Follow me on Socials: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

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Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/Kke2M2wRwGw

Everyone’s talking about foreclosures, power of sale deals, and a “crashing” market… but what’s actually true?

In this episode of LEVerage, we break down:

• The REAL difference between power of sale vs foreclosure

• Why “cheap deals” are often a myth

• What actually happens when someone misses mortgage payments

• How banks really handle distressed properties

• Why today’s market feels confusing (and what buyers need to know)We also dive into:

• Market uncertainty post-COVID

• The impact of rising interest rates

• Why the market isn’t “coming back”… it’s just changing

• The hidden risks of pre-construction condosIf you’re a buyer, investor, or homeowner in today’s market, this is a must-watch.

Kadish Law – http://www.kadishlaw.com – (416) 636-5565

Follow me on Socials:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

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Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/m8KGIpybzhw

Is the Toronto housing market crashing… or resetting?

In this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with Steve Tabrizi, COO of RE/MAX Hallmark, to break down what’s actually happening in the real estate market right now.

With headlines predicting everything from housing collapses to massive rebounds, we cut through the noise and look at the data, trends, and economic realities shaping the market in 2026.

We discuss:

• Why the market went through a major “reset” after the pandemic boom

• Why first-time buyers are suddenly returning to the market

• The real story behind the condo market slowdown

• How interest rates and global uncertainty are affecting buyers

• Why some markets in the GTA are bouncing back faster than others

• The surprising opportunity in the condo market right nowIf you’re buying, selling, investing, or just trying to understand the Toronto real estate market, this episode will help you cut through the clickbait and understand what’s really happening.

Subscribe for more episodes of LEVerage, where we break down real estate, economics, and business with industry experts.

Steve Tabrizi – https://www.remax.ca/on/steve-tabrizi-42287-ag

Follow me on Socials:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomes

Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/IRzHmQDdheo

On this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with Ori Ohayon & Tory Ricalis to break down how AI and blockchain are transforming one of real estate’s most outdated systems: property title searches.

They share how their company evolved from authenticating collectibles to tackling real estate data, why traditional title production can take weeks, and how their custom AI agents are cutting that process down to minutes.

You will learn:

• Why title searches are still largely manual

• The hidden risks buyers and sellers miss• How open permits and violations can derail deals

• Why centralizing land registry data is the big play

• Where AI and blockchain actually add real valueIf you care about the future of real estate, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.

👉 Tune in to LEVerage every Sunday for more insights from leaders in real estate and business.

Titl – https://titl.co/about-us/

Follow me on Socials:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomes

Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg

YouTube – https://youtu.be/lYdy2cNOZiU

In this episode of LEVerage, I sit down with veteran financial expert Mark Halpern to break down the planning mistakes most families and even wealthy individuals make.

From the surprising number of people who still don’t have a will to the hidden risks inside bank mortgage insurance, this conversation is packed with practical insights every homeowner, parent, and business owner should hear.

Mark shares why financial planning is actually liberating, how successful people structure their money habits, and the simple framework anyone can use to build real long term security.

🔑 In this episode:

• Why dying without a will creates major problems

• The truth about bank mortgage insurance

• Why your income is your biggest asset

• The “pay yourself first” rule that separates the wealthy

• How financial planning reduces stress and creates freedom

Whether you are building wealth, running a business, or planning for your family’s future, this episode delivers practical guidance you can act on today.

Mark Halpern – https://wealthinsurance.com/about-us.html

Follow me on Socials:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachellevyhomes/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachellevyhomes

Check out my website – https://www.rachellevyhomes.com

Produced by Max Silverberg