All Posts by Bruce Firestone

[The problem with low appraisals] I am frustrated that Canadian real estate entrepreneurs have so few options when it comes to financing their projects. My friend, Matt Slobodian from Canada ICI wrote this: The regulatory framework in Canada focuses on safety and soundness (it is federally regulated via OSFI, which implies higher standards) whereas the […]

I coach some fantastic entrepreneurs in the US, Canada and elsewhere. However, there is an experience common to entrepreneurs the world over except for the US. Their business ecosystem is different. I wrote to a Canadian woman I coach who runs a real estate portfolio focused on Airbnb and student rentals who is expanding her […]

The story of Tamworth, a small town in Ontario “Animation” is a term I use to describe ways of adding new revenue streams to an existing property. For example, clients of mine are adding storage sheds, backyard workshops, basement apartments, backyard coach houses, play areas (things like outdoor ping pong tables), private patio areas, outdoor […]

[Another GaVinci Report by Corey Oliver] Pivot – in the business world it means to shift. To move to Plan B when Plan A isn’t working. It’s the art of recognizing change in a market or industry before the impact of those changes can damage a business or organization. The challenge is recognizing WHEN to […]

Substantial completion (aka, substantial performance) in real estate is usually defined this way: When approximately 97% of work outlined in a construction contract is done. This milepost is crucial in this industry for a number of reasons: a) so, a contractor can get paid out without having absolutely everything done, b) so, an owner can […]

This Xmas I am into handmade Christmas gifts as opposed to store-bought ones. So, here’s a story I wrote and recorded then uploaded to YouTube for my two grandsons. It’s called Sammy Came Back. It’s set in a town called Wretched and it’s about a cat locked out by a forgetful husband in subzero weather […]