Sync or Swim: The Multifamily Growth Show

About Sync or Swim: The Multifamily Growth Show

On Sync or Swim, a weekly podcast brought to you by Rentsync; we provide an insiders look into the PropTech, multifamily, and rental housing industry. On this show, you'll hear down-to-earth interviews with well-known thought leaders, experience compelling stories, and gain fresh new insights on how to overcome operational challenges and increase the value of your multifamily portfolio. Episodes will feature topics such as PropTech, multifamily marketing and MarTech, lease up marketing, and more.

Publisher

Rentsync

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jul 2020

Latest episode

8 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

118 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Sept 2025

   Moving2Canada: Unlocking the Newcomer Experience

   What does it take to build a life in a new country? On this episode of Sync or Swim, host Giacomo Ladas speaks with Stephanie Ford, Head of Content Strategy at Moving2Canada, about the newcomer experience in Canada. Stephanie shares how Moving2Canada grew from a Facebook group into a leading resource for immigration and settlement, and reflects on her own journey from Australia. The conversation covers key housing challenges, from misconceptions about basement suites to differences in rental rules across provinces. Stephanie offers practical advice on preparing documents, avoiding scams, and building credit, along with tips like starting with short-term accommodation before signing a lease. Tune in for insights on what newcomers face and how to make the transition smoother! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing guest Stephanie Ford, Head of Content Strategy at Moving2Canada. Moving2Canada’s journey since starting as a Facebook group in 2011. Why Moving2Canada’s free immigration resources are vital for accessibility. A breakdown of Stephanie’s personal journey moving from Australia. Early challenges newcomers face: housing, healthcare, banking, and immigration rules. Misconceptions about basement suites and provincial rental laws. Exploring stigma around renting in Canada compared to Europe and Australia. Why Toronto and Vancouver tend to attract the most newcomers despite high costs. Tips for renters: credit scores, references, and landlord expectations. Key documents to prepare: references, bank statements, and proof of funds. Common mistakes, including scams and signing leases before knowing neighbourhoods. Short-term rentals as a safer first step before committing to long-term rentals. Tips for building credit from scratch as a newcomer in Canada. Quotes: “We're really designed to support newcomers throughout the entire immigration and settlement journey at no cost to them.” — Stephanie Ford [0:04:10] “Housing can be surprisingly expensive [for newcomers], which can be a really significant challenge, especially in the first few years.” — Stephanie Ford [0:07:49] “Young people are attracted to cities. We're seeing that everywhere. People are moving from regional areas to cities, ideally for better economic opportunities. That's played out in Canada's immigration as well.” — Stephanie Ford [0:12:45] “If you're applying for a house, just bear in mind that your landlord wants two things. They want someone who they can trust to treat their property with care and respect, and to pay rent on time.” — Stephanie Ford [0:16:11] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Stephanie Ford Stephanie Ford on LinkedIn Moving2Canada Moving2Canada on Facebook Moving2Canada on Instagram Moving2Canada on TikTok ‘How to Identify Rental Scams When Searching for an Apartment or Housing’ Rentals.ca Giacomo Ladas on LinkedIn Rentsync (https://www.rentsync.com/) Sync or Swim Podcast Sync or Swim Email (mailto:podcast@rentsync.com)

2. 

   8 Sept 2025

   CRB Program: Raising the Bar for Rental Housing

   Episode 94: Show Notes How do you know if a building lives up to its claim of being well-maintained, professionally managed, and with a quality-living offering? That’s where the Certified Rental Building Program (CRB Program) comes in. We are joined today by Dilan Cetinkaya, the Director of Certification at the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FPRO), the leading advocate for strong and stable rental housing and the largest association in Ontario representing those who own, manage, build, finance, service, and supply residential rental homes. At FPRO, Dilan oversees all certification standards for the Canadian Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP), and she begins our conversation by detailing the work and main focuses of CRBP.  We learn about the pain points the CRB Program is trying to solve, how it separates itself from other quality claims or qualifications, the standards that need to be met to obtain CRB certification, and how long it takes to get certified. Dilan also explains how the program helps landlords and property managers compared to renters before unpacking the CRBP’s green initiative, Living Green Together. To end, our guest walks us through a step-by-step guide to becoming CRB certified, and we learn what the future may hold for the CRBP and its work. Key Points From This Episode: The Canadian Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) and Dilan Cetinkaya’s role at the organisation. Why the Certified Rental Building Program (CRB Program) was created; pain points it aims to solve. How the CRB Program differentiates itself from other past quality claims or qualifications? The standards buildings are required to meet to become CRB Program certified. Understanding the frequency of accountability checks and how long it takes to be certified. How the CRB Program helps landlords and property managers versus how it helps renters. Case studies that highlight the program’s impact on tenant satisfaction and retention. Living Green Together: Unpacking the CRBP’s green initiative. Dilan explains how the program will make rental searches easier moving forward. A step-by-step guide to becoming CRB certified. What the CRBP has planned for its future and what tomorrow may hold for the CRB Program. How to find CRB-certified buildings in your rental search. Quotes: “For owners and managers, [the CRB Program] helps to ensure that your property is reducing its operational costs, mitigating risks, and improving asset performance. For renters, it essentially provides a stamp that this building is well-run, well-managed, [and] well-maintained.” — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:02:04] “By being CRB certified, you do get additional [ESG] points. We are recognized by [Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking] and we're an industry supporter. So, you're also helping to improve your ESG performance as well.” — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:10:39] “Overall, I just think [the CRB Program] will help make the rent search easier for residents.” — Dilan Cetinkaya [0:16:52] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dilan Cetinkaya on LinkedIn Dilan Cetinkaya Email (mailto:dcetinkaya@frpo.org) Canadian CRB Program (CRBP) (https://www.crbprogram.org/) Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) (https://frpo.org/) BOMA BEST (https://bomabest.org/) RentSafeTO Rentals.ca  (http://rentals.ca/) Rentsync (https://www.rentsync.com/) Sync or Swim Podcast Sync or Swim Email (mailto:podcast@rentsync.com)

3. 

   5 May 2025

   The End of Free Money in the Condo Market

   Why are condo investors pulling out, and what does it mean for Canada’s housing market? On this episode of Sync or Swim, Steve Saretsky, founder of Saretsky Group and co-host of The Loonie Hour podcast, joins the show to break down the shifting economics behind new housing. Steve explains why pre-construction condo sales have collapsed, how rising rates and falling rents are squeezing investors, and why developers are increasingly pivoting to purpose-built rentals. He also touches on issues like blanket appraisals, distressed buyers, and the long municipal approval timelines holding back supply. From policy missteps to structural market changes, Steve offers a clear-eyed look at where Canadian housing is headed and what needs to change to make new housing viable again. Tune in for a grounded, insider perspective on one of the country’s most pressing economic challenges. Thanks for listening! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing today’s guest, Steve Saretsky, founder of Saretsky Group. Why the pre-construction condo market is collapsing. How rising rates and falling rents are squeezing investor margins. The risks of flipping assignments in a down market. Why some developers are renegotiating with distressed buyers. The growing use of blanket appraisals and the risks they pose. Why developers are shifting from condos to purpose-built rentals. How smaller investors are struggling to compete with bigger developers. The shift from a speculation-driven model to a more value-driven model. Challenges to meeting Canada’s housing targets by 2030. The impact of red tape and fees on housing supply timelines. Why city governments may be forced to lower development charges. Predictions regarding the Bank of Canada, rate policies, and mortgage options. Steve’s take on policymaker mistakes and housing speculation. Quotes: “The investor market and the new construction market is in a world of pain.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:04:33] “The more mom-and-pop investor types [who] don’t have the deep pockets. It's harder for them to navigate [a difficult market] than it is for these big developers.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:17:45] “We're going back to a market where builders/developers are having to serve the market. And the market today is end users. And end users are looking for more space, ground-oriented. And that's what's happening.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:20:01] “I think cities are going to be forced, and we’re starting to see it, to actually cut their development fees and charges if they want to get new housing off the ground.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:23:21] “If you're a developer with deeper pockets today, this is certainly a good environment for [you] to go and pick up some distressed land sites. And if you've got a long enough time horizon, there will be another bull market. I don't think it's in the next 12 months. It is further out.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:28:03] “What the federal government can and should be doing is they should be running good policy to ensure that you've got a healthy labor market that is seeing a lot of productivity and higher wages. And that will help people afford housing.” — @SteveSaretsky [0:34:38] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Steve Saretsky Steve Saretsky on LinkedIn Steve Saretsky on YouTube Steve Saretsky on Instagram Steve Saretsky on Facebook Steve Saretsky on X (https://x.com/stevesaretsky?lang=en) Steve Saretsky on Substack (https://stevesaretsky.substack.com/) Steve Saretsky Linktree (https://linktr.ee/stevesaretsky) Saretsky Group (https://www.saretskygroup.com/) The Loonie Hour Podcast (https://thelooniehour.ca/) Rentsync (https://www.rentsync.com/) Sync or Swim Podcast Sync or Swim Email (mailto:podcast@rentsync.com)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

87

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

76

Contact Sync or Swim: The Multifamily Growth Show

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.