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EPISODE OVERVIEW A quick shift off the Investing in Alberta series that dovetails right back into it. Jason Mattern of TriUrban is back on the show, and between the two of us that is 50 years of boots on the ground in this business. We get into what has actually changed in the Edmonton market, what has not, and why the fundamentals you started with still decide who wins. Jason walks through buying at the absolute peak in 2006 and 2007, the years those mortgages sat underwater, and the decision to hold instead of hand back the keys. Twenty years later those properties are paid down to near zero and cash flowing. We do the math on what that perseverance is actually worth. We also get into MLI Select financing, leveraging trapped equity into bigger buildings, the population wave coming to Edmonton, and where the real risk hides for new investors chasing the FOMO. Stick around to the end, there is an announcement. KEY TAKEAWAYS - The box changes, the fundamentals do not. What you buy, where you buy, and who you rent to still decide the outcome. Start from the tenant profile and reverse engineer everything else. - Buying is the easy part. The hold is the business. Anyone can acquire a property. The skill is owning it well for the next ten, fifteen, twenty years. - Hold beats hype. Jason bought at the peak, rode the mortgages underwater, and the patient hold turned into properties that owe him nothing. - The tax free math is real. Paid off properties sold below your acquisition value can return serious capital with the capital gains question off the table. - MLI Select changed the game. Commercial financing introduced in March 2022 lets you move equity out of a single family home and into a roughly $2 million multiplex. Understand the risk and the reward, both are significant. - Edmonton is setting up. Strong affordability near a 470,000 average price, no rent controls, no land transfer tax, a growing job front, and a forecast of 750,000-plus more people over the next fifteen to twenty years. - The market turned. Edmonton bottomed roughly six months ago and rent per square foot on new construction is now trending up. - Supply will not keep pace. The last two years of housing starts only caught up the slack from years of underbuilding. That pace has to hold for fifteen years just to match the demand coming. - Plan first or pay for it. Know why you are investing and where you are headed before you pick the asset. Get that backwards and you end up with a time suck and a money suck. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Even if it goes up not $1 in value, and your mortgage balance is paid off and you sell for 200,000, you sell five of them off. You just created $1 million tax free." - Russell "The box may change, but the fundamental and the core stays the same." - Russell "Failing to plan is planning to fail in this business." - Jason "The only success metric I know in real estate is to have tenants paying you maximum rent." - Jason "If you're trying to get on a call and download my brain for free, don't waste your time." - Jason NEXT STEPS - Know your why before you pick an asset. Get clear on where you are headed in the next five years, then reverse engineer the plan. - If you own in Alberta, get a current read. Pull a CMA on what you bought years ago and find out how much equity you are actually sitting on. - If you are looking at Edmonton for the first time, do the homework, not the FOMO. Run the data, then decide. - Watch the YouTube channel for the deeper data series on the Edmonton market. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW Calgary or Edmonton. It is the question every Alberta investor eventually lands on, and this episode finally reruns the analysis four years overdue. This is not about lifestyle or where you would rather live. It is pure investment grade math: population, jobs, wages, affordability, vacancy, supply, and yield, run through a simple 4D framework so you can see which market actually deserves your capital today. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Calgary gets the love, Edmonton gets the math. Lifestyle and investment returns are two different decisions, do not confuse them. - Alberta is the pressure release valve while Toronto and Vancouver bleed population. Alberta grew about 2.9% while Canada effectively flatlined or declined. - The 4D framework: Demand, Dollars, Durability, Discount. Run any market through it. - Edmonton posted the highest population growth in the country, roughly 3% from 2024 to 2025, with Calgary just behind. - Affordability protects your exit. Calgary sits around 41%, Edmonton around 32%, less than half the Toronto and Vancouver burden. That keeps a buyer pool alive when you sell. - Edmonton is not just cheaper, it is a value play. About a 24% price discount versus Calgary, but only a 16% rent discount, which hands you roughly a 10% yield advantage. - Both rental markets softened. Calgary vacancy near 5%, Edmonton near 3.8%. Treat it as a breather before the next run up, not a collapse. Plan for flat rents for a year or two. - A 5% vacancy is still 95% occupancy. Win the lease up with live answers, fast showings, and real sales effort, not a booking form. - Edmonton runs a more diverse base: University of Alberta, government, healthcare, logistics, and the distribution hub feeding the industrial heartland and the north. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Calgary gets the love. Edmonton gets the math." "Affordability protects the exit." "Edmonton's not just cheap. Edmonton is a value play." "Your investment dollars don't care about the lifestyle. Live where you want to live, but put your investment dollars to work in the markets that are going to work strong for you." NEXT STEPS - Subscribe and follow the full Alberta series. Each video builds on the last. - Run your own market through the 4D framework before you put a dollar to work. - Underwrite every deal on its own. Average metrics tell you the market, not your property. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW Episode 200. Six years almost to the day since episode one launched into the middle of COVID chaos, this is a look back at the whole journey: the numbers, the stories, the slowdown, and the reason this show exists in the first place. You will hear the real stats behind 200 episodes, why most podcasts never survive past episode three, the honest truth about the 2024 and 2025 slowdown, and the original intention that brought this podcast back: creating a legacy of learning for the next generation of investors. Whether this is your first episode or your two hundredth, this one is for you. Thank you. KEY TAKEAWAYS - 200 episodes over six years: 80,000+ downloads, 61 countries in the last 24 months alone, and over 140 guest conversations across five seasons - Rare air by the numbers: 44% of podcasts die before episode three, only 8% make it past episode ten, and episode 30 puts a show in the top 1% - The three year rule: commit to a minimum of three years before you judge whether something is working, advice from a coach that shaped the entire show - The ebb and flow, no apologies: an active real estate investor first, and when deals heat up, content goes on the back burner. That is the right order of operations - Consistency compounds: the same principle that builds a portfolio builds a body of work. Show up, keep it simple, let time do the heavy lifting - The real why: a legacy of learning. Standing on the shoulders of giants creates an obligation to pay it forward, one conversation, one insight, one shared mistake at a time MEMORABLE QUOTES "80,000 times somebody hit play on this podcast. And honestly, I'm blown away by that number." "44% of podcasts die before they hit episode three. Only 8% get past episode ten." "I'm a real estate investor first and foremost. When deals heat up, the content gets put on the back burner." "I have stood on the shoulders of giants. It is my obligation to pay that forward." "So what? Work harder. 200 episodes down. Here's to the next 200." NEXT STEPS - New here? There are 199 more episodes waiting for you in the back library - Jump into the Alberta series, you are landing right in the middle of the story - Share this episode with one investor who needs to hear that consistency compounds - Next episode: Calgary versus Edmonton, the update to one of the most watched pieces of content on the channel WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW Real estate returns come down to people and paycheck before properties. In this one, you go past the headline and into the employment data that actually predicts who pays your rent. The unemployment number is the lazy metric. The real signal is employment, job quality, wage growth, and how diverse the job base is. You'll see why the national jobs picture is uneven, why Alberta is the clear outlier right now, and how to turn all of that research into an actual deal. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Stop reporting unemployment. It's the lazy metric. Track employment, job quality (full time vs part time), wage growth, and the diversity of the job base. That's the full picture. - Run any market through the framework: demand (are people moving in), employment (are they working), caliber (full time or part time), affordability (are wages growing), diversity (how broad is the job base), then execution (does the deal underwrite). - The national number bounced in May, up about 3 percent year over year, but don't let a one month blip write the narrative. Canada has been limping along for a decade. - Alberta added roughly 104,000 jobs, a 4.1 percent year over year growth rate, the strongest of any province, with about a third of the population. - Absorption rate of 1.12. Alberta is adding more jobs than people moving in. That kills the "everybody's moving there to be unemployed" story. - The growth was full time, high quality work. Full time jobs up around 118,000 while part time fell. - Alberta leads the country on weekly earnings, about 1,371 dollars, up almost 2 percent year over year. - Alberta is energy led, not energy only. Oil and gas is roughly 21 percent of GDP but only about 6 percent of the workforce. The growth is coming from health care, public administration, transportation, warehousing, manufacturing, and construction. Over 107,000 service jobs created. - Edmonton is a diverse market. Health care, government, education, construction, logistics, and retail. Retail, construction, and health care alone make up about 40 percent of the jobs. - 90,000 forecasted new jobs are still on the books in the industrial heartland just outside Edmonton. - A diverse job base means diverse tenant profiles, and that's what gives a portfolio durability. - Research is worthless without execution. Overlay GDP, population, and employment onto the actual deal. The data qualifies the market. The underwriting qualifies the property. Not every property in Edmonton makes sense. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Real estate returns come down to people and paycheck before properties." "The unemployment number, in my personal opinion, is a lazy metric." "In Alberta, they are adding more jobs than people are moving in." "Alberta is energy led. It's not energy only." "Population creates the demand. Employment creates the capacity. Full time work signals quality. Wages create affordability. And the diversification creates durability." NEXT STEPS - Stop tracking the unemployment headline. Start tracking employment, job quality, wage growth, and job diversity. - Put your target market through the framework: demand, employment, caliber, affordability, diversity, then underwriting. - Before you buy, overlay the data onto the actual deal. The numbers tell you the market is real. The underwriting tells you the property is real. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW Most of Canada is losing people. Ontario, BC, and Quebec are all heading the wrong direction, and for the first time in recent memory the country as a whole posted a population drop. One province broke from the pack. Alberta kept growing, even at the exact moment immigration dried up to zero and people were leaving the country. In this one you get the population read straight from the latest StatsCan quarterly numbers, why Edmonton and Calgary are the two shining stars, and the simple filter that keeps you out of the trap most investors fall into. Follow the people. The people tell you where the demand is going before the prices do. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Ontario, BC, and Quebec are all declining in population. Alberta is the one outlier still growing. - Canada posted its largest year over year drop in recent memory, roughly 103,000 people. Even through that, Alberta gained about 7,280 people in a single quarter. - Edmonton was the number one destination in Canada for interprovincial migration. Edmonton and Calgary combined pulled in close to 24,000 people in a single year. - Don't fall into the national comparison trap. The national number is not your number. Your job is to find the market beating it. - The right question isn't "is Canadian real estate good right now." It's "where are the people moving, and where can they not keep up." - Affordability is a feature, not a flaw. A market people can actually afford has longevity. No violent spike, no violent drop still searching for a bottom. - Alberta looks like it's taking a breather before the next run up. When the immigration pendulum swings back toward normal, that growth number gets bigger. - Follow the flow. People arrive, they buy, rental demand rises, absorption climbs, rents follow. MEMORABLE QUOTES "One of these things is not like the other. There truly is one province that is gaining people where everybody else has been losing people." "People still chose to move to Alberta. Just imagine what happens when that pendulum swings back toward normal." "I don't want values of properties to go skyrocketing so fast that people can't afford them. Having a market that's affordable for people to buy is very healthy." "Always invest in a marketplace with a future, not a past." NEXT STEPS This was the quick snapshot on population. Next in the series goes deep on the supply side, housing inventory inside Edmonton, starts versus completions, and what happens when you overlay all of it against the 750,000 more people forecasted to move in over the next 15 to 20 years. The starts number everyone is calling unsustainable might be the new normal just to keep up. That one is coming. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW Canada has entered a technical recession, and the headlines are doing what headlines do. Behind the noise, one province is moving the other way. In chapter one of the Investing in Alberta series, you get the one number that drives everything downstream for real estate investors, and the case for why Alberta is the market to watch right now. KEY TAKEAWAYS - GDP is the gateway number. It drives interest rate decisions, lender appetite, job creation, migration, and rents. Read it wrong and everything downstream gets harder. - A technical recession is two back to back quarters of negative growth. Canada has posted three negative quarters over the past year, and early Bank of Canada job numbers suggest we may already be climbing out. - Canada is revising its GDP forecast down. Alberta just revised up, from 1.8 percent to 2.7 percent for 2026, per ATB. - Invest in a market with a future, not a past. - Alberta's deficit forecast was built on 60 dollar oil. Every dollar move in the oil price swings the budget by roughly 700 million, and the Strait of Hormuz disruption is not even priced in yet. - Strip out the federal portion and Alberta's provincial debt load sits near 10 percent of GDP, while other provinces run far higher. - People vote with their moving trucks. Alberta has led interprovincial migration for 14 straight quarters, Edmonton is number one in the country, and roughly 24,000 net new people are projected for the area next year. - The market ran too hot, then the pendulum swung too far back. Right now it is taking a needed breather, and that breather is the window to grab a couple of strong assets. - Decisions on facts, not emotions. Step back, then take three steps deeper. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Canada is actually downsizing its GDP output number. Alberta is actually growing it." "You always want to invest in a market with a future, not with a past." "People are voting with their moving trucks." "It's not just a matter of what the market is doing. It's what is this market good for?" NEXT STEPS - This is chapter one of a 12 part Investing in Alberta series. Subscribe and follow along so you catch every chapter. - Next up, the housing supply story. The numbers on what is coming online versus what is actually being built stopped me cold. - Do your own homework and underwrite every deal on the fundamentals. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

EPISODE OVERVIEW This one is a guest spot. I sat down with Erwin Szeto on Truth About Real Estate Investing for one of the most honest conversations I have had on the show in a long time. We get into what to actually do when the market turns against you, the full spectrum from hunkering down and riding it out to ripping the band aid off, and why the noise in the market right now is the worst I have seen in 26 years. I also open up about a health scare that landed me in emergency, because it ties straight into the bigger lesson: do not carry the weight alone, and do not be afraid to ask for help. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Real estate is a long game, and the people who treated it that way are surviving this. The ones who lost the plot were the ones banking on appreciation and ignoring cash flow. - When a market gets too hot, that is exactly when people get into things that do not make sense. Watch sentiment, not just fundamentals. - Affordability improving is not a problem to fear. A market everyday people can actually move into is a healthy market. - Population trends matter more than supply and demand on their own. Alberta pulled positive interprovincial migration while most of the country went negative. - When you are underwater, there is a spectrum, not one answer. Hunker down and ride it out, rip the band aid off, or run a hybrid and prune the good to cover the ugly. - Hindsight will not save you. Make the call decisively, then get on with it. Sitting at the bottom can drag you along for years. - The biggest move is an honest reflection. No sugarcoating, no ego. Be straight about where you actually stand, then have the tough conversations. - Vet your advisors by what they told you in 2021 and 2022, not just what they are saying now. - Three pillars run every deal: what you buy, where you buy, and who you rent to. Start with the dirt. - Do not carry the weight alone. People reach for coaching at the top when things are easy. You need it most when things are hard. MEMORABLE QUOTES - "Alberta feels like a lifeboat on the Titanic at the moment." - "The python has devoured the pig, but the pig still has to make its way through the python." - "It's not the weight you carry, it's how you carry the weight." - "When the mess that you're dealing with needs to become your message, that's when you need the support the most." - "Your journey is the journey. Honor the process that you're on." - "Go big or go home. Just understand what going home looks like." - "Always listen to your wife." NEXT STEPS - Do the honest reflection. No sugarcoating, no ego. Get straight about where your portfolio, your work, and your business actually stand. - Rank every property good, bad, or ugly. Know what you would prune first if you had to release pressure. - Pressure-test your advisors. Do not just listen to what they say now. Find out what they were telling you in 2021 and 2022. - Map your spectrum. Hunker down, rip the band aid off, or run a hybrid. Pick with intention, then move decisively. - If the weight is getting heavy, reach out. Asking for help is not weakness, it is preparation for the next climb. - Catch the full conversation on Erwin Szeto's Truth About Real Estate Investing. WORK WITH RUSSELL Most investors don't stall from lack of effort. They stall because they don't know which move matters next. Coaching fixes that. Not motivation, clarity you can act on this week. Book a private consultation: https://russellwestcott.com/free-consultation/ In your corner, Russell FOLLOW ALONG Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

What if there was a real estate asset class with lower expenses, fewer operational headaches, and strong demand regardless of the economy? In this episode, Russell sits down with investor Ruben Ugarte for a true Canadian Self Storage Masterclass. This conversation goes far beyond theory — it’s a behind-the-scenes workshop where Ruben breaks down real deals, real numbers, and real strategies from his own portfolio across Ontario and Alberta. From buying distressed facilities to expanding storage sites and unlocking hidden value, Ruben shares the frameworks he uses to evaluate opportunities, calculate demand, raise capital, and scale a portfolio of storage assets. This episode is essentially a paid workshop released from the private vault — and whether you’re an experienced investor or just exploring new asset classes, you’ll walk away with powerful insights into one of the most resilient sectors in real estate. If you’re watching on YouTube, make sure to check out the visuals and slides used during the presentation. But even on audio, this episode delivers a deep dive into the strategy, numbers, and mindset behind successful self-storage investing. --- In This Episode You’ll Learn • Why self-storage is one of the most overlooked real estate asset classes in Canada • The operating expense advantage self-storage has compared to multifamily properties • The simple demand formula investors can use to evaluate any storage market • How Ruben acquired and transformed distressed storage facilities • Why raising rents in self-storage can be easier than traditional real estate • The importance of expansion land and how it increases property value • How modern storage facilities run efficiently using automation and software • Why economic shifts can actually increase demand for storage • Creative ways operators increase revenue beyond simple unit rentals • How financing and lenders view self-storage investments --- Case Studies Covered Wainwright, Alberta 69 storage units plus RV and boat storage Located near oil fields and Canada’s largest military training base Opportunity to increase rents and expand services Champlain, Ontario Distressed facility acquired through foreclosure Originally vacant and filled with debris Now operating with strong occupancy and major expansion potential --- Memorable Quotes “Self-storage operates around 37 to 40 percent expenses compared to 60 to 70 percent in apartment buildings.” “There are no tenants living in self-storage… no toilets, no gas, no electricity inside the units.” “Someone paying $120 a month isn’t going to rent a truck and move everything just to avoid paying $125.” “Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones most investors ignore.” “Self-storage performs well in good economies and bad economies — just for different reasons.” --- Music Attribution Pax by Soulish - Premium Beats LICENSE 8177579 - YouTube ID UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena - Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 - YouTube ID 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov - Premium Beats LICENSE 8413593 - YouTube ID FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R

What 25 Years, Market Crashes, and Hard Lessons Teach You About Still Standing When Others Quit Most investors only experience rising markets — but real wealth is built by those who survive the downturns. In this powerful conversation, Russell Westcott shares 25 years of hard-earned real estate lessons, market cycles, painful mistakes, and the mindset required to endure when others quit. From buying at market peaks to navigating investor relationships during difficult seasons, Russell opens up about what really happens when markets turn — and how today’s investors can avoid the same landmines. He also reveals the “perfect storms” he sees forming and how experienced investors position themselves for the next decade of opportunity. This interview was recorded approximately one year ago. As always, do your own homework and research before making any investment decisions. Markets change — perspective lasts. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: -   Why most investors don’t survive their first real downturn -   The hidden danger of only investing in “up” markets -   How catastrophic mistakes can become your greatest teachers -   Why honesty with partners matters more than optimism -   The real meaning of “weathering the storm” in real estate -   How to recognize repeating market patterns before it’s too late -   The four converging “perfect storms” shaping today’s opportunities -   Why surviving cycles is more important than chasing hype If this episode resonated with you, share it with another investor who needs to hear it. The goal isn’t just to survive the next cycle — it’s to come out stronger on the other side. Music Attributions: Pax by Soulish - Premium Beats LICENSE 8177579 - YouTube ID UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena - Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 - YouTube ID 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov - Premium Beats LICENSE 8413593 - YouTube ID FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R "Impromptu in Quarter Comma Meantone" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Art of Silence V2 is by Uniq It's Coming by Josh Kirsch/Media Right Productions https://youtu.be/CSQ0QLYbmis Showtime by Reaktor Productions - Premium Beats LICENSE 2849701 Hero's Theme by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/280/heros-theme Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org

In this episode, Russell Westcott is interviewed by Derek Issac from Rapid Results Creators for a practical, behind-the-scenes conversation about how real estate investors and builders can work together to create lasting wealth. Drawing on more than two decades of experience and tens of millions of dollars invested alongside contractors and home builders, Russell explains why the real leverage in real estate isn’t found on the job site — it’s found in ownership, alignment, and long-term partnerships. Together, they explore how investors can scale without micromanaging construction, why builders prefer working with a small number of strong partners, and how the right relationships can turn individual projects into scalable portfolios. This episode isn’t about building harder. It’s about building smarter — and owning what you build. --- IN THIS EPISODE - Why ownership matters more than effort in real estate - How investors scale without stepping onto job sites - Why builders prefer long-term investor partnerships - The shift from projects to portfolios - How communication and planning eliminate friction - Why relationships are just as valuable as the assets being built - The mindset shift from “how do I do this” to “who should do this” --- MEMORABLE QUOTES “If contractors owned even 10% of what they built, they’d never need to step on a job site again.” “The real leverage isn’t in the job site — it’s in the partnership.” “The smartest builders don’t want more clients. They want better partners.” “Don’t just build. Own.” --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If this episode sparked clarity or challenged how you think about investing, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone. Most investors don’t struggle because they lack motivation — they struggle because they lack clarity, focus, and a strategy that actually fits their goals and lifestyle. If you’re looking for help starting, growing, or restructuring your real estate portfolio with an emphasis on ownership, leverage, and long-term sustainability, reach out directly: [email protected] We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward with confidence and intention. --- FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ --- MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R Art of Silence V2 by Uniq Enigmatic by Benjamin Tissot (bensound.com) Royalty Free Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: 0XDXSVCDNZDXQ9H7 It's Coming by Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions https://youtu.be/CSQ0QLYbmis Faceoff by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100403

In this episode, Russell Westcott sits down with real estate investor and strategist Christian Szpilfogel for a grounded, no-hype conversation about what it really takes to build sustainable wealth through real estate. Rather than chasing appreciation or relying on market timing, Christian shares how he approaches real estate as a business — one where cash flow is the primary variable, risk is actively managed, and every acquisition has a clear and intentional plan for how it produces income. Together, Russell and Christian unpack why negative cash flow is one of the fastest ways to destroy a portfolio, how inflation and debt can work in your favour when structured properly, and why selling assets too early often undermines long-term wealth. This episode isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about certainty, discipline, and building something that lasts. --- IN THIS EPISODE - Why cash flow is the foundation of every scalable real estate business - The dangers of speculation and appreciation-first investing - How to think about real estate as a deterministic business - Why negative cash flow accelerates failure, not growth - The role inflation and fixed-rate debt play in long-term strategy - Why selling properties too early can destroy wealth - How to build a portfolio that supports your lifestyle - The mindset required to scale intelligently across market cycles --- MEMORABLE QUOTES “I don’t speculate with real estate.” “Negative cash flow is how you crash and burn.” “Cash flow allows you to scale.” “Selling is the worst thing you can do.” “Inflation destroys debt — if you structure it properly.” --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If this episode sparked clarity or challenged how you think about investing, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone. Most investors don’t struggle because they lack motivation — they struggle because they lack clarity, focus, and a strategy that actually fits their goals and lifestyle. If you’re looking for help starting, growing, or restructuring your real estate portfolio with an emphasis on real cash flow and long-term sustainability, reach out directly: [email protected] We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward with confidence and intention. --- FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ --- MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R Impromptu in Quarter Comma Meantone by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Art of Silence V2 by Uniq Fluffing a Duck by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In this episode, Russell Westcott sits down with Calgary real estate leader and content creator Jared Chamberlain for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that blends personal adversity with market insight. Recorded in the summer of 2023, this conversation begins with the moment that changed everything for Jared — a serious mountain biking accident in Whistler that resulted in a concussion, memory loss, and a long road to recovery. What could have sidelined him instead became a catalyst for clarity, reflection, and a complete recalibration of how he approached health, business, and leadership. From that reset, Jared and Russell explore what’s really happening in the Calgary real estate market, why Alberta is experiencing unprecedented migration, and how supply constraints are reshaping buyer behaviour. Jared also shares how his team completed over 300 transactions during this period and why YouTube became the cornerstone of their growth and stability. This episode goes beyond real estate tactics. It’s a conversation about resilience, long-term thinking, avoiding hype-driven decisions, and building systems that support both performance and sustainability. This is not market noise. This is lived experience and hard-earned perspective. --- IN THIS EPISODE - The mountain biking accident that triggered a complete reset - Navigating concussion recovery, brain health, and performance - Why adversity often creates clarity — if you let it - How Jared’s team completed 300+ transactions during recovery - Why YouTube became the #1 business driver for his team - What’s really driving demand in Calgary and Alberta - The migration trends reshaping the market - Why supply is dangerously out of balance with demand - The rise of unconditional offers and buyer behaviour shifts - Common investor mistakes imported from other provinces - Why condos behave differently in Calgary - The importance of land, multiple income streams, and flexibility - How to think long-term instead of chasing hype --- MEMORABLE QUOTES “I had to get so disturbed that I was forced to change — and it ended up being a blessing.” “Sixteen people are arriving for every one home being built. How do you not see the opportunity?” “YouTube built our business — but only because we were willing to be bad at it at the start.” “A rising tide doesn’t lift every boat you should be in.” --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If this episode sparked something for you — clarity, curiosity, or the realization that it’s time to take the next step — you don’t have to navigate it alone. Most investors don’t struggle because they lack motivation. They struggle because they’re unsure where to focus, which decisions actually matter, and how to move forward without making costly mistakes. In a market that’s constantly changing, having a clear strategy and experienced guidance can make all the difference. Across business, sports, and investing, the difference between average results and exceptional results often comes down to one thing: access to the right coaching and mentorship. If you’d like to explore what that kind of support could look like for you, simply send an email to: [email protected] We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward with confidence and clarity. --- FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ --- MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish - Premium Beats LICENSE 8177579 - YouTube ID UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena - Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 - YouTube ID 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov - Premium Beats LICENSE 8413593 - YouTube ID FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R "Impromptu in Quarter Comma Meantone" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Art of Silence V2 is by Uniq Enigmatic by bensound.com Royalty Free Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: 0XDXSVCDNZDXQ9H7 Artist: : Benjamin Tissot Way Out West by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/ It's Coming by Josh Kirsch/Media Right Productions https://youtu.be/CSQ0QLYbmis

In this episode, Russell Westcott sits down with real estate investor and business owner Christine Traynor for one of the most honest conversations of Season 5. Christine shares the chapter of her journey that rarely makes it onto social media — losing her dream home, navigating financial shame, and starting over with a deeply negative net worth. She walks through the decisions that followed, including walking away, rebuilding her credit and confidence, buying businesses using creative financing, exiting multiple companies for cash, and eventually building a sizable real estate portfolio. This conversation goes far beyond tactics. It explores the emotional weight of failure, the role of accountability and mentorship, and what becomes possible when you stop avoiding hard truths and start designing life on your terms. This is not theory. This is lived experience. --- IN THIS EPISODE - Christine’s early real estate journey and first investments - How a renovation and septic disaster triggered financial collapse - The emotional toll of losing a home and starting over - Why shame keeps people stuck longer than the numbers ever do - The decision to walk away — and why it changed everything - Rebuilding credit, confidence, and momentum from ground zero - Buying businesses with no money down using creative finance - Exiting multiple companies for cash - Scaling a real estate portfolio - Why mentorship, proximity, and accountability accelerate results - Turning setbacks into leverage and long-term success --- MEMORABLE QUOTES “Your mess becomes your message.” “This can happen — it’s all available.” “Failure is not permanent. Avoidance is.” “Rebuilding doesn’t start with hustle. It starts with honesty.” “Surround yourself with people doing what you want to do.” --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If you’re serious about becoming a more confident and capable real estate investor, the biggest challenge usually isn’t effort — it’s clarity. Most people don’t get stuck because they lack ambition. They get stuck because they’re unsure what to focus on next, which decisions actually matter, and how to move forward without making expensive mistakes. In a market that’s constantly changing, having a clear roadmap and experienced guidance can make all the difference. Across business, sports, and investing, the gap between average results and exceptional results often comes down to one thing: access to the right coaches and mentors. The kind of guidance that helps you see around corners, avoid common pitfalls, and move forward with confidence. If you’d like to explore what that kind of support could look like for you, simply send an email to: [email protected] We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward. --- FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ --- MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE 8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE 8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE 8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R Impromptu in Quarter Comma Meantone by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Art of Silence V2 by Uniq Enigmatic by bensound.com Royalty Free Music License Code: 0XDXSVCDNZDXQ9H7 Artist: Benjamin Tissot

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode, Russell Westcott sits down with Quentin D’Souza and Rob Break for an unfiltered, high-level conversation about real estate investing, market timing, affordability, development, and long-term wealth creation. With nearly 30 years of experience, Russell breaks down what actually matters when markets shift — and why chasing hype, cheap deals, or spreadsheets alone often leads to costly mistakes. From tenant selection and infill development to market cycles and coaching, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how experienced investors think, pivot, and stay profitable through uncertainty. This is not theory. This is lived experience. --- IN THIS EPISODE * Russell’s Three Pillars of Real Estate Investing: what you buy, where you buy, and who you rent to * Why tenant profile matters more than purchase price * The real truth about market timing — and why it absolutely matters * Why Russell encouraged investors to exit Ontario and BC ahead of the peak * How infill development in Edmonton became a strategic pivot * Why builders and investors think very differently * The difference between building units and building livable homes * Why affordability, not supply, is Canada’s real housing issue * How fear freezes investors at the exact wrong time * Why experience through multiple cycles beats hype and shortcuts * What serious investors should look for in coaching and mentorship --- MEMORABLE QUOTES * “Timing absolutely matters — don’t let anyone tell you different.” * “Every mistake I’ve ever made was from breaking one of my three pillars.” * “Cheap properties attract expensive problems.” * “Builders get paid by square footage. Investors get paid by tenants.” * “You don’t buy real estate off a spreadsheet — you buy it off people living in it.” * “Sometimes the smartest move is taking chips off the table while everyone else is celebrating.” * “Canada doesn’t have a housing supply problem — it has an affordable housing problem.” --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If you’re serious about becoming a more confident and capable real estate investor, the biggest challenge usually isn’t effort — it’s clarity. Most people don’t get stuck because they lack ambition. They get stuck because they’re unsure what to focus on next, which decisions actually matter, and how to move forward without costly mistakes. In a fast-changing real estate market, having a clear roadmap and a proven framework can make all the difference. Across business, sports, and investing, the gap between average results and exceptional results often comes down to one thing: access to the right coaches and mentors. The kind of guidance that helps you see around corners, avoid common pitfalls, and make better decisions with confidence. If you’d like to explore what that kind of support could look like for you, simply send an email to: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward. --- FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: [https://russellwestcott.com/](https://russellwestcott.com/) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/](https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/) Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/](https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/) YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott](https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott) Twitter: [https://twitter.com/russellwestcott](https://twitter.com/russellwestcott) LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/) Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) Podcast: [https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/](https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/) --- MUSIC CREDITS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE 8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE 8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE 8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R Art of Silence V2 by Uniq Fluffing a Duck by Kevin MacLeod Decisions by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: [http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100756](http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100756) Artist: [http://incompetech.com/](http://incompetech.com/) Enigmatic by bensound.com Royalty Free Music: [https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music](https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music) License Code: 0XDXSVCDNZDXQ9H7 Artist: Benjamin Tissot “My Town Yo Town” by Doug Maxwell / Media Right Productions Way Out West by Twin Musicom Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: [http://www.twinmusicom.org/](http://www.twinmusicom.org/)

EPISODE OVERVIEW After a two-year pause, Russell Westcott returns with a raw, reflective solo episode to open Season 5 of the podcast. This episode serves as a bridge — reconnecting with the audience, reflecting on the last two years, and resetting the foundation for what’s ahead. Russell walks through the good, the bad, and the ugly across real estate, business, coaching, and personal life, while sharing why “Back to Basics” has become the theme moving forward. This is not a hype episode. It’s a grounding one. --- IN THIS EPISODE, RUSSELL SHARES • Why the podcast paused — and why coming back now mattered • Lessons learned from two years of building, repositioning, and refining real estate investments • What most investors misunderstand about new construction and pro formas • The responsibility and depth behind real coaching relationships • The cost of neglecting creativity and connection • Grief, mental health, and navigating low-grade burnout • Why simplifying often creates more leverage than chasing complexity • Why relationships may become the most valuable asset going forward • What listeners can expect from Season 5 --- MEMORABLE QUOTES “One week turned into two… and suddenly it was two years later.” “The creative process is the part I missed the most.” “When people are stuck — that’s when they need coaching the most.” “Back to basics isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what works.” --- WHAT’S COMING NEXT Season 5 will feature deeper conversations, connected episodes, thoughtful storytelling, and practical insights drawn from nearly three decades in real estate. If you’re looking for clarity, perspective, and substance — this season is for you. --- COACHING & MENTORSHIP If you’re serious about becoming a more confident and capable real estate investor, the biggest challenge usually isn’t effort... it’s clarity. Most people don’t get stuck because they lack ambition. They get stuck because they’re unsure what to focus on next, which decisions actually matter, and how to move forward without costly mistakes. In a fast-changing real estate market, having a clear roadmap and a proven framework can make all the difference. Across business, sports, and investing, the gap between average results and exceptional results often comes down to one thing: access to the right coaches and mentors. The kind of guidance that helps you see around corners, avoid common pitfalls, and make better decisions with confidence. If you’d like to explore what that kind of support could look like for you, simply send an email to:  [email protected] We’ll connect and see how we can help you move forward. --- 📲 FOLLOW ME ON THE SOCIALS Main Website: https://russellwestcott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellwestcott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellAllenWestcott/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RussellWestcott Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellwestcott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-westcott-8848b818/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://russellwestcott.podbean.com/ --- MUSIC CREDITS & ATTRIBUTIONS Pax by Soulish – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177579 YouTube ID: UVZNP3L4S9VNKPC7 The Old Tale by Magdalena – Premium Beats LICENSE #8177663 YouTube ID: 1RFUK4VWLYRXDX2R From East to West by Arthur Basov – Premium Beats LICENSE #8413593 YouTube ID: FPVEHZMG3XNNWD1R Art of Silence V2 by Uniq Enigmatic by Benjamin Tissot (bensound.com) Royalty Free Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License Code: 0XDXSVCDNZDXQ9H7 My Town Yo Town by Doug Maxwell / Media Right Productions Way Out West by Twin Musicom Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: [http://www.twinmusicom.org/](http://www.twinmusicom.org/) ---