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The Apartment Building Expert
Derek Lobo Founder and CEO , SVN Rock Advisors Inc.

The return of the vendor takeback

Derek Lobo Residential Mortgages National Aug. 30 2023

With low interest rates in recent year, the vendor takeback mortgage has been essentially an unnecessary device that has sat unused. However, it remains a specific tool that is particularly useful when markets are a little volatile.

How will my children afford a house in today's market?

Derek Lobo Residential Affordable Housing National Aug. 18 2023

It’s no surprise housing affordability is a major concern for young Canadians. Due to rising house prices, high interest rates and stagnant wage growth, many young adults perceive home ownership as an unattainable goal.

Alberta’s emergence as Canada’s premier apartment market

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments Alberta Jul. 21 2023

The economic landscape has revealed that apartments are a resilient and attractive asset class, weathering economic storms and political interference. In the Canadian market, Alberta is a prime growth opportunity, representing a beacon of safety and potential for investors.

Apartment buildings and the value of community

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Apr. 24 2023

Establishing a feeling of community in your building is a worthwhile goal, but creating friendship between neighbours can be challenging, not to mention a burden on regular property management responsibilities. Enter Apartment Life . . .

There's opportunity in Canadian student housing

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Mar. 28 2023

In 2003, I did a cross-Canada student-housing needs study for both universities and colleges. The results were extraordinary, and I took them to my client at the time. I told them there was a pan-Canadian business opportunity for them in this industry.

Vertical villages can help solve affordable housing crisis

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Mar. 20 2023

A new way to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis, is to consider the idea of a mini vertical village — a walk-up family fourplex built to allow for privacy as well as commonality and community.

The rise of the permanent renter

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Jan. 24 2023

Today, we are seeing people being blocked out of the housing market by increasing home prices. Although two-thirds of Canadian households owned their home in 2021, the percentage of renters has increased over the past decade.

An invitation: Make a 2023 longevity resolution

Derek Lobo Human Resources National Dec. 29 2022

During the past four months, myself and about 20 others in the real estate industry have gotten together for an hour one Sunday morning each month to talk about our health and longevity.

Projecting rents, cap rates and some advice from Conrad Black

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Dec. 19 2022

A client recently retained us to help determine the feasibility of a project that won’t be ready for occupancy until 2027.

My moonshot could solve affordable housing

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments National Dec. 8 2022

It was a bold claim in 1961 when President Kennedy said he was going to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. He went on to succeed, and the idea of a moonshot was born. 

TCU Development founders graduate from hockey to housing

Derek Lobo Residential Apartments Ottawa Oct. 19 2022

The “story” is often an indicator of the foundation of the principles that a company is founded upon. TCU Development Corporation (TCU) is no different – it was founded in 2010 by hockey teammates who understood the values of leadership.

Why a developer’s time is worth $667 per minute

Derek Lobo Commercial Executives National Sep. 21 2022
Something that I’ve always watched, but recently become more focused on, is time management. It’s had a big impact on my productivity and overall quality of life, and I think this experience is universal for anyone who prioritizes time management.

Canada – It’s time to build more apartments!

Derek Lobo Residential Development National Jul. 29 2022
Today’s economic climate is placing the Canadian real estate market on a wild roller-coaster ride. Many developers are looking at the inherent stability of rental apartments, and really, they’re only needing a small portion of knowledge to bolt onto their

Key takeaways for office conversions to apartments

Derek Lobo Residential Government National Jul. 21 2022
Earlier this year, we ran a two-day online event on the conversion of offices to rental apartments. We had a range of speakers, from Canada and the U.S., including developers, architects and municipal government representatives. The presentations were fascinating and

Condo and home builder development uncertainty?

Derek Lobo Residential Market Trends National Jul. 13 2022
A challenged condo or home development project warrants that the developer investigate rental development as an alternative exit. There’s been a disruption in the marketplace with the rapid rise in interest rates that we’ve seen to date, with more in

Ontario guideline rent increase 6.2 per cent for 2023?

Derek Lobo Residential Market Trends Ontario Jun. 27 2022
Will we see an Ontario guideline rent increase of 6.2 per cent for 2023? We should, but it won’t happen. The annual guideline is well below the pace of inflation and owners and property managers shouldn’t expect any relief coming

Lights Out! Landlords face a larger challenge today

Derek Lobo Residential Natural Disasters National Jun. 15 2022
The recent power outages created by a weather disturbance passing through Ontario were a good lesson for apartment landlords in terms of disaster preparedness and disaster recovery. Some of our clients in the Ottawa area had the power supply to

Real estate developers live longer lives

Derek Lobo Residential Executives National May. 19 2022
After having conversations with hundreds of real estate developers, and non-developers, and comparing their thinking, attitudes and courage, I am confidently making this statement: “Real estate developers live longer than most people.” People typically think living longer depends mostly on

Multi-generational families need asset and property managers

Derek Lobo Residential Property Management National Feb. 17 2022
For multi-generational families owning apartment properties, there can be many difficulties, competing factors and points of view brought to the table when it comes to management of property. At this point, for most portfolios built in the 1950s and ’60s,

Art of the flip: Converting office buildings to apartments

Derek Lobo Residential Market Trends National Feb. 9 2022
The far-reaching effects and opportunities of the pandemic are countless, and doubtless you have probably educated yourself on the ones that are relevant to you.  In this article, I’d like to highlight one which we think is a major opportunity

Perspectives and frustrations of apartment development

Derek Lobo Residential Development National Jan. 31 2022
Residents fall in love with their communities. They love the parks, the memories, and the housing they have. Though developers built these communities, they are often not included as part of those communities. Their initial vision of what could be

Renters often pay higher municipal taxes than homeowners

Derek Lobo Residential Taxes Ontario Dec. 16 2021
I was recently interviewed by Steve Paikin on TVO’s The Agenda about a little-known disparity between municipal taxes charged to homeowners and residential tenants in Ontario. It’s widely believed that only property owners pay property tax but it’s actually not

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