The Real Estate Podcast

Hosted by Kormendy Trott Real Estate Team

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Episodes

414

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Real Estate Podcast by the Kormendy Trott Real Estate Team brings real conversations about buying, selling, investing, business, property management, and the local market. Hosted by Ariel Kormendy, Adrian Trott and other members of the KT Team, each episode shares practical advice, honest opinions, guest conversations, and behind-the-scenes insight from working REALTORS® serving Milton, Halton Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

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September 7, 2026Episode 40816 min

Selling This Fall or Winter? Do This in September | EP408

Summer's over — and if there's any chance you sell your home this fall or winter, September is your last window to get it photographed while it's still looking its best. Ariel and Adrian break down why proactive photos, patio and curb appeal prep, staging consultations, and pre-listing inspections can be the difference between a good offer and a great one — even if you're not planning to move for years.> Why September is the last chance for seasonal listing photos> The patio and curb appeal mistakes that tank fall/winter listings> How a staging consultation now pays off even if you don't sell for years> What a pre-listing home inspection actually catches> Why "just browsing" buyers should still get their home photo-ready VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro0:21 – Welcome back: maximizing your fall/winter home sale2:21 – Why September is your last chance for seasonal listing photos3:19 – The patio problem: snow-covered outdoor spaces kill your photos6:47 – Why fall listings still need summer-fresh curb appeal7:09 – Does market activity really pick up after back-to-school?9:46 – Book your photos now, even if you're "just browsing"11:59 – Why a staging consultation pays off, even years before you sell15:39 – Who actually needs to get their photos done16:20 – Outro Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

August 31, 2026Episode 40729 min

Clearance Certificates Explained: The Tax Risk Every Home Buyer Should Know | EP407

What happens if you buy a home, close the deal, and then discover the seller was a non-resident—and the CRA says money is still owed? In this episode of The Real Estate Podcast, Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott break down clearance certificates, why they matter when a non-resident sells Canadian real estate, and how the issue can affect both sellers and buyers. They discuss the potential 25% holdback, how clearance certificate delays can interfere with closing, real-world situations involving mortgages and negative equity, and the due diligence buyers, sellers, and real estate agents should be doing before a deal becomes a problem. They also explain how closing dates and Agreement of Purchase and Sale clauses can potentially be structured to give everyone enough flexibility while still protecting the buyer. If you're buying or selling Canadian real estate—especially when a non-resident owner is involved—this is something you should understand before closing day. This podcast is for general informational purposes and should not replace advice from a lawyer, accountant, or other qualified professional. The discussion specifically covers the potential 25% holdback, the risk to buyers, certificate-processing timelines, closing complications, and protective deal structures. VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 2:26 – What is a clearance certificate? 6:31 – Why a 30-day closing may not be enough 7:20 – How clearance issues can kill a deal 9:11 – Liens, mortgages and negative equity 11:18 – Homeowners leaving Canada while owing more than their home is worth 19:49 – How one failed closing can create a domino effect 22:15 – Realtors making too many assumptions 22:38 – The closing-date mistake agents should avoid 25:06 – Clearance certificate advice for buyers 25:34 – How to identify a non-resident seller 25:52 – How long a clearance certificate can take 27:09 – Protecting buyers with the right clauses 28:52 – Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

August 24, 2026Episode 40637 min

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Lawyer? What Can Go Wrong Before Closing | EP406

Buying or selling a home involves a lot more than signing an Agreement of Purchase and Sale. In this episode of The Real Estate Podcast, Steve Cecchetto sits down with Ameera Khan, barrister & solicitor and co-owner of ASK Law Firm in Milton, to break down what a real estate lawyer actually does behind the scenes—and what can happen when the legal side of a transaction gets overlooked. They discuss title searches and liens, what buyers are really signing at closing, first-time buyer mistakes, why ChatGPT and Google shouldn't replace professional legal advice, what happens when a seller doesn't honour part of an agreement, same-day buying and selling, common closing problems, and some of the major differences between residential and commercial real estate law. Whether you're buying your first home, selling, moving up, or investing in commercial property, this episode offers a look at the legal side of real estate that most people don't see until they're already in the middle of a transaction. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. ASK LAW's website: http://www.asklawfirm.ca/ VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 1:13 – Meet Ameera Khan & ASK Law Firm 7:13 – Why Buyers Wait Too Long to Find a Lawyer 8:22 – What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Actually Do? 9:23 – Liens, Title & What Can Be Attached to a Property 11:45 – What Are You Actually Signing at Closing? 15:24 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers 17:28 – Knowing When You Need a Professional 19:47 – What Happens When a Seller Breaks the Agreement? 22:51 – What Sellers Need to Know Before Closing 26:10 – Buying & Selling on the Same Day 29:14 – The Biggest Reasons Real Estate Closings Go Wrong 33:57 – Residential vs. Commercial Real Estate Law 36:27 – Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

August 17, 2026Episode 40539 min

Is AI Ruining Customer Service? Why Getting Help Feels Impossible | EP405

AI can make life easier—but what happens when companies start using it to replace actual people? In Episode 405 of The Real Estate Podcast, Jennifer Goncalves and Tiffany Kadak talk about the growing frustration with customer service, from AI chatbots and automated phone systems to impossible-to-reach support departments, self-checkouts, subscription traps, and poorly trained live agents. They discuss where AI genuinely makes sense, where the human element still matters, how technology is affecting older generations, privacy concerns around AI, and whether our dependence on automation is actually making customer service—and everyday life—more complicated. If you've ever found yourself yelling “I just want to talk to a real person!” at a chatbot or automated phone system, this episode is for you. VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 3:00 Are companies using AI just to cut costs? 5:24 AI calls, scams and older consumers 7:19 The problem with chatbots and repeating yourself 11:08 Robots vs. poorly trained customer service reps 15:37 Paying more for worse customer service 17:47 Is AI making people lazy? 19:59 Where AI helps—and where humans are still needed 24:22 Why good human interaction still matters 28:31 Subscriptions, hidden charges and feeling ripped off 32:29 Social media and impossible-to-reach customer support 34:10 Missing the old-school way of doing things 36:20 Has our reliance on technology gone too far? 38:13 Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

August 10, 2026Episode 40423 min

Cash Back Real Estate Agents... Are You Actually Saving Money? | EP404

Cashback real estate agents promise buyers money back after closing—but what could that rebate cost you during the transaction? Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott discuss whether cashback is worth it when choosing someone to represent you in one of the largest purchases of your life. They examine agent experience, availability, negotiation skills and the difference between simply having a real estate licence and providing professional representation. The conversation also covers buyer trust, misleading square-footage figures, the importance of a functional floor plan, automated real estate services, AI and where Ariel and Adrian currently see opportunities in the Ontario real estate market. Whether you are comparing agents or preparing to purchase a home, this episode explains why the value of your representation may matter considerably more than the rebate offered at closing. VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 1:58 – Does a cashback agent have the right experience? 4:01 – Saving money now could cost you later 9:48 – Trust and guidance during the buying process 12:01 – Why the floor plan matters more than the number 15:49 – What a professional buyer consultation should accomplish 17:58 – AI and the future of real estate professionals 20:35 – Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

August 3, 2026Episode 40338 min

Does Home Staging Really Add Value? (w/ Rachel Mitchell) | EP403

Home staging is about much more than making a property look attractive. It is a marketing strategy designed to improve listing photos, showcase functionality and help buyers emotionally connect with a home. In Episode 403 of The Real Estate Podcast, Steve Cecchetto sits down with Rachel Mitchell, owner of Straightened Spaces and one of KT’s go-to home stagers. They discuss the most common mistakes sellers make, the impact of paint, lighting and decluttering, why buyers form opinions within seconds and how staging can influence the perceived value of a property. Rachel also shares how she transitioned from corporate marketing into home staging, the story of her first 4,000-square-foot project and some of the unexpected challenges that happen behind the scenes. Visit Rachel's socials here! Instagram: @straightened_spaces Website: https://www.straightenedspaces.com/ VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Intro 1:52 - Meet Rachel Mitchell from Straightened Spaces 5:03 - Staging is marketing—not just decorating 7:00 - Why presentation matters in today’s market 11:47 - The most common staging mistake #1: Painting 13:32 - The most common staging mistake #2: Lighting 17:16 - Decluttering and budget-friendly improvements 18:27 - Staging for photos is critical 20:39 - Closets, storage and the small details buyers notice 22:52 - How to prepare for the staging process (sellers and their agents) 27:55 - When do you NOT stage? 31:34 - Should you keep up with the trend when staging? 33:50 - Rachel’s wildest staging story 36:12 - The behind-the-scenes reality of growing a staging business 37:08 - Snowstorms, stuck trucks and refusing to cancel 38:18 - Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

July 27, 202625 min

We Turned a Buyer Away for Refusing to Sign In | EP402

A buyer got turned away from one of our open houses last weekend — for refusing to sign in. Ariel and Adrian break down why sign-in policies exist, what buyers are actually worried about when they refuse, and whether it's time for the industry to make government ID mandatory at every open house — the same way bars scan ID at the door. Safety, liability, fake sign-in data, and professional open house thieves are all on the table this week.> Why realtors ask you to sign in at open houses> The privacy concerns buyers have about giving out personal info> Whether government ID should be mandatory to enter> How professional open house thieves target unprotected homes> What actually happens when a buyer refuses to sign in VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 0:53 – Welcome Matt Fugere, 23-year mortgage broker 2:03 – Matt's family and life on the farm 5:40 – Financing rural properties and hobby farms 9:15 – First-time buyer down payment trends 11:21 – CMHC survey: gifts and inheritance as down payments 13:04 – The paperwork behind a gifted down payment 15:27 – Advice for buyers without financial help 17:21 – House hacking: duplexes and triplexes for first-time buyers 22:14 – Qualifying rental income for house-hack properties 24:10 – Renewal shock: slush funds and extended amortization 30:09 – Top 3 overlooked mortgage features 33:31 – Financing, managing, and investing in Airbnbs 41:16 – Final advice: cut car loans, talk to your broker early 46:44 – Outro Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

July 20, 2026Episode 40147 min

The Hidden Reason Your Renewal Just Got Worse | EP401

Homeowners hitting renewal right now are running into a problem nobody warned them about: their equity has quietly disappeared. Falling appraisals mean people who assumed they had room to refinance, extend their amortization, or pull equity out are finding out they don't — right when they need it most. In this episode, Kristina sits down with Mathieu "Mat" Fugere, a mortgage broker with 23 years in the business and owner of Fugere Mortgage in Milton, Ontario, to unpack what's really happening to buyers and homeowners right now. Why falling appraisals are wiping out homeowners' equity right at renewal > The "mortgage slush fund" trick to survive a renewal payment shock > How first-time buyers are actually saving their down payments > What the paperwork looks like for a gifted down payment from mom and dad > House hacking with a duplex or triplex to afford your first home > Financing a hobby farm, a rural property, or a short-term rental / Airbnb Looking for mortgage help? Connect with Mat Fugere: Website: https://www.mandmmortgages.ca VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 0:53 – Welcome Matt Fugere, 23-year mortgage broker 2:03 – Matt's family and life on the farm 5:40 – Financing rural properties and hobby farms 9:15 – First-time buyer down payment trends 11:21 – CMHC survey: gifts and inheritance as down payments 13:04 – The paperwork behind a gifted down payment 15:27 – Advice for buyers without financial help 17:21 – House hacking: duplexes and triplexes for first-time buyers 22:14 – Qualifying rental income for house-hack properties 24:10 – Renewal shock: slush funds and extended amortization 30:09 – Top 3 overlooked mortgage features 33:31 – Financing, managing, and investing in Airbnbs 41:16 – Final advice: cut car loans, talk to your broker early 46:44 – Outro Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

July 13, 2026Episode 40015 min

The Truth About “Home Sold Guaranteed” Programs | EP400

You’ve probably heard the ads: “Your home sold guaranteed, or we’ll buy it.” But what does that actually mean? In this episode of The Real Estate Podcast, Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott break down how guaranteed home sale programs really work, why the guaranteed price may be much lower than a seller expects, and what conditions may be hidden in the fine print. They discuss why these programs often involve scheduled price reductions, below-market buyout prices, extra fees, and restrictions that may require sellers to buy their next home through the same team. If you’re thinking about selling and a guaranteed sale program sounds appealing, this episode will help you understand what you’re really agreeing to before signing anything. Have you ever seen or been offered a “home sold guaranteed” program? Let us know in the comments. VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 3:27 What Does the Guarantee Actually Promise? 4:48 Why the Guaranteed Price Is Below Market Value 5:50 Structured Price Reductions Explained 7:05 The $1 Million Home Example 7:26 How Scheduled Price Drops Work 8:25 Extra Fees, Legal Costs, and Conditions 9:14 Being Required to Buy With the Same Team 10:41 Realtor Incentives vs. Real Selling Strategy 11:28 The $850K Guarantee Scenario 12:38 Is This Just a Lead Generation Strategy? 13:29 Advertising, Fine Print, and Disclosures 14:44 Have You Ever Used One of These Programs? 15:22 Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

July 6, 2026Episode 39926 min

How to Make the Most of a Home Showing (Without Crossing the Line) | EP399

In this episode of The Real Estate Podcast, Adrian Trott and Chris Behie break down the unwritten rules of showing etiquette from a buyer’s perspective. They discuss what buyers should and shouldn’t do when touring homes, why you should always assume you’re being watched or listened to, how to handle kids, shoes, washrooms, photos, food, timing, and why being respectful inside someone else’s home can matter more than you think. They also dive into a recent real estate case where an agent was fined $9,000 after entering a property early for a showing — and what buyers and agents can learn from it. VIDEO SECTIONS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 2:19 What buyers need to know before showings 3:53 How negative feedback can affect negotiations 5:14 Cameras inside homes and how they change the showing experience 7:03 Can I bring kids to showings? 8:31 Bathroom etiquette during showings 12:26 What buyers should bring to showings 15:36 Tools agents can bring to help buyers 17:16 Why agent tools are not a replacement for a home inspection 18:26 Lighting, flashlights, and seeing the home properly 19:34 Why entering early can become a serious issue ($9000 mistake) 22:29 Why you can’t just walk the property early 25:10 Lockbox safety and key access rules 25:53 Outro/recap Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pwncyet9NydbgTmx5D21k Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kormendytrott Instagram: https://instagram.com/kormendytrott YouTube: https://youtube.com/kormendytrott Facebook: https://facebook.com/kormendytrott X: https://x.com/kormendytrott LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/ktrealty TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kormendytrott The Kormendy Trott Team was formed in 2011 by Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott. Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, KT has grown into a full-service real estate group serving Halton Region, Peel Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.