In this episode of the Wisdom Lifestyle Money Show, host Gillian Irving interviews Monika Jazyk, a seasoned real estate investor and co-owner of RPI Education. Monika shares her background as a former teacher with a master's degree, mother of four, and how she transitioned into full-time investing over 14 years ago. Starting with buy-rent-hold properties in Northern Ontario, she and her husband built a portfolio that allowed her to stay home with her family while generating income. Monika discusses the challenges of distant markets like Timmins and Sudbury, including high vacancies, unreliable teams, and lack of appreciation, leading them to sell off those assets during the pandemic and pivot to higher-growth areas like Toronto, Markham, and Calgary.
Monika explains the strategic shift to A-plus markets with strong economic fundamentals, emphasizing the BRRRR strategy (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) for creating value. She highlights the pitfalls of chasing high cap rates in low-growth areas and advises focusing on natural appreciation in stable regions. As of November 2025, Ontario's real estate faces ongoing tenant issues and tax increases, prompting many investors to explore Alberta and the US. Monika debunks fears around US investing, stressing the importance of on-site teams, personal visits, and partnering with locals who have proven portfolios.
The conversation dives into US opportunities, including Atlanta (cash-flow neutral but expensive), Ocala in Marion County, Florida (booming with 4% annual growth, adding over 15,000 residents yearly, and major employers like Amazon, FedEx, and Chewy creating 30,000+ jobs), Houston in Texas for development and short-term rentals, Phoenix for student rentals and expansions, and even Los Angeles for value-add deals. Monika addresses Florida insurance concerns, noting rates have risen up to 40% in coastal areas due to hurricanes, but inland Ocala remains affordable at around $800 per property annually with block construction. She shares returns from a recent Ocala build project—66% ROI on forced appreciation, dropping to 36% for long-term holds with $400 monthly cash flow—urging investors to factor in all costs and view real estate as a long-term wealth builder. RPI Education helps vet teams and offers coaching for strategies from single-family rentals to syndications.
Key Takeaways
- Pivot from Problematic Markets: Sold Northern Ontario properties due to high vacancies, unreliable management, and flat appreciation; shifted to high-growth areas like Toronto and Calgary for better control and returns.
- US Investing Essentials: Partner with local teams who live in the market and have successful portfolios; personally visit properties to avoid remote pitfalls, as seen in Monika's Atlanta client experience.
- Ocala, Florida Opportunities: Focus on inland areas with strong fundamentals—4% population growth in 2024, over 30,000 new jobs from logistics giants like Amazon and Chewy—yielding 36% ROI on buy-rent-hold with low insurance costs around $800 annually.
- Insurance and Risk Management: Avoid hurricane-prone coastal Florida; use block construction for durability; factor potential non-paying tenants or rate hikes (up 40% in some areas) into spreadsheets for realistic projections.
- Development Returns: Preconstruction builds in Ocala offered 66% ROI despite delays from hurricanes and permitting; long-term holds provide $400 monthly cash flow, emphasizing forced appreciation over immediate cash cows.
- RPI Education Role: Offers vetted teams in Atlanta, Ocala, Houston, Phoenix, and LA; provides coaching for active or passive investing, from single-family to multifamily syndications, helping bridge the wealth gap.
Links to Show References
- (00:00) - Introduction and Background
- (03:07) - Shifts in Real Estate Market and Strategies
- (05:51) - Challenges of Investing in Faraway, Low-Growth Markets
- (09:12) - Importance of Investing in High-Growth Markets
- (15:04) - Considerations for Investing in the US Market
- (23:40) - The Importance of Trusted Teams and Market Knowledge in Real Estate Investing
- (25:35) - Considering Insurance Costs and Economic Fundamentals in Investment Decisions
- (27:25) - RPI Education: Providing Education and Coaching for Different Investment Strategies
