Why Canadians Are Building Homes Instead of Buying Them

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Episode 265 • 24th June 2026 • The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast • TOREP

00:00:00 00:41:15

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This week we sit down with Derek Serra, President of Westboro MIC, to discuss one of the biggest shifts happening in Canadian real estate right now.

We explore why more Canadians are considering building their own homes, the hidden challenges of construction financing, and why private mortgages are becoming an increasingly important part of the housing market.

We also discuss the condo slowdown, foreign buyer policies, construction costs, mortgage lending trends, and why many borrowers with excellent credit scores are turning to private lenders for short term financing solutions.

Whether you're thinking about building a custom home, navigating today's housing market, or simply trying to understand where Canadian real estate is heading next, this conversation offers valuable insights into the realities facing homeowners, builders, and mortgage borrowers in 2026.

00:00 Introduction to Private Lending and the Mortgage Market

01:17 Special Guest Intro: Derek Serra

04:04 Common Misconceptions About Private Lending

07:12 When Private Mortgages Make Sense

09:45 Bridge Loans

15:00 Government Intervention in the Housing Market

20:00 The Rise of Custom Home Building

21:01 Impact of Government Policies on Real Estate

22:41 Challenges in Construction Financing

26:48 Client Preparedness for Building a Home

34:11 The Future of Private Lending

37:53 Navigating Economic Uncertainty