BLOG

The landscape of Ontario real estate has recently faced a perfect storm. Global tariffs on steel and lumber, skyrocketing construction costs, and a significant slump in condo absorption have left many projects gathering dust on drawing boards. However, the Ontario...

The momentum for a "MURB 2.0" is reaching a fever pitch in the Canadian development industry. As we navigate 2026, the parallels between our current housing crisis and the one that birthed the original program in the 1970s are impossible to ignore. For developers and...

The apartment development landscape is shifting. Between fluctuating economic climates and a fundamental change in how deals are structured, developers are facing a unique set of hurdles. Based on recent insights from Derek Lobo and the team at Rock Advisors Inc.,...

At Rock Advisors Inc., Brokerage, we are in the business of building teams. We are entrepreneurs creating real roles with growth, responsibility, and genuine upside. Yet, as we look to expand, we find ourselves facing a frustrating paradox. While unemployment figures...

Let’s be honest: by the time November rolls around, the "new year energy" of January has usually been swapped for the grind of Q4 deadlines and gray skies. Most of us spend our mornings fighting traffic on a congested highway, staring at the taillights in front of us,...

As apartment developers and owners, we aren't just building structures—we’re building the infrastructure of Canada’s future. But in today’s market, the difference between a project that breaks ground and one that stalls often comes down to a single decision in Ottawa....

As we enter the new year, Derek Lobo and the Rock Advisors team remain focused on the evolving opportunities within the apartment development sector. Following a cautious 2025 characterized by market uncertainty and a slower pace for transactions, we are navigating...

As the year winds down and you start thinking about meaningful gifts for the leaders and thinkers in your life, we’d like to remind you of one simple idea: Books make great presents. Industry-defining books make unforgettable ones. The Intentional Apartment Developer...

Key Highlights, Insights & What Comes Next   This year’s Apartment Development & Affordable Housing Conference brought together leaders, emerging voices, and frontline practitioners for a day of timely insights and practical strategies. Across many...