The Canadian-American Economic Dance: Tariffs, Debt, and Real Estate Implications

Helping Healthcare Scale

Helping Healthcare Scale
The Canadian-American Economic Dance: Tariffs, Debt, and Real Estate Implications
Apr 28, 2025
Austin Hair - Real Estate Developer

The intersection of geopolitics and real estate creates both challenges and opportunities for savvy investors. Canadian investor and real estate coach Terrie Schauer joins us to dissect the potential impact of proposed US-Canada tariffs on real estate investments across North America.

Terrie provides fascinating contrasts between the US and Canadian economies that challenge common stereotypes. While Americans are often portrayed as debt-happy consumers, Canadians actually carry significantly more debt—$1.74 for every dollar earned compared to America's $0.82. This disparity stems largely from Canada's sky-high housing costs, as the country never experienced the 2008 housing market correction that reset US prices.

We dive deep into the critical process of vetting real estate operators when considering passive investments. Terrie emphasizes looking beyond simple return metrics to understand the macroeconomic context of past performance. A 100% IRR during the frothy markets of late 2021 might be less impressive than breaking even on a deal sold during today's challenging interest rate environment. The conversation reveals practical strategies for evaluating potential partners, including speaking with their previous investors and asking pointed questions about deals that didn't perform as expected.

For healthcare professionals balancing demanding careers with wealth-building, Terrie challenges the notion of "passive income" in real estate. While property investments can be "passive-er" than running a practice, truly hands-off returns only come through carefully selected partnerships. We explore the opportunity costs of capital allocation decisions and why emotional reasoning about taxes often leads investors astray.

Whether you're considering your first real estate investment or looking to diversify across borders, this episode provides crucial perspective on navigating economic uncertainty while building wealth through property. Subscribe now for more insights on leveraging real estate to scale your healthcare organization.

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