What if your best real estate insight came from the city planner’s desk?

In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey Kirton, an urbanist turned investor, to explore how city planning, zoning knowledge, and on-the-ground experience can shape smarter real estate decisions. Jeffrey shares his journey from civil engineering dreams and poker tables to working within Montreal’s urban system—and how those lessons now fuel his investment strategy.

We break down how zoning can unlock hidden value, why permit timelines matter more than people think, and what to look for when evaluating neighborhood potential. Jeffrey also shares his experience building a Vermont cabin, adding ADUs, and buying undervalued properties with major upside—all by applying a planner’s lens to every deal.

Tune in to learn how thinking like an urbanist can help you invest with more clarity, less risk, and stronger long-term returns.

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Tired of spreadsheets and admin headaches in your rental business?

If you're a real estate investor looking to simplify operations and grow your portfolio, Kompas is your new best friend. This all-in-one property management and accounting software helps you automate the tedious stuff—like receivables, renewals, and leasing—so you can focus on creating value.

Boost your cash flow, improve your NOI, cut down back-office work, and scale with confidence.

👉 Visit www.kompaspm.com to sign up and get your time back.

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patreon.com/realestateeffect and become a part of our real estate family! You’ll get access to exclusive content, monthly virtual meetings [Ask me anything!], special events, and more!

And please subscribe to the show, share it with a friend and send us feedback. Visit www.realestateeffect.ca and follow me on IG @monsaxel

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Connect with Axel Monsaingeon:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/axel-monsaingeon-42577b28/

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Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc8EYrmO1aVvVIgwT7AfNFw

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Do you have any questions about your real estate journey?

Whether you're curious about navigating the complexities of development projects, dealing with financial challenges, or anything in between, I’m here to delve into the topics that matter most to you.

I invite you to submit your questions by visiting our website at https://www.realestateeffect.ca/ and clicking on the 'Send Voicemail' widget on the right side.

Your inquiries will help shape our upcoming episodes, ensuring we cover the real estate issues you're most interested in.