Audit Jason: What Past Jason Got Wrong (and Shockingly Right) About Real Estate
For nearly a decade, you’ve been asking Jason questions. But what happens when we go back in time and fact-check his own answers? That’s exactly what the Audit Jason Show is all about—me versus me, past versus present, ego versus humility. Spoiler alert: it gets messy, hilarious, and sometimes way too real.
1. When New Homes Made No Sense (Until They Did)
Past Jason ranted about investors scooping up new builds and somehow cash flowing. Present Jason admits—yeah, that math actually worked back then, but it sure doesn’t today. Costs are up across the board: labor, materials, land, and even city servicing fees. What used to be a $400K new build is now pushing $500K+, and unless you’ve got very little financing, don’t expect positive cash flow.
If new builds are somehow still producing investor profit in your market, you’re either living in a unicorn economy—or rents are unsustainably high.
2. Zoning Changes: The Clock That Doesn’t Exist
Somebody once asked if zoning changes expire. Past Jason confidently explained the city studies, the province approves, and zoning sticks until someone reapplies to change it again. Present Jason? He remembers the controversy, the REIT backing out, and a school going up instead—but admits he probably crammed that zoning knowledge right before filming.
Zoning changes endure. Development approvals can expire. Know the difference.
3. Who’s Responsible in a Real Estate Deal?
Past Jason declared, “It’s all on the realtor.” Present Jason? Cringe. He meant well—the point was that your agent should be guiding you through every step, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. But let’s be clear: the client is still the decision-maker.
Your realtor is Dumbledore, not Harry Potter. They’ve got the wisdom and the wand, but you’re still the hero of your story.
4. How Much Rent Should You Charge?
Past Jason’s rule: If tenants say yes without negotiating, you’re charging too little. Present Jason doubles down—that logic still stands. In today’s market, rents are the highest they’ve ever been, and whether they’re “too high” depends on who you ask. Left-leaning folks call it exploitation; right-leaning folks call it opportunity.
If nobody asks for a deal, you left money on the table.
Looking back, I expected past Jason to be dead wrong a lot more often. Turns out, the ideas weren’t half bad—the delivery? Not always crystal clear. That’s the point of Audit Jason: to laugh at myself, learn from myself, and prove that growth doesn’t mean disowning your past—it means owning it louder.
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