In Episode 22 of Community Gameplan, hosts Eric and Jim sit down with Chad Bailey, insurance advisor with IDC WorldSource Insurance Network, for a Community Business Spotlight on a topic that doesn't come up nearly enough when people are buying a home: life insurance, mortgage protection, and planning for the unthinkable.

Chad brings eight years of experience as a life insurance advisor to break down what most homebuyers get wrong — starting with the biggest misconception of all: that mortgage insurance through the bank is the same as life insurance through an advisor. It isn't, and the difference can cost a family hundreds of thousands of dollars when it matters most.

The conversation covers:

• Why people — especially younger buyers — avoid the conversation around death, sickness, and disability
• The real difference between CMHC insurance, bank mortgage insurance, and life insurance through an independent advisor
• Term vs. permanent (whole life and universal life) policies, and how to balance coverage with budget
• How some life insurance policies let you draw funds while you're still alive
• Why this conversation should happen early in the homebuying process, not tacked on at closing
• What to look for — and watch out for — when choosing an insurance advisor

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, self-employed without workplace benefits, or just haven't thought about what happens to your mortgage if the unexpected happens, this episode offers a practical, no-nonsense look at protecting the people who depend on you.

About the Guest

Chad Bailey is an insurance advisor with IDC WorldSource Insurance Network, specializing in mortgage protection and life insurance. With eight years in the industry, Chad focuses on building long-term relationships with clients and matching coverage to their real needs and budget — not just what pays the highest commission.

Reach out to Chad Bailey baileychadm@gmail.com 902.441.2621

Reach out to Eric Holman and Jim Smardon — info@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/therealestateteamns/

https://www.instagram.com/community_game_plan_podcast/

Eric Holman Eric@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/ericholmanrealestate/

Jim Smardon Jim@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/jimsmardon.greenrealestate/

Want to be a guest or have a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know.

Reach out to info@movewiththeteam.ca

In this episode of Community Gameplan, Eric and Jim ditch the guest chair and go head-to-head on the current state of the Halifax real estate market. No filter, no fluff — just recent statistics, market trends, and blunt, honest takes on what buyers and sellers actually need to know right now.

From softening prices to shifting inventory, Eric and Jim break down what's really happening on the ground and what it means whether you're listing this summer or waiting to buy.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Where Halifax market stats stand right now, and what the recent trend line looks like
• How the market has been cooling since spring, and why summer has brought further softening
• What shifting inventory levels mean for buyers and sellers alike
• Why accurate, data-driven pricing matters more than ever in a changing market
• How new developments and infrastructure projects are shaping property values across the region
• Strategies for buyers and sellers to navigate a market that's no longer moving in one direction

Real Talk Moments:

• "Market's been going down since April" — Eric and Jim don't sugarcoat where things stand
• "Prices are dropping over the summer" — the shift buyers and sellers both need to understand
• "The market sells at the correct price" — why chasing the market instead of pricing accurately can cost sellers time and money

Who This Episode Is For:

• Sellers wondering if now is still a good time to list
• Buyers trying to time the market without guessing
• Anyone curious about how Halifax real estate has shifted since spring
• Real estate agents looking to sharpen their pricing conversations with clients

Bottom Line: This isn't panic, and it isn't business as usual either — it's a market correcting, and Eric and Jim lay out exactly what that means for anyone buying or selling in Halifax right now.

Reach out to Eric Holman and Jim Smardon — info@movewiththeteam.ca https://www.instagram.com/therealestateteamns/

Eric Holman Eric@movewiththeteam.ca https://www.instagram.com/ericholmanrealestate/

Jim Smardon Jim@movewiththeteam.ca https://www.instagram.com/jimsmardon.greenrealestate/

In Episode 20 of Community Gameplan, hosts Eric and Jim sit down with special guest Matt Stickland, founding editor of Grand Parade — a Halifax city hall newspaper — and host of The Grand Parade podcast. Matt brings years of on-the-ground reporting experience covering Halifax Regional Municipality, and joins Eric and Jim for a candid conversation about how city hall really works, the ongoing debate over property taxes, and what it takes to hold local government accountable through independent journalism.

The conversation covers:

• What's really happening inside Halifax City Hall right now
• Breaking down property tax policy and why reform has been decades in the making
• The role of independent, local journalism in keeping municipal government accountable
• Matt's path from the Navy and submarine service to journalism and founding Grand Parade
• Behind-the-scenes stories from covering council meetings, budgets, and community planning
• Why local news matters more than ever for cities like Halifax

Whether you're a Halifax resident trying to make sense of your tax bill or just someone who cares about how local government actually functions, this episode offers an insider's perspective you won't get anywhere else.

Matt Stickland is the founding editor of GrandParade.news, an independent Halifax city hall newspaper, and host of The Grand Parade podcast, which delivers an irreverent, in-depth look at Halifax city hall, its policies, and the people who shape them. Before launching Grand Parade, Matt spent a decade in the Navy — including deployment aboard HMCS Charlottetown and service as a submariner — before completing his Bachelor of Journalism and becoming one of Halifax's most dedicated municipal reporters.

Reach out to Matt - https://bsky.app/profile/landofsticks.bsky.social

https://www.grandparade.news/

Reach out to Eric Homan and Jim Smardon - info@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/therealestateteamns/

Eric Holman

Eric@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/ericholmanrealestate/

Jim Smardon

Jim@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/jimsmardon.greenrealestate/

Jim and Eric sit down with their newest team member, Ayo Ajayi — and this one's a conversation you don't want to miss.

Born and raised in Nigeria with real estate in his blood, Ayo brings a unique perspective to the world of Canadian real estate. Since making the move to Canada and planting roots in the Maritimes, he's been on a mission to help his clients and community navigate the ins and outs of buying and selling property in a whole new market.

In this episode, we dig into Ayo's journey — from the real estate landscape in Nigeria to the nuances of the Canadian market, and what it really takes to bridge those two worlds. Whether you're new to the Maritimes or a longtime local, there's something in this conversation for everyone looking to understand real estate from a fresh angle.

And as always, the laughs come easy and the conversation flows freely. Pull up a chair — this is a good one.

Reach out to The Real Estate Team at info@movewiththeteam.ca

Want to be a guest or have a topic you would like us to cover, let us know.

Dartmouth pharmacist and Rotarian Jan Rose is changing lives — from Nova Scotia to East Africa. In this episode, she shares her inspiring work with CACHA (Community Aid for Children and Health in Africa), bringing vital healthcare to underserved communities through international medical missions powered by Rotary involvement and grassroots determination.

Jan takes us inside the real logistics of overseas healthcare projects, the partnerships that make them possible, and why community-driven initiatives continue to be one of the most powerful forces in global health.

What we cover:

• How CACHA is expanding healthcare access across East Africa
• The role Rotary plays in connecting local volunteers to global impact
• The planning, challenges, and rewards of international medical missions
• How Jan's pharmacy roots in Dartmouth fuel her passion for service

If you believe communities have the power to heal the world — this one's for you.

• LinkedIn
• CACHA
• Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA)

Interested in being a guest or know someone we should talk to, reach out to Eric and Jim at Info@movewiththeteam.ca

Victoria, BC real estate market update: inventory, pricing trends, and expert insights from Lisa Eilers with Eric Holman and Jim Smardon. Learn what buyers and sellers need to know in 2026.

What’s really happening in the Victoria, BC real estate market right now? Is it cooling off, balancing out—or just catching its breath?

In this episode of The Community Gameplan Podcast, Eric Holman and Jim Smardon speak with a local real estate expert Lisa Eilers to break down the latest Victoria, BC housing market trends, giving you a clear, no-nonsense look at what buyers and sellers are actually dealing with on the ground.

From rising inventory levels to shifting buyer behaviour, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets into what matters—pricing, demand, and where the opportunities are hiding.

• The real story behind Victoria’s growing housing inventory (and why it matters now)
• How the market has shifted since the COVID-era frenzy
• Why condo sales are slowing—and what that means for buyers
• What’s keeping single-family homes in demand
• How interest rates and economic uncertainty are shaping decisions
• Insider strategies to help buyers and sellers stay competitive

Let’s be honest—Victoria isn’t just another market. Between its mild coastal climate, lifestyle appeal, and limited land supply, it continues to attract buyers from across Canada.

But here’s the twist: more listings (jumping from ~600 to ~4,000) means more choice… and more hesitation. Buyers are pickier. Sellers need sharper strategy. The days of “list it and they’ll come” are on pause.

• Buyers trying to time the Victoria market without guessing
• Sellers wondering if now is still a good time to list
• Investors watching for shifts in pricing and opportunity
• Anyone curious about BC real estate trends in 2026

This isn’t a crash. It’s not a boom either. It’s a market finding its footing—and if you understand the signals, there’s real opportunity here.

Lisa and Eric & Jim bring local, boots-on-the-ground insight to help you make smarter real estate decisions in Victoria.

• British Columbia housing market trends
• Buying a home in Victoria BC
• Real estate investment strategies Canada
• Interest rates and housing affordability

In Episode 16 of the Community Gameplan Podcast, Eric and Jim sit down with Dennis LaBlanc, Atlantic Canada Manager with CannaConnect, to discuss a powerful mission focused on support, healing, and community.

Dennis shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind CannaConnect — an organization dedicated to supporting veterans, RCMP, and first responders through education, access, and meaningful community connection.

This conversation highlights the important work being done to help those who have served navigate new pathways toward improved quality of life, mental health, and overall wellness. Dennis also shares how building trust and fostering community plays a critical role in successful reintegration and long-term support.

We also explore the real impact this work is having on individuals, families, and communities across Atlantic Canada — and how continued community involvement is helping grow a network of support and wellness.

• CannaConnect’s mission and programs • Support for veterans, RCMP, and first responders • Community and trust in veteran reintegration • Building a community of support and wellness • The impact across Atlantic Canada and all across Canada

Interested in learning more about CannaConnect or supporting their work? Reach out, connect, and be part of the impact. cannaconnect

Don’t forget to like, follow, and share the podcast to help us continue bringing meaningful community stories to light.

Interested in being a guest or have a show idea you'd like us to cover, reach out to Eric Holman and Jim Smardon at info@movewiththeteam.ca

Veteran Support, Community Wellness, CannaConnect, Mental Health, Military Transition, First Responders, Veteran Programs, Community Building, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick

Episode Summary Real estate deals can look clean on paper… until the legal side starts peeling back the layers. In this episode of Community Gameplan, we sit down with real estate lawyer Mark Comeau with Taylor MacLellan Cochrane Law - TMC Law to break down the lawyer review clause process and everything that can quietly make—or break—a transaction.

From land title surprises to zoning headaches, encroachments, and HST curveballs, Mark shares practical insights that every agent, buyer, and seller should have in their back pocket. If you’ve ever thought “the lawyer will handle it,” this episode shows you exactly what that actually means—and why it matters more than you think.

• What lawyer review actually covers (and what it doesn’t)
• Common title issues that can delay—or kill—a deal
• Zoning: why it matters more than most people realize
• Encroachments explained (and how they’re typically handled)
• HST in real estate: when it applies and how it impacts buyers
• Key differences when dealing with:
  • Condos
  • Vacant land
  • Mini homes / mobile homes
• Why communication between agents, lawyers, and clients is critical
• The most common mistakes people make during the legal process

• Not all properties are created equal—what works for a single-family home can get messy fast with land or mini homes
• Waiting until the last minute to involve a lawyer? Bad move. That’s where deals start to wobble
• Assumptions around zoning and use are one of the biggest hidden risks in real estate

• • Get ahead of potential title or zoning issues early—don’t wait for closing week surprises
  • Always clarify HST implications before submitting an offer
  • When in doubt, ask questions early—fixing problems is easier before paperwork is locked in
  Who This Episode Is For
  • Buyers who want to avoid costly surprises
  • Sellers looking to keep their deal on track
  • Real estate agents aiming to better protect their clients
  • Anyone curious about the legal side of real estate (the stuff no one talks about… until they have to)

If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who’s in the middle of a deal—or about to be.

Or reach out to Eric Holman or Jim Smardon at info@movewithttheteam.ca

Reach out to Marc Comeau - https://www.tmclaw.com/