Before you buy the land or start designing the building, you need to understand what you can actually build.

In this episode of the RMS Real Estate Development Podcast, Curtis Way sits down with Shaun Visser, Partner at BR2 Architecture, for a practical conversation about planning, zoning, rezoning and the municipal approval process that developers must navigate before construction can begin.

With nearly three decades at BR2 Architecture, Shaun has worked across a wide range of projects including commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, seniors housing and multifamily developments. He shares an architect's perspective on how successful projects move from an initial concept through zoning, development permits and ultimately building permits.

Curtis and Shaun discuss what happens when a developer's vision doesn't fit the existing zoning, the difference between seeking a variance and pursuing a full rezoning, and why community consultation can become an important part of the process. They also explore why approvals can take months or even more than a year, particularly on more complicated developments.

The conversation also looks at the importance of assembling the right consultant team, dealing with different municipal departments, navigating overlay plans and understanding how requirements can vary between communities and provinces.

Most importantly, Shaun explains why developers should engage with municipalities early. Pre-application meetings and early conversations with planners can uncover potential problems while a project is still being designed, rather than discovering them months later during the approval process.

In this episode:

• What developers should investigate before designing a project
• Understanding zoning requirements
• Variances versus rezoning
• How the rezoning process works
• Why community consultation matters
• Working with municipal administration and council
• Choosing the right architects, engineers and consultants
• Why the individual matters as much as the consulting firm
• Differences between municipalities and provinces
• Why rezonings can take a year or longer
• Development permits versus building permits
• Why municipal approvals sometimes get delayed
• Overlay plans and direct control zoning
• Increasing municipal requirements during development approvals
• The growing role of fire departments in project approvals
• Why pre-application meetings can save developers time and money
• The value of building relationships with municipal planners

For developers, the message is straightforward: do your homework early. Understanding the zoning, identifying potential approval issues and getting the right people around the table before you've invested heavily in a project can prevent expensive surprises later.

To learn more about the RMS Group, please visit: https://rms-group.ca/

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

Successful real estate developments are built long before construction begins.

In this special combined interview episode of the RMS Real Estate Development Podcast, Curtis Way is joined by three experienced construction professionals to discuss the realities of delivering successful projects in today's market. The first conversation features David Powick and Mike Fraser from RMS Group, focusing on multifamily construction. The second features Chris Fillmore, President of Fillmore Construction, sharing insights from more than three decades in commercial construction.

Together, they explore the challenges developers face throughout the construction process, from assembling the right consultant team and selecting qualified contractors to navigating permits, inspections, supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.

The discussion also examines the differences between construction management and fixed-price contracts, how experienced contractors help reduce project risk, and why communication, planning and strong relationships are critical to keeping projects on schedule and on budget.

Whether you're building apartments, commercial developments or considering your first real estate project, this episode provides practical advice that can help you avoid costly mistakes and better understand the construction process from start to finish.

In this episode:

• Building the right consultant and construction team
• Choosing contractors and evaluating experience
• Common construction challenges and how to solve them
• Renovation versus new construction
• Managing change orders and project delays
• Building permits, inspections and occupancy approvals
• Supply chain challenges and material availability
• Labour shortages and managing today's workforce
• Construction management versus fixed-price contracts
• Managing project risk before construction begins
• Why scheduling is one of the most valuable assets on any project
• How owners should evaluate and qualify general contractors
• Legal considerations, liens and contractor relationships
• Lessons learned from decades of commercial and multifamily construction

One of the biggest themes throughout the episode is that successful construction projects are built on preparation, communication and experience. The right consultants, contractors and project team can often prevent expensive problems long before they appear on the job site.

Whether you're an experienced developer or just beginning your real estate journey, this episode offers valuable insights into how successful projects are planned, managed and delivered.

To learn more about the RMS Group, please visit: https://rms-group.ca/

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

Owning an apartment building is one thing. Managing it successfully is another.

In this episode of the RMS Real Estate Development Podcast, Curtis Way sits down with Laura Way-Olenek, President of RMS Group, to discuss the fundamentals of exceptional property management. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Laura shares practical strategies that help owners protect their assets, improve tenant retention and maximize long-term property performance.

The conversation explores why today's renters are staying longer than ever before, how creating a sense of community has become a competitive advantage, and why successful property management is built on disciplined systems rather than flashy ideas.

Laura also discusses the importance of documentation, preventative maintenance, vendor management, staffing, operating expenses and understanding Alberta's residential tenancy legislation. Throughout the episode, she explains how strong operational practices not only improve the tenant experience but also protect the long-term value of the asset.

Whether you're an apartment owner, developer, investor or property manager, this episode offers practical advice that can help improve operations, reduce costs and build stronger rental communities.

In this episode:

• Why consistency is the foundation of great property management
• How tenant expectations have changed
• Creating communities that improve tenant retention
• Smart home technology and today's rental experience
• Why documentation protects owners and property managers
• Managing maintenance, repairs and capital expenses
• Staying competitive without racing to the bottom on rents
• Choosing and managing service vendors
• Staffing challenges in property management
• Proactive versus reactive maintenance
• Understanding Alberta's Residential Tenancies legislation
• Collections, evictions and tenant insurance
• Building systems that protect long-term asset value

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is that successful property management isn't about reacting to problems. It's about building consistent processes, maintaining strong relationships and making disciplined decisions every day. Great property managers don't just operate buildings. They protect investments and create communities where people want to live.

To learn more about the RMS Group, please visit: https://rms-group.ca/

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca