Contrast Asset Management

Cash flow is the baseline.

Many real estate investments rely on appreciation to make the numbers work. That can work in strong environments.

It becomes a problem when conditions change.

If a deal depends on everything going right, the risk is already built in. It just has not surfaced yet.

With rising costs and tighter margins, that risk shows up quickly.

We view real estate as an operating business first.

If the business does not perform today, the long-term outcome becomes less predictable.

The focus is not what it might be worth down the road.

It is whether it works in the current environment.

Why fewer apartments are being built—and how that shapes our value add strategy

Multifamily construction activity has fallen to its lowest level since 2016, and deliveries were down about 30 % year over year in Q1. Higher financing costs and selective capital are limiting new starts. While this slowdown is tough for developers, it creates opportunity for investors who focus on upgrading existing communities.

At Contrast Asset Management, we acquire properties with deferred maintenance and invest to improve them—building value for residents and investors alike.

Ever wonder why a Canadian firm like ours focuses so heavily on the U.S. real estate market?

It’s no secret that investing in Canadian multifamily properties has become incredibly challenging. While the need for housing is clear, the path for investors is not.

That's why we pivoted. Our strategy is built on providing Canadian investors access to the U.S. market, where we find more opportunities for strong cash flow in business-friendly environments. We aren't just buying real estate; we are buying cash-flowing businesses where we can create value.

Discover how we help Canadian investors navigate the U.S. market and build their portfolios.

Learn more here: https://ctrst.am/WhyWeLookSouthFB

Why 59% of Canadians are "Sticking Their Head in the Sand

The 2025 CPP Investments Retirement Survey was just released, and the headline is alarming: 59% of Canadians fear they will outlive their savings.

While most of the industry will use this stat to tell you to "plan more," we have a different take. Most people aren't "unprepared"—they’re exhausted.

They’ve been sold a version of "Freedom 55" that was never more than a marketing ad. They’ve been told to sit through "financial interventions" where they're presented with a plan that feels like a prison sentence of extreme belt-tightening and 4-6% returns.

Here is the reality: If inflation is sitting between 4% and 10%, a 5% return isn't a "plan." It's treading water.

You cannot find passion or motivation in a strategy that offers no real progress. This is why so many people choose to "stick their head in the sand"—because, for your mental health, that feels better than following a plan destined to fail.

At Contrast, we believe that if you are serious about making a change, your strategy has to be absolute in its focus and meaningful in its results. Retirement shouldn't be a "managed decline." It should be an engineered certainty built on assets that actually move the needle.

The world has changed since 1984. Your strategy needs to change with it. That's why we focus on the tangible, inflation-hedged value of U.S. multifamily real estate.

A recent Fraser Institute study published in March 2026 brings some hard data to the discussion about Canada's economic future. As proud Canadians, we believe it's crucial to understand these trends.

The report highlights that total government spending in 2024 has significantly exceeded the historical optimal level for maximizing economic growth. While it may be hyperbolic to some, it’s understandable why many feel Canada’s economic environment is becoming less friendly to investors and businesses.

At Contrast Asset Management, this is one of the key reasons we have deliberately focused our real estate investing in the United States, where we fundamentally prefer the dynamics of free markets and smaller government for our investors.

Full study here: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/size-of-government-canada-in-2024

The Size of Government in Canada in 2024 Study March 19, 2026 | EST. READ TIME 2 MIN. Size of governments across Canada on the rise; represented 44 per cent of the economy in 2024 By: Jake Fuss and William Dunstan Share Link Copied! The Size of Government in Canada in 2024This bulletin measures the size of government in Canada, by province...

🚨 Final Weekend for 2025 RRSP Contributions 📅

Time is running out! Contributions for the 2025 RRSP tax year must be made by Monday, March 2, 2026. Maxing out your RRSP is one of the smartest ways to lower your tax bill for the year while setting your future self up for success.

RRSP and TFSA top-ups are currently in progress. If you would like to make a quick contribution or review your available options, send us a message or reply "RRSP" below to start the conversation with Janet Rodrigues, Dealing Representative at Belco Private Capital Inc.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Green Thumb REIT is managed by Contrast Asset Management. Green Thumb REIT has appointed Belco Private Capital Inc, as its exempt market dealer.

Real estate investment isn't just about finding a "good deal." It is about building one.

At Contrast Asset Management, we don't view ourselves as shoppers. We are manufacturers.

Our internal data shows that for every 100 opportunities we target, we typically engineer just 1 operational asset.

This isn't by accident. It is our "Scale Through Selectivity" framework in action:

100 TARGETED We actively hunt for "Operational Heavy Lifts." These are complex situations where sellers need more than just a quick sale.

3 STRUCTURED We identify the few sellers open to creative solutions. We solve their unique constraints, but on terms that ensure we have control.

1 SECURED We only move forward when we have engineered a high degree of certainty.

We don't rely on luck. We rely on structure.
Read the full article on our deal selection process here: https://tinyurl.com/3muffe5d



Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to invest. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. This post contains forward-looking statements based on estimates and assumptions, and actual results may differ.

The Discipline of Deal Selection: 100 Evaluated, 1 Closed We measure success by the deals we reject. Discover the "Scale Through Selectivity" framework Contrast uses to filter 100 real estate opportunities down to the single best asset built for certainty.

IS THE CALENDAR SNEAKING UP ON YOUR FINANCIAL PLANS? 🗓

We see it happen every year. The best intentions to contribute early often turn into a scramble as February fades away. But your retirement planning deserves more than a last-minute decision made under pressure.

At Contrast Asset Management, the Manager of Green Thumb REIT, we believe in being proactive, not reactive. By addressing your RRSP and TFSA top-ups now, you give yourself the time to make decisions that fit your long-term goals—without the stress.

Our Investor Services team is currently helping investors of Green Thumb REIT organize their 2025 contributions well ahead of the March 2nd deadline.

Don't wait for the final week. Send us a message to start the conversation with Janet, Dealing Representative at Belco Private Capital Inc. and cross this off your list today.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Green Thumb REIT is managed by Contrast Asset Management. Green Thumb REIT has appointed Belco Private Capital Inc, as its exempt market dealer.

Trusted Systems, Not by Speculation.

The difference between hoping for appreciation and generating reliable cash flow is found in one thing: a proven, quantifiable system.

Contrast doesn't chase home runs. We engineer stability into every deal using our non-negotiable Three-Bucket Reserve Rule—three distinct, non-liquid funds that must be fully funded before we close.

If your financial partner can't show you the structural mechanics of their risk mitigation, you're buying a black box.

Read the full article and see the details of the Three-Bucket Reserve Rule now: https://tinyurl.com/4678byvc

Trust is Built by System | The Contrast Approach to Cash Flow Contrast avoids speculation by using a verifiable 3-Bucket Reserve Rule. Discover how we engineer certainty and prioritize cash flow over appreciation.

Bridging Canadian investors to U.S. real estate income.

Green Thumb REIT — managed by Contrast Asset Management — gives Canadians access to income-focused U.S. multifamily properties.

Here’s why it matters for Canadian investors:
- U.S. dollar income and growth
- No requirement to file annual U.S. tax returns
- RRSP & TFSA eligible
- Value-focused properties with strong income potential
- Unique U.S. benefits like depreciation and tax deferral via the 1031 Exchange rule

Got questions about cross-border investing? Send us a message and Rae will cover them in an upcoming video, or webinar.

Disclaimer: https://contrastmgmt.com/disclaimer/