It is not hard to find a real estate expert, a professional who has excelled in identifying promising properties, investing in them, and turning a comfortable profit. What is rare is finding a seasoned professional who is trusted by parties at every point of a real estate transaction — from landlords to tenants, from investors to property managers.
Ami Reiss has managed to accomplish such an extraordinary feat, becoming an acknowledged thought leader and go-to resource for journalists, industry observers, economists, financial professionals, renters, homeowners and community stakeholders in Montreal and beyond.
Ami Reiss specializes in discovering unique real estate investment opportunities, especially properties that have been overlooked by other investors. He understands real estate from every perspective and every line on a lease, mortgage or other contract. He has mastered every phase of a transaction, from appraisal to renovations to ownership. And he knows what makes an apartment great, from the perspective of a tenant and investor.
Ami Reiss also has an exceptional command of municipal and provincial regulations, the rules governing lessee and lessor disputes, and tenants rights. For tenants, he provides insights on what to look for when apartment-hunting, as well as advice on common mistakes and obstacles. He helps tenants evaluate rental units in terms of value, location and access to entertainment options. His advice helps tenants protect their interests and find a unit that will meet their needs and exceed their expectations.
As someone who grew up in Montreal, he also knows how difficult it can be to find a quality apartment at a reasonable price and in a comfortable, secure environment. He knows that apartment-hunting takes more time, patience and research than ever before. There’s more competition, and some of the best opportunities vanish quickly.
He understands that trends in recent years haven’t been kind to apartment hunters. Rents have soared, while credit standards have risen. This has the effect of pricing many prospective renters out of the market, especially younger apartment hunters whose credit history is new and whose early career positions don’t generate the level of income that many landlords are now demanding.
In blogs, articles and conversations, he provides spot-on guidance for prospective renters, taking much of the anxiety out of the process.
Landlords trust him, too. He understands the risks involved in leasing out apartments, and is skilled in navigating the complex web of legal and regulatory mandates that create the framework for landlord-tenant relationships.
He knows that landlords can often find themselves squeezed from both sides, by market forces and renters alike. This was especially true during the pandemic, when cash flow slowed to a trickle for many landlords, as a result of government mandates and the loss of income that affected many residents.
He celebrates the fact that tenants enjoy many new rights, while also being aware that a small percentage sometimes choose to violate both the letter and spirit of the generous laws which enshrine these rights.
And the reason for this breadth of understanding and knowledge is simply this: When it comes to renting, investing, owning, managing or just enjoying life as a resident of Montreal, Ami Reiss has been there.