The Debt Hangover: A Reckoning After 20 Years of Easy Money ft. Vince Gaetano Ep. 22

“People were drunk off of the appreciation of the assets over two decades... It's almost like a bad hangover”In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we’re joined by Vince Gaetano, a veteran mortgage professional with over 35 years of experience who has lived through every major real estate cycle — from working with bailiffs in the early 1990s to advising homeowners and investors in today’s high-pressure market.Vince brings a rare, data-first perspective shaped by decades in the industry. Together, we unpack the hard truths behind today’s housing market, the growing pressure on the middle class, and the consequences of relying on short-term fixes instead of fundamentals. Vince breaks down why financial literacy matters more than ever, how rising rates have exposed behavioral risks, and what Canadians need to understand before making their next financial move.In this episode, we explore:✅ The downside of the current real estate cycle and why so many Canadians are feeling financial pressure✅ How cash-flow crunches are forcing difficult decisions for both new and experienced investors✅ Why data, discipline, and behavior matter more than market predictions✅ What the short-term outlook for Canadian real estate actually looks like ✅ How CMHC policy decisions and ultra-low rates reshaped borrower behavior✅ Why declining financial literacy is hurting Canadians more than market volatility✅ What today’s buyers and homeowners need to understand before making their next move✅ Vince’s mission to educate Canadians and cut through misinformation onlineWhether you’re a first-time buyer, an investor navigating a tougher market, or someone trying to make sense of Canada’s shifting economy, this conversation delivers practical, experience-driven insights to help you make smarter financial decisions.Who is Vince Gaetano?From a young age, Vince Gaetano knew he wanted to run his own business. Starting with a newspaper route, grass cutting, and snow shovelling, he eventually made the decision to go into the lending branch of banking. During his university days, Vince was first exposed to the mortgage world through TD, and he would go on to spend his first decade in the mortgage business with TD Bank's national mortgage broker unit and with BMO as a national sales manager.Vince has always enjoyed helping people buy homes and educating people on mortgages, as demonstrated by almost two decades worth of giving advice on CP24’s weekly Hot Property program. Born of this passion to educate, OwlMortgage.ca was created to provide an education-first and empathetic approach to mortgages.Follow & Connect with Vince Gaetano:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wiseoldowlshowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/vincegmortgage/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-gaetano-58a1106/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OwlMortgage.caTwitter/X - http://x.com/VinceGaetanoPodcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3928IWHSwO3avGMcaNJo27Website - https://www.owlmortgage.ca/Follow & Connect with Josh & Ehren:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bldfinancialFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/BLDfinancialYouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@bldfinancialJosh Findlay, Mortgage Broker, Lic. M18002188Ehren Laycock, Mortgage Agent Level 2, Lic. M17002486BLD Financial is a team operating underDominion Lending Centres National Ltd., FSRA Brokerage Licence #12360