From Steel to Real Estate: Alex Ciotoli's Windsor Investing Journey

In this episode of the Wisdom Lifestyle Money Show, host Scott Dillingham sits down with Alex Ciotoli, an investment-focused realtor in Windsor, Ontario, now with RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. Alex shares his unique background, born and raised in Windsor to immigrant parents who built a successful structural steel business. He discusses growing up in the family enterprise, learning project management, takeoffs, and quotes from a young age—skills that seamlessly translated to his real estate career after attending law school in Michigan and working abroad. Emphasizing his "Esquire Realtor" branding, Alex highlights the importance of elite service, prompt responses, and client-focused analytics, drawing from his experience in big business and international ventures.

Transitioning to Windsor's dynamic real estate market, Alex describes the area as the "hottest in Canada" amid explosive growth driven by major infrastructure. He covers opportunities for investors, from entry-level single-family conversions to commercial and industrial deals, stressing due diligence, zoning compliance for ADUs, and realistic cap rates around 10% for GTA investors. With interest rates influencing buyer behavior, Alex advises jumping in now to avoid future bidding wars. As of November 2025, Windsor's market remains stable with average home prices hovering between $550,000 and $600,000 for nearly two years, showing slight declines but poised for growth from projects like the NextStar Energy battery plant, which began mass production this month focused on energy storage systems rather than EV batteries.

Alex debunks slowdown fears, pointing to population influxes and economic drivers like the Gordie Howe International Bridge, new mega hospital, Amazon facility, and Banwell Road interchange improvements. Projections indicate Southwestern Ontario's population will grow 31% from 2024 to 2051, fueled by immigration and industrial expansion. For out-of-town investors, he recommends partnering with vetted professionals like LendCity for pre-approvals and groups. This episode blends personal anecdotes with practical tips, offering updated insights for building wealth in Ontario's evolving landscape.