Y'all are talking about calculating a non custodial parent's childsupport obligation into their DTI ratio or subtracting that from their gross income......but are you doing the same for custodial parents by assessing a cost to their children and factoring that into their DTI ratio?

I think some laws are so dumb and treat free people like children that they are borderline molesting (and are "molesting" if you look at the Spanish word)

I know that she has put her 33.3% share of thw LLC in a Trust naming her children.

That money is for the needs of the child(ren), not to pay rent.

And unlike Vancouver area, GTA is career-focused, whereas Vancouver is of people who generally made their wealth already, and often send children to study in GTA area (and many often end up staying).

The background: My husband is a professional homebuilder and we'd like to have more flexibility (we have several very young children) in his workday. 

I think this is the last time it will work though, my wife has been itching to upscale a bit so we can pursue taking foster children.

If you don't have children of school age, perhaps not useful to pay more per square foot.As to comment on the ethnicity of Northwood - with trade war coming I expect we will see less Chinese buyers as they may be limited, sanctioned, or stopped from buying- only time will tell

At the end of the day your portfolio is only worth what the properties will sell for.For every investor  that makes money there are 8 or 9 that lose money and thats in a strong market.Most diyers are complete hacks, constantly cut corners like having lead based wooden windows in there rentals exposing young children to toxins and damaging there front cortex.  

When I die I want to leave my children cash not a business that they will likely sell.You are not retired if you still have income investment properties.