You can take the loss on this property as a way to help reduce taxes on your other rental income.2.

Are there any subsidies available for efficient energy options that you could avail of.Another related way to increase NOI whilst gaining the marketing advantage of being environmentally friendly would be to offer fee based electrical vehicle charging stations. 

I also had the energy back then to work, work, work.

Finally, it just seems too risky to me to get a bad tenant in there, and then have to worry about 11 months of bad behavior/damage when I could have reduced that to 30.

Reduced security deposit of no more than 50% of a month's rent.I see the writing on the wall and am already heading this direction.

If feasible, I am considering using this strategy to more quickly build my portfolio by reducing the time needed to build up capital before acquiring another deal.

You WILL have to live in the building, however, and as he said, a four-flat doing more than giving you reduced/free rent.

I see too many new constructions around GTA, and I was wondering if a good idea to invest in a house that the closing date will be in 2022 or 23, so downpayment can be paid gradually, also inflation rate will do its magic to reduce its price value compared to the market at that time. any comment? 

It didn't cashflow but definitely reduced my mortgage!

Getting creative when you are young and have energy is a great way to get your foot in the door.