Real Estate Investing. Warren Buffet one of the worlds smartest investors recently commented on Real Estate investment, saying “It’s a totally sound premise that houses will become worth more over time because the dollar becomes worth less,”
The recent housing bubble attests to the “real estate bubble” that was created when people with very little money were allowed to buy houses.
Although real estate has been a good sound investment over the years, investment mogul, Warren stated, “All things considered, the third-best investment I ever made was the purchase of my home, though I would have made far more money had I instead rented and used the purchase money to buy stocks,” this may give some investors food for thought.
Barrie and Orillia have again been identified as among the most promising places in Ontario to invest in real estate. The list appears in Top Ontario Investment Towns, a 102-page report prepared by Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), a Western-Canadian based research organization. The report analyzes the current and future prospects for real estate investment opportunities in Ontario.
Don Campbell from REIN recently gave this advice to investors who were looking to sell or rent properties. Other decorating and renovating tips include:
Inside your home, install white electrical switches and plug-ins (no unsightly yellow ones), and low-maintenance single-lever taps in the kitchen and bathrooms;
Outside your home (for maximum curb appeal), installing half-moon doors, new porch lights, and a new mailbox and house numbers.
Why bother fixing up your place when you can probably sell or rent it just the way it is? “Because the money you invest in these relatively low-cost upgrades will more than pay for themselves in what you can ask from buyers or renters,” Campbell says. “These little touches will set your home far apart from others that haven’t been improved in years.”
Before buying your investment property ensure you have it inspected by a qualified home inspector. In Barrie and Orillia many REIN members use Roger Frost at Barrie Home inspections to ensure they are fully aware of the condition of their home prior to make their purchase. When buying multiple residential properties it is even more important that you use a inspector who is trained in Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code and has the required qualifications.
Remember when buying a property the rule of thumb is Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware