Real Estate Investment.
Suddenly real estate investment got onto the radar of investors wanting to put money somewhere; anywhere but the stock market. Tons of e-mails got everyone busy and most investments were about the state of real estate.
Number of Homes For Sale Have Fallen Far More Than The Prices.
Watching the GTA (the Greater Toronto Area) real estate right now, I do not see the great investor panic prevalent just recently in the US. Instead, home owners have simply put off selling their homes and not upgrade to larger houses.
Similarly, investors have decided to hold off disposing of their properties if they need not. So reports about falling home prices did not keep pace with the falling numbers of homes sold in recent months. Even the latest real estate prices for the month of October did not reflect panic selling but indicated a lower selling average price across the GTA.
That said, the Provincial and Federal Governments in Canada have been making the right noises about easing lending rates and liquidity. There is no general panic; but there is belt tightening, evidenced by the stricter lending practices. Although an end to this recession is still not evident, governments all over the world are very definitely preventing a total melt down of the global financial services. That augers well. And I am for one, hanging in there and not panicking.
In fact, I see opportunity.
Then, there is the plethora of real estate Gurus and pundits offering up their services to invest in commercial real estate. Well, let me qualify that. They are promoting their know how into investing in real estate with rentals and rental potential.
It does make a calculated financial sense to have stable businesses or renters paying your mortgage and maintaining that real estate investment. But due diligence is the order of the day, no less. Also, be very careful of your borrowing terms. Invest in the services of a really highly respected real estate lawyer specializing in such commercial and rental properties. They’ll save you a bundle by avoiding the money pits and traps.
Then there are the sitting on the fence buyers and sellers.
I can only advise doing the math to match your needs; financial, physical or emotional. Do what makes the most sense. Right now, it is the higher prices and larger properties that are experiencing the greatest price derease and slower market.
What surprised me were the number of real estate agents that were e-mailing requesting my take on the situation – and I thought they were the experts there! But verily, this recession has everyone spooked. My reply to them has been to actually seek opportunity right now. Look for new ways to make money or promote your services. holding back right now is one of the worst things you can do during a slow down.
The winners will be those that take the plunge and go right ahead and promote their real estate business; take calculated risks. Those holding back will be akin to commiting business suicide.
This is the time when fortunes are won or lost.
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