Real Estate Investing

[Requiem]

Anyone here have any experience with real estate investing?

I've been looking into diversifying into real estate investing, such as buying a few condos or Single Family Homes (one of my key decisions is to figure which one I'll go with), and am wondering if anyone here has experience in the area.

[janicelou]

only buy if you can get it at 30 to 60% of market value.... There is huge market in REO properties... Research "shortsales" That is where you can find discount properties in today's market. I would personally stay away from condo's unless it is a really great deal. single family homes appreciate faster and generally sell faster. Remember, that prices will still be falling for another few years...
Commercial real estate in some markets has hit rock bottom but residential still has some coming down. talk to as many realtors in your local area as you can and find out all you can about your local market.

[DavidJ]

Yeah man I have a very good experience of investing in real estate sector.I feel that investing in real estate business is much better then others like investing in stocks and it always provide profitable return on the investment..!!

[Clint Cora]

The Canadian real estate market is a bit different from that in the US. We haven't had a drop out like that in the US. Our markets are steadily increasing with a good tenants base.

I'm a believer in real estate now and I've recently become an investor as I've moved much of my investments out of mutual funds and stocks into real estate. I'm not knowledgeable enough in the market to be a short term flip type of investor as I'm more comfortable with long term investing with steady growth in equity where the mortgages are paid down by the tenants.

[luvgiggles]

I'd say buying a few condos may be better than buying a house in the long run in the US for a couple of reasons:

1. Easier to sell and rent out condos - why? because they are generally smaller and slightly less expensive, therefore, if you ever need to get rid of the condo, it's easier. There'll always be hopeful condo buyers in any market, as long as the space is small and more importantly cheap.

2. A 1 family house is more expensive - sure the value will definitely appreciate, but unless you're living in the house with your family, then most likely you're renting it out. Probability of a newly wed couple wanting to rent? Very high chance. How about an entire family? Sure - they'll want to rent a house, but again it must be cheap.

3. Maintenance is easier for condos - simply because the condos are (generally) new and have a maintenance fee in place. The houses (depends where you are looking at) may be ancient and maintenance is up to you or to a company you must hire. It ain't cheap.

For these reasons, buy condos!

[Peterw]

I'm looking to invest in real estate in Europe when I've built my capital up enough. Does it matter how much you buy the property for as long as the rent gets paid and you're not over leveraged?

[Midnite]

Originally Posted by Peterw

I'm looking to invest in real estate in Europe when I've built my capital up enough. Does it matter how much you buy the property for as long as the rent gets paid and you're not over leveraged?

You make your money when you buy the property, not when you sell it.

Look for receivership sales, distressed sales, commercial properties under liquidation, etc. Stay away from anything that is heritage listed or requires extensive maintenance.

2013 is going to be a golden year for buying property. We are all waiting on the whole 'European thing' to collapse some time soon.

[Peterw]

Originally Posted by Midnite

You make your money when you buy the property, not when you sell it.

Look for receivership sales, distressed sales, commercial properties under liquidation, etc. Stay away from anything that is heritage listed or requires extensive maintenance.

2013 is going to be a golden year for buying property. We are all waiting on the whole 'European thing' to collapse some time soon.

I'm short EUR/USD