Expert Advice

Arrgh! Yet another rule change. New lending guidelines – and even rumours about new lending guidelines -- can really affect investors and regular consumers, alike. Let me explain.

As Centum mortgage broker and CREW columnist Dalia Barsoum points out, investors can't afford a single misstep in today's increasingly complex lending environment.

Vendor Take Backs (VTBs) may be back in vogue, but mortgage brokers and industry experts are warning buyers of the pitfalls associated with this financial arrangement.

Commercial real estate leaders are more pessimistic about the future of the market in the wake of increasing concerns about Canada’s economy.

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like everyone is talking about real estate investments these days, especially in Toronto. It’s likely due to the unrelenting volatility of the capital markets. But, let’s leave the reasons for another time and story. Today, I want to talk about the tools that we use to measure real estate investment, and why there may be a better way than "cap rates."

Here are five of ten ways investor Gord Lemon urges you to shake the bushes for a deal. Note: They're in no order of preference or effectiveness, although all require initiative and, perhaps, a little luck.

The first deal is generally the hardest when investing in real estate. In fact, concerns about winning financing can stop many from taking the leap from idealist to investor. But that doesn’t have to be the case, and much of the fear can be alleviated by the confidence a good credit score can provide.

Are your REALTORs working for you or themselves? It’s a question investors need to ask if they're being pushed into pocket listing a triplex or some other small property instead of taking it to the MLS, caution experts.

Everyone has heard at least one horror story of "the tenant from hell," so much, in fact, that dealing with renters is the biggest fear potential investors face, writes industry expert Paul Kondakos. But that threat can be easily mitigated.