I work with a lot of investors and my favourite part of the job is helping guide them to make solid and profitable decisions. Whether you’re just considering getting on the real estate ladder, or you’re a seasoned investor, read on to find out four things you probably didn’t know about investing in real estate.
1. If you’re buying an investment, it’s all about the math – don’t let emotions get in the way. I know, granite counters and bamboo floors are awesome, but how much do they add to the monthly rent? Real estate investing really does come down to numbers, and it’s not just price that matters. How much are the condo fees? How much are the taxes? What kind of maintenance should you expect? What kind of rent can you expect? An agent experienced in investments will be able to guide you to the profitable ones and encourage you to run from the ones that look great but don’t give the best returns.
2. You’ll likely need a minimum 20% down payment. If the property you’re buying isn’t a primary residence (a primary residence is defined as one you live in at least six months of the year), then the bank will require you to have a bigger down payment. In most cases, that’s 20%.
3. The good news? Most investors reach the break-even point with a 20% down payment. What does that mean? Your rent should cover your mortgage payment (at 80% financed), your taxes and your condo fees (if any). If you can only become cash flow positive with a 30% down payment, something is wrong with the property you’re considering - perhaps you need to look in a lower price bracket.
4. Most lenders will consider 80% of the rental income when calculating how much you can afford. When banks decide how much mortgage they want to give you, they’ll look at your income, your debts, and your credit score. If you’re buying an income property, they’ll add 80% of the projected rental income to your income, so you’ll qualify for a bigger mortgage. Keep in mind that some lenders won’t consider rental from illegal apartments and may require an actual lease in place or an appraiser to confirm the amount of rental income that will be generated.
Do these tips sound helpful to you? Stick around for next week where I share four more things you probably should know about investing in real estate!
Each Wednesday, I discuss real estate investing. This is the first of a three part series for this this topic – “Things You Should Probably Know About Investing In Real Estate”. Watch for part 2 and part 3 in the next two Wednesday Blog Posts. If you are thinking about buying an investment property, or you have an investment property and are thinking of selling but don’t know if this is the right time to do it, give me a call at 905-683-7800. I will answer all you questions. |
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