Advice from the bigger pockets community for a novice investor

Advice from the bigger pockets community for a novice investor

Red Deer AB · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes

Hello community, I wanted reach out to get some advice.

Although I've studied RE investing for the past 10 years Ive never actually purchased anything. I guess you could say I have a case of analysis paralysis but maybe its more commitment issues. I do however believe we'll see more inflation over the next few years than we've seen before and a lot of that currency will flow into assets like property. So I believe 2021 is the year I take the plunge into Real Estate and add this great asset into my portfolio.

Now I understand everyones situation is unique and the best plan for someone wouldn't be the best plan for another. I am curious to see what you would if you were in my shoes.

I am a Canadian and grew up on the west coast on Vancouver Island and I spend some time around the West coast including Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna and all of the most expensive housing markets in Canada. I DO NOT however live anywhere and spend most of my time traveling to the Canadian north for work and Internationally for pleasure. When I do go to Vancouver to visit family for about two months of the year I usually stay in a short term rental.

Now that you understand my current nomadic lifestyle, the location is not really a big issue for me. If I purchased a condo in Vancouver and used it for an STR when I am not there it would be beneficial. However, I feel that if I did that then most of my leverage and capital would be locked into that condo and It would be difficult to buy anything else down the road. But the city life is good fun and travel will pick up next year.

Another option would be to BRRR in a less expensive but up and coming area. This would allow me to get most of my capital out of a property and still be owning the asset. Maybe even use it as a STR and still personally use it when I am in town. The benefit to this idea is that I am already in the construction industry and am a plumber/gas fitter by trade. I have experience working with tradesmen and could contract it myself.

The 3rd option would be to start by House hacking. Maybe buy a single family home in a residential neighbour hood and build a suite in the basement then rent rooms. This provides me with a base but also the most appreciating type of asset. However, as a single man in my 30's, the suburbs is not the best place to set a base.

4th option is to buy a small apartment or multifamily in a much less expensive part of the country where its not such a cyclical market and my leverage can go a lot further. This will provide the very best cash on cash return I would just need to find a good property management company. 

5th option would to buy REIT's. however I can only put as much in as I have and would't be using the banks money.

Sorry for the long post, I am just looking for a little guidance form the best community on the internet. Thanks

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Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
5y

The key is to decide and make *that* the path. You've identified a few good methods, and the reason it's hard to choose between them is because they're all generally pretty good options depending on your goals. Sounds like shiny object syndrome to me, which I can relate to. 

Nobody can tell you the right one for you. I recommend that when you do pick one, you stop reading and listening to anything about the other strategies. Pick one strategy then be totally and completely dedicated to it. Don't let others distract you.

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  • Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    5y

    The key is to decide and make *that* the path. You've identified a few good methods, and the reason it's hard to choose between them is because they're all generally pretty good options depending on your goals. Sounds like shiny object syndrome to me, which I can relate to. 

    Nobody can tell you the right one for you. I recommend that when you do pick one, you stop reading and listening to anything about the other strategies. Pick one strategy then be totally and completely dedicated to it. Don't let others distract you.

  • Red Deer AB · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    Option 6 would be to build. I've been in the construction industry for 10 years and have built a few multi-family properties. I do understand the construction process and have been working side by side with trades and can work with developers. On the West coast we are looking at around $200 a square ft and this might be the best way to take advantage of my leverage with some sweat equity. Building a STR in a prime vacation spot may be a good idea.

  • Red Deer AB · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    Thank You Taylor, I appreciate the advice. You're absolutely right, set a goal and focus on it.

  • Lender · Okanagan, BC · Member since 2017 · 105 posts · 77 votes
    5y

    @Steven Vanderheide

    Alright where to start.  Well done on the thorough post.  I lived in Van for 5 years, the praries for many years, and live in Kelowna now.  

    First thing I would say, you already know this, just buy already.  Second, like Taylor said only you can really decide which one fits for your goals.  Having a WHY for your investment helps answer a lot of questions and give direction.

    I would rule out option 6 right now.  Save it for your second+ property.  Get some experience going through the process of buying and owning a home.  Landlording, financing, market research etc.  You know trades, but that is just the tip of the iceberg with building and there is a lot of other potholes to step in.  

    I'd rule out the STR in Van due to 1) price/cashflow 2) unfavorable policies 3) Like you said, its big capital locked up for a small property with limited usage 4) STR is either a TON of upkeep(cleaning, marketing, etc) or a TON of expense related to prop mgmt in an already tight cashflow scenario.

    BRRRR could be an option in the right location. In Van? Probably not, but in the lower mainland, island, or okanagan potentially ya. Now in my opinion I would still stick to a long term rental afterwards. With your lifestyle you could probably manage a long term yourself from a distance. Just need a good handyman on speed dial. Find a SFH with a suite or suitable that needs an update and away you go. There is no reason you couldnt look at the praries for this also(Saskatoon, Winnipeg, brandon, etc).

    'House hacking' doesnt make a lot of sense to me.. if your on the road and dont need a base then why take up that space that could generate income? Doesnt seem to fit.  House hacking is one of the best strategies to get started with, if you live there!

    Buying a house in a less cyclical market.. Ok, so depending which cycle your referring to?  The macro level, as in booms and busts every 8-10 years(supposedly), or the micro aka time of the year.  The lower mainland is the least micro cyclical place probably in the country.  Very mild winters with little to no snow means homes sell year round.  Kelowna is a bit more, but still not bad.  You go to places like Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg.. who wants to buy a house when its -430 C?  Not many people.  Here is the thing i say about cycles though - ask yourself this, how long do you plan on owning the house?  1 year?  5 years?  Forever?  If you have a long time horizon the market cycles are much less significant of a factor.  Time in the market not timing the market.  Buy and get in the game.  

    REITs - Completely legit option.  I started out doing this for the first few years because I was in Van and essentially felt priced out, but didnt want to do long distance.  I honestly regret it.  I did well for myself in REITs.. dividends were great and I made money.  It isnt the same as investing in property though and I would do it differently if I started over again.  It could fit your lifestyle so only you can decide.  

    What did i miss?  Remember this is all just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt.  Happy to chat about it anytime.  

    Good luck

  • Red Deer AB · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    Thank you Santi. I have been looking around the Okanagan, I see prices increasing fast around Kelowna. There also seems to be a lot of 'Money" in that town. Do you recommend an area? west kelowna, rutland, black mountain?

  • Lender · Okanagan, BC · Member since 2017 · 105 posts · 77 votes
    5y

    @Steven Vanderheide

    Good question. There has been some great appreciation and it will continue that way. I've always said Kelowna is one of the best long term places to invest in the country. It's where people want to be and job diversification is steadily increasing.

    I personally think black mountain and glenmore have a lot of opportunity. Certain areas of west k are excellent as well. You want to stay away from north rutland right now imo. South rutland has a lot of great properties but it appreciated a ton this past year so finding a good deal could be a challenge.

    Black mountain will get improved infrastructure in the form of roadways, public transport, and retail/commercial space. I'm a big fan of that area.

    There is a few other good spots as well. It's such a nice city that if you can find a property that the numbers work then jump on it.

  • Wholesaler · Winnipeg · Member since 2021 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    Hi guys, Talking about Winnipeg.

    How you guys feel the market for Real Estate Wholesale? 

    I know that this kind of business is hard to start anywhere in the world, but I've felt that is much harder here in Winnipeg.

    Sounds that the Real Estate industry here is so conservative and close to others options that few people know about that niche of market. First Step pf all I think that is to find a Title Company/ Real Estate Lawyer  that is familiar with the closing process. However, is been hard to even start from that as I can't find such thing.

  • Rental Property Investor · Edmonton, Alberta · Member since 2015 · 307 posts · 200 votes
    5y

    Hey @Steven Vanderheide  You are definitely overthinking this! This is coming from an overthinking engineer. Totally agree with Taylor. You've done 10 years of research, go with your gut, trust yourself, choose something, like tomorrow, STICK WITH IT, and start taking steps to buy a property. Even if you bought one measly property 10 years ago, you'd have 10 years of mortgage paydown by now! And probably some good appreciation by now too! The strategy doesn't matter as much as taking action. You can adjust/change as you go. I had to get over this too. But once you start taking action (which does not mean learning or any more research) it gets easier to keep going.

    Don't wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait! Wealth is made through long term buy and hold.

  • Red Deer AB · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    Thanks Zorya.

  • Rental Property Investor · parksville, bc · Member since 2017 · 153 posts · 148 votes
    5y

    A friend of mine once said "How good of a deal do you need to get tomorrow to make up for not taking action today?"

    The best deal I've ever done was my first. Not because it had the best numbers, but simply because I've owned it the longest. Investment properties get better as time goes on. Better debt pay down, higher rents and appreciation. A mediocre deal 10 years ago would be a grand slam in todays market.

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    5y

    One thing to keep in mind is if you have a condo, HOA rules around short term rentals. Short term rentals also need a good team to do the turnover and in some parts of BC, you can run into extra problems with the speculation tax.

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