How I Purchased My First Property

I was trained as a teacher. When I moved to Canada, I embraced a new career working for a foundation. The funds that allowed for the foundation to run came from commercial real estate. It was a source of inspiration for me: I want to invest in real estate and one day have my own foundation.

I started by reading real estate investment books I would find at the library. My research made one thing clear: you want to invest where there is job growth. I read the federal budget for 2013 and noticed a city with rather cheap property prices where the federal government was going to create jobs. I had a plan, a vision and would set time aside to focus, meditate and get ready for my new life: I would start relying on myself rather than an employer, it was a big change for me whose main aspiration so far had been to be a teacher, working for the (French) government. It was a completely new mindset.

It was in another province and a 2.5 hour-flight away. I booked my ticket and met with a realtor. We had coffee, she was hard working and we looked at a 4-plex together. I made an offer that was accepted after some back and forth. I used a local mortgage broker. A few days later, when I was back at work, the bank called my employer to confirm the information I had given them. I sent the funds to the lawyer and that was it: I had my first property! It had some deferred maintenance: the roof and 3 windows in one of the units. I got it all fixed and rented. This property has been treating me well ever since.