Investing in a second property
If you're thinking about buying a piece of real estate as an investment property, market conditions are definitely in your favour. While the resale housing market has seen a tremendous amount of activity from first-time buyers in the past year, it's also a perfect time for existing homeowners to invest in secondary residential properties.
With record-low interest rates and significantly lower prices it's hard to go wrong - unless, of course you lack the financial means to make the investment. After all, you have to be ready to meet all the obligations that come with owning more than your principal property.
For instance, keep in mind that if you intend to rent out the second property, you'll also have to be prepared to deal with tenants and handle maintenance costs.
Leverage
Secondary home ownership is an attractive investment option because it gives you even more leverage than you have with your principal residence. Leverage is when a relatively small amount of your money controls a much larger asset - like a property.
The more leveraged you are, the greater the financial return on your down payment becomes if the value of your property increases. There are very few other investments which can be purchased with such a small percentage of your own money.
For instance, let's say you acquire a second property for $100,000, with a $15,000 down payment, and during the first year that you own it, the property increases by a value of three per cent for a $3,000 gain. As a result, the return on your down payment of $15,000 is 20 per cent - $3,000 divided by $15,000.
Other Investments
By comparison, let's say you were to buy a term investment of $100,000 (in cash) for one year and it increased by $8,000 over the course of the first year. Since it cost you $100,000 in cash to buy it, the return on your investment is only eight per cent before taxes. Obviously, leveraging is a powerful way to make your money work for you.
Getting Financing
You should be aware that many lenders place non-owner occupied deals in the high-risk category and it's not that unusual to find lenders who will not finance rental units at all - or those who will only finance them if they are insured.
Obviously, lenders will want to know whether the property will carry itself. (Is there sufficient rent to cover the mortgage payment?)
Don't make the mistake of assuming that a rental income of $500 per month will carry a mortgage payment of $500 per month. Only a portion of the rent is used to pay the mortgage; the remainder must cover taxes, maintenance, vacancy, bad debt and expenses.
(Many inexperienced purchasers think that owning rental properties will allow them to "get rich quickly" and when this does not happen, the owner becomes disillusioned and loses interest in the property.)
Costs
You should also be aware that the cost of obtaining a mortgage (for legal and appraisal fees) on a non-owner occupied property can be higher than the cost of obtaining a mortgage on an owner-occupied property, when more than one unit - such as a duplex or triplex is involved.
Interest rates charged on rental properties might also be higher because some lenders view these properties as being a higher risk.
As mentioned above, the main responsibility of having a second property is being able to carry it financially. And if you're like most people, you'll probably have to rent it to someone as a result.
This is also a great deal of responsibility because you will have to maintain the property in addition to your own principal residence, and you'll be responsible for finding tenants who you trust and feel comfortable with.
Some parents with grown children ready to go off to university or college choose to purchase secondary properties for their offspring to live in while they attend school. This gives them an excellent investment and they are assured that the occupants will take good care of the home.
If you'd like more information about purchasing a second property, consult REALTOR® . REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR Canada Inc., a company owned equally by The Canadian Real Estate Association and the National Association of REALTORS® and refers to registered real estate practitioners who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. Used under license.
Vijay Gandhi is a Re/max Real Estate sales Personnel & Independent mortgage planner- industry insider & CENTUM Agent. If you are purchasing, refinancing or renewing your mortgage, contact Vijay or apply for a Mortgage Check-up to obtain the best available rates and terms.
Have you considered a 50/50 Mortgage?
As always, if you have questions about the 50/50 mortgage product and whether it’s right for you, or other mortgage-related questions, I’m here to help!
Whether you are planning to buy-sell-lease-invest your first home or your investment, contact us today! We’d love to hear from you!
Please leave a detail message; I will get back to you soon as possible…
Thanks for visiting my web sites:
vijaygandhi.com , icxforsale.com & torontomortgagetrends.com
Mortgage Rates Are At Historical Lows. Easy OnLine Application. Apply And Get The Best Mortgage Rate! Variable Mortgage 5 Years Fixed Prime
*condition apply/sub. to availability
Appropriate expert advice from a Lawyer, Chartered Accountant or Tax Consultant to be /should be sought in regard to capital Gains or any legal, Tax, Financial issues and exemptions and other issues or concerns.
Please contact me should you have a question in this regards for Buying or Selling Real Estate Related matters. *we do not represent builder/s directly.
The information provided in this blog is for information purpose only; Author is not Liable for any Misuse or any other, Use the info on your risk. Please verify the codes from local and federal laws and use right professional advice in any of the matter here above or anywhere in my article.
Author is Licensed Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Agent, and provides service in the respective field only. For other services please consult right professional at your choice.
Contact us:
Please call me TODAY for a No Obligation Buyer Consultation or Pre-Listing appointment!
The referral of your friends & family is the greatest compliment you can give me. Thank you for your trust.
Please, forward my name, phone number & e-mail address to your friends, relatives, clients..
