Real estate investing, whether it is in Edmonton or any other part of the world, takes time. As a stay at home mother, how you can you possibly find time for real estate investing when you have to clean the house, drive three kids to three different after-school activities, take care of the baby, and have dinner on the table by 6? Actually, real estate investing is easier than you may think.

First, you don’t have to do this alone. If you’re strapped for time, call your local real estate agency and talk to an agent about your needs. Instead of spending hours looking for information online and in the newspapers, and even longer driving around to see houses, your real estate agent will compile a list of the best houses for you and you can spend a single afternoon seeing them before making a decision.

It is also important to talk to your family about your new real estate investing goals. Both your husband and your kids need to learn to help out around the house as much as possible. That way, you can spend some time doing market research and planning before bed instead of using that block of time to clean up the house.

You should also be vocal about your real estate investing plans to other mothers that run in similar circles. You might be able to create a baby-sitting trade-off system with another mother or two to help both of you find time for things. You’ll be able to get the kids out of the house for a few hours every week in exchange for watching her kids for a few hours every week. The bonus here is that if you kids are the same age, they’ll often play together quietly, giving you even more time to get some work done. No matter how busy you are as a mother, real estate investing is possible!

As you probably know, Edmonton’s real estate market is hot right now, but you can’t cash in if you don’t have a good budget. Notice that I didn’t say you need thousands of dollars. Investing without a large down payment is possible, but only if you create a budget to show mortgage lenders that you’re responsible.

First, take a moment to consider what you can afford. Typical mortgage lenders like to see a 20% down payment. In Edmonton, that can get rather expensive, depending on the size of the house and the street. You should provide as much in a down payment as possible, but keep in mind that you don’t want to completely wipe out your savings. Instead, you can consider a low-money-down or no-money-down loan. Both are great options for women just starting in the real estate business.

However, before you apply for either of these types of loan, make sure your finances are in order. Budget so that your debt-to-income ratio is as low as possible. You can do this by reducing what you spend on household items to more quickly pay off other loans you might have. Saving $100 on groceries every month means that you can pay of your car much faster! The less debt you have, the more likely you’ll be approved for a mortgage, even if you don’t have a 20% down payment.

The bottom line? Don’t let your lack of a lump sum get in your way. If you want to invest in Edmonton real estate, there are plenty of ways to do so, even if you’re not a millionaire.

Whether you’re investing in Edmonton or elsewhere, if you’re a mom, getting your kids involved in the real estate investing process is a great idea. Through real estate, kids can learn about work ethic, responsible budgeting, and more. No matter how young or old, children can get involved. Here’s how:

• Ask them to help you make choices. If you’re renovating a house, taking kids shopping for supplies can be a nightmare…unless you let them get involved. I’m not saying that you should paint the house hot pink like your daughter wants or choose the superhero wallpaper border that your son wants, but if you give them a few choices, they can help you make a final decision.

• Teach your kids about budgeting. Real estate investing takes not just time, but also money. Your kids can get involved by helping you create and stick to a family budget. You can even put some of your home’s utilities in your child’s name to help them learn about and build up credit. Take them to financial literacy programs to help improve their skills and knowledge. Companies like Fast Track to Cash Flow Inc. regularly has programs like this.

• Give them a shovel. Curb appeal means a lot when selling a house, and no matter what their age, kids can enjoy working in the yard or garden. Even a toddler can help you dig some holes for potted plants!

When you make real estate investing a family affair, you’re teaching your children to be responsible with their time and money. With older children, you’re also giving them a sense of the business, so they’ll be prepared if they want to get involved with real estate investing in the future.

Everyone knows that buying a home is one of the most important moments of your life, but it can also be a bit scary. The amount of money involved when you purchase a home can be staggering, but you shouldn’t let fear stand in the way of making the best investment you can in your future.

Take a moment to assuage your fears when it comes to buying that home of your dreams in the Edmonton area.

It is no secret that the economy here in Alberta is red hot. Recent studies have shown that all of Western Canada has one of the most robust and healthy economies in the world and that has lead to more and more people buying their first homes earlier than they ever thought they could. If you are contemplating buying your first home, sit down with a ReMax agent and feel free to voice any concerns you may have. From getting a mortgage to shopping for the home of your dreams to managing closing costs, a real estate agent can not only answer your questions, but they can be that rock you need to lean on during the whole home buying process.

Things have changed quite a bit over the last few decades when it comes to buying a home. The process today is far more streamlined than it once was, and that’s good news to prospective Edmonton home buyers. It means that you can move from dreaming to purchasing in a very short period of time, and I’d like to help. Take a moment to view some of my first time homebuyer videos, and contact me when you’re ready to find the right home to meet your needs.

My team has spent quite a bit of time working with investors on the right real estate opportunities. From great Edmonton foreclosure opportunities to properties that are priced just right for those looking to make money in the rental market, we understand your needs in the world of real estate investment.

One of the first things you should do before you ever begin looking is create your own list of investment criteria. This will not only ensure you don’t make impulse investment buys, but it will also help us find the right properties to meet your needs.

Start by defining your minimum and maximum investment size. Remember that in many cases, at least initially, some capital will be required on your part to begin. That may affect your maximum investment. In some cases, investments are so small that they aren’t worth the effort you’ll be putting into them, so that should factor into this part of your decision as well.

Once you’ve carefully considered size, you need to think about the kinds of real estate investment deals you might be interested in. If you intend to rent properties to tenants, you may have very different needs than you would if you plan to flip them. Many investors only consider deals in areas where they have some knowledge.  In fact, we have worked with people who only purchased properties in Morinville or East Edmonton. Understanding both the kinds of deals and the areas in which you feel comfortable is essential.

Finally, remember to define the criteria that make a good deal for you. Most investors consider at least one of the following – cash flow, principal reduction, tax advantages, or appreciation. Some consider all of those.
Without understanding each of these carefully, bad investments are a guarantee. Once you know what you’re looking for, though, my team is better able to help you get the deals that will pay off financially.

An often overlooked opportunity, real estate investment in the Edmonton area is a great, low risk method of reaching your financial goals, and the market has never been better.

The Increase of Homes
With just over eleven thousand residential properties in Edmonton waiting for the right buyer, you now have two and a half times more inventory to choose from than buyers did just a year ago. Recent statistics compiled by the Realtor’s Association of Edmonton indicates that between the low interest rates and the high level of inventory, Edmonton is truly a buyer’s market these days, and there’s very little indication that the market will shift again soon.

Obtaining the Skills You Need
If you, like many other women interested in real estate these days, use your lack of investment knowledge as a barrier instead of a stepping stone, take the time to begin keeping track of current events in the real estate market. Enroll in one of the many free online courses available, and begin networking with others in the industry to find the right opportunities to meet your needs. Consider stopping by our YouTube channel for the tips and advice you need to begin.

Edmonton homes represent incredible value in terms of the Canadian real estate market as a whole, and with prices expected to increase nearly four percent by the end of the year, choosing to invest now will only help to increase your profit margin.

If you’re a woman running your own business, have you considered real estate investment to supplement your income? The market is primed right now for property investment, and people (many who are women with families and buys lives) are making small fortunes on property ownership. Here’s how you can start earning BIG in the Edmonton real estate market:

Decide what you want to do with your property. Investors usually decide right away where they’re going to rent a property or resell it. Leasing your property for a monthly profit is a great way to boost your monthly income and can earn you a significant amount of money over the years. Reselling the property, though, can also earn you a nice chunk of change. Selling for a higher price than you bought the property for can put several thousand dollars into your bank account and release you from the responsibility of owning the property. Decide which strategy works best for you and then go from there.

Search the listings. This is the fun part. Browsing the listings for potential properties can be quite exciting as you search for just the right home. A few things will factor in here, like your price range, where you want to purchase property, or even how many properties you want to buy. And don’t forget, you may wind up looking at LOTS of houses before you find the one that’s right for you.

Gather information. You’ll want to find out everything you can, not only about the property itself, but also about what’s going on in the market. Talk to loan officers and analysts and learn all you can about what it going on now and what is predicted for the future.

Close the deal. Once you’ve selected your investment property and gotten all the necessary information, it’s time to close the deal with the seller and/or a lender. After this, you can rightfully call yourself a real estate investor!

Real estate investment is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs, especially women. You can be your own boss, make great money, and still have time for your family and friends!

With its stable real estate market, Edmonton is currently offering many opportunities to property investors just like you. The city is expanding rapidly, and both the downtown core and the outlying communities are excellent places to consider for property investment. There are some other fantastic areas for real estate investors:

Northeast Edmonton – About 30 minutes northeast of Edmonton, industrial projects are spurring employment and causing an influx of people in the area. This expansion is creating the need for housing, and this is great news for real estate investors. This area has also historically been underpriced, so the chances of finding a great deal on a property are better. Whether you opt to rent or resell your investment property, northeast Edmonton is a great area to consider.

East Edmonton – As one of the more depressed parts of town, the east side of Edmonton is known for lower priced homes. For an investor, this can be the ticket to a great deal. Houses or other properties can be purchased for a minimal cost, and then rented or resold for a profit.

South Edmonton – Because of the industrial growth that is occurring in the north part of Edmonton, expansion possibilities are more limited in that direction. Thus, people are looking to the southern areas of the city for housing. Additionally, southward growth is picking up as developers are seeking to meet the ring road that circles the city, which also means increased property values.

These are just a few of the places that many investors check out when looking for potential investment properties. Of course there are many other parts of town that are worth a look, so don’t limit yourself to just the places mentioned above. Be sure to look into several neighborhoods and communities to find the property that best suits your needs.

The Edmonton real estate market is primed for investment right now; it’s stable and properties are plentiful. Entrepreneurs are taking advantage of this, and women in particular are reaping the benefits of these investments. But deciding to put your money in real estate is a big deal, and it’s not something that should be taken lightly. Fortunately, there are a few strategies that you can keep in mind to help you make a wise choice where potential property investments are concerned.

Rent it. Lots of investors buy a property and then rent it out to tenants for a monthly profit. With good renters who pay on time and respect your house, this can be a great way to boost your monthly income.

Flip it. Other investors choose to flip properties for profit. This means that they buy houses (usually rehabs) at low prices, put some money into fixing it up, and then sell it for profit as soon as they can. As long as you have good contractors working for you or you can work on the property on your own, this is a great way to make some cash.

Hang on to it. Investors who are in it for the long haul usually decide to sit on their investments. Hoping for long term capital gains, many investors choose to buy a property, ride out the market with its fluctuations, and then make a move to sell when they believe the market is at its peak.

No matter which investment method you choose, be sure to get all the information you can. Find out everything about the property and decide what you want to do with it. Once you’re armed with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision that will greatly increase your chances of successful investing.

Property investing is big in Edmonton right now. The market is relatively stable, and Edmonton is on an upswing as far as listings and sales are concerned. Working within the real estate market is different than any other investment opportunity. You have to pay careful attention to several factors. You can make fabulous returns on your investments just by following a few tips.

Know people. Building a strong network within the industry is always advisable. Get acquainted with other investors, realtors, lenders, home inspectors, and others who deal in real estate. Knowing other women helps too with similar investment interests is also a good idea. In fact, that’s something I and the rest of the Kerri-lyn Holland team can assist with as I continue to build out a community of like minded investors. Sure there’s a element of competitiveness but also one of cooperation if the right deal variables are evident. This has long been considered a man’s game, and a few contacts who know how tough it is can be really helpful. Knowing the names and numbers of a few key people can prove beneficial later on.

Watch the market. The market is always fluctuating. Factors like the economy and the employment rate have a direct impact on the real estate market, and you should pay attention to what’s going on with these things. Watch for patterns, increases, and decreases, and decide how these will factor into your investment decisions.

Time it right. This goes right along with watching the market. Once you know what’s currently happening and what analysts predict for the future, you can make your decision. You don’t want to make impulsive moves, but you also don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity (although both of these probably will happen at some point).

Knowledge is key. You can never have too much information. This tips ties together the other three of knowing people, paying attention to the market, and making your investment decisions based on that information. Learn all you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and be assertive.

Using these tips to help you make your investment decisions will increase your chances of reaping big financial gains on your properties. Being an entrepreneur can be scary because of the risk involved, and many women in particular feel vulnerable when they’re first starting. However, once you’ve armed yourself with information and contacts, you’ll be ready to invest your time and money into the market and start earning the returns you deserve.