Category: Real Estate Buying

Investing your hard-earned money into something can be a tricky affair. You never know whether you will gain from it or will you will lose your money. However, some investments worth taking up a risk, such as investing in real estate.

Many people have the sentiment of why renting a house if they can afford to buy it. Buying a property will not only become one of your secure assets, but it may also become a source of income for you if you are not going to use it as your home. 

If you are looking for a property in the Greater Montreal Area first, consider your residential status. It may vary in two different ways. Either you are a permanent resident of Canada and looking for a property or staying elsewhere for professional purposes. You are looking for a means to utilize your idle money by investing in real estate.

In both cases, the approach should be different. So rather than being fully self-dependent, you should consult with an established property management firm.

These professionals are experienced and well aware of the market situation, and they can guide you well in this matter.

However, if you want to have a basic idea about the pros and cons of buying a rental property, then we are here to help you get a clear picture of it.

First, let’s look at the benefits you will gain if you buy a rental property in the Greater Montreal Area.

Pros of buying a rental property –

Having an asset 

Buying a house means you are adding an asset to your financial statement. It makes you financially strong, and this is something on which you can depend if you are ever in any major financial crisis.

A potential source of income

Many people buy houses and then rent it out to other people.  Renting out properties becomes a source of income. However, you also have to keep in mind that there may not be a continuous flow of income from house rent as your house may not have tenants throughout the year. But it still it is a pretty good option for passive income.

Tax benefit

Owning a house comes with many added expenses, like property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance costs, various utility bills, etc. So, if your expense on the house property exceeds your income from house rent, then the amount of loss that you will suffer will be reduced from your other income. This will lead to less payment of taxes to the government.

Chance of growth in property value

In the long-term, your property’s value increases, maybe due to the development of its locality, and you will gain a lot from your house.

If you have rented it out, then also you can increase the amount of rent, and even if you decide to sell it, at any point, then you will get a lot more than the amount with which you had bought the place.

Now, let’s check what hurdles you can face.

Cons of buying a rental property –

Financial stability

Without having strong financial stability, entering the real estate market will not be an intelligent decision. You should have a ready fund of a minimum of US$25,000, as in most cases, you have to make an instant payment of at least 20-35% of the property’s total cost. So, having financial support is essential.

Maintenance cost

Your work does not end at only purchasing it. There will be recurring expenses for maintaining the house. So, you should have a steady source of liquid cash.

Conclusion

Buying a rental property seems like a sound investment plan, but it involves a lot of pre-planning and post-maintenance hazards. 

If you want to avoid all this pressure, better visit a property management firm, take up all your responsibilities, from maintaining it to collecting rent, and finding out suitable tenants for your house.

The only thing you have to worry about is taking up the financial pressure. If you are confident that you are financially ready, then you should definitely go for it.

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.

We all look forward to having some safety net to fall back on in critical times with growing age. For enjoying such a pleasure of worrying less in old age, you need to plan your finances carefully from an early age.

Recently we are seeing many people are into the idea of Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). 

The trick is to make smart investments while still young to strengthen your income sources for the future.

Though investing in real estate can be a good option, the return can also be attractive, but it requires a lot of planning, research, and hard work. Let’s see some of the factors you need to consider before deciding about investing in a piece of land or a house property in the Greater Montreal area.

Check your savings

Buying a piece of land or a house can be costly. Moreover, if you are purchasing a home to rent it out, you will also have to bear the maintenance cost.

Experts say that people should not take a huge loan to invest in real estate. So, it is better if you have sufficient funds in your savings to purchase with a little down payment.

Even if you are taking a mortgage loan for buying a house, make sure that you have, at least, the funds to make mortgage payments even if you do not have any income in the form of house rents during the early phase.

Be ready to incur some expenses

The purchase of a new house can come with a lot of added expenses. Repairing it, maintaining it, paying taxes, buying insurance for the home, and building it into a house, which is well-equipped with all modern utilities, all these can put a hole in your pocket. 

Even after you find tenants, it’s better to keep aside the first few months’ rents and create a fund out of it to sustain any future expense on the house. 

So, be ready because your financial pressure will not end only at buying the house. It is just the beginning. A series of various other expenses will follow in the future.

Be sure about the neighbourhood

If your house’s location has a bad reputation for security or if the place is too far away from the city, not having good essential services like departmental stores, hospitals, etc. then finding tenants can be a difficult task. So, do proper research about the neighbourhood before you buy a property.

If you are buying a piece of land, evaluate its future value before making a final decision. Like, if it’s in the outskirts, then find out if there is any chance of a town developing nearby so that you will have an idea about your future returns from the investment.

Be prepared to accept the income gap

It is unrealistic to believe that you will always have tenants. There can be times when there will be no tenants, so no income. You should be mentally ready to accept that gap in your income flow.

And if this rent is one of the primary sources of your livelihood, then you should make plans beforehand to withstand this uncertainty.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, we can state that investing in real estate is not always rainbows and sunshine. It comes with a lot of uncertainty, and it demands the ability to bear added expenses.

Maybe you can start by renting out a floor of your duplex apartment. Thus, gain experience, and then you can try your hands at the best properties in the Greater Montreal area. Also, you can hire a good property management company in the Greater Montreal area to help you with real estate investments.

And if you think that you are prepared can take up all these responsibilities of investing in real estate, then only go for it.

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.

Being a first-time house buyer, you may seem to be all excited about the changes that will come in your living situation and lifestyle. It is not all about partying with your friends at your new place and having full freedom; it is also about taking up many responsibilities.

Once you get the house of your choice, now it is time to think about how you will take care of your home. And here comes home insurance. Opting for proper insurance is very important, as it will benefit you a lot in the future. However, checking the terms and conditions of the insurance you are signing up for is more important.

Here are some hacks that you can use for your home insurance policy –

Don’t keep your home vacant

Many people don’t know this, but keeping your home vacant for a long time can make your insurance policy invalid. So, if you are away on a vacation or a business trip, make sure to appoint any of your trusted people to visit your place regularly. Otherwise, you may find yourself with null and void insurance in times of need of your insurance.

Protect yourself from water damage

If your house is located in a region prone to floods, heavy rainfall, or tornados, you should definitely check for the Overland Flooding Coverage in your policy. That clause can save you from putting a strain on your monthly budget. Repairing your house every time for the damages caused due to natural calamities by paying from your pocket can be a real pressure.

Practice regular maintenance of your home

Do not be lazy about your home’s maintenance. If you find something wrong somewhere, then repair it immediately before it leads to some big damage in the future. You may think that a crack in the floor is small, and it does not require immediate attention, but when it leads to something serious like a flooded basement, it will be a problem for you. As insurance companies perform a thorough investigation, when they will find out that you had put off the work for a long time, they will not pay anything for repairing it.

Check that your house is insurable before moving in

Insurance companies generally come with a list of things that say that the presence of those things in your house makes it disapprove of getting it insured. Like the presence of lead pipes, galvanized pipes, an electrical system which runs on 60 amps, knob or tube wiring, aluminum wiring, wood-burning stove, any crack on the foundation, all these will lead to a direct “no” from the insurance providers. 

If you have found your dream home, you have to replace such things before moving into the place and then getting it insured, otherwise moving on to check the next house.

Know about your claim value

There is a common notion that most people possess that the insurance company will make reimbursement as per the market value of the property in case of any damage. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Insurance companies evaluate the repair or the rebuilding expense and make payments accordingly.

Conclusion 

Just like we say, “Prevention is better than cure,” similarly, it is better to have relevant knowledge about your home insurance rather than be clueless in times when in a critical time, you will be actually in need of it.

Knowing about these facts will only help you to plan better and be prepared for any future events.

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.

Growing up in a full house with your own complete family is beyond doubt a blessing, but after a certain age, we all start yearning for a place which we can say is entirely ours. Though the urge to stay alone is not the only reason for single people to stay away from their family, it can also be due to the requirement of their job or higher education.

Having your own house and staying alone not only brings freedom, but it also brings a lot of responsibilities. Hence it will be only beneficial if you become a bit more responsible before you start living alone and have some practice while searching for a perfect home for yourself.

Here are some tips for you to follow if you are single and are currently looking for a home to purchase in the Greater Montreal area –

1. Stay within your budget.  

The first decision that you have to take is regarding your finances. How much money you are willing to spend on the house, or whether you want to take a home loan for it. These are the first few things to consider. If you decide on taking a loan, then you have to maintain a good credit score beforehand. It is advisable not to go for something which will fall hard on you if you go through a financial crisis while your loan is not fully cleared.

2. Be careful about the location.

Though the location should be based on your preference of where you would like to stay, within the city or on the outskirts, you should also consider certain things while making that decision like the distance of your workplace or educational institution from your house, the safety, security of the locality, availability of emergency services, etc. Before you move into a home, you should check the crime rate of that locality, interact a little with the neighbourhood people with whom you can bond, and know more about the place. You can find many great properties for sale in the Greater Montreal area.

3. Check resale value.

It is better to know the resale value of the house in which you are moving in. So, when it’s time for you to move out, you do not face a hard time in finding a buyer to whom you can hand it over.

4. Choose an agent that suits you.

Real estate agents have different characteristics. Each one has their own specialty. So, be careful about whom you are giving the responsibility to show you your future home. Preferably choose someone who has experience in finding out suitable houses for the singles. Do proper research for the best property management company in the Greater Montreal area and finalize one.

5. Have trusted support.

It is better to have a trusted friend or a family member when you are going on a search for your home. Having a second opinion is always better. You can discuss the advantages and limitations of the places that your agent will show you with them and then finally make a constructive decision after evaluating all the aspects.

Conclusion 

The idea of staying alone can be all fun, but it is important to choose the right home for yourself to make it happen. And two other most important things that you should keep in check once you start living on your own is your finances and your home security. Make sure you set up a security system at home and also be responsible for your spending. Do not deplete your savings completely, and you will be tagged as a responsible adult.

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.

Real estate buying is not an easy job and can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time as a home buyer. If you are stepping yourself to buy a new house for the first time, you need to go through this complicated process by following proper steps. 

There are plenty of things to consider when deciding on buying your dream house, but you are already overwhelmed with the mess of searching for an ideal home, finance handling, budget, and a lot more. 

How will you be able to move further to investigate and land to an ideal home? Here are a few tips and tricks that you must follow and consider when buying your new home. 

Find the right Moment

Before you buy a property, analyze your financial capacity. If you are in an unstable position, it is better not to hurry and just relax. Its worth to wait before you buy a new home, don’t compromise; you will find it somewhere soon. Acquiring real estate needs rational thinking.

Don’t go for a maximum budget

As you are planning to buy a new home, you may have decided on a specific budget. But the property you liked fits in a little tight budget that can take your maximum savings. It can be a wrong idea to spend all your money on that property. There are many things to do while buying a new house –  the furniture, décor, paint, package moving all include costs. 

Focus on Personal Debts

As an investor, you might carry your debts. And In between that, the decision of home buying is worst. You are simply adding financial burden, so take a break and clear away personal debts first. 

Find Ideal Location

Your home should be such that it brings great value in the future too. Maybe you have selected a spot, but have you checked the school facility nearby, hospitals, hotels, trains and bus and even the market? Are these amenities nearby to your dream home? If yes, is it a great deal? If it’s an isolated spot, away from the chaos, it might look soothing but can be troublesome. As everyday travelling time might increase to reach the main road just to access basic amenities. 

Plan Your Finances 

Your budget should meet the capacity to buy a new home. The property’s price must not exceed three times your salary; this is what the expert says. Plan your finances well; if you can’t, seek help from a professional financial expert. They will analyze your current position and give you a reasonable budget to stick in. They consider all expenses along with the house price. 

Pre-approved Mortgage Loan 

If you have luckily found a financial institution that is ready and likely to do business with you, all you need a good financial option and one that suits best for you to get your loan approved quickly. Even before the negotiation process starts, the brokers or landlords will want to know your status on the pre-approval mortgage loan. Not all will seek the documents for it and your ability to pay, but few might want to know and be updated about it. If you are a serious buyer, you have to be one step ahead of all the chaos and be prepared mentally.

Get Set Visit

Nowadays, the Internet world has made us extremely lazy. We want to do things on our fingers’ touch that includes shopping, paying bills, etc. But, when it comes to making an investment decision, merely having a look at the property through your phone is not it. Pictures won’t do them justice. You have to visit the spot, discuss with the seller, ask neighbours, visit the neighbourhood, and then decide. 

Buying your dream home is a very crucial decision. Don’t land up buying some property that makes you regret your choices later. Think smart, act smart, and do the right job. Seek help from any professionals if necessary, for both buying property and finances. 

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.

Real estate is undoubtedly a tremendous investment opportunity, especially for those looking for benefits in the long run. But, when it’s the first time entering into the real estate world as an investor, you will have many questions. And the major one is where to start? Your decision to buy a property for investment is an absolute great step that you dive into, but there is more to do, and be prepared for getting an excellent opportunity. 

Here are a few tips to consider that can help you have a great start. Your decision into real estate investment is the right choice, but caution is also equally important to go through the way ahead with caution.

1. Be full of goals

Be it your short-term investment or a huge long-term investment; you have to set realistic goals to make sure your investment is lined up with this. Applying goals has to be your only aim to achieve success in your real estate buying decision. Planning is always a great thing; it helps you make a smart decision and handle the finances. This way, while making a buying decision of property, you know how much to spend and where. 

2. Know the Market

Market knowledge should be made the top priority before initiating your decision as a real estate investor. Ensure the area, local market, taxes, crime rate, school and colleges, health sector, and other amenities are considered well in advance. This helps you buy a property that gives you fruitful results and knowing this information is always better to be one step ahead. Investing in an area that is not just great in the current times but a lot beneficial in the future makes the smartest investment decision.

3. Researching is Everything

You will have to learn as much as you want to about your real estate investment and rental property handling. Brush up and learn everything about being a landlord, get some ideas by reading books, magazines, articles that speak about investment decisions and advice. There are many things involved in real estate, and to becoming a landlord, your eyes should meet the perfect property. Being prepared will help you avoid big pitfalls that will come your way in the future.

4. Seek Assistance

There are many steps or processes that require the assistance of the property manager who has experience in this field. They will surely give you a few of the best pieces of advice and help you make the appropriate decision in no time by actually evaluating the scenarios. People often think of choosing a cheaper one considering that there is not much to do or get help from property agents. However, in reality, they are the ones to handle the rentals, the bills, finances, seek monthly rents, etc.

5. Breathe, take some time

Many people invite a lot of problems clearly because they jump from one market to another without doing the necessary planning and research. Some people go by the deal, considering only a few factors and investing and later choosing other deals. Few properties are worth investing in for a longer time due to the increase in the area’s rates. 

You should always be calm, in peace of mind, and careful before switching to any deals and finalizing the right one. Do not land up to a useless property that will leave you in big-time debts. Think rational and profitable, and make sure seeking assistance is done on a thorough basis every time you want to make the finance flow for real estate. 

Be a Smart Investor!

Real estate investing can be challenging yet profitable if done rightly and through the right mind. Take it slow and not be in a hurry until you are fully aware that the investment will make a big difference and become beneficial. Make sure assistance is taken correctly from a professional property management company.

MTL GROUP is a property management and financing company, operating in the Greater Montreal area in Quebec. Our professionals are just a phone call away to assist you with your property management and financing needs.