Saturday, February 23, 2008

Right To The Top


Over the last ten years Edmonton has seen and incredible 203% increase in housing prices.

"Never before have we seen such a continuous run-up in Canadian real estate. Clearly, strength in all markets has been directly linked to solid growth in local, provincial and national economies. Low interest rates, job security, and consumer confidence have all served to further bolster home-buying activity across the nation," Michael Polzler, executive vice-president of RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada

It goes to show that real estate is a long term play, short term thinking and lack of focus can only be detrimental to investors. If you pick a market with strong economic fundamentals then buying property is sure to give you good returns over the long term. The hardest part is maintaining your focus on that area and not getting distracted by "shining little things" (read up-and-coming areas, beach front from your last vacation or a stock play tip from your brother-in-law) along your investing journey.

"If you don't have a long-term outlook, don't invest in real estate, go buy gold or stocks and roll your dice. You have to make real estate boring, because that means you're doing it right. Go jump out of an airplane with a parachute if you want excitement. Right now I am telling everybody to buy resale, to buy something built in 1997 or 1998, when there wasn't a frenzy and people had the time to finish the properties." Don R. Campbell REIN president

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