Edmonton Real Estate Investor: Don R. Campbell

If you aren't a REIN www.myreinspace.ca subscriber then you are missing out on a lot of excellent resources and forums relating to real estate investing in Canada. It's free so why not go over and check it out?

Here is an example of what you could (and should) be listening too!

A REIN™ Exclusive Economic Forecast from a World-Class Economist - Carl Gomez.

All myREINspace subscribers are in for a special treat. Last week I had the privilege to interview Carl Gomez, Vice President of research with Bentall Capital, and we spent an hour on the phone discussing some very in-depth topics surrounding the Canadian economy and real estate markets.

Carl is a nationally-recognized economist with over a decade of experience analyzing and researching the Canadian real estate market, not to mention a trusted resource for media outlets across the country.

In this interview, discover:

Future of interest rates fixed and variable
What economic sectors are at most risk in Canada
What economic sectors have the most promise
Is it a good time to be investing in Canada?
If the Canadian Housing market will follow the direction of the U.S.
What will happen to the Canadian economy if the U.S. economy continues to struggle?
Quantitative easing... what is this and how will it impact Canada?
What are the 5 most important economic fundamentals to follow, and why
Are we headed for a double-dip recession?
Canadian job market: what are the short-term, medium term and long term prospects for both the job market and the income levels?
Inflation, is this something we should worry about?
The Canadian Debts level... is this a cause for concern?
The #1 rule that all investors must follow... no exceptions!

... and much more

I missed this video ( video is a little wonky)because I was looking at Mt. Fuji on December 31st. As usual Don R. Campbell gives great advice for anyone interested in the Canadian real estate market.

His advice, "Market timing is a fools game." He promotes value investing. Looking for areas where you get good cashflow and good R.O.I. It's not easy to find these areas without a significant amount of research.

Real Estate Pitfalls to watch out for:
Forestry or logging towns in Canada - the industry is not doing well but may rebound in 2012-2013
Areas in the US - there are still many sub-prime mortgages coming up and the economy will remain weak for the next few years.
Pre-Sale Condos - it's not really investing it's speculating. If you line up and pay an agreed price for today's market on a product that isn't built yet it's too risky.

Don R. Campbell did an interview with CHED news recently on the long-term effect of transportation on real estate values. Properties near hubs of transportation i.e. sky train stations, LRT stations or subway stations see a larger increase in values (10-20% more) to other comparable properties. Seems like clear directions on where to invest for the best R.O.I.

There is a lot of other good information why real estate is the best long-term investment for wealth building.

I was delighted to see that Don R. Campbell updated his blog recently. The newest post shows how to be a successful investor rather than a statistic on the MLS - care about your tenants.

"That means that the absolute first step in becoming a sophisticated real estate investor is to begin to think of your tenants as clients or customers. Without them you do not have a successful business no matter how hard you work or how many properties you own. Change your thought paradigm from tenant to customer and your marketing and business opportunities will begin to grow exponentially." Don R. Campbell

REIN (Real Estate Investment Network) actually has a series of publications that help you rent your properties and treat your tenants in a way that keep you the most tenanted and talked about property on the block.

As you may well know we are card carrying members of REIN and really believe that the program and the ACRE system have been crucial to our investing success. Don R. Campbell, the president of REIN, is hosting a series of 90 minute conference calls that anyone can listen to.

He has highlighted regions such as Alberta, Ontario and B.C he touches on the three F's (Food, Fuel and Fertilizer) and how best to build a portfolio in an up, down or flat market.

Click Here to listen to the call

Bestselling author of Real Estate Investing in Canada: Creating Wealth with the ACRE System, 97 Tips for Canadian Real Estate Investors and 51 Success Stories from Canadian Real Estate Investors spoke with The Edmonton Journal to warn investors of falling for hype, thinking short-term and not looking "Behind the curtain" when investing in real estate.

He explained what we can look forward to in the Albertan market,

"Edmonton's housing prices, which fell 11.7 per cent during the last half of 2007, will dip again this spring, then rebound during the second half and be up 11 per cent on average during 2008. Calgary prices will be up 12 per cent, Red Deer 10 per cent and Grande Prairie 11 or 12 per cent."

why you should only line up for U2 concerts not properties,

"When you line up around a block with 200 people to buy the condo in the sky that doesn't exist yet, put $20,000 down and plan to sell it as soon as it's built, look in the lineup and tell me how many people have the exact same mentality. Then all you need is for one guy to panic and drop his price to get out, and the average price in the whole building goes down, and you're completely at the whim of somebody else. You should only line up for U2 tickets."

and why beetles in B.C spell trouble in the future.

"And right now I wouldn't touch a town that's only forestry, because this pine beetle thing is massive -- the Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George corridor is going to be devastated."

He also gives great insight on where individual markets are going in the future. If you are planning on investing anywhere in Canada then read this article.

Click Here For Full Article

“It’s Time To Cut Through The Hype and Opinions That Surround The Canadian Real Estate Market and Get To The Truth”
Don R. Campbell, Author of Real Estate Investing in Canada.

Rookie & Veteran Investors Have Purchased
over $2,292,700,000 (Billion) of Canadian
Positive Cash Flow Real Estate
Using The Strategies They Discovered From Don R. Campbell.

Now It’s Your Opportunity to Get The Truth and Learn the
2008 Top 10 Canadian Towns to Invest In
And the 9 Questions You MUST Ask
Before You Buy Your Next Piece of Property.

Is It Time For The Market
To Crash or Continue Upwards?

No more guessing, no more hoping, no more wondering if you’re missing out (or making a mistake) and, most importantly, NO MORE FEAR! “How is this possible?” you may ask. Well, there has finally been a breakthrough –- an unprecedented breakthrough -- that allows ANYONE to become a success in real estate investing.

Next Quickstart LIVE!

~ V A N C O U V E R ~
REIN Members only Workshop Friday Night February 15^th
Sat, February 16^th 8:30am – 7:00pm AND Sun, February 17^th 8:30am – 7:00pm
Location: Hyatt Regency Vancouver – 655 Burrard Street.

To Grab One of These Seats,
Click Here!
In fact, previous attendees of the "Real Estate Investors' Quickstart Program" have purchased over $2,292,700,000 (billion) worth of Canadian investment real estate. And before they attended, some didn’t even own their own homes – while others already had a strong portfolio but wanted to make it even better! This program makes huge differences in people’s lives… both veteran and rookie investor alike….

The Edmonton Transportation Effect a report released by Don R. Campbell shows how real estate price increases due to proximity to transportation can be applied to Edmonton.

The results show that homes near new extensions of the LRT and Anthony Henday Drive could see prices rise by 10 to 20 per cent above the Edmonton average over the next three to five years

"When people look for a property to purchase, be it their primary residence or an investment property, they take into consideration affordability, commute times and commute costs," Don R. Campbell President of REIN, author and real estate researcher

Mr. Campbell expects areas like Parkallen, Twin Brooks, Ermineskin, Belgravia, McKernanand Sky Rattler all in Edmonton's South side to see the biggest impact.
Wayne Mandryk, Edmonton's manager of transit projects, confirms that the LRT will likely have a positive effect on adjacent property values.

"Generally speaking research shows that land near transit stations rises in value," he said. "Certainly anyone looking to rent or sell will advertise the fact that it's located close to public transit."

The Edmonton Transportation Effect is available free of charge to non-members. It may be ordered by email at:

info@albertarein.com

If you are Canadian, interested in investing and haven't read Don R.Campbell's books then you really, really should. His Canadian specific content and great down to earth advice are much more relevant to Canadians than American authored Real Estate books.

His Books:

Real Estate Investing In Canada
97 Tips For Canadian Real Estate Investors
51 Success Stories from Canadian Real Estate Investors (12/5/2007 publish)

Here are a few fantastic tips taken from Canada's Real Estate Investing Guru:

Real Estate Investing Tips From Don Campbell

* “Don’t listen to anyone -- including me.” Do your own homework and find a system that forces you to ask the tough questions.

* Target older properties, not brand new units. “With some renovation work, you will add value to the property.”

* Avoid buying pre-build properties. “Pre-builds are not investments, they are speculations. You have no idea what will happen in three years.”

* Analyze the property and make a clear decision based on fundamentals, not emotions.

* When choosing a neighbourhood, look for three things: an older area that is in transition; an area that has easy access to transportation; and preferably an area that has an undeserving bad reputation based on local stigma.