Investment Strategies
I've had several people approach me lately and ask about investing in real estate. It seems that the current combination of interest rates, availability of homes and reasonable prices have captured investors and other buyer's attentions.
If you are thinking of investing in real estate, the first step is to talk with a lender to ensure the terms (interest rate, downpayment, ...) you could lock in for a mortgage on a "non-owner occupied" property would be agreeable to you.
What to look for in investment property:
- vacation homes near popular destinations (ski areas, lakes, etc.)
- rental property near college campuses
- rental property in your neighborhood
- developable land in the path of suburban sprawl
- land with desirable attributes for your future building (lake, river/stream, mountains)

VACATION HOMES near popular destinations can be used by you for vacations and also can be rented to other vacationers.

COLLEGE RENTALS can be very easy to rent provided the rent amounts are reasonable and there are enough bedrooms, bathrooms and parking space. Additionally, you may be able to use it for your children or kids of friends/family when they go to school and then havea live-in property manager.

LOCAL RENTAL PROPERTY would typically be easier to manage and also to keep a good relationship with the tenants.

DEVELOPABLE LAND near suburban sprawl like other investment strategies could be quite risky but if you plan it right by looking at urban development strategies, could also be quite lucrative.

LAND WITH FEATURES could be used by you for camping, hunting, fishing or other outdoor activities and possibly provide you or others with a future building site. Look for desirable features such as proximity to popular destinations or land with a high usable (high and dry) percentage, stream, river or lake frontage and possibly land with some developing already done such as driveway cleared and electricity or well installed.

Finally, talk with your tax advisor to ensure you understand the tax implications of any purchase before going too far down the road and seek out a local Realtor to utilize their market expertise.