Real Estate & Investing

The past couple years have really been a struggle for those in real estate; prices have been down, many homes are for sale and not many are being bought, and the number of foreclosures are at an all-time high. When you consider all of this it may seem like investing in real estate, in any way, is a bad idea. The New York Times , however, is reporting a new real estate investment trend that is gaining popularity.

Many business professionals, especially those reaching retirement age or those who are self-employed, have IRAs. It is less risky than investing in stocks and gives the holder more control over what it put into the IRA account. A self-directed IRA gives the holder even more control and allows them to use the funds to invest in things like real-estate. While the IRS doesn’t have specific regulations about using IRA funds to invest in real estate there are stiff penalties if you are benefiting from the IRA funds before it is mature. It is a viable option for many people but one that should be considered carefully under the guidance of a trained financial advisor .

The past several years have been tough for most industries but especially real estate. It has been hit harder and longer than most so any signs of improvement are much appreciated. One state in particular that has taken significant losses is Florida; however real estate experts and land developers have seen growth and signs that things may be turning around.

One project that has people excited is a private rail project ” All Aboard Florida “. Set to be complete in 2014, it will have lines running from Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami; which will also be a great benefit for those visiting the state. While staying in one of the hotels in Orlando they can hop on the train and visit one of the other great cities. The whole press release is available to read here .

On September 1, 2011, Daniel Drimmer launched Starlight Apartments. Specializing in residential rental apartments and condos in Canada, the company offers over 5,500 units to renters from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all major cities across the Great White North.

While a majority of the properties available are on the East Coast, Starlight President Daniel Drimmer is a resident of Toronto and the company is based there, they offer a number of units on the West Coast. Some of the cities covered include Victoria, Port Moody, Mission, and Abbotsford. There are also rentals available in New Westminster, and Coquitlam.

Many of these communities are suburbs of Vancouver, the jewel in the crown of Canada’s West Coast. Vancouver is the 3rd largest city in Canada, with over 2.3 million people living and working in the Greater Vancouver metropolitan area. Founded in 1867 as a logging town, the city now counts tourism and film production as major industries, along with forestry. It is a major sea port for the West Coast and boasts an ethnically and linguistically diverse population.

Moving a bit further inland, but still in the Western section of Canada, Drimmer’s company offers many units in the city of Calgary, the 5th largest metropolis in the country. With easy access to the gorgeous Canadian Rockies, Calagary is a great spot for vacation rentals as well as for those who are considering emigrating northward.

The company’s website is a good example of the modern real estate site. It offers interactive maps and virtual tours as well as the ability to filter searches by property type and amenities as well as cost. Drimmer was one of the first to utilize these online tools when he was heading Transglobe Property Management through the 1990s and 2000s. Starlight Apartments, and other apartment sites in Western Canada, make good use of these tools and other features that the modern apartment hunter demands. That’s what makes them popular with prospective tenants.

photo courtesy Creative Commons license