Many people in Canada think that they are too old to begin investing in real estate. They fear that they’ve missed the bus and will never have a chance to generate wealth through the housing market.
Starting your property journey early in life is indeed the best way to go. With time on your side, you can compound your profits and build a healthy real estate portfolio. However, even if you are in your 50s, 60s or 70s, there is still time.
Here are some of the advantages of beginning to invest later in life:
You have wisdom – Wisdom is simply knowing the right thing to do. And quite often, wisdom comes with age. Young people may have the knowledge, but they usually lack wisdom. The wisdom you’ve gained through your life will come in handy when navigating the real estate market
You have people skills – When it comes to real estate investing, people skills are crucial. The ability to relate to property owners, potential buyers, tenants or lenders will play a major role in your success. People skills are usually improved through years of speaking and listening to people
You have a network – An established network is a very important asset for any real estate investor. Older investors often have a large circle of colleagues, acquaintances and friends with whom they can network
Let’s look at some of the downsides of investing later in life:
You don’t have as much time or energy – Building equity in real estate takes time. Since time is not relative consider investment options that fit best with the time commitment you can make and your risk tolerance. Short-term strategies like house flipping, real estate investment groups (REIGs), house hacking and wholesaling real estate work best for older people
Getting financing might not be easy – You may need to borrow some money to invest in property. The problem is that many lenders will be hesitant to give 25 to 30-year loans to anyone that is near or beyond the retirement age
Conclusion
The reality is that beginning your investing journey in your latter years can be an uphill task. However, don’t let fear hold you back from venturing into real estate. Take time to educate yourself about the local housing market by reading books, watching YouTube videos, taking courses and talking to seasoned investors. You should also consider consulting real estate experts like Regalway Homes for advice on the best options available in the Canadian housing market.