Articles

Five Reasons REITs Are Sitting Pretty For A Breakout Year

Published in the Globe and Mail on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 They represent only a fraction of Canada's publicly traded companies, but 2010 is shaping up as the Year of the Real Estate Investment Trust for investors seeking higher yields. These funds buy income-generating assets such as shopping centres, office towers and hotels and then pay their unitholders distributions from the cash the properties spin out. After a year of holding the line on payouts and acquisitions, analysts believe 2010 will be a breakout year for the sector.

Registered Retirement Savings Account (RRSP)

What is an RRSP? A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is designed to provide Canadian residents with the ability to save money for retirement and to shelter the income earned on their investments, until the point in time when funds are cashed out, withdrawals are made, or payments are received from an RRSP.

Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

What is a TFSA? In 2009, the Federal government established the Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) for individuals. These accounts allow an individual to deposit $5,000 in to them annually and purchase qualified investments in order to earn income free of any taxes. The income could be in the form of interest from something as simple as a GIC, or could come in the form of dividends, trust income allocations, and/or capital gains from investments. The individual could deduct any income earned from their TFSA and not have to pay any income tax on that income.

Investing in REITs

(Originally published in Canadian Real Estate Magazine, February 2010) REITs are quickly gaining momentum as an alternative option to stay active in the real estate game because they can provide reasonable and even lower risk investment opportunities than going it alone. Kit Kadlec outlines what you need to consider before attempting this strategy. With improving yields, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in Canada have outperformed their American counterparts and are looking toward a bright 2010 and beyond.

Investing in REITs in 2010

(Originally published in Canadian Real Estate Magazine, January 2010) Long called one of the most stable and effortless long-term asset classes, experts are suggesting investing your RSPs in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in the coming year.

Put Your Home To Work

(Originally published in Our Homes Magazine, Winter 2010) Use your home equity to earn passive monthly income The pride of homeownership exists in every aspect and detail of your house; the carefully selected colour scheme, hand-picked finishes, manicured landscaping and most importantly, all of the hard work that goes with making your house a home. You have undoubtedly put so much time, money and effort into your home over the years, but ask yourself, what has your home done for you lately?

Earn While You Retire

Originally published in The Seniors Review (niagara edition), Oct-Nov 2009 So the kids have finally moved out and you suddenly realize you no longer need such a large home. Should you sell, and if you do, what do you buy next? Here's a thought. Maybe you should consider renting and investing that extra money to increase your cash flow during retirement? Perhaps the real question is not what you do next but how you do it?

Investing for Income

Originally published in Life Steps, Special Advertising Feature of the Guelph Mercury Do you own your home and work hard to make wise financial decisions in order to create security for today and for tomorrow? Do you still wonder how you could earn a little extra income without having to get another job?

Is 9% too good to be true?

Originally published in Business Venture - October 2009 Not if you're an investor in Skyline Apartment REIT and you're currently earning a 9% annual distribution on your investment. It is paid out on the 15th of every month like clockwork. As most people seem to be slowly recovering from the hard hit investment portfolios took over the past year, Skyline's investors unwaveringly experienced significant growth and steady returns.

Apartment Renting Online

Finding apartment rentals on the Internet has become the preferred search method of renters. And it’s not hard to understand why. Renters are able to search for apartments from the comfort of their own home for free. No newspaper to purchase, no magazine to pick up and no driving around neighbourhoods looking for “For Rent” signs. The process for apartment renting has become renter friendly!