First of all, you must have heard of Estate Planning, which deals with matters relating to the planning of financial strategy for the future. Real Estate Investment Planning (REIP) deals with getting the maximum benefits from home buying and selling strategy. Let me explain. Very often when we buy a detached, semi detached home or townhouse, we do so with the excitement of occupying it as soon as possible when the deal is completed. Once, we move in, we rarely think of the future and start using the amenities in the home without thinking of saving or making money. However, on the other hand, if we had spent time doing some real estate planning before and soon after the purchase of a home, we would stand to gain both financial and functional rewards.

Secondly, you must be reading in the media that investors are taking advantage of the low mortgage rates and buying properties; even offering more than the listed price. Let me explain.

Real Estate Investment Planning to Buy a Home:
When looking for a home to buy, you must look at every property through the eyes of an investor. That means you have to either discuss with your real estate agent or analyze yourself which home will fulfill your immediate goals and what price will it fetch you approximately when the time comes to sell it (that is if you move up or move down). So, if you keep this premise in mind, you will first look for a home that is in a good neighbourhood. Then, you have to take into consideration factors about the home that cannot be changed. For example, you cannot make any architectural change to the home, but, you can improve the curb appeal like driveway, front and back landscape, windows, roof, etc. Whilst these improvements may not need to be done immediately, it is advisable to do them sooner than later. The reason is that if you spend the money to improve the curb appeal and change your windows (if required), sooner than later, you will have three fold benefits. First of all, you will get to enjoy the usage of the improvements. Secondly, you will save hundreds of dollars on heating and hydro bills.

In this connection, you must be aware of the grants being given by the Canadian and Ontario governments through the Eco-Energy programs where you could get upto $5,000 for genuine energy efficient renovations. For more information, please contact me at Tino@Tinosellshomes.com.

Last, but not the least, when the time comes to sell your home, you will get a better price. Very often, when people decide to sell their home, they spend a lot of money on new windows, roof, landscape, etc. But the disadvantage of this strategy is that they did not get to enjoy the fruits of their expenses, they did not save on heating and hydro costs and finally, they may not get back the cost of what they spent. So, if you want to get the best of the purchase of your home, you need to do some serious real estate investment planning.

Real Estate Investment Planning to Sell a Home:
When you are thinking of selling your home, as a real investor, you need to spend the time to plan the sale. Very often I am asked by clients when is it a good time to sell their home. Once again, if you had done the right planning when you bought the home, you would find it much easier now when the time comes to sell it. First of all you have to ask yourself what is the reason you want to sell your home. Is it to move up, move down or move laterally? Each circumstance will give you the answer to your questions. For your primary residence almost anytime is good to sell or buy. Mind you, I said "almost". Sometimes, the market is so extreme that it would be prudent to be guided by the market factors. But, invariably, when you sell and buy simultaneously the profit or loss offsets one from the other. However, when investors buy and sell properties, they take the time to consult with a licensed and reputable realtor and explain the complete picture of their intentions.

Thus, REIP investors are successful in making a profit on every home they buy and sell under the REIP plan. If you would like to discuss your invidial situation, contact me and mention that you would like to take advantage of the low interest rates and want to invest in a home to make money down the road.

In order to have a successful and trouble-free home selling experience, you must work with an agent who:
1. Takes the time to ask you the right questions
2. Understands your needs and wants
3. Discusses with you a plan of action to sell your home at the right price and the right time
4. Is available 24x7 to answer your questions
5. Returns your calls and emails promptly
6. Keeps you updated of the status of what is being done to sell your home
7. For your peace of mind gives you an analysis of the forces governing the sale of your home.
On the other hand, the agent can succeed in selling the home sooner than later when the client:
1. Explains exactly what they feel are the salient aspects of their home which needs to be emphasized
2. Communicates promptly when the agent has a question
3. Is flexible to have open houses or to show the home at the buyer's request
4. Completes the SPIS in advance so that the client can be in a strong position when   negotiating the price
5. Is flexible and willing to do whatever it takes to bring about a "win-win" situation for all

Once the obligations of the agent and the client are met, the result is the seller achieves the goal of selling their home in time and with few or no challenges. Please contact me on My 20-Point Plan of Action to Sell Your Home.