Investing in rental properties is one of the oldest ways to make a return on investment.  Millions of investors in North America hold multiple homes and many have increased their net worth by renting their property to tenants. 

The owner, or landlord, is responsible for paying the mortgage, taxes and all costs associated with maintaining the property.  The tenant pays the rent to enable the landlord to cover the expenses incurred and ideally to receive an amount in excess of expenses to remunerate the landlord for the investment risk and work of managing of the property. 

A landlord may also charge more in order to receive a monthly profit but this will depend on what the rental market can support.  The most common strategy however is to charge enough to cover the expenses until the mortgage has been paid down and the mortgage payment declines, at which time the increasing difference between the income and expenses becomes the landlord’s profit.

As well, the annual inflation rate may cause the property to appreciate in value over the course of the mortgage being retired, leaving the landlord with a more valuable asset in the end than when it was purchased.

There are, of course, risks to the investor on the face of what seems like an ideal investment.  If you end up with a bad tenant who damages the property, or fails to pay the rent or, should you end up having no tenant at all for a period of time, then cash flow may be tight as the landlord would have to pay the mortgage and maintenance/repair expenses out of pocket.  Having a reserve of cash that may have been accumulated from prior rental surpluses is advised whenever possible.

As well, there is the matter of finding the right property.  Not all locations are the same when it comes to owning a income property.  Indeed, some locations are downright bad choices for your investment.  You will want to pick an area where vacancy rates are low and where the amenities and conveniences are appealing to those who want to rent. 

One of the major differences between a rental property and other investments is the amount of time and work you have to devote to maintaining your investment.  If you buy a bond or stock, it will simply sit in your brokerage account and either go up or down in value depending on the fluctuations of the economy and other factors without much of any effort on your part.  If you invest in a rental property, there are several responsibilities that come with being a landlord.  

Eg.  Should the power go out or the plumbing begin to back up, you will be the one who gets the phone call. If you are able to do the handyman work, you may save something on the cost of the repair; otherwise, you may like to hire a professional property manager who would be happy to take the problem off your hands.  Of course they do charge a fee for service and the rental income may not always exceed the added costs.

I have been a landlord for many years now and I have never lost money on a real estate investment.  It has not always been easy work but it has always been profitable!  If you would like to have more information on buying an investment property, be sure to give me a call.  Helping investors of like mind is one of the things I love to do!

NOW SOLD:  REDUCED by $10,000.  This registerd two appartment at 6 Wellington Crescent Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, A1N 2E2 is listed now for $269,900.  This lovely home has had several upgrades including windows, doors, electrical, bathrooms, painting, colonial doors and trim and more.  Its a well built home situated near schools, shopping and major bus routes.  This one is an ideal investment home or a great owner occupied property with provision of rental income to help pay the mortgage.  Lots of mature trees too!

This home is located on a quite crescent in Mount Pearl.  The owners have purchased and want sold.  Priced to sell.  Nothing to do but move in.  Don't hesitate on this one.  Not likely to last long.  For best service, call me.   

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

This house at 449 Main Road, Pouch Cove, Newfoundland is a great starter home for a younger couple.  There is plenaty of space on this 3/4 acre lot with lots of trees and a view of the ocean as well.  The home has had many upgrades including windows, roof, plumbing, and oil tank.  The shed is wired, and there is a full unfinished basement for more development if required.  NOW priced to sell at $169,900.  Check out the MLS # 167958.

Have a look at the view of this home from the garden.

Don't wait on this one.  There is great value here.  If you would like to see it, give me a call.

NOW SOLD!  MLS 167204, here is a two apartment in St. John's that has three bedrooms up and three bedrooms in the apartment.  The home is in a very quiet area in the west end and has quick access to the highway and/or downtown.  This one shows well, with most windows being vinyl, the roof has been replaced within the last ten years and the kitchen cabinets are oak.  Ideal for the inlaw or friends.  Asking price is now $219,900.

For more information on the investment home or to set up an appointment to view it, give me a call.  709-895-2500.  

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

Here is a lovely country home at 198 Nearys Pond Road, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, NL.  It is situated across from the pond and is on aproximately one acre of land with pleanty of trees and privacy.  The gardener will love how many shrubs and bushes there are.

Inside, the house has hardwood floors, three bedrooms up and an inlaw apartment in the basement for family members or close friends.  The livingroom has a fireplace, there is an oak kitchen and the master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.

The asking price is $349,900.  Come and see this great home in a lovely location.  You can really have your dream home today!

As you can see from the photos, this is the ideal country home.  It won't last long so be sure to get in touch today.  I live in this area and I can attest personally that this is one of the nicest areas in Portugal Cove to live.  I have lived there for 25 years now and I love it.  And to make the best of it, this home is only 10 minutes away from the city of St. John's.  Give me a call to view this lovely home at your earliest convenience.  MLS 164901.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

I couldn't help but stop on Wednesday to take this short video of the ducks, pigeons, seagulls and even a goose all having a wild time at Quidi Vidi Lake.  It was cool but the sun was shining and some folks has just gone by to feed the ducks.  

The ice was breaking up where the brook runs into the lake.  St. John's and the surrounding area has lots of places for the waterfowl to gather and many of them hang around the St. John's all winter long.  I hope you enjoy the video.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

Well, this post represents my first real blogging milestone.  It has been over a year since I have been blogging on Activerain and my point tally is now just over 100,000 with this post.  I have to admit that being consistent with posting has been the biggest challenge this year.  I see so many of my Activerain friends as dedicated, hardworking and successful, so the inspiration for perseverance is all around me.

I have been pushing a few balls up the hill these last couple of years with keeping my clients serviced, working on my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Memorial University and trying to keep up with social media marketing using video, Twitter, Facebook, and blogging.  It all takes time and some thoughful contributions to maintain a respectable presence. Most of the stories you read about great success in business are because someone has put a lot of work into making it so.  As one professional has said, those who work the hardest are the luckiest people I know.

This spring I will be finished my MBA and there I will meet another milestone in my life.  Higher education is not so much an option in this changing world.  It is a real necessity if one is to remain on top of his game.  That in part is why I made the tough decision to go back to university and do my masters degree in business at age 50.  

I would encourage you to consider upgrading yourself at your own local university no matter what your age even if you are thinking it would be tough to do.  While I haven't worked at it full time, by consistently plugging away, in only 3 years, I will soon have it done.  I am attending my convocation in May 2011. Remember, time trickles on whether you are doing anything with it or not.  

I want to thank the fine folks of Activerain for all of the quality posts and encouragement they have provided with the featured posts, Rain Camps and online seminars etc.  They have been great!  You guys have stayed committed to a very big vision and I commend you for that!  No one will ever know all the people you have helped! Congratulations for your own milestones achieved!

And thanks to all my fellow Activerain bloggers who have read my blog and posted so many great comments.  You guys are great too!  Oh, and the business that we have shared as a result hasn't hurt a bit either.  Thanks for the connections that lead to the improved bottom line because that is largely what it is all about.  

Yet having said that, blogging is worth more than that.  It is about connecting with the world, being understood, appreciated, gaining knowledge, sharing ideas and most of all being respected for who you are.  This post today is a worthwhile milestone and its one I won't soon forget.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

A panoramic view of St. John's, Newfoundland was something I had to see today.  We sure have been visited by old man winter in February, but today the sun was shining it all its glory, the sky was blue, and I think most Newfoundlanders were feeling pretty much on top shelf.

So I headed up to Signal Hill with my video camera and tried to capture the view so you could appreciate something of the beauty of St. John's in winter.  The wind is always blowing even a little on top of Signal Hill so the audio gets a bit muffled in spots but I think you will get most of it.

I am still learning how to use this video technology so in time I hope the results will be a little more polished but for now, enjoy the amateur at work.  You will get to see St. John's, the harbour, Fort Amherst, Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cabot Tower where Marconi sent his first wireless message across the Atlantic.  

I did this strickly for your entertainment pleasure.  Who knows, maybe one day I will do a music video of me break dancing right on the edge of the Battery.  Yea, you know that's true! :)

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

Take a second look at the Battery in old St. John's, Newfoundland!

Some older homes are on occasion forgotten and left to succumb to the elements without notice of the inherent beauty afforded them by time.  Much of old St. John’s has a character and personality that is stunning to see, whatever the occasion.  But some days your eyes will widen a little more and your jaw might even start to sag.  It was one of these days that this scene was skilfully captured here by my photographer friend Jim Costello.

He photographed the Battery seeing the colors bursting out from the snow like oil paints on a canvas awaiting the artist’s hand.  Yet it seems the artist of this scene stopped crafting early and declared, “It is done!” 

The landscape of the Battery in St. John’s, Newfoundland is rugged and dangerous yet often beautiful and inviting. The houses are built there each claiming a small protrusion of rock and clinging to it for life. They stand defiantly against the many harsh winds the North Atlantic has thrown their way.  Yet each home is closely snuggled like gentle creatures who depend on each other for survival, camaraderie and maybe a little comfort. 

These old homesteads, along with a few newer ones recently installed, overlook the St. John’s harbour and are always marketed as having a "million dollar view" gazing toward the old city.  Yet, the view of them huddling together on this day is perhaps worth nearly as much. 

My thanks again to Jim Costello for continuing to capture and preserve some of the beauty of old St. John's that in our busy lives we sometimes fail to see or appreciate.  His work might even inspire a little respect for that old downtown charm that just asks for an eye for beauty and maybe a second look. 

St. John’s has a lot more of these scenes and they are an inspiration to many.  Be sure to bring your camera if you have a little time for site seeing the city because you never know what will be looking you straight in the eye.  

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 22 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!

This home at 31 Roosevelt Ave., Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, is a wonderful find for you!  Asking $279,900 MLS 162168.  It has an above ground unregistered apartment in the basement.  The home is perfect for you and your family or friends to live in with you.  It has been completely renovated within the last few years and has a brand new two bedroom apartment.  

It is conveniently situated near bus routes, schools, and only minutes from the grocery store.  Wouldn't it be nice to own a home that you didn't need to do repairs to?  You won't be disappointed when you see this one!

The main floor has hardwood floors, a fireplace in the living room, lots of oak cabinetry in the kitchen, and is nicely finished with colonial doors, crown moldings and trim.

The new apartment is bright, spacious and absolutely immaculate.  You might even consider living in the apartment yourself and letting the in laws take the upstairs, its just that nice!  

This two apartment home is ideal for just about anyone looking for a quality, well maintained home in an excellent location.  I have a long list of upgrades to the home that will impress the most discriminating buyers.  Don't delay!  Call R. Greg Osmond at 895-2500 for more details and your own personal viewing today.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at             709-895-2500      .

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Click Here To SUBSCRIBE. Your Mother will definitely approve!