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October 21, 2020

Is This the Time to Buy Real Estate?

Real estate has always been considered as a safe and secure investment. However, does it still apply now with the pandemic affecting tons of industries and markets?

If you have been planning to enter the world of real estate, it is only normal for you to be worried about how the coronavirus will impact your investing plans.

So, the million-dollar question now is, is this the time to buy real estate?

Although property sales are still down, there are a few signs that the current situation may result in higher confidence in buying real estate. The truth is that properties are safer investments than what you think during this worldwide crisis. Read on to know some of the reasons why:

Real Estate is More Stable Than Other Investment Forms

Compared to other types of investments, real estate properties enjoy long-term stability. For example, stocks are more volatile so they tend to suffer from negative effects during economic crises. Commercial real estate, on the other hand, won’t see the effects of the pandemic until much later due to the market’s nature.

One more advantage of buying real estate is that unlike stocks, these are physical assets you can use. This means that even when there is depreciation in the overall value, you will still have a physical asset. A real estate property is a safer choice for people who are willing to make an investment.

Of course, since the pandemic is still ongoing, the available information is not enough yet to have an accurate prediction of how things are going to play out in the future. There is no way to tell how long the world’s economies will remain shut down, when the quarantine measures can be finally lifted and when people will be able to start spending their money all over again. Thus, it is still impossible to predict the exact way the real estate market is going to look in the near future.

But, it is possible to use the market reactions to past pandemics as future indicators. H1N1 and SARS both resulted in the real estate market’s short-term volatility yet the market became stable again in 3 to 6 months in each case. It could mean that even during scenarios like the present one, real estate will continue to be stable and be among the best places where you can invest in.

Reduce Your Risk When You Invest in Real Estate

While real estate has a good risk to yield ration, you can still follow some best practices. In such times, it is better if your investment is less risky.

New equity projects can be a great place where you can invest in since your investment will give you solid returns once the property prices also go down. Your best option is to look for safer investments. You can also invest in some properties with low risk through crowdfunding.

Probably the safest types of investment right now are debt investment opportunities. While your return on investments might be lower compared to other types, it is also a lower chance that you will lose money.

In these uncertain times, buying real estate might be a good choice but as much as possible, stick to options with low risks to keep your money protected.

October 21, 2020

Should You Buy Real Estate in Mexico?

Should you buy real estate in Mexico? Well, the simple answer is yes, you should!

Just so you know, owning a property in a top destination can offer portfolio diversification and amazing ROI.

Still unconvinced? Here are some of the best reasons why buying real estate in Mexico is a decision you will never regret.

1. Familiarity with the Culture

As a close neighbor to both Canada and the USA, Mexico shares a lot of cultural traditions as well as other similarities. Whether it is activities, shopping, food, or drinks, Mexico has a touch of American influence in the same way that the influence of Mexico is prevalent north of the border.

2. The US Dollar is Strong

The Canadian and US dollars both enjoyed historic highs against the Mexican peso that means amazing bargains for the investors. Mexico offers great value compared to the rest of the world’s famous vacation destinations in terms of real estate investments to the cost of living to daily expenses.

3. Access is Easy and Simple

The hottest locales in Mexico offer easy accessibility to the major international airports that offer lots of connecting flights to cities all over the world. It makes it easier and more convenient for tourists and owners alike to travel back and forth. It also makes it very much possible to reach 80% to 90% yearly occupancy rates in areas such as the Riviera Maya.

4. Good Returns on Investment

In most hotspots such as the Riviera Maya stretching south for 80 miles along the Mexican Caribbean coast including top vacation destinations such as Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, and Playa del Carmen, turnkey vacation home rentals offer high ROI that can beat the stock market and offer a good hedge against inflation at the same time.

5. No Depreciation on Property Values

Vacation homes in Mexico also enjoy excellent appreciation and property values won’t suffer from deprecation. Here, the real estate market is one of the top 10 fastest growing property markets in the world and the demand easily outpaces supply.

6. Expats and Locals Speak English

Don’t worry if you can’t understand a single Spanish word because Mexico is now the residence of ex-pats coming from the US and Canada. Most of the locals also speak English including professionals such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, and restaurants, and retail workers.

7. Better Investment Value

If you will try to compare the price of vacation houses in Tulum that is near the Mexican Caribbean Sea with the price of similar properties in Florida, California, or anywhere else in the region, you might be surprised with their difference. Aside from this, the top destinations in Mexico provide an amazing selection of unique activities and adventures you won’t find in other parts of the world. It means that there is always something in store for the most adventurous investors here.

8. Modern Infrastructure

Mexico abounds with modern infrastructure so you can look forward to feeling comfortable and right at home. These include major highways, high-speed internet, international schools, outstanding medical facilities as well as major brand name retail outlets.

Should you buy real estate in Mexico? You should if you want to enjoy all these benefits and more!

October 21, 2020

Top 5 Things to Do with Your Stimulus Check

The COVID-19 pandemic has rendered millions of people jobless. Although unemployment benefits are there to help combat its effects, most of the time, these are not enough to replace a regular paycheck.

This is one of the reasons why in late March, an economic stimulus package was introduced. It has several provisions and among this is the one-time payment of $1,200 for all eligible Americans with income under a particular threshold.

The COVID-19 stimulus checks have started to land in mailboxes and bank accounts. If you are also getting one, chances are you are wondering how you should spend this money. Always remember that the government issued these checks to help families meet their basic living essentials.

If you didn’t lose your source of income and you are still lucky enough to have a job, you have plenty of choices on what you can do with this money. On the other hand, your choices might be limited if your income was cut or you were laid off.

Make sure you consider your family’s needs and financial situation when planning how to spend this money.

But if you need some ideas, here are the top 5 things to do with your stimulus check:

1. Meet the Basic Needs of Your Family

You can use the check as a supplement for your reduced income. As there is no way to tell how long the pandemic and its harsh effects will last, you can try stretching the money out for 3 to 6 months. This might not be that much but it could make things a bit more endurable.

2. Set It Aside for Your Savings

If there is no need for any income supplementation, you can add it to your emergency fund. Continue building your savings because life can be so uncertain, after all.

3. Pay Down Your Debts

After your basic needs are met and you have put some money into your savings, it is now time to deal with your debt. Pay off your credit card if you can and reduce the balance of your credit limit to 30% or lower. If you got existing loans, determine if you could pay some extra toward the principal. The amount doesn’t matter because any amount helps.

4. Start Investing in Yourself

Try to learn new skills, take online courses to improve your marketability and help you land a better job position, or start your own side hustle. Find something that will enrich and add value to your life.

5. Invest in Your Financial Future

Some online platforms let you start your investments with a very minimal amount. Take this as a chance to test the waters and learn the market. These platforms are perfect for budding investors and could also help you increase your comfort level and build your confidence. These small steps to investment are the steps you can take to secure your financial future.

Use this list of the top 5 things to do with your stimulus check as your guide to ensure that the money won’t go to waste.

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

What are the Pros and Cons of Living Abroad the US?

The continuous advancement of technology seemed to have made the world smaller than how it used to be several years ago. This has now become common to move and live abroad, especially among the younger generations.

Unfortunately, living overseas, particularly in the United States, is not always a path of roses. So, what are the pros and cons of living abroad in the US?

Pros of Living Abroad

1. Exciting Opportunities

The US is not called a land of opportunity for no reason. It offers ex-pats more of these opportunities than other countries around the world. Employment can be found easily in almost all fields with a higher paycheck than what is available anywhere else.

The US is also considered a great place to start a business with a very diverse and wide market. Almost all kinds of businesses can flourish here.

2. Great People

Aside from several places, racial discrimination almost doesn’t exist in the US. You won’t be treated differently whatever preferences or skin color you might have. It cannot be said for other countries. While there will always be some rude people here and there, one thing you will notice when you live in the US is that the people are actually refreshing.

3. Interesting Culture

Although the culture in the US is not an ancient one, there is no denying that it is the most glamorous you can find. From the west coast’s Los Angeles to the east coast’s New York City, America is a true cocktail of cultures that will make everyone feel welcomed.

Cons of Living Abroad

1. Culture Shock

Based on where you are coming from, the culture shock you will experience could be to a smaller or bigger degree. It is just normal when you are relocating and something you cannot avoid at all. Once you move to a new place, people will be different from what you have been used to.

This could be something as ordinary as the American’s aversion to using flipflops. However, it could also be something that doesn’t sit well with you. This is why it is important that you research and check all facts before you live abroad so you won’t be caught off guard by the culture shock.

2. Work Ethics

There are ex-pats who have a hard time adjusting to the United States’ working atmosphere. Most people can deal with it. But, with all the available opportunities, it also means that plenty of people are vying for them. This means that almost all positions are replaceable. You might end up losing your job if you don’t show the correct work standards.

On the other hand, some people might see it as an advantage. Most employees are filled with ambitions and they hope someone will notice their outstanding effort. And there are those who are just totally used to more difficult working conditions. People who are used to bringing home their work or working odd shifts might prefer employment in the US. Provided that you work hard, you can get higher pay compared to what you could expect in your own country.

You should always weigh these pros and cons of living abroad first before you make a final decision.

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

How to Know You are Going to Get Fired

“You’re fired” is a phrase that often comes as a surprise. However, it is actually funny that many people are shocked to know that they will be fired as if they didn’t expect it in the first place.

What makes this strange is that there are a lot of red flags that lead to the actual moment. Sadly, just like with most things in life, you will only see them clearly once you look back.

Well, it doesn’t need to be this way. Here are some of the surefire ways on how to know you are going to get fired any time soon.

They Already Told You About It

Of course, this one is the most obvious. Whether you have been told about it in front of your colleagues or during a personal appointment, the message is crystal clear. There’s trouble brewing on the horizon for you. So, if your boss told you that he will fire you, you should be prepared because there is a big chance that it wasn’t a joke after all.

You Always Receive Criticisms

Another sign that your boss already wants you out is how many criticisms you get every single day. It is like everything you do is wrong, whether you were told to clean the chart board or throw out the trash. Constant dissatisfaction and quibbles with your work can also be a sign that you will get fired.

Your Boss No Longer Contacts You

One more way of how to know you are going to get fired is if your boss stopped contacting you all of a sudden. Back in the days, your boss loved to chat with you and even invite you over to his office to talk about some funny stories. But this time around, you have been outcast from the daily brainstorming meetings, group discussions, or even coffee breaks.

Yes, this is a sad but real truth. For your boss, you are no longer someone important.

You Aren’t Given with a Lot of Tasks to Do

Out of the blue, you realized that the work you get has been reduced significantly. Those times when you were in the rush to meet deadlines are long gone. On top of that, you were even removed from an important project and your tasks have been reassigned to others. It might be time for you to take a step back and go job hunting.

Your Colleagues are Acting Weird

If your responsibilities are crucial to the team, chances are your coworkers are already aware of your lay off to help them reorganize tasks with no need to impact the workflows you are involved in. You might not be able to notice these changes but there is no way for you not to notice that people are acting strangely.

Once you notice one of these signs or even more, it is time for you to prepare yourself. You can even talk to your boss if you want. There is still a possibility that you won’t get fired but even when it is already too late, it wouldn’t hurt to ask the reason why you will be fired. It’s not easy but it’s a stark reality everyone has to deal with at one point or another.