Investment Property for Sale in Canada

Property investors seeking the strong returns that the Canadian property market has been consistently returning since late 2001 need not be restricted by thoughts of a property market bubble just yet according to industry experts.  Real estate and financial analysts believe that the fundamentals for continued market growth and advancement in Canada are good.

So for those in search of investment property for sale in Canada, where is the best potential for capital appreciation and which are the best locations offering long term prospects for growth and profit?  Here’s our guide to the top seven Canadian locations for investment property hunters seeking continued market potential…

1) Edmonton

Oil is driving the investment potential in this part of Alberta in Canada.  Real estate in Calgary has already experienced a price explosion and Edmonton is hot on its heals as 120 billion Canadian dollars is invested into the province and the jobs market demands more and more skilled workers.  Property prices have already risen 15.5% in one year and investment property for sale in Edmonton, Canada continues to offer investors a chance to tap into rising real estate prices and rising rental rates and demand.

2) Fort St. John

Fort St. John (pictured) is known as the energy capital of British Columbia and it is one that is rapidly expanding as a new natural gas plant is developed just 42 miles away from the town.  Natural gas production in the immediate area around Fort St. John has doubled in less than a decade and clearly there is further room for expansion in this area which is bringing more jobs to the area and increasing the levels of inward migratory behaviour.  Naturally this has boosted the demand for property in this part of Canada and we believe that investment properties for sale in this part of Canada will do well.  An added booster for the province is the government’s commitment to spend in excess of fifty million Canadian dollars on road and general infrastructure improvements.

3) Halifax

Halifax in Nova Scotia has enjoyed property price gains of around 7.5% over the past year to date making it a slower burner than Calgary or Edmonton for example, but it is also a market with room for expansion particularly throughout 2007 when the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design’s expansion plans are completed and more students occupy the Halifax-Dartmouth locale.  Demand for rental accommodation is expected to substantially increase, vacancy rates are predicted to fall and this makes Halifax a potentially ‘safe’ investment hotspot for real estate in Canada.

4) Grande Prairie

Also located in Alberta and also benefiting from the positive developments in the oil and gas sectors, Grande Prairie’s property prices have surged almost 20% in the year to date and it was the second fastest growing town in Canada for five straight years in a row.  The demand for housing has been boosted by oil workers and yet the supply of new housing stock has not managed to keep up with demand which has created the perfect environment for property investors.  We believe this particular micro-market still has room for expansion though.

5) Winnipeg

Hmmm, we’re not sure what’s continuing to drive the investment property market in Winnipeg which means that it is not a ‘safe’ bet – but property prices there have been skyrocketing in recent years possibly because starting prices are so low.  Last year prices increased by in excess of 19%, the year before that prices were up 14% but still they remain comparatively low for the rest of Canada.  Investment property for sale in Winnipeg might be better held for the long term and those attracted to the market should do their own due diligence relating to the potential for any particular investment they consider.

6) Barrie

We like Barrie in Ontario and we think that property investors will like what’s about to happen in Barrie!  In 2007 this city will benefit from a brand new fast train link to Toronto making it into a commuter hub and forcing up demand for housing and property prices will likely follow suit and climb higher.  This city is already one of the fastest growing in Canada with a number of large scale businesses predicted to establish operations in Barrie in the next few years and so the short, medium and long term prospects for investment property for sale in Barrie are particularly positive!

7) Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge

And last but not least, Kitchener Waterloo and Cambridge in Ontario which have the beginnings of a booming IT industry, an already established and strong student market and which are benefiting from the likes of Toyota and other massive employers who have established operations in the immediate area.  Property price gains to date have been steady and will likely remain so as demand increases and so does the desirability of the region.

Please note: these opinions are our own and do not constitute advice!  Always do your own due diligence before making a property purchase and when seeking investment property for sale in Canada make sure you know where the investment potential for a given piece of real estate will come from.