If you are reading this blog, you are most likely interested in accruing wealth through savvy investment strategies. There are lots of places to put your money; investing is not really the issue. The issue is: what investment options are best for preserving your wealth?
One answer is real estate.
It is said that 90% of the Forbes 400 index of the world’s wealthiest people either made or retained their wealth through real estate. But not just any real estate. These people own high-quality, income-producing real estate, like apartment communities and office buildings. The ultra-wealthy hold real estate long term, because they know that is how to preserve their wealth.
Your luxury home, your Alpine ski chalet, and your “investment” condos in New York and Miami may (if you are lucky) provide some asset appreciation when you sell them, but in the meantime, they are costing you more than you will recoup. My advice: Enjoy them, but do not count on them to preserve your wealth. Do not expect them to be long-term wealth enhancers.
I just read an ad for an exotic car rental company called Lou La Vie. What a great philosophy! Rent the things that add to your enjoyment of life. Whether it’s cars or boats or condos, you can rent them when you want them, and that’s a lot cheaper than owning. But buy future security.
And now is the perfect time. I’ve been in the real estate business for almost 40 years and I’ve never seen a better opportunity to invest in multifamily (apartment communities) real estate in the U.S. Home ownership is at its lowest rate in years, and apartment living is soaring, both for renters by choice and renters by need. U.S. demographics point to continuing demand for rental housing.
Why? Just look at the traditional American first-time home buyers.
They are not buying homes:
1) They are burdened with large student loans and other debt. Unable to find jobs after college, they went to back to school.
2) They don’t have the money for down payment on a home.
3) They are delaying marriage and starting a family which is a driving factor in home ownership.
4) They want flexibility for employment purposes to move to a new job.
So they are renting. And, interestingly enough, so are their parents and grandparents as they down size or retire.
There are many more reasons to choose multifamily real estate to supplement your investment portfolio: on-going income, asset appreciation and tax advantages. Plus, real estate has outperformed all other asset classes over the past 12 years, and its value does not rise and fall with the stock and bond markets. And interest rates! Right now, with low interest rates, we can leverage funds to provide the greatest returns.
I could go on and on about the advantages of multifamily real estate. If you would like to discuss it, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@lloydjonescapital.com.
By the way, there are several ways to invest in real estate. At Lloyd Jones Capital, we offer direct investment (as opposed to a REIT which is like buying stock). We have funds that we co-invest with major institutional partners for maximum leverage; we have individual property investments, and we have funds that target specific categories such as workforce housing. Or we can help you acquire a property and become your asset manager to protect your investment.
Good asset management is one of the keys to successful multifamily investing. But the most important, after analyzing and choosing a property, is the day-to-day property management of the asset. Lloyd Jones Capital partners with its sister company, Finlay Management, Inc. to oversee the operations and maintenance. Finlay Management has been in the business since 1980 and is an Accredited Management Organization.
Let me leave you with this reminder: Rent lifestyle; but for wealth preservation, purchase a quality, U.S. apartment complex.
Christopher Finlay is Chairman/CEO of Lloyd Jones Capital, a private-equity real-estate firm that specializes in the multifamily sector. With 35 years of experience in the real estate industry, the firm acquires, manages and improves multifamily real estate on behalf of its institutional partners, private investors and its own principals. Headquartered in Miami, the firm has operations throughout Texas, Florida and the Southeast. For more information visit: lloydjones.wpengine.com.