Real Esate In the Negative Western Conference 2008

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, real estate "investors" from across Canada gathered in the beautiful city of Calgary to attend the REIN™ Western Conference. For those of you who are not aware, REIN (Real Estate Investment Network) is headed by Don R. Campbell who helps individuals invest in real estate. Don also predicted that property prices in Calgary would appreciate by 11% in 2008 and listings would fall by April. Inventory is still high and prices have decreased thousands of dollars. REIN's success may have been amplified during the time of free credit, "innovative" mortgage products and coincidental economic boom. I would imagine the REIN network increased its member base the most during the last two years as many wanted to ride the wave of the boom and profit. I have spoken to some REIN members who are average income earners who bought multiple rental properties during the boom. Many individuals who subscribed to REIN during the boom may be in a bit of trouble with no clear distinguishable bottom to the real estate "soft landing."

The name of the conference is suitably coined: How to Create Wealth in Real Estate, No Matter What the Market Does.

Is this truly realistically possible?

As with many other organizations who's reputation and livelihood depend on real estate appreciation, the keynote to this conference was more an assurance to REIN members (each member pays a subscription fee of $3375.04 every 17 months - that's crazy!) that the sky isn't falling. I now understand why Don has to be so upbeat about the prospects of building wealth through real estate. People have invested alot of money, personal savings, trust funds etc. in his word and advice. Any honest and realistic negative sentiments would crumble the network.

Best-selling author, Steve McKnight was flown into town from Australia to present his insights on the Canadian Real Estate market. Invite an individual from another country to come speak to others about how to be successful in real estate investing in this country. Makes sense right? Isn't real estate mantra such that proclaims that markets are localized region to region? Are real estate invesment fundamentals applicable internationally now? I digress.

The following are Steve's "Six Generations of Wealth:"
1. Trade Time For Money
2. Save More Than They Spend
3. Asset Appreciation
4. Income Generation From Assets
5. Income Reinvestment
6. Asset Maximization

For those buyers who bought at the peak, "Generations" 2-6 are simply not plausible in the current softening real estate market as property values decline. One can argue if fundamental #1 is possible in a declining market is possible. Time spent worrying about financial health is not my deftinition of time well spent. I even believe that the second fundamental violates what most REIN members have been advised. An average income earner purchasing multiple rental units would be classified as not saving more than you spend. In bubble fundamentals, rent will never cover the full cost of mortgage payments, maintenance costs, etc. of the property. In a declining housing market, rent increases are not feasible (you will see rent decreases). So the owner of the property is responsible for assuming a month to month financial loss which negates the flowing from one generation to the other. The members of REIN are advised to hold real estate over the long term but to actually make it long term requires financial survival during these present times.