What to Look For in a Guelph Investment Property

Location and renter demand

• · Access to transit, employment and the University of Guelph
• · Grocery stores, services, parks and everyday amenities
• · Parking supply and winter usability
• · Walkability and cycling access
• · Noise, traffic and neighbouring land uses
• · Private outdoor space, storage and laundry
• · Privacy between units and quality of entrances

Property configuration

• · Separate entrances and logical circulation
• · Ceiling height and natural light
• · Bedroom egress and appropriate window dimensions
• · Bathroom access and kitchen feasibility
• · Fire and sound separation
• · Utility metering and control
• · Electrical capacity, plumbing and HVAC
• · Garbage storage and snow-removal logistics

Guelph's older housing stock

Many Guelph properties — century homes downtown, in St. Patrick's Ward and around Exhibition Park — offer character, established locations and possible conversion opportunities. Older homes may also warrant investigation of wiring, plumbing, foundations, drainage, insulation, sewer laterals, hazardous materials, undocumented additions and heritage-related constraints. Age is not proof of a defect; it is a reason to investigate the relevant systems carefully.

Tour like an investor

• · Photograph and document the same features at every property
• · Look past staging and cosmetic finishes
• · Estimate near-term and five-year capital work
• · Record utility arrangements and tenant-paid versus landlord-paid costs
• · Note every assumption that still requires proof
• · Do not allow advertised income to replace your own analysis