Just as ancient hunter-gatherers would migrate in search of sustenance, real estate investors today might be well-served to migrate into new markets and product types to find yields.
In this first episode in our series on finding yield, we go WAY outside the box of little green houses and red hotels on Main Street USA…and take a look at an eclectic assortment of global opportunities.
In the studio gathering ideas and hunting for opportunity in this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show:
- Your heckuva hunter and host, Robert Helms
- His nut-gnawing co-host, Russell Gray
- Special guest and Uruguyan attorney, Juan Federico Fischer
- Special guest and Premier of Nevis, the honorable Vance Amory
- Returning guest and international property broker, Jon Greene
- Special guest and Myanmar fund manager, James Song
It’s no secret real estate has been attracting a lot of investment capital over the last several years. After the dust settled from the financial implosion of 2008, the most intrepid investors stepped in and started snapping up bargains. Turns out that was a pretty good idea.
Today, while there are still deals that make sense, it’s a lot harder for residential real estate investors to find bargains.
Does that mean it’s time to sit out and wait for the next crash?
Only if you’re a one trick pony.
But if you’re open to new markets, product types and strategies, there are lots of alternatives. In this episode, we talk to several people about investment ideas we’re guessing you wouldn’t have come up with on your own.
Uruguay
Up first, we talk to Juan Federico Fischer.
Juan is a lawyer from Uruguay. But we like him anyway.
When’s the last time you talked to a lawyer…or anyone…from Uruguay?
Juan’s professional practice helps international investors understand and find real estate investment opportunities in Uruguay…and in particular…farmland.
Long time listeners know we’ve been very interested in farmland…anywhere…for the last few years.
Farmland investing is a great way to derive income from land, by serving a need that is even more basic than housing. And unlike residential real estate, where you need to hone in on local jobs. Farmland investing lets you produce your crop anywhere and the sell it anywhere.
So no matter where the hungry mouths are…and it’s a safe bet the world’s population is on the rise…you can own land that produces a renewable resource and tap into emerging markets.
Juan explains to us that Uruguay is extremely friendly to foreign investors. In fact, one-third of the land is owned by foreigners and they’re fine with that. Very cool.
Uruguay is also one of the most advanced countries in Latin America with the highest per capita income. We would not have guessed that. But that’s why we ask experts.
Nevis
Next, we sit down and visit with the Premier of the tiny Caribbean island nation of Nevis, the honorable Vance Amory.
While you may not have heard of Nevis, you’ve probably heard of Alexander Hamilton. He’s the guy on the U.S. ten dollar bill. At least for now. There’s been some talk about dumping Alex and replacing him with a woman. But we digress.
So Alexander Hamilton was born in Nevis. Jot that down. It could end up as trivia question on a future episode of The Real Estate Guys™.
Back to Nevis…
The investment play in Nevis isn’t farmland. It’s beautiful resort property….that you can rent out.
We’re also fans of resort property because it’s a way to collect rents from the affluent. Just say those words. Collect rents from the affluent. That just SOUNDS like a good idea.
This can be great diversification for real estate investors who derive most of their income the lower middle class.
Nevis (and Uruguay also) has another cool feature which our next guest Jon Greene describes…
If you purchase a property of sufficient value (about $400,000 US), it’s possible to not only get the property, but citizenship too! That means another passport.
While not everyone is into a second (or third or sixth) passport, some people (Simon Black) think it might be a good idea.
What’s REALLY cool is you can buy a property, collect rents for 5 years while (hopefully) equity happens to you…PLUS get a passport. And then, after 5 years you can sell the property and KEEP the passport.
Of course, we’d like to keep both. But it’s nice to know that after 5 years, your Nevis citizenship is permanent, even if you decide to move your equity to another place.
Mynamar
Next…and to make sure we’re showing some love to the Eastern hemisphere, we talk with James Song.
James is a principal in an investment fund in Myanmar.
Never heard of it?
How about Burma? Like Burmese python.
It’s a long story, but Burma was once one of the richest nations in Southeast Asia. Then it fell under a military dictatorship. We hate when that happens. It’s usually a disaster for an economy.
In time, they got the dictator out of the way, changed their name and held free elections in 1990. That’s a start!
Of course, getting people to trust their capital to a country with a someone volatile past is a little scary. It’s like loaning money to someone with a checkered credit history.
Yet, Myanmar is a very resource rich country…including gems, natural gas, oil and other minerals. And in spite of China’s recent slow down, they’re still a big consumer of natural resources, so Myanmar’s close proximity to China (and India) give it some really big potential customers right nearby.
So brave investors might be willing to take the risk.
But if you’re a little more conservative, before you make that “loan” to the buy with bad credit…
What if you could get an investment guarantee…up to nearly THREE times your investment?
And what if that guarantee is by the U.S. government?
You can. And it is.
James explains the what, why and how of all this. We just think it’s amazing and certainly worth a closer look. Or in this case, a closer listen.
So tune into this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and join us in our first excursion…in search of yield.
Listen Now:
- Visit our Special Reports library.
- Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show. Subscribe to the free podcast!
- Stay connected with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook!
The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources that help real estate investors succeed.
