Next, we tried condos with our first tenant. The next step was a really inexpensive duplex in a secondary market, then another! We were hooked. We wanted more but like most new investors we hit the financing wall and couldn't afford any more properties on our own. That's when we decided to invest in our real estate investment education and we began attending local meet-ups, started to network at local events, did a lot of research online and identified what knowledge we were lacking.
François and Jennifer Lanthier, investor couple. It all began in 1999 when we met in college while studying interior design. Our passion for the built environment grew and we purchased our first house in 2006. Since then we've tried many investment techniques starting with a "live-in" flip where we would purchase outdated and poorly maintained homes that we would live into and renovate. We would eventually end up selling the property and buy nicer and larger homes.
Since then we've grown power teams in multiple cities across Canada and we are now investing in various cities and markets. We're also working on our first international investment (USA). François had a five-year plan to quit his job and become a full-time investor but thanks to the techniques he learned while attending a mentorship program, he was able to leave his job within 9 months.
François is now focusing on growing our portfolio, our online presence and improving our working structures. He's also recently begun coaching new and aspiring real estate investors. His close work with the REITE Club has also been instrumental in our growth.
