How is NAFTA going to affect the real estate market in Windsor?

[Sylvia Asenova]

hi everyone, I have been looking at Windsor rental properties and wondering what your thoughts are on the NAFTA negotiations and possible effects on the local economy? 

[Cassidy Logsdon]

NAFTA could hit Windsor if things go unfavourably, and no doubt this would have an effect on the local economy, as did the closing of the GM plant and related factories in 2009. The good news is that since 2009 our workforce has become more diversified since jobs were diverted from auto to other industries.
The way I see it, we always buy our properties for cash flow, and make sure to renovate to above average standards. This way, if vacancy rates were to rise due to a dip in the economy, our units would not sit vacant.
Also consider, there are the 2 new bridge projects getting underway now which is going to bring many jobs to the area over the next 10 years. Construction companies working on the bridge are already tying up 3 year leases for their employees. With vacancy rates already extremely low, there is going to be a shortage of rental properties and strong rental demand.