As an investor, I have close to 200,000 sq.ft. of industrial space in Toronto, a plaza in Barrie, a 6-plex in Bradford, to name a few properties.As a Real Estate educator and Broker, I advise on everything from how a single family home or condo can be analyzed from an investment perspective, to major income producing properties (retail plaza, medical office buildings, industrial buildings, student housing, multi-family portfolios, etc.).

The work doesn't have to be showroom perfect and I'm always amazed at the equity that can be created by making necessary improvements without paying retail.

You're trying to buy wholesale, in an open retail market, that all buyers already have access to.  

I do feel like the purchase at 75% or less of current retail would give me some equity and overall there isn't a lot of downside to the property or the area in my opinion.  

I have started a direct mail campaign and I am wondering how long do I need to stay with a list, I am trying to find buyers with high equity and it is in better neighborhoods I have had more than avg calls but the ones I get is the one that want full retail it is depressing but positive how long do I need to do this campaign.

, researching the industry and market areas of interest, in addition to general real estate readings to familiarize myself as much as possible.Over the next few months, I look forward to doing more networking, to further branch out and it is my hope that I will connect with a few of you all to gain more knowledge on the industry before I delve into my first project.Regards!

Ali I'm a mechanical engineer in HVAC industry at the moment.Thanks to everyone for the posts.

The concern is that some of the potential "buyers" are really just competitors looking for industry info.  

Getting to know people in the industry in the state is also a way of finding communities and owners that might be interested in selling but are not listed with a broker.

What are your predictions as far as  what we can expect in the real estate industry?