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Private Mortgage Diversification: Maximize Returns

The illustration of getting your dream home with a mortgage in Canada.

Finding new ways to diversify your investment portfolio can be challenging in today’s market. While stocks and bonds used to be enough, their performance has become increasingly correlated in recent years. This is where an overlooked asset class – private mortgages – can provide meaningful portfolio diversification along with attractive yields.

It might be time to explore private mortgage investments if you want to reduce risk through greater diversification without sacrificing returns. This unique mortgage market segment provides exposure to an asset class whose performance isn’t tied as closely to stocks and bonds. Adding private mortgages to a portfolio can enhance overall returns while decreasing volatility. Read on to learn more about why private mortgages deserve consideration as an effective diversification strategy that can strengthen your financial position.

 

What are Private Mortgage Investments?

Private mortgage investments involve lending money to borrowers in exchange for a mortgage on a property as collateral. These types of mortgages are issued by private investors or companies rather than large financial institutions like banks. The borrowers are often real estate investors or developers seeking quick financing for projects that may not qualify for traditional mortgages.

For example, a real estate investor may use a short-term private mortgage to quickly seize a promising investment property that needs renovations before selling for a profit. Or, a developer may leverage private mortgage loans to finance the construction of a new apartment complex. These loans typically have terms of 6 months to 2 years and carry higher interest rates than conventional mortgages. The short terms and speed of private mortgage loans fill a funding niche for borrowers while allowing investors to diversify into an uncorrelated alternative asset class that generates high yields from the interest payments.

 

Benefits of Private Mortgage Investments

  • Fast and Efficient Approval Procedure: Private mortgages provide faster financing than conventional mortgages, with borrowers getting approved within hours and funds delivered in as little as a day or two, making them ideal for emergency, last-minute, or quick-close real estate purchases.
  • Easy Qualification: Private mortgage lenders prioritize the property over borrower qualifications like income and credit, approving loans more easily and quickly than banks. Even homebuyers rejected by banks can get approved for private mortgages faster with less hassle.
  • Debt Consolidation: A private mortgage can consolidate high-interest debt and overdue bills into one smaller, lower monthly payment using home equity. This debt consolidation loan can help you pay off debts faster and free up cash flow.
  • Funding for Buying: Private lenders can finance home purchases needing maintenance and renovation costs, which traditional lenders may not mortgage.

 

Risks of Private Mortgage Investments

The major risks of private mortgages are the significantly higher interest rates and extra fees compared to traditional bank mortgages. Total interest costs are driven upward by added lender and broker fees on top of already elevated base rates. While the higher expenses can be worthwhile for borrowers with limited options, evaluating the increased costs is essential when considering a private mortgage.

 

Why is diversification important?

Diversification is a critical strategy for managing risk with private mortgage investing. By distributing investments across multiple projects, borrowers, and geographic locations, investors minimize exposure if any single investment underperforms or defaults. For example, rather than placing all funds into one large commercial development, diversifying into a handful of smaller residential fix-and-flip projects across different neighborhoods spreads risk.

Geographic diversity also hedges against localized economic downturns impacting an entire market. Proper diversification aligns investments with varying risk levels based on factors like project type, borrower profile, and region. A diversified portfolio ensures no single underperforming asset severely damages the overall returns. While diversification limits maximum gains from an individual standout investment, it also lessens losses, smoothing out returns over time. Implementing a well-planned diversification strategy provides stability and optimizes risk-adjusted returns for private mortgage investors.

 

Types of Diversification Strategies

When creating a diversification plan for private mortgage investing, there are a few core strategies to consider. Geographic diversification involves distributing capital across different real estate markets and regions to avoid overexposure to any single area. Sector diversification means allocating investments across residential, commercial, industrial, retail, and other project types to mitigate risks tied to one asset class.

Borrower diversification balances lending across multiple borrowers with varied risk profiles rather than working with just one or two repeat borrowers. Diversifying loan terms and seniority provides a mix of short and long-term mortgages as well as first and second-lien positions. Blending new construction financing with existing property loans also helps diversify. Taking a balanced approach using these major diversification strategies will allow private mortgage investors to build resilience against market fluctuations and downside risk.

 

Diversify Your Portfolio with MICs

Mortgage investment corporations (MICs) provide built-in diversification benefits, making them an attractive option for reducing risk in an investment portfolio. Since MICs pool funds into a varied collection of private mortgage loans, investors gain exposure to an array of underlying assets instead of a single investment. The diversity of property types, geographic locations, loan terms, and borrower profiles creates a balanced portfolio uncorrelated to public stock and bond market movements.

Adding MICs to a portfolio mix enhances asset allocation and manages volatility, which is especially valuable in turbulent markets. MICs also offer stable yields from the interest generated on mortgage assets. The combination of diversification and consistent income makes MICs a compelling vehicle for diversifying an investment portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds, particularly for risk-averse investors. Their alternative asset class qualities lend portfolio resilience.

 

Key Factors in Choosing a MIC Partner

With many MIC fund options available, it is essential for investors to thoroughly evaluate providers to find the right fit. Critical criteria to assess include the fund manager’s experience in mortgage investing, the robustness of their underwriting and due diligence capabilities, longevity in the industry, and overall organizational structure.

An experienced manager that demonstrates mortgage expertise can better capitalize on investment opportunities and manage risk. Solid due diligence ensures prudent lending standards are followed. A long-running MIC with a proven track record of performance across multiple business cycles indicates stability in its operations and strategy. The ideal MIC partner will have seasoned leadership, stringent processes, and a transparency and risk management culture. Taking time to scrutinize these aspects provides confidence that the MIC fund will align with your investment goals and risk tolerance for the long term.

 

Conclusion

A sound diversification strategy in private mortgaging is essential for optimizing returns while managing risk. By distributing capital across various geographies, asset classes, project types, and borrower profiles, investors can build a resilient portfolio resilient to market shifts. Mortgage investment corporations provide built-in diversification through their pooled structure, offering exposure to various mortgages beyond individual lending.

With patient and strategic diversification, private mortgage investors can target stable yields uncorrelated to traditional markets, enhancing their overall asset allocation. Rather than seeking maximum gains from a single investment, diversity provides the key to risk-adjusted returns and long-term performance. Carefully diversify for stability and be open to judiciously weighing certain opportunities. With the right mortgage mix, your portfolio can prosper through fluctuating cycles.

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Disclaimer:

This website is provided for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. No securities regulatory authority has assessed the merits of these securities or the information contained in this website. Potential Investors should conduct their own due diligence before investing. All statements in this website, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Canguard expects to occur are forward looking statement. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof, or similar variations. Please see the Offering Memorandum for a complete description of the risks associated with investing in Canguard Mortgage Investment Corporation. Purchase of Canguard Shares may be made through Kite Financial Solutions Ltd or a Dealer/Advisor.

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