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Waterloo is a city known for its innovations and developments in the technology sector. Over the years, the continued support and investment into the development and progression of the industry, has turned Waterloo into one of the major hubs for digital age business and one of the defining points in Ontario’s Innovation Corridor.
However, beyond the tech sector, Waterloo is a city that actually exhibits a need for many key forms of real estate investment in order to continue to thrive. However, this visible need for investments should not serve as a deterrent for most investors but instead as a call-to-action to address the need within their own projects in order to create in-demand real estate opportunities.
So, if you would like to learn more about what has made Waterloo a historically strong investment, and what the city needs in order to continue to grow and expand, keep reading and let’s explore the Waterloo real estate market together.
So, if you are interested in learning how to finance properties in the Waterloo real estate investment market, click the link in below to book a free strategy call today.
The Waterloo Real Estate Market Needs New Housing Developments
Waterloo started out as a small city and was built accordingly. As a result, the city has been witnessing a decline in the local vacancy rate as more and more people move into the city year-over-year. While this has not yet caused a housing crisis within the city, it has made the rental market more restrictive and has limited the ability for residents to move around and find new housing opportunities as easily as they used to be able to in previous years.
If current trends continue the way that they are expected to over the next ten years, Waterloo is very soon going to find itself in need of new housing developments to accommodate the increasing population of Ontario and the appeal of the city’s market to newcomers – many of which are arriving with the skills required to thrive in tech related businesses such as the ones that make up a large portion of Waterloo’s economy.
To meet this demand, one of the most in-demand forms of real estate development in Waterloo – as well as most of Ontario’s major cities – is large multifamily housing developments in the form of large-scale apartment complexes, condominiums, and townhomes.
A Decline in Available Industrial Properties
According to a study by real estate firm CBRE, in the first quarter of 2022, there was only a 0.4 per cent vacancy rate for large-scale industrial real estate in the city, meaning that the city may soon need to begin turning away businesses that it cannot accommodate with its currently available properties.
So, if you are a developer looking for an in-demand industrial market, Waterloo may be the place for you.
The Tech Sector in Waterloo Real Estate
Two of the most major employment and business sectors in Waterloo are the technology and digital media industries. As a result, some of the largest employers are tech companies, many of which are notable names that play major roles in the digital landscape.
Companies Headquartered in Waterloo Include:
- Blackberry
- Descartes Systems Group
- Maplesoft
- ON Superconductor
- OpenText Corporation
- And More
In addition, major companies such as Google, McAfee, Intel, and Shopify have offices in Waterloo despite their headquarters being located elsewhere.
Due to the volume of businesses in this sector in the city, it may be a strong investment to buy offices and workspaces for companies such as these. However, as current trends indicate, you should note that many of these companies are locating themselves outside of the downtown core so it may be advantageous to buy or develop properties with that trend in mind.
Discover How To Buy Commercial Real Estate With This Step By Step Guide
Leveraging the Technology Triangle
One of the key advantages to investing in Waterloo is the city’s role as part of the Technology Triangle. The combined cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge are home to a variety of technology companies that are interconnected between cities. So, it can be incredibly advantageous to try and leverage that as an investor in order to build successful additions to your portfolio.
This can be done in a variety of ways such as making worker-friendly housing that offers fast internet speeds and space for a home office, investing in coworking spaces for professionals who need a place to stop and work when away from their primary office.
World-Renowned Tourism in Waterloo Real Estate
On top of the year-round benefits of Waterloo investing, the city is also home to multiple world-renowned tourism events that attract thousands of residents and brings in millions of dollars into the local economy.
The largest of these events is Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, a nine-day celebration that attracts over 700,000 visitors annually and contributes nearly $21 million into the economies of both Kitchener and Waterloo. This celebration is the largest Bavarian event in the world outside of Germany.
As well, Waterloo hosts their annual Waterloo Busker Carnival, a yearly arts and performance festival which attracts a crowd of over 80,000 people into Waterloo from around the world.
These tourism events and more make entertainment venues, short-term accommodations, restaurants, bars, and other tourism related investments incredibly beneficial for investors ready to take advantage of their demand in the city.
Waterloo Real Estate – Investing in Canada’s Silicon Valley
If you are ready to take advantage of the unique economy and market in Ontario’s Silicon Valley, then Waterloo may be the place for you.
So, if you are interested in learning more about commercial investing in Waterloo or are ready to get started today, give us a call at LendCity and a member of our commercial financing team will gladly help connect you with the best lender to help you make your goals into a reality.
All you need to do in order to begin is visit us at LendCity.ca and apply online or give us a call at 519-960-0370 to book a consultation.
Waterloo Real Estate Professionals
Here is a list of trusted real estate professionals that service the Waterloo real estate market.
Mortgage Brokers
LendCity Mortgages
You can also click the link below to book a free strategy call with our team at LendCity by clicking the link below.