The Citizen, 2018-02-01, Page 10host of factors before deciding to
delve into the real estate market.
• Current finances: Real estate
can potentially yield big returns, but
these may only materialize after
ABC INVESTMENTS
investors spend ample amounts of
money refurbishing or even
maintaining their investment
properties. Prospective investors
without the capital on hand to
finance repairs or routine
maintenance may find it difficult to
make their properties appealing to
potential tenants, which can make it
harder to meet mortgage payments.
Prospective investors who already
have sizable debts, be it consumer
Continued on page 11
and slow, but it's an effective safety
measure that should only delay
online or mobile banking by a few
seconds.
Use only secure network
connections. Public wi-fi can be
convenient, but consumers should
never use such connections to do
their online or mobile banking. The
American Bankers Association
suggests consumers always do their
online banking via their own private
home networks. Consumers who
routinely use public wi-fi, even if it's
just for basic internet surfing, should
log out of mobile banking apps or
websites before logging on to public
networks.
Change passwords frequently and
avoid using the same password for
more than one account. Many
banking websites advise customers
if their passwords are weak or strong
when customers first set up their
accounts.
Even if customers' passwords are
deemed strong, it's best to change
them periodically so hackers or
criminals cannot guess them. And
consumers should never use the
same password for more than one
account, as that can make it much
easier for criminals to steal
consumers' identities.
Monitor credit scores. Consumers
have the right to one free credit
report each year, but many credit
card companies now update
customers regarding their credit
scores once per month. Consumers
may need to sign up to take
advantage of this service, but doing
so is typically free. If credit scores
suddenly dip unexpectedly and
without reason, consumers may have
been victimized by identity theft and
can then take the necessary course of
action to address the issue.
Online and mobile banking is
convenient, but consumers must
tread carefully when accessing
sensitive financial information
online.
Brian E. Wightman
Chartered Professional Accountant
Certified General Accountant
• Personal & Corporate Tax
• Accounting & Bookkeeping
• Agricultural Services
Seaforth
519-527-1331
Email: wightman@bellnet.ca
NEST GICRATES
1yr.
PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018.
Online financial services changing how people bank
Banking online
From money transfers to e -depositing cheques with a cell phone, the way that many people
bank has changed over the past several years. With the advent of online banking, however,
comes security concerns that didn't exist before. Tips to keep online banking safe and secure
include avoiding unknown wi-fi networks and changing passwords frequently. (Msphoto)
MS — In the digital era, many
errands that once required leaving
the house can be conducted from the
comforts of home. Groceries can be
ordered online and delivered to
consumers' doorsteps, while bills
can be paid online, saving men and
women from having to drive to their
nearby post office.
Online banking has revolutionized
the way people manage their money.
Investors can buy or sell stocks with
the click of a mouse, and money can
be moved across accounts just as
easily and instantly. Many
consumers now even do their
banking on their mobile phones. In
fact, a 2016 study from the U.S.
Federal Reserve found that 67 per
cent of millennials use mobile
banking, suggesting that mobile
banking is the wave of the future.
While online or mobile banking
makes it easy for consumers to
manage their money, it's also
potentially much riskier than in-
person banking at the bank. Unseen
hackers and thieves are lurking
online and in places where Wi-Fi is
open and free, so online and mobile
banking enthusiasts must exercise
caution when accessing their
accounts.
Sign up for two -factor
authentication. Some banks and
credit card companies now provide
two -factor authentication, and some
may even insist their customers use
it. Two -factor authentication
requires two forms of verification
before users can log into their
accounts. The first might be the
traditional username and password,
while the second might be a
temporary code texted or e-mailed to
users after they log into their
accounts. Some consumers may feel
two -factor authentication is tedious
Tips, cautions for investing in real estate
Real estate
When it comes to investments, real estate can be attractive, promising 20 year turn-arounds
that other investment opportunities don't offer. However, before taking on commercial or
residential real estate, there are several aspects to the investment to keep in mind. (Msphoto)
MS — Real estate can be a good
investment that helps build wealth
and secure a financial future.
According to Investopedia, average
20 -year returns in commercial real
estate hover around 9.5 per cent,
while residential and diversified real
estate average returns of 10.6 per
cent.
Such figures may seem too good
to ignore for many prospective real
estate investors. But investing in real
estate can be risky, and it's important
that first-time investors consider a
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• Reconciliations • Personal, Farm
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RR 2 Bluevale
519-887-9248 Fax 519-887-9454
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3 yr.
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ABC Investments is a broker for more than
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We do not charge any fees for our services.
All investments are eligible for deposit insurance.
ABC Investments
12 Courthouse Square, Goderich N7A 1 M3
Give us a call or stop in for rates on
RSP's, RIF's & TFSA's
(We will pay the transfer fee charged to you by another
financial institution up to $100.)
519-524-277311-800-265-5503
abcinvestments@gicinvest.net