PLAYING THE LONG GAME

- An Uncommon Thread

Heather MacDonald

heather@migratehome.ca

416-305-6159 migratehome.ca

Once upon a time, there were two sisters who had dreams. Not the same dreams, yet there was a common thread. That lead to a decision to immigrate to Canada. One by one – about a year apart with spouses in tow. Because of that, and the common thread, I became a decision partner in their journey. The question of where to live, and how to get there is often complicated and unique to each person.

What happened next I didn’t see coming; it was so rare, so smart, so bold. An idea to purchase a home they could share, instead of separate living in rentals costing the same or more!

That lead to questions – many questions. Curiosity uncovered the challenge and the opportunity – which lead to figuring out which combination of the group could qualify for a mortgage. We nailed it – so that meant searching and viewing all manner of weird housing options across the GTA in bitterly cold, snowy weather.

Yet the persistence paid off and we swooped in for the kill on a bungalow in Clarkson that was perfect! That lasted for a few years until the babies started to arrive, grow, and thunder through the house.

What to do? They replayed the strategy and pulled out equity and ownership in that property to fund a second property. But it didn’t stop there! The team of four became a team of six – because now a third sister and her husband joined the plan for House #2. Now, the sister with children has the first house. The other two sisters without children have the second house. The story doesn’t end there!

The sister with the children has been able to open a very small restaurant. Being the enterprising diva she is, that too is a growing success. It is possible that in another year, the team will replay the strategy and another combo between these six people will produce a third residence.

It took six years between House #1 and #2, and now in our eighth year we see the potential for leveraging it again. Collaboration is the uncommon, common thread they share.

If there is will, there is a way. What’s holding you back from following their lead? Sure it can be complicated, take a lot of time, research, and conversation. Let’s build your story. Let’s make collaboration more common!