Should I invest in crowdfunded real estate? + MORE May 20th

Oil eases as focus returns to oversupply

Q: I’ve seen a lot of press lately on crowdfunded real estate investments. I’m wondering if this is a good way to invest in real estate if I don’t want to be a hands-on landlord?
— Curious about crowdfunding, Winnipeg, MB

Answer from Romana King, senior editor and real estate specialist at MoneySense: Want to invest in brick and mortar properties but don’t like the idea of being a hands-on landlord? Want investment returns on your real estate investment, but don’t like the almost-like-equities style of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) and Mortgage Investment Corporations (MICs)? Consider real estate crowdfunding.
Over the last couple of years, real estate based crowdfunding sites—like RealtyMogul.com, Plentyofmoose.com, NexusCrowd.com, PatchofLand.com, DwellXchange.com and most recently Sharestates.com—have sprung up. All operate under the same basic premise: use technology to help individual and institutional investors to buy equity in various types of real estate holdings…

Owning a library card can get you more than just books on loan. While the hallowed halls of your local library may lead you to the latest bestseller, certain locations may also offer you a key to the city.
Many libraries across the country loan special passes to card-holders giving them free access to city attractions, such as museums and zoos.
Snagging one of these passes at your local library could save a family of four more than $100 on a single outing, not to mention create lasting memories.
Vancouver
Library card-holders in Vancouver can check out the Vancouver Inspiration Pass for two weeks at a time and unlike in some other cities, it can be used more than once. Not only does the pass give access to museums and galleries, but it also lets holders use various fitness centres across the city. The pass can be used by a mixture of four adults or children under 18, or four young people between the ages of 14 and 18.
With the Vancouver Inspiration Pass, you can visit more than 20 city attractions, including:

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Museum of Vancouver
Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Cost for a family of four to visit the Vancouver Aquarium without the pass: $108
Toronto
If you live in Toronto, drop by your local Toronto Public Library branch to see if you can get a Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass…

MEXICO CITY – Mexico is lowering its economic growth forecast for 2016, citing what it calls “adverse” international conditions including sluggish industrial production in the United States.
The Treasury Department is now predicting GDP expansion of 2.2 per cent and 3.2 per cent this year. That’s down from its previous forecast of 2.6 per cent to 3.6 per cent.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Fernando Aportela said Friday that Mexico’s economy is also being hit hurt by volatility in financial markets and low prices for oil, a key export.
Nearly 80 per cent of Mexican exports go to the United States, the country’s main trade partner.
Mexico’s central bank also lowered its growth forecast recently, to between 2 per cent and 3 per cent.
The post Mexico lowers 2016 GDP forecast, sees 2.2 to 3.2 pct growth appeared first on Canadian Business – Your Source For Business News.