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How Do You Know What’s REAL: Look for Advice

Know the basics before you invest, and use InvestRight.org
Get advice from an independent advisor

If you’re thinking about an investment in real estate, it’s helpful to consult with an independent party. This final part of our blog post series looks at how you can look for advice from a qualified, independent advisor in order to help you find out what’s REAL in real estate investing.

Before you listen to the advice, it’s important to know if the advice you are getting is coming from a qualified source. Conduct a background check to ensure your investment advisor is registered.

You can also conduct a formal interview to better understand if the advisor you are working with is the right one for you when it comes to helping you make an informed decision on investing in real estate-based securities. Some questions to ask include:

  • What investment business are you registered to conduct?
  • What professional qualifications do you have and what do they mean?
  • How long have you been advising clients on their investments?
  • Can you tell me about how you have worked with clients like me who are interested in investing in real estate-based securities?
  • How are you compensated and what fees do you charge?

An independent advisor could also be a lawyer or accountant. It’s always best to get advice from a third party who doesn’t have a stake in the investment decision you make.

For more information on real estate-based securities, visit our new Private Real Estate Investing page.

Learn more about private real estate investing

If you have any concerns about a person or company offering an investment opportunity, please contact BCSC Contact Centre at 604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 or through e-mail at [email protected]. You can also file a complaint or submit a tip anonymously using BCSC’s online complaint form.

InvestRight.org is the BC Securities Commission’s investor education website.

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Test Your Crypto Asset Knowledge.

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This quiz is designed to introduce you to the basics of crypto assets. It is not intended to provide investment or financial advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for such advice.
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QUESTION 1/10

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are the same thing.