The Wealthy Renter: How to Choose Housing That Will Make You Rich

In this strong debut, Avery, an equity research analyst and leader of CIBC Capital Markets' real-estate team, draws on his expertise to challenge the adage "Why rent when you can buy?" He aims to demonstrate that, especially in today's housing market, owning may not be the best option for many Canadians. Avery begins by explaining that "rent" is something that all homeowners pay as well, even if it is not called "rent" per se. He then gets into the nitty-gritty of the Canadian housing market and breaks down not only how it works but why buying a house may not be as sustainable and certain an investment as it once was. Finally, he argues that informed renters can easily end up in better financial condition than homeowners. The book is sometimes repetitive, but Avery skillfully conveys his subject matter in an interesting and easily digestible manner, a laudable achievement given the sometimes complicated nature of the real estate and investment world. His friendly tone helps to make the book more readable. As one of the few guides specific to Canadian renters, Avery's fills an information gap and is a solid overall choice for anyone interested in Canadian housing options. (Sept.)