Topic: How To Invest

What is your opinion of Pure Multi-Family REIT? Is it a buy for long-term gains? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Pure Multi-Family REIT, $4.76, symbol RUF.U on Toronto (Units outstanding: 24.1 million; Market cap: $114.7 million; www.puremultifamily.com), owns 13 apartment properties in Texas that contain 3,614 units. Pure Multi has just agreed to buy the Walker Commons complex in the Houston suburb of League City, about 30 miles from the downtown core. The property was built in 2008 and consists of 352 apartments in 12 two- and three-storey buildings on 18.7 acres of land. The complex boasts resort-like amenities, including a clubhouse, fitness centre, swimming pool, outdoor fireplace and a poolside cabana with grills. The expected purchase price is $43.8 million U.S. The acquisition should bring the REIT’s suite count up to just under 4,000. Pure Multi aims to focus on Texas, Arizona and other Sunbelt states—but as of right now, it is entirely concentrated in Texas. That adds a lot of risk. Offsetting some of that risk is the fact that there are still a lot of properties with high occupancy rates for…