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Edmonton Property Taxes Going Up In 2009
2008-05-31 05:34:00
Many Edmonton property owners found a gift of the 2008 tax assessment in their mailbox this week. Although the heavy envelopes probably weren't met with squeals of glee they will certain be more pleasant than what will hit your mailbox next year. Expect property taxes to increase by at least 9% in 2009"This is … just maintaining existing levels. These are no extra frills. This is where we need to start," Coun. Kim Krushell on proposed tax increases to Edmonton property owners.The growing city requires a lot of money to meet the demands on infrastructure from population growth.You'll just have to factor in this little expensive when you buy your next property. If you divide your property taxes over 12 months this will be a small blip in the figures. The city also has a Monthly Payment Plan that is relative easy to set up and makes the tax payment a lot less painless.
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Real Estate Insider Conference
2008-05-30 09:19:00
As you may well know we are card carrying members of REIN and really believe that the program and the ACRE system have been crucial to our investing success. Don R. Campbell, the president of REIN, is hosting a series of 90 minute conference calls that anyone can listen to.He has highlighted regions such as Alberta, Ontario and B.C he touches on the three F's (Food, Fuel and Fertilizer) and how best to build a portfolio in an up, down or flat market.Click Here to listen to the call
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That Weekend At GreySkull
2008-05-30 07:37:00
Sometimes ultrasound pictures are a little scary!
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I'll Take The Bait
2008-05-28 08:05:00
After checking my Google alerts it looks like the only thing in the news today is that people are leaving Alberta to buy houses in Eastern Canada. "A serious influx of Western Canadian purchasers has bolstered housing sales in every Atlantic province. Tremendous job opportunities available in Alberta that allow commuting to and from the East Coast have served to further strengthen home-buying activity in the region. Last, but certainly not least, after living in Western Canada for many years, more and more Maritimers are returning home."Michael Polzler, Re/Max’s regional directorIt is not an uncommon trend, look at real estate on the west coast where many of the buyers are Albertans looking for second homes or ready to move out of the blustery cold into a milder clime. A friend of mine who moved to the island (Vancouver Island) after many years in Calgary said all her new neighbours are Albertans. The funny thing (I want to write irony but I'm not sure this is a clear case) is ...

New CMHC Report For Edmonton Spring 2008
2008-05-26 07:03:00
"In general, market conditions have favoured buyers since the fall of 2007 and we see little change in store during the first half of 2008 . Sales will remain soft for much of the year and will end 2008 down by 10 per cent to 18,500 units. Market weakness should subside as the year progresses, with demand improving once prospective buyers gain some confidence that the adjustment phase has run its course and the price trend has stabilized. This said, a lot will depend on the behavior of investors and speculators who purchased units during the accelerating market conditions."Buyers should buy while the market is favouring them. It won't be long till we see prices rising again and many people wishing they had picked up that deal in '08.Get your FREE copy here
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So You Think Oil Is Expensive??
2008-05-24 09:06:00
Well you are wrong! According to this video apple prices have increased more than oil and we (Americans) paid more for oil 25 years ago than they do today! I haven't watched t.v for a while is this guy the new Andy Rooney? Anyway good to know it just seems like gas prices are up.

Edmonton's 30 Year Vision
2008-05-23 12:43:00
The vision of Edmonton as a thriving arts community, a clean environment, with big beautiful parks, a powerful economy and a unique look was compiled by over 2,200 citizens with a common goal in mind- Edmonton by 2040.“We hope this vision will allow the flexibility, in those interim steps, to get to that point, but we should always want to get to that point,” “My assumption is that most (future) councils will want to make environment sustainable, most will want to have a good, multi-cultural community, they might have different steps in getting there, but they would still want to get there.” Mayor Stephen MandelSounds like a beautiful place and I would love to live there in my, gulp, late-sixties.
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How To Avoid Buying A Drug House
2008-05-21 06:20:00
Todd wrote this article to help house buyers and investors make sure they aren't getting a huge financial and environmental headache when they pick up that "deal" down the street."Sadly, we live in dangerous times. We not only have to be careful of shoddy plumbing jobs, leaky roofs and shifting foundations, but we must also check for dangerous and illegal uses of our potential homes. Don't be fooled into thinking that only houses in rougher, low-income areas harbour drug operations: Many marijuana Grow ops are located in middle to upper class suburbs." Read Full Article
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$30 Million In Nanotechnology
2008-05-19 05:24:00
Alberta isn't only about the oil sands. There is a diversified economy that helps support this economic wonderland nanotechnology will be super-funded by the Stelmach government in hopes that Alberta will lead in this burgeoning field."The money comes out of a $130-million fund the Stelmach government announced last May to expand Alberta's nanotechnology sector. It also tapped that fund to pledge $15 million over five years in research grants for Alberta nanotech businesses.Alberta, eager to compete for researchers and sales in a rapidly growing worldwide market for nanotechnologies, boasts about 45 companies with combined annual sales of more than $300 million, the government said."Full Article
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Getting Shaken Up - $1 Dollar Assumable
2008-05-16 00:57:00
Even in a market with strong economic fundamentals there are plateaus. If you are aware when these plateaus come they won't alarm you, in fact you welcome them because they create excellent buying opportunities. In Edmonton we have gone from extreme seller's market to a strong buyer's market.I found a property that can be assumed with qualifying in Edmonton the other day. I like this for 2 reasons:1. It's good marketing. It will attract buyers out of curiosity just like you - who will click here to see what it is about.2. It shows there are a lot of motivated sellers out there. I don't know the motivation for this seller and I hope it is not due to any misfortune. However, deals like this show there are many motivated sellers:- people got stuck trying to flip a house in last year's market- investors who got scared because they think the market will crash/ is crashing- short-term investors who can't weather out the plateauThis specific deal doesn't fit our criteria (assum...
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Centre Helps Woman Enter The Oilsands
2008-05-15 08:54:00
It's hard work but the paycheck is right - but with a quick six-month course woman are getting into the oil sands. This simple transition can take them out of low paying service industry jobs into triple to quadruple the wages out in the oilfields."Our targets are underemployed women, typically 24 to 34 years old, who are working hard and not making ends meet," "We recruit women who are truly serious about a skilled career and compatible with it." WBF Petro-Canada Training Centre Agency founder JudyLynn ArcherThis will certainly help with the labour crunch in the area as the availability of skilled labour is crucial in whether some projects will proceed or not and allow many women to improve their quality of life. Read Full Article
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How Do YOU Rank Financially?
2008-05-12 06:57:00
If you've ever wondered how your friend's pay cheques measure up to yours, you can take a peek at The all-Canadian wealth test on the Canadian Business site. Showing age, gender and provincial averages you can get a good idea of who is earning what where.Alberta looks to have the highest salaries across the board.My biggest question is the gender salary divide really that great?One other good read that my lead you to your millions is 10 laws of building wealth simple advice that makes a lot of "cents".
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Still More Opportunities For Albertans
2008-05-10 08:42:00
A slew, actually doubling to be precise, of new Wal-Marts opening across Alberta will offer more jobs and bargain prices for Albertans. "Alberta is a wonderful part of the country . . . and it's a wonderful place to do business," "It's always been one of our strongest markets." "..your economy has been booming for a long time and with that strong economy it means even more growth and more demand for general merchandise and food." Andrew Pelletier, vice-president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart CanadaThe stores will range for 100,000 sq ft to almost 200,000 sq ft (imagine losing your child in there!) and will be a combination of new stores, expansions of existing stores and relocations.
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Watch The Property Values Rise
2008-05-09 12:39:00
We've generally stayed away from Alberta Ave because the headaches of managing and tenanting the property far outweighed the low price tags. However, with an $8.5 million , 5 block-per-year revitalization in the works it's starting to look more and more attractive."Alberta Avenue, the 27-block stretch of 118th Avenue north of downtown, is getting a facelift. Crews are beginning work on "streetscaping" five blocks of the avenue, putting in new road surfaces, new and wider sidewalks, new trees and better lighting." Susan Ruttan, edmontonjournal.comDon R. Campbell often says to not be the first in the area to start the gentrification but come in the middle when the risk takers have done most of the work. I would say this is a good indication that properties in this previously forsaken (drugs, prostitution and crime) area are going to make a nice profit.My good friend has been active by spreading flower seeds on walks with her dog, in hopes of beautifying the area around her inv...
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This And That
2008-05-08 04:47:00
What Edmontonians think about the real estate market - "Eventually my house will be worth more than I paid for it. Until then I am enjoying being my own landlord. I am here for the long haul." TerryProvince promotes environmental hotline -"We have the rapid-response team, we have the emergency personnel, we have the expertise and we have the capacity to deal with it, (environmental issues)"Environment Minister Rob RennerAlberta can handle oil-price drop: economist -"Companies are investing very prudently right now and can still make good money at $70 a barrel,"Peter Hall, economics vice-president of Export Development Canada.

Golden Week
2008-05-06 01:44:00
We had a beautiful Golden Week this year. Golden Week is between the first week of May and the last week of April in Japan; it is a time when many companies give their employees a holiday and domestic and international travel is very popular."Many Japanese take paid time off on the intervening work days, but some companies also closed down completely and give their employees time off. Golden week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs. Two other holidays may also be observed for most or all of a week: Oshōgatsu in January and Obon in August. Golden Week is an extremely popular time to travel. Flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked despite significantly higher rates at this time. Popular foreign destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, and major cities on the west coast of the U.S., such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco, as well as in Europe, are affected during these seasons by huge numbers of Japanese tourists." WikipediaWe went ...

That Is Exactly The Problem
2008-05-02 03:25:00
If you're poor or relatively poor, it's possible to have many of the things the middle class has," "It's just that you have to pay for them for a longer period of time." Michael Haan, a sociology professor at the University of AlbertaFocusing on needs not wants puts a lot of people into financial debt, they have to stop digging the hole. Perhaps this is why we have Gen Xs and Ys in so much debt. When graduates start work they are looking a minimum of $20k student loans and credit card debt. Mix that in with a poor understanding of finances and you will have a generation with all the bling but none of the bang in their bank accounts. Preparing for the future financially is something that should be taught from elementary school.Thank goodness people like Robert Kiyosaki saw the need and filled it and by helping people he became a financial fortress.Investing when you are young and saving money to invest is so important because once the first home, child and car come you cou...
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Edmonton Is Still A Deal
2008-04-29 08:58:00
You wouldn't think so with all the negative news and complaining that goes on but compared to other major Canadian centers Edmonton is a bargain for housing and cost of living."With health-care premiums being eliminated next year in the latest Alberta budget, Albertans, new and established, have one more reason to feel they live in one of the most economical areas of the country. Housing prices have softened a little in the past few months, but recent figures show the average home in Edmonton is selling for $353,000. According to MLS listings, in Greater Vancouver a similar home sells for $581,000 and in Toronto, homeowners are paying $366,000. Calgary is considerably higher at $436,000. Rents vary widely, too, with Vancouver advertising one-bedroom apartments at $1,500 a month and up, and Toronto offering a similar suite for $1,250 plus utilities. Meanwhile in Edmonton, a one-bedroom apartment just west of downtown can be obtained for $895 per month on a one-year lease. When ...
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A World Of Hypermilers
2008-04-26 07:19:00
Is the only answer. I saw that oil could go as high as $200 per barrel not just a bubble but the growing demand and tightening supplies might make that scary number a reality. Along with carpooling, using the transit system and well walking we could all try "hypermile - ing":"Fuel economy-maximizing behaviors describe techniques that drivers can use to optimize their automobile fuel economy. The energy in fuel consumed in driving is lost in many ways, including engine inefficiency, aerodynamic drag, rolling friction, potential energy required to climb hills, and kinetic energy lost to braking (absent regenerative braking). Driver behavior can influence all of these. The city mileage of conventional cars is much lower than highway mileage due to: 1) a high proportion of idling time, 2) operation mostly at very inefficient low-output engine operating points, and 3) more frequent braking" WikipediaAlthough it may seem like a drop in the bucket hypermile-ing will reduce your gas con...
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Pregnant With First Child
2008-04-24 08:41:00
I went to the doctor here yesterday for my 17 week check-up. I actually really enjoy the whole Japanese medical process. I think we are being made wimps back home(Canada).I don't need a lot of tests (although I see the value of having them if you are in a higher risk bracket) from what I have read on the net everyone back home is offered the test even if they are in their 20's and have no history of genetic abnormalities in their family. Sounds like a cash cow for the medical system... Plus why stress the mother more and introduce a foreign body into your baby's sanctum?I like that I will get two midwives and a doctor who stands in the background, I like that I won't be doped unless necessary (of course I can say that now but in the throws of it who knows???) and that I should cope with the pain instead of mask it.Trust me if anything goes wrong I'm the first to be grateful for a first class, modern medical facility but to be honest my body has been perfected to do this through...
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Balanced Market Let's First Time Buyers In
2008-04-24 08:34:00
Last year when prices in Edmonton rose close to 50% first time buyers were afraid they would never be homeowners. The frenzy that resulted in "conditionless" contracts, bidding wars and listings on the market for mere days left a lot of people feeling out of control in their buying. The attitude was buy it now or never see that chance again. However since the market has cooled a little buyers can take there time picking a choosing deals. They can have terms that protect them or help them buy more easily. "With the best selection of homes listed for sale in years, entry-level buyers have the luxury of time on their side,...""No longer forced to act in haste, first-time purchasers can make offers conditional on financing and home inspections." RE/MAX We are certainly able to pick and choose the properties we are buying now and with better terms and a lot of room for negotiation. It's a nice time to buy.
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Great Advice For Using Facebook Professionally
2008-04-24 04:49:00
I found a link on Web Worker Daily that offers 12 ways to use Facebook professionally. It is over a year old but I think that it is still quite relevant and useful if you haven't explored that social network as a web tool. Here is the first tip: "Think of it like personalizing your desk. You can’t help it. When you walk by someone’s desk, your eye is drawn to the pictures and the way they have personalized and organized their space. You pick up on clues to their lives without realizing it. Mary is a Mom whose desk is filled with pictures of two young children, and there are “To Mommy” pictures pinned to the side of her cubicle. You know what her weekends are probably like. John is still dating his high school sweetheart. He likes to scuba dive and he got some great shots of his last trip to Bonaire. You can see the paperback that Bill is reading on the corner of his desk. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to read that. Can I borrow it when you’re done?” Sally has a collect...
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Oh Look, Someone Else Discovered Alberta!
2008-04-22 15:13:00
This great nugget is from www.marketwatch.com:"A boom of unprecedented dimensions is sweeping Canada's spectacularly scenic western province of Alberta , the Texas-sized territory with a population of 3 million that is home to a pair of world-class cities -- Calgary (population 1.2 million) and Edmonton (population 1.1 million)." Marshall Loeb, Market WatchIt doesn't matter what the Edmonton property market does in the short term because all the international investors who are coming to Alberta, Canada are looking at the long-term. That is how the "strong hands" do it. For more information on Alberta Oilsands click hereBut I leave you with this:"Canada has rather rapidly become the largest supplier of oil to the U.S. Alberta is producing more than 1 million barrels of so-called synthetic oil a day, and the province is sitting atop the largest petroleum deposit outside the Arabian Peninsula (as much as 300 billion recoverable barrels). As a result, the economy of A...

SEO Rapper - Great Advice and Presentation
2008-04-21 07:57:00
The SEO Rapper or Poetic Prophet great advice and excellent presentation.
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This Is A Good Strategy For Any Investment
2008-04-21 07:40:00
This article is geared to stocks and day trading but I think it applies to real estate as well."The pros talk about nervous, quick-on-the-trigger traders as the "weak hands" in the market. But the nervousness is really just human nature. It isn't easy to hold on to an investment that's down, even if it was up for several years. When the markets are roiling, many investors panic and sell. And that's exactly the wrong approach.When the same professionals mention "strong hands," they are talking about investors with a longer time horizon. These savvy investors swoop in when everything is beaten down, acquiring shares at bargain prices. They ignore short declines and stick around to enjoy the above-average returns that will follow eventually." MSN Finance
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Don Campbell On Ontario - Where To Invest
2008-04-21 01:52:00
Don R. Campbell bestselling author and president of the Real Estate Invest ment Network (REIN) released their top 10 tens to invest in in Ontario . They are as follows: 1. Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge - Comprising Canada's Technology Triangle, the region is quickly becoming known worldwide as a competitive area in which to build a high-tech business. The area is so strong economically that the Real Estate Investment NetworkTM research team has dubbed it the "Economic Alberta of Ontario".2. Barrie and Orillia (tie) - Barrie is an attractive community for people seeking the nearness and vitality of Toronto but with a slower pace of life. Orillia, with a rising population and expansion of post-secondary institutions, has tremendous opportunities for investors to provide student housing.3. Whitby, Ajax & Pickering -The ripple outward from the GTA toward this region has been picking up steam over the previous decade. However, until quite recently much of this demand increase has been...

British Comedy At It's Best
2008-04-18 07:50:00
DIY Disasters are funny in the I'm glad that is not me way. This BBC comedy The Armando Iannucci show has one of the funniest DIY disasters I have ever seen.
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So It's Not Just An Edmonton Thing
2008-04-18 06:20:00
Sales are falling across Canada while listings are surging in western Canada. Could it be the record cold winter where people just weren't interested in checking what was on the market? I think in Edmonton it's a lot of investors testing the water to see what the property they bought last year is actually worth or what they pull out with. “Canada's six-year housing market boom is officially over. Aside from a few choice prairie locales, sales are melting faster than this year's snowpack,” Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Nesbitt BurnsI'm not sure I agree with that blanket statement but I know this year is not the year to put your house on the market. Talking with a friend the other day she was certain she could get $450,000 for a property in Edmonton that frankly would pull 25% less with buyer incentives (vendor take backs, assumable etc). Her local "real estate expert" said put the house on the market and you will get whatever you ask.Seems like a good exam...
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Cherry Blossom Time In My City
2008-04-18 05:59:00
Although the cherry blossoms lasted a paltry weekend this year before being pelted to the ground by heavy rain, lightening and in one case a not too shabby earthquake we did manage to get some great shots around Utsunomiya of the beautiful annual event.Being an ex-pat has a lot of ups and downs but this time of year always makes it seem like a gift.
More About: Time , Cherry Blossom , City , Cherry

In The News
2008-04-09 07:27:00
Canada in the middle of a quiet oil boom -"With oil prices hovering near a hundred dollars a barrel, there’s a major oil boom underway. It’s not happening in the sweltering heat of Texas or the dry desert of Saudi Arabia, but on the frozen Canadian tundra where oil producers are developing a new source of fossil fuel. It may seem like unlikely terrain for one of the biggest oil booms in recent memory. But Canada’s “oil sands” have helped make it the leading supplier to the United States." The amazing thing is that at 3 million barrels a day we have enough oil to last 400 years. Numbers Tell The Truth- Count On It"and what about climate change? Now there's a nice juicy topic for number crunchers like me. When it comes to the we're-all-doomed file, the spinmeisters have got a big hate on for Alberta's oilsands.According to a recent front-page Globe and Mail story, the oilsands generate fully 25 per cent of Canada's carbon emissions. Except, well, they don't. In a subs...
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