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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.
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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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Are We The Devil In The West?
2008-04-02 02:00:00
Some environmentalists think Alberta Oil Sands are a prime example of greed over nature and should be shut-down until Northern Alberta emmissions are under control."The reason nobody except a handful of academics, self-serving lobbyists and publicity-seeking politicians cares about this issue is that Canada produces slightly more than 2.5 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.That's right. When it comes to big time emitters we rank . . . oh let's see, we pretty much don't rank.Let's talk about carbon dioxide, one of the most pernicious greenhouse gases and the current cause celebre with the environmental lobby.The U.S. and China produce slightly more than 40 per cent of the world's annual carbon dioxide emissions. Our production numbers rank light years behind both of those countries and well behind industrial giants such as Russia, India, Japan and Germany."Read Full Article
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Alberta Closed For Renovations
2008-04-01 01:33:00
As you’ve probably already heard, the Alberta provincial government announced last Wednesday that the province would be shutting down its borders for the next 18 months beginning April 2nd 2008.The announcement was made after repeated complaints by citizens that the economy was growing too fast, salaries increasing too rapidly (along with housing values) and that the higher demand for oil was contributing to a sense of ‘overwhelm’ in the province of 3.48 million people.The government reacted after receiving requests such as these from its Eastern neighbors, from Newfoundland Irene Casey said “ It’s been nearly 12 days since I’ve seen by husband Tim and our son Ryan”. The two set off to work in the manufacturing supplies center NE of Edmonton. They aren’t due back for another 3 days, but Mrs. Casey is feeling nervous after receiving a telephone message from husband Tim.“Don’t bother boiling any ‘taters for Ryan and me. We sent our first cheque back for $21,000 (...
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What's The True Story?
2008-03-28 08:36:00
So which is it? Is Saskatchewan the next mecca for life, work and investment or is the affordable housing, great jobs and incredible salaries just another wheat field in the sky?I am not sure.Saskatchewan has a lot of potential; there are large oil deposits, significant uranium and potash deposits and a diamond mine that but the economy isn't THAT huge and from what I can tell the reverse in-migration was about 150 people more going back to Saskatchewan than moved to Edmonton.First you read this:"The Canada West Foundation has published it's State of the West report - it's the first in five years. Author Brett Gartner says what stood out most for him was the net migration out of Alberta and into Saskatchewan. It's the first time this has happened since the mid-80's. The reason for this high job availability and having cheaper real estate than our western neighbour. Gartner also points out there is also a net migration from the countryside to the city within the province. ...
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Who Says Landlords Never Give Back?
2008-03-26 07:35:00
An Edmonton landlord struggles to keep the school near his complex open and is willing to pay to make that happen."Reg Appleyard, Meadowcroft Housing Society of Edmonton's executive director, told public school trustees that he will guarantee 110 students are enrolled in Woodcroft Elementary School by Sept. 15, and the society will pay nearly $5,000 for every student short of the goal, up to $98,224 or a shortfall of 19 kids." Photo courtesy of Edmonton Journal.Relying on 30 years of accumulated reserve funds, Reg sees this as the biggest crisis the complex has had to face, and is willing to pay to keep the school and his units tenanted."We bought this complex 30 years ago, and we've always set aside funds each year for crises or emergencies," he said. "We feel that this is probably the biggest crisis we've faced in 30 years, and so we are prepared to use some of our reserve funds to try to solve the Woodcroft Elementary School problem." Reg AppleyardWhat a reserve fund!Reg seem...
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Hot New Deal
2008-03-25 01:42:00
Your estimated return is 23%+ annuallyTurbo charge your portfolio. Stylish 1/2 Duplex: 3 bdrm, 1.5 baths, plus garage in Millwoods SE Edmonton. Wonderful area, with nearby access to Ring Road and oil projects.Poised for massive growth. This 2003 built 1270 sq ft home rents for top dollar and has everything arranged, including incredible tenants. Your investment includes: financial analysis, inspection, insurance, financing-set up, legal fees, basic accounting, reserve fund, CMA, low down-payment annual statements, market timing and much more!Purchase price $311K Total investment $66K“Get into action and realize secure, long-term profits”Already producing a great RETURN.View the full FEATURE sheet.
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Do You See What I Mean?
2008-03-24 13:56:00
This is taken from Star Publications of Malaysia."WITH crude oil hitting a record price of US$108 per barrel recently, the search for oil and gas has been more intense than ever due to its high profit margin. In recent years, investing in the extraction of oil from sand or oil sands is gaining popularity because of the strong demand and high prices of oil. It was reported by Time Magazine in a recent article that second only to the Saudi Arabia reserves, Alberta's oil sands deposits were described as “Canada's greatest buried energy treasure,” which could satisfy the world's demand for petroleum for the next century."So that brings the countries investing in Alberta to France, China, Norway, the Middle East, America, Japan and now Malaysia. They see something that is a sure bet with the price of rising and demand constantly increasing.Read more about Alberta's HOT economy Click Here.

"Is the Alberta Boom set to Bust?"
2008-03-22 01:05:00
Good question if you think in a Boom and Bust mentality...This is a reply to "Is Edmonton Real Estate Too Hot?"In reality what you have happening in the province of Alberta , specifically Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer cities is a healthy slow down in the market. It's not a Boom and Bust. It's not a 'Too Hot', in fact it has slowed enough to become a buyer's market- opening up the market for the first time in the past 2 years.When a market is firing on all cylinders it has growth stages and moderating stages where it absorbs the outflow of energy produced. It's a self-regulating safety valve so that the economy doesn't get overheated.As a sophisticated investor you don't want to target a market that is doing double digits year after year... you want to target a market that has a diverse, multi-tiered economy that is set to grow year after year.Too many novice investors (read: Speculators) chase the percentages. They look for the next 'Big Town' that is going to BOOM. When i...

What Do We Do Exactly?
2008-03-20 01:24:00
Recently a lot of people are asking what exactly is a joint venture investment and "What DO you guys do?"To put it simply:We leverage our time, knowledge, expertise, contacts and education for investment capital and we own the asset/property we buy 50/50.OUR ROLE1. Choosing quality revenue properties using a proven real estate system - this often means searching through 100's of properties in select areas. It takes time to find a good property in an appreciating area that is a deal. Most people look at a maximum of 10 properties we look at 100s.2. Purchased undervalue and/or with a decreased down payment - Close to 90% of the deals we do are less than 25% down deals heck they are often less than 20% down. Second mortgages, assumable mortgages and agreements of sale are a few savvy strategies that let investors leverage money further and further.3. Evaluate potential properties using A.C.R.E. system - beautiful scenery doesn't make a house appreciate ask people in the U.S about tha...

International Investors Head To Calgary
2008-03-18 08:19:00
"The outlook remains extremely positive for the underlying strength and stability of our economy and will continue to make real estate in Calgary a prudent long-term investment," Susan Thompson, research manager at Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (Alberta) in CalgaryCalgary's real estate market is incredible. It is the headquarter central for many huge international companies and the workforce is young, growing and highly paid but lowly taxed. It's a small wonder that big money investors are flocking to put their money into the city for the long term.However the residential investor is going to Edmonton. Why? Well one point is the difference in income between the two cities is marginal but the difference in real estate prices are an incredible. Edmonton average single family residential house price is about $381,965 and in Calgary the price is $481, 287. More and more people will relocate to Edmonton as a result of more affordable housing. As the demand increases the pric...
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New Website
2008-03-11 02:57:00
After 4 months of blood, sweat and tears we are proud to present our new website at www.glennsimoninc.com. Our old site had a lot of incredible information about Edmonton, Alberta and the Alberta Oil sands but was starting to get hard to navigate and a little to bulky.The new site has all the same great information, plus informative videos, over two years of newsletter archives and our featured property sheet where you can find the hot new deals we are offering our JV partners.Take a look!
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Last of the Wild and Free Alberta Assumables ?
2008-03-08 02:39:00
In Alberta we've been blessed for a longtime time with being able to assume properties without qualifying for the mortgage.For the past two years I've seen banks gradually tighten up their lending policies and require buyers to qualify for some assumable mortgages. In essence where we take over the existing mortgage, but still need to prove our repayment ability and that our credit is in good shape.Last June TD announced that they would cease allowing their mortgages to be assumed, and they have. A few other lenders followed suit; Rezmor and Scotia bank for example.February 26th 2008, RBC joined up stating that they too would require full qualifying.I have successfully used Agreement Of Sales in Alberta and Ontario when the market is favorable. Of course, there are many unique strategies to use as well as, rent-to-own and agreement of sale to name a couple. If you currently have deals tied up with RBC that are assumable, I believe that they will still honor them if they came in wi...
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Edmonton Has Fat Coffers
2008-03-07 01:55:00
The city had a budget surplus of $34.4 Million in 2007. Some of the excess funds are planned to go to infrastructure, a new sports complex and other projects."I know it's frustrating and I don't blame the public. I don't necessarily disagree with their position either, but sometimes it's hard to guess 365 days in advance what's going to happen." Mayor Stephen MandelMaybe we can get a rebate?
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All The Brains Are Heading To Alberta
2008-03-05 04:01:00
New Statistics Canada figures show that along with tradespeople, there is a huge surge of post-secondary school graduates choosing Edmonton over trendy spots like Montreal and Vancouver. Why because smart people go where the money is!In Vancouver you can spend close to 70% of your income on housing, Montreal you can get a job but pay higher taxes than you would in Alberta .Or you could chose Alberta with the lowest taxes in Canada, highest salaries and enjoy quite good housing affordability.No wonder over 160,000 people have moved to Alberta over the last 7 years. With a higher quality of life and virtually limitless opportunities Alberta is where young smart professionals are choosing to make their home.
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Edmonton Real Estate - So What Is Wrong?
2008-03-05 01:16:00
Nothing. I read an article about the prices in Edmonton being stalled (which to me generally denotes stopped/not working/dead). Then the writer went on to say that houses are:• selling for near list prices• not staying on the market long• in strong demand These are good things right?Ending with this quote, "Nothing is for sure" about real estate, but sales agents "are not concerned about the health and vitality of the Edmonton market," association president Marc Perras said in a statement. "Buyers still have lots of choice." But sellers are encouraged by the reduction of sales waiting time. "And sale prices are typically close to the listed price," Perras said. It makes me think writers need to get a thesaurus and get their adjective usage under control.
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Greener Grasses, Warmer Sands?
2008-03-04 14:03:00
What is it with us Canadians? Do we suffer from ‘the grass is always greener, the sand always warmer’ syndrome? During a -40 snap, you bet we do. And it’s not all bad either.Due to increases in salaries and the great rise in Alberta real estate values have helped make many Albertans quite well off. Our strong dollar and the perceived bargains in the U.S. have brought droves of Realtors and salesmen from South of the border to flog their wares, when we’re feeling at our most vulnerable-bitter winter.Albertans are prime targets.I too admit to a weakness for a house on a palm-treed beach. Actually, I’m lucky to have two palm trees in my garden but their leaves turn brown and fall off during cold spells, far from the beach of my dreams.The number one thing to remember is that Alberta is where you can safely and steadily grow your profits over the coming years. Let the folks with knee jerk reactions and short-term thinking get shaken out of this market.Savvy investors think ...
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The West - Canada's Life Jacket
2008-03-03 01:08:00
Incredibly strong markets in West ern Canada are keeping Canada's real estate markets buoyant even through America's housing slump."We expect construction, sales and price gains to moderate in 2008 due to decreasing affordability, especially for first-time buyers, and some softening in domestic economic conditions associated with the intensifying U.S. slowdown and persistently strong Canadian dollar,"Adrienne Warren- Scotiabank senior economist/ author of Real Estate Trends ReportIn what is the strongest and longest postwar housing boom cities like Edmonton and Calgary are keeping the market strong and in good condition. Although both cities saw affordability drop slightly the current balancing out of the market in 2008 will bode for good deals for buyers and price increase in 2009.
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Albertan Researchers Find Gene to Slow Aids Spread
2008-02-29 03:19:00
"It could prevent the onset of AIDS because if the virus can't get out of cells, it can't infect other cells and then that's where the problem comes from AIDS. It decimates the immune system, so if you prevent the virus from leaving cells, it basically locks it into cells and it can't spread." Stephen Barr, a researcher in the medical microbiology and immunology department at the U of A and lead author of the paper published in the Public Library of Science Pathogens journalRead Full Article Click Here
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Oilsands Get Big Bucks This Year
2008-02-29 02:58:00
In Alberta where investment is always spoken of in BILLIONS not MILLIONS - this year will stand out as the year we beat all manufacturing across Canada for the first time."That one small little area of Alberta is attracting more investment than every manufacturing industry across the country." Philip Cross, Statistics Canada economistThis money isn't invested "willy-nilly" with no idea of ROI - extensive research is done; every possibility factored including Royalty reviews, Kyoto accords and oil prices. It is long term thinking with an eye on the future.So if all this investment is going into a tiny little area in Alberta there is going to be a boom on jobs, on retail sales and of course on housing.That is why I can't think of a better place to buy investment property in Canada and possibly the world.
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Should I Buy A Down Jacket Or A New Fan??
2008-02-27 04:03:00
Global warming or an ice age which will it be? As humanity is increasingly aware and concerned by our effect on the earth's fragile climate system; scientists are not sure if man made climate changes are even noticeable and that if fact they may even be a drop in the bucket.After a winter that is breaking many "pre-global warming" records those in the know are starting to wonder if maybe we should get down jackets instead of solar powered fans to prepare for the earth's next climate shift. Lower solar activity may cause an ice-age that could compare with one that lasted 5 centuries and caused a lot of trouble,"The last time the sun was this inactive, Earth suffered the Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries and ended in 1850. Crops failed through killer frosts and drought. Famine, plague and war were widespread. Harbours froze, so did rivers, and trade ceased."I know we have to look longer than one winter for any significant climate assumptions. I have to say that eithe...
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Can Mentors Be Virtual?
2008-02-27 02:00:00
The Financial Post has a sub-section under Small Business called "12 Weeks To Start-up" which is to help new entrepreneurs get started and motivated by successful people in business. This week Century 21 Real Estate Canada's founder Peter Thomas was interviewed to speak on his "virtual mentors" in his early start- up days. When times were tough and there was no one to call Mr. Thomas turned to four greats: John F. Kennedy, Indira Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ernest Hemingway to guide him on the rocky road to success. Each person guided him in a different way,"For years, as he established Century 21 Real Estate Canada and became a busy property developer in Western Canada and the United States, whenever he ran into a problem he would ask himself, "What would my virtual mentors do?" For inspiration he would look at the life of JFK; as a moral compass, he would turn to King. Former Indian prime minister Gandhi supplied passion, vision and humanity. Hemingway was the "rogue" adv...
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Right To The Top
2008-02-23 10:25:00
Over the last ten years Edmonton has seen and incredible 203% increase in housing prices."Never before have we seen such a continuous run-up in Canadian real estate. Clearly, strength in all markets has been directly linked to solid growth in local, provincial and national economies. Low interest rates, job security, and consumer confidence have all served to further bolster home-buying activity across the nation," Michael Polzler, executive vice-president of RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic CanadaIt goes to show that real estate is a long term play, short term thinking and lack of focus can only be detrimental to investors. If you pick a market with strong economic fundamentals then buying property is sure to give you good returns over the long term. The hardest part is maintaining your focus on that area and not getting distracted by "shining little things" (read up-and-coming areas, beach front from your last vacation or a stock play tip from your brother-in-law) along your investing...

How Fast Do You Burn Money?
2008-02-18 02:00:00
My statement from Mackenzie Financial Corporation came today no big shocks or surprises this time but I did get a little pleasure from a link on the Mackenzie site.Burn Rate shows how Canadians are burning through their hard earned post-tax dollars. The Denialers "a family of four that spends like fourteen" who are "experts at convincing themselves that their financial affairs are in fantastic shape" are indicative of how many families sometimes have everything - except a financial plan.It's a good link to spend to someone who may need need a little nudge to think about their finances.Don't miss the Burn Rater Spending Test that will tell you how much of an over spender you are.
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Edmonton Office Space Demand Rising
2008-02-16 03:04:00
Due to high demand, limited supply and increasing rents Edmonton office space is in hot demand.Prices by the square foot have increased 76% since the beginning of last year."Overall, office vacancy has reached historical lows, with unprecedented rental rates being achieved in both the downtown core and suburban office markets," says Canadian real estate services company DTZ Barnicke. READ MORE
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Bamboo - Steel Of The Future?
2008-02-16 02:52:00
The image of bamboo for tropical huts is rapidly changing as the hollow stemmed grass is being used to build churches, bridges and luxury homes."The relationship to weight and resistance is the best in the world. Anything built with steel, I can do in bamboo faster and just as cheaply," said Colombian architect Simon VelezVelez has developed special techniques to ensure that weight bearing and bugs are no problem for structures made of bamboo. The environmental material is taking the world or architecture by storm and buildings made from the super grass are going up from Hawaii to China to Bali.Read more about the amazing building material
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