Owner: Edmonton Real Estate Investor URL:http://edmontonrealestateinvestorabroad.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:37:54 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Focused on the economic power house region of Alberta, Canada, we use an incredible team of lawyers, realtors and property managers to purchase revenue real estate. From our dual offices in Japan and Edmonton, we manage a multi-million dollar portfolio fo Site statistics:Click here
A Rough Christmas for Terry Ellis 2007-12-01 22:19:00 It's going to be a tough Christmas
for TerryEllis
the 61 year old paralegal that was convicted of supporting a criminal organization by helping to swindle unsuspecting real estate investors out of nearly $30 million. Her participation in what is believed to be the biggest mortgage fraud in Alberta history; involving over 280 real estate transactions and 19 different banks, has her sitting in a jail cell waiting for sentencing instead of getting ready for the holidays. "Ellis denied any involvement in the mortgage frauds committed by the co-conspirators. However, the evidence of her actions in this case speaks much louder than her words,"Court of Queen's Bench Justice Gerald VervilleEllis has reached a notorious first; this may be the first time in Canadian history that a criminal has been convicted of committing economic crimes for the benefit of a criminal organization. The law under which she was charged was passed in January 2002 and is generally used to convict criminals who c Read more:Rough
Don’t Get Lost In History 2007-12-01 22:07:00 Once upon a time there was this crusty old Irish-born frontiersman that went by the name of John George "Kootenai" Brown. Kootenai was off camping and trappin’ (as you do when you’re a pioneer) in the Waterton Lakes area when he noticed some black stuff seeping out of a lake the Natives referred to as ‘Stinking Waters’.Kootenai soaked up the oil in gunnysacks and used it to lubricate the wheels of his wagon and to fuel his lamps. He also created a device to siphon out the oil. He’d then barrel it, selling it to his neighbors for $1 a gallon.This was in the early 1900’s and the first time anyone had sold oil in Alberta. 1902 brought along Alberta’s first big ‘boom’.Other booms followed in 1914 and 1936. But it wasn’t until 1947 when a major strike in Leduc that oil and gas replaced agriculture as the province’s economic driverBack in 1903 the boom was in full swing. Both honest business folks and speculators poured in. They gathered and began building ‘Oil City Read more:History
Mini Market Report 2007-12-11 17:43:00 "Taking the Alberta side as an example, there was a 3.8 per cent decrease in unit sales in Oct. 2007 from Oct. 2006. However, new listings were up 39 per cent, indicating an increase in supply.“We’ve had an under-supply for quite a long time so it’s not altogether a bad thing to have people having a choice,” “That’s what the buyers would say, it’s not so hot for sellers.” Kathy Harvey, president of the Lloydminster Real Estate Board AssociationBuyers may have more choice, but it is unlikely they will be paying any less for their home as average listing price has increased 25 per cent from last year. The average home price for the Alberta side is $245,000 and $188,000 for Saskatchewan. These averages also take into consideration surrounding areas where house prices are lower."Everyone seems to be of the same consensus the market is balancing from it's meteoric rise last year. We'll feel the softening for about 6 months but after that the market in Edmonton will pick u Read more:Market
This And That 2007-12-09 00:04:00 Oilpatch braces for new arrivals - "New census details from Statistics Canada show that Alberta hasn't lost its grip as the province considered by Canadians as the country's promised land. More than 225,000 people moved to Alberta from other parts of Canada between 2001 and 2006, the latest census figures show. A slight drop from the last census period, the figure still maintains Alberta's status by far as the province with the highest net gain of population due to migration from other provinces."Growth in population means increases in housing prices Calgary's property tax plan half of what they want here! - "While Edmontonians could be clobbered with a 10.9% property tax hike in the new year, our Cowtown (Calgary) cousins are being asked to pony up less than half that - 4.5%." Edmonton has a smaller population to pay taxes that's why Calgary pays less For Big Cities A Taxing Dilemma- "Mr. Brooks said he fears Vancouver could end up losing some of its head offices to friendlier t
What Do You Want In Your Luxury Home? 2007-12-08 23:44:00 Do you have a heated drive? How about a personal elevator? Royal Lepage released it's top 10 list of the most sought after luxury home additions in multi-million dollar homes. Anything you can dream of you can get, and some people are, in their multi-million dollar cribs. "The bar just keeps getting higher when it comes to outfitting one's multimillion-dollar pad," Royal LePage The list included: 1. Elevator Car Lifts 2. Indoor Car Washes 3. Walk In Fridges 4. Home Gyms 5. Wine Cellars Other popular accessories include: 1.Personal Elevators 2. Theatre Rooms 3. Screened- in outdoor eating areas 4. heated driveways 5. sewing and or wrapping rooms "Accessorizing the property with the hottest must-haves is a natural extension of living a luxury lifestyle and a way to stand out from the crowd," Elli Davis, a sales rep with Royal LePage Real Estate Services. Here is my top 6 list: 1. Perpetual Swimming Pool 2. A Gym 3. A home Theatre 4. A Japanese Style Bath 5. A Huge Brick Firep Read more:Luxury
Jayne Johnson's Tips For The Holidays 2007-12-08 23:18:00 Jayne Johnson
of The Clearing Sight wrote two great blogs on how to prepare for the holidays. If you don't know who Jayne is here is a blurb from her site:"Jayne’s perspective is that practical knowledge and spiritual wisdom have many sources and over 36 years has studied a wide variety of resources, including the works of Napoleon Hill, Deepak Chopra, Joseph Campbell, R. Buckminster Fuller, Robert Kiyosaki, Wayne Dyer, Paul Brenner, M.D., Marianne Williamson, Rev. Terry Cole-Whittaker, and Earl Nightingale, to name just a few." She is quite well known for helping Robert Kioyosaki write a goal plan for the Rich Dad Poor Dad game. “I wrote the business plan for Rich Dad Poor Dad and my board game, Cashflow, at a two-day goal setting workshop with Jayne Johnson, in January of 1996. Without Jayne’s goal setting technology, I doubt if Rich Dad Poor Dad would have become as successful as it is today. That two-day work shop has made me millions of dollars, over and over again. In my o Read more:Holidays
Edmonton Is Cold But It's Economy Is Hot 2007-12-05 22:37:00 I love to say I told you so!"For the first time on record, the city of Edmonton
tops our city ranking in terms of economic momentum," CIBC's World Markets economic activity indexEdmonton's top rank is due to strong population growth, outstanding employment gains, the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and lower than average personal and corporate insolvency rates .Calgary the old leader slipped into second spot with a score of 24.5, compared to Edmonton's 30.1 . The city's slippage was credited to a slowdown in the pace of job creation momentum in the city -- less than that of Edmonton, Victoria and Saskatoon -- and a cooler (but still excellent) housing market.
Young Workforce Values Elder Workforce 2007-12-05 22:17:00 Alberta's Greatest Resource Is People.Canada has the youngest population of any developed country and Alberta has the youngest population in Canada.At a median age of 35.9, Alberta's advantage is it's young highly trained and sustainable workforce. In turn younger families are causing a "rippling economic boom effect"; as they have children the demands on daycares and other facilities are increased . Daycares with huge waiting lists are turning to seniors to help ease their labour strain. "Alberta is an energetic and vibrant place that's attracting young workers," she said. "But we're also seeing how seniors are returning to work - like a 76-year-old electrician I know - or are volunteering on a full-time basis." "There may have been a period of disregard for the older worker," "Now they're seen as responsible and reliable - and are valued.Ruth Maria Adria The Elder
Advocates Society of Alberta cha Read more:Values
, Workforce
Last of the Wild and Free Alberta Assumables ? 2008-03-07 19:39:00 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 t
Edmonton Has Fat Coffers 2008-03-06 18:55:00 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? Read more:Edmonton
All The Brains Are Heading To Alberta 2008-03-04 21:01:00 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. Read more:Brains
, Heading
Edmonton Real Estate - So What Is Wrong? 2008-03-04 18:16:00 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. Read more:Estate
, Wrong
Greener Grasses, Warmer Sands? 2008-03-04 07:03:00 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 Albe Read more:Greener
, Warmer
, Sands
The West - Canada's Life Jacket 2008-03-02 18:08:00 Incredibly strong markets in Western 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. Read more:Jacket
Albertan Researchers Find Gene to Slow Aids Spread 2008-02-28 20:19:00 "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 Read more:Spread
Oilsands Get Big Bucks This Year 2008-02-28 19:58:00 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 possi
Should I Buy A Down Jacket Or A New Fan?? 2008-02-26 21:03:00 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. Famin Read more:Jacket
Can Mentors Be Virtual? 2008-02-26 19:00:00 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?" F
Right To The Top 2008-02-23 03:25:00 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 Read more:Right
How Fast Do You Burn Money? 2008-02-17 19:00:00 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. Read more:Money
Edmonton Office Space Demand Rising 2008-02-15 20:04:00 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 Read more:Space
, Rising
Bamboo - Steel Of The Future? 2008-02-15 19:52:00 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 Read more:Bamboo
, Steel
, Future
Don R. Campbell For The Edmonton Journal 2008-02-15 19:25:00 Bestselling author of Real Estate Investing in Canada: Creating Wealth with the ACRE System, 97 Tips for Canadian Real Estate Investors and 51 Success Stories from Canadian Real Estate Investors spoke with The EdmontonJournal
to warn investors of falling for hype, thinking short-term and not looking "Behind the curtain" when investing in real estate.He explained what we can look forward to in the Albertan market,"Edmonton's housing prices, which fell 11.7 per cent during the last half of 2007, will dip again this spring, then rebound during the second half and be up 11 per cent on average during 2008. Calgary prices will be up 12 per cent, Red Deer 10 per cent and Grande Prairie 11 or 12 per cent."why you should only line up for U2 concerts not properties,"When you line up around a block Read more:Campbell
This And That 2008-02-12 21:24:00 Stelmach unveils green plan - Stelmach announced that if re-elected March 3, the provincial Tories will spend $50 million turning the river valley into the world's largest continuous park, running from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan.Beneath university's land there lies a mystery - and possible oil riches - Nobody knows quite how it happened, but the University of Calgary and its students are about to get some first-hand experience in the energy business. By chance, a staff member uncovered information last summer that showed the school owned the mineral rights to two sections of land south of Lethbridge near the U.S. border - an area rich with both oil and gas reserves.Tight market fuels winter retreat boom - "Supply in most regions of the country is expected to balance demand in regular hous
January's Record Means More Deals For Buyers 2008-02-06 06:28:00 "Near-record January
sales indicate that housing sales will remain strong in the Edmonton area as buyers and sellers adjust to the new pricing levels," Realtor Association of Edmonton president Marc PerrasPurchasing a property with great terms or at a reasonable price is a lot easier now than it was 6 months ago. Sellers are willing to make properties assumables or give you a nice reduction because they don't want their property sitting on the market any longer. "Prices are stable and are not expected to drop sharply despite the large inventory," Perras said.Single family dwellings showed a minuscule drop at 0.6%, duplexes and townhouses fell 1.7% and condos rose 1.9%. Overall residential properties rose 1.7%. Read more:Record
, Means
, Buyers
Hidden Gold in My Boot 2008-02-01 17:01:00 Yesterday I found a gold nugget in the boot of my car. My friend asked me over to his place to get a second set of eyes on it before he listed it for sale.He’s spent the good part of a year renovating the 2 houses on both sides of his. And now it’s almost time to put them on the market. He’s added several nice touches including a Koi pond and a gazebo in the back garden. As the weather gets colder and the ice starts to thicken, it’s a perfect place to sip coffee and watch the carp swim about drunkenly. Somehow the fish survive - though the temperature is as mild as a Vancouver winter. These additions are more from the heart than for the wallet. Carl’s embellishments may be just the right touch to sway certain buyers and perhaps even deter a few. The recovering alcoholic photograp Read more:Hidden
Keeping Perspective 2008-01-31 20:31:00 Mark Milke wrote this excellent article for the Edmonton Sun. If you are unhappy with the economic boom in Alberta now, then perhaps 1988's statistics will help you see the light - 9.7% unemployment and 18% interest rates. Seems unbelievable doesn't it? "So let's keep present problems in perspective, even with the environmental or social problems -- which I don't downplay -- that accompany the energy industry's success. Whether you're an Albertan who works in the resource industry, a doctor whose salary is paid partly by the existence of energy royalties, a trades guy or gal who doesn't have to beg for jobs -- unlike in the 1980s, an artist who received an Alberta government or corporate grant, or the recipient of a welfare cheque itself funded partly by oil and gas royalties, we're bett Read more:Perspective
This And That 2008-01-31 19:32:00 Edmonton, Alberta: How Do You Heat Your Igloo? (Todd Millar) I replied in a lighthearted way that spending my money on sunsets and sandy beaches is what I do when I'm on holiday, not when I plan and weigh out an investment option. Sunsets sizzle, and when we imagine the lifestyle associated with them, emotion takes hold and reason leaves the room. Quality-job creation: Another area where Canada outshines USThe bad news is that, like the United States, Canada's economy is shedding manufacturing jobs. The good news is that, unlike the U.S., Canada is replacing them with high-quality work in the public administration and energy extraction sectors. Canadians vote like mad for Monopoly real estateIt may sound like fun and games, but some people are taking getting their cities into Monopoly's
Canada - Financially Fit 2008-01-31 19:26:00 Canada is getting a lot of first prizes among the G8 countries. We rank first in quality of life, have the lowest cost of living, and the lowest unemployment rate. Canada has diverse resource driven economy that, less than a decade ago saw significant proportions of all exports heading for our neighbours to the south. Due to Canadian government's tireless support of businesses diversifying their exporting focus and incredible foresight, now, nearly a quarter of all exports are destined for non U.S locations which has helped us to avoid the economic slump now prevalent in the U.S.Canada’s economy has often trailed the US economy, however today it is leading the US - as is the Canadian dollar which has seen the most gains since at least 1971 because of a surge in investor interest and con Read more:Canada
, Financially
Will It Come Down To Food or Fuel? 2008-01-25 03:06:00 A Japanese friend I spoke to the other day was disgruntled because the price of soy sauce is increasing. It's all because we are trying to reduce consumption of fossil fuels .Interest in using food crops (ethanol is derived from sugar beets, wheat, corn or sugarcane) to produce alternative fuel sources for cars is causing many nations to fear subsequent increases in food prices.For example soy bean oil is heavily relied on to make biofuel - the renewable diesel fuel additive. Cooking oils and many other products prices are increasing because the price of soy beans, corn and cereals are increasing. Milk prices increased 3% in Japan because it is more expensive to feed cows and beer will increase because the price of malt has risen.Think tanks predict prices may even rise 80% as crop
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