Edmonton Real Estate Investor: July 2010

More production means more jobs means higher incomes means more spending! In the end it all means rents increase and so do property values. Great if you own rental real estate - so why don't you again? Click here to fix that!

"While we have emerged from the recession in a very strong financial position, we are seeing that impact on the current production levels,"

Husky CEO Asim Ghosh

"Husky said it expects its 2010 production will be between 285,000 and 295,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. That's a cut from an earlier estimate of 306,000 to 330,000 barrels.

Ghosh said Husky is looking to grow its "bread and butter" operations in Western Canadian heavy oil and is open to strategic acquisitions that would fit well with what it already has.

"You won't see us going off to Afghanistan or offshore India," Read More

This should make you smile if you have invested or are thinking about investing in Alberta:

"A Chinese state company is investing big money in the Peace Country, a move that will likely provide more jobs in the oil industry north of High Prairie.

Calgary petroleum company Penn West Energy Trust signed a $1.25-billion deal with China Investment Corp. to finance operations in the Peace River oilsands area, the town said Thursday.
"It'll be doubling or tripling the (oil) production in the next little while," said Hilary Foulkes, Penn West's senior vice-president of business development.

Over the next 18 months the company will spend between $150 million and $180 million to develop its Seal Lake field operations, about 60 kilometres north of High Prairie.
It expects production to ramp up during this time, depending on factors such as licensing and government applications, Foulkes said." READ MORE

This blog is not only selling the sizzle and the story but giving facts. Everyone knows Nutella I've never really bought it but I have an idea about the product. I've always thought it was a very processed chocolate spread that couldn't be good for you.

Well today I found out I have Nutella all wrong. I learned that it's made from real hazelnuts, it has skim milk in it and only a little cocoa (not hyper sugar chocolate junk) AND that it has no preservatives.

WHO KNEW?

Well not me. If I had known this I would have been a loyal Nutella customer for years. It's only because of a marketing campaign that promotes these virtues that I even heard about this. Now Nutella has moved from a junky chocolate spread I don't want to eat to something I would feed my son as part of a healthy snack. I'm a sneezer too so I'll tell a lot of people about it like I am now.

Why didn't I know? Because nobody told me and I didn't bother to check. It makes me wonder what my clients don't know about my business that would benefit them.

For example
1. I offer cashflow properties a lot - Do they know that means they can get a cheque every month?

2. I often talk of money partners - Do they know that means they only fund the account and then three to five years later they get all the initial investment back PLUS 50% of all profits?

3. I use the term "hands-free" a lot - Do they know that means that they don't do ANYTHING but fund the account and we do all the work?

4. I talk about leverage all the time - Do they understand the value of the banks lending money toward our investments and how that allows them to invest multiple times?

Maybe they don't. So instead of flashy ads and confusing terminology it might be best to just straight out tell clients what you do and how that positively affects their future income/wealth.

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you everything you need to know so that it actually DOES happen!

Click Here for your personal invitation.

Thank-you,
Todd

Click for more information on Investing in Multi-Family Properties

Todd and I were lucky to be in Edmonton to see the Streetfest this weekend. There were some amazing performances. We saw local hip hop dancers, a sword swallower and an juggler/acrobat named Mr. Spin.

However, the most amazing of them all was Rudi Macaggi and Lea McGowan, whose acrobatic, balletic performance was truly amazing. They were so impressive that even my 2 year old son gave them a resounding round of applause!
Read about their show here

Dear Friends and Partners,

I trust that you're enjoying your summer as much as I am. It's turning out to be a busy one as we take advantage of the long days to get the most out of renovating and upgrading units. You'll see a lot of home repair specials at stores like Rona and Home Depot now.

Danielle bought a very economical, high efficiency, low flush toilet for only $119 for a basement suit. It worked out cheaper (this time) to buy the toilet on special, rather than using the contractor discount that we have. Wait a little longer and you'll start to see all the specials on BBQs and lawn furniture too.

We're in the process of upgrading a newly acquired 4-plex in the Prince Rupert area. One of the first jobs is to switch out the galvanized pipe to PEX tubing. You're probably thinking that that is a costly job, and you're right. But you know something? Having to do larger repairs is actually a good thing, especially when negotiating a deal. If you are sharp with your numbers and have a competent reno team in place you can turn turn-offs into turn-ons and a nice profit along the way.

I was able to negotiate a nice good price for the property, align my plumbers for the upgrade, improve the value of the property and reduce the cost of insurance all in a deal that others may pass on. Embrace "problems" so that they become solutions for everyone involved.

I appreciate all your calls and emails. I'm looking forward to helping you take your next step towards building real wealth. The time is now....

"The real winners in life are those who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better. - Barbara Fletcher

Kind regards,

Todd and Danielle

Depending on where you make your home as an expat, you may be pleasantly oblivious to North American news. But, like a bad case of malaria, the negative world of English news can come back and sucker punch you when you least expect it. Don’t let their fear paralyze you-use it to empower you.

What you’ve got to do is decipher what is ‘real’ and what is ‘imaginary’. Sober yourself by separating the truth from the fiction.

By doing this you’ll be able to free yourself from day-trader mass market psychology and its rollercoaster ride of gut-wrenching twists and turns. READ MORE

"Alberta’s economy will lead the nation next year, according to a report released today by TD Economics.

The bank’s Canadian Economic Outlook report said the province’s real Gross Domestic Product growth will be 3.5 per cent in 2011 after a 2.8 per cent hike in 2010.

In 2009, during the recession, Alberta’s economy contracted by an estimated 4.9 per cent from the previous year.

TD Economics is forecasting real GDP growth of 3.6 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2011 for the entire Canadian economy.

In 2009, Canada’s economy contracted by 2.9 per cent."Read more

I was listening to CBC the other day and heard about a study done on how a person's chances of getting a divorce increase if a peer gets divorced. The percentage? 147% increase in likelihood. Unbelievable.

There have been studies showing how your friends and their friends can make you obese, influence your emotions and keep you smoking.

An old adages applies here ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do”. Dr. Nicolas Christakis says, “It’s spreading through ideas about what appropriate behaviors are.” In other words, “If I see you gaining weight, and I respect you, and want to emulate you in other ways, that changes my ideas about what is an acceptable body size.”

I can attest to the power of positive influence. You’ve heard “Your Network = Your Net worth”, this is very true. Not just about money but health, life and ideas.

Sure it’s easier to commiserate the trials of life (and even a way to bond) with friends. But, real progress happens when your peers and associates keep aspiring to do better and you jointly push to reach higher goals- that’s where real, healthy growth occurs. Mastermind groups and Focus Partners enable an excellent source to support, share ideas and experiences that propel you all forward.

Imagine Trump, Kiyosaki and Bransons' inner circle of inspiration and support.

It’s essential to have a partner, group or team to pull you up the ladder be it health, wealth or spirit. That includes being accountable for your own actions.

Alberta is set to lead Canada in economic growth make certain you have the right network to support your growth and success in this outstanding market.

Ah home repair... It's costly and intimidating. Property management introduces you to a variety interesting things that can go wrong with a house. My "guesstimates" never ever seem to match those of the repair guys. I've found a website that gives you a better batting average when estimating your repair costs.

Click here to see it.

  Today is Canada's 143rd Birthday and Danielle and I have got a great selection of meats marinating. We are all set to fire up the BBQ this afternoon to celebrate our wonderful country. Ronan has his wee pool filled and will take an icy dip to Canadianize himself.

  I spent the last few days up in Fort McMurray visiting suppliers to the Suncor, CNRL and satellite oilsands projects. Many projects are gearing up for a busy Q3 and Q4 that will pick up speed in 2011. Drilling of new wells starts when the muskeg freezes up, so summer is a bit slower as projects are in the prep stage. There are 40 new wells going in South of Ft. Mac, too.  And how about Edmonton? We're busy here with lots of development and opportunity, especially as interest rates remain low.  

Moving forward I see the sweet spot (or should I say sweeter spot?) to be in niche multi-family properties. We've gradually been moving our focus towards these properties and our partners have been sharing the large cashflow rewards.

Give me a call and I'll fill you in on what we've got coming up. But for now this hot summer day beckons, have a good one eh