Monday, March 30, 2015

Invest in You

Alberta Oil Sands Investment Real Estate News®
Glenn Simon Inc., Suite 1217, 5328 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Tel 1-888-780-5940 Fax 1-888-276-4517
www.glennsimoninc.com   email: info@glennsimoninc.com


April 1st., 2015
Volume 18, Issue 6

Dear Friends and Partners,

I always find spring inspirational. Yeah, sure, maybe it is the seeds sprouting, warmer weather or the determined bits of green fighting through the slush. Whatever it is, it prompts me to redefine, renew and improve. I like to go through my systems and protocols to see what is working, what’s not and what can be improved upon. Constant learning is essential as is setting ‘fresh eyes’ upon your daily actions.

Whether you like Louis C.K.’s brand of humour or not, you can hear is honesty and frustration coming through in the jokes. But, forget him as a comedian for a second and read this article about what he did and the uncomfortable choices he made without certainty - that got him where he is today; that is a great story. It’s a spring story too. 

"Louis CK turned down $500,000 a year from Conan in the early 90s so he could go broke instead. Conan wanted to hire him as head writer of his show.  Every step of the way in the 20 years since he put a challenge in  front of himself that seemed impossible and it was until he passed it.  Now he’s the best comedian ever. One can argue with that but one can argue about anything.  He was offered the job of head writer at one of the hottest comedy shows in the world. He would’ve grown from that and be set for life." Read more here


West Edmonton: Jasper Park Legal 4-Unit Cash-flow

Turbo charge your portfolio. This legal 4-unit, 1962 built, RA-7 zoned property is located directly across from school and park in Jasper Park. Near Telus World of Science, Edmonton Zoo, NAIT, Hospital and fast access to downtown and on either the Yellowhead or Whitemud. This property has front entrances to the 4 X1 BD and a parking pad for six cars.

This property was purpose built and is in good condition. It is rare to find a legal 4-pled for this price. Investment capital includes $15K budget slated for further renovations to modernize and improve value and rent-ability. All suites have own laundry. This is a turn-key deal. Excellent access to downtown, transit and parks.

This property comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Jasper Place is a mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending NAITS west-side campus. HUGE upside potential due to the RA-7 zoning of the building, great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this property in relation to Edmonton's desirable growing core.

Purchase price: $449K
Total Investment: $108,500K
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $60,697K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 56% or 11% per year


These 4 suites rent for top dollar and have everything arranged, including financing structure and incredible tenants. Your investment includes: impeccable tenant selection, financial analysis, professional inspection, insurance, financing set-up, legal fees, basic accounting, reserve fund, CMA, bi-annual statements, strategic market planning to ensure successful entry and exit, plus much more!

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What to do when Alberta’s housing boom turns to bust


By Gary Marr, Financial Post, March 23rd, 2015

The economic downturn in Alberta is nothing new to Ryan Griffiths. The technician who works for the Ford Motor Co. in Airdrie, just north of Calgary, gets paid piecemeal based on every job he does. When the economy started to slow in 2008, he had to figure out how to make ends meet.  “That’s the running joke around here: How did you get through it last time?” said Mr. Griffiths, 45.
The simple answer is: save enough money so you have a cushion when times are bad. Most planners suggest savings should cover  your living costs for three to six months. The worst answer is: to do what some people appear to be considering right now, panicking.  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Under clouds of economic gloom, Alberta entrepreneurs defend turf

By Anwar Ali, The Globe and Mail, March 19th, 2015

In the face of negativity swirling around the economy, Albertan entrepreneurs are steadfastly defending their turf, albeit with a little dose of reality.
Economic predictions are getting worse as GDP growth steadily declines. The provincial government’s current 2015 growth forecast, 0.6 per cent, is well below the previous estimate. The Conference Board of Canada has even warned that Alberta may stagger into a recession this year, its ability to recover contingent on the oil industry.   READ MORE HERE

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Nearly half of Alberta consumers say economy remains strong

By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald, March 6th, 2015

The latest ATB Consumer Economic Pulse survey found that 47 per cent of Albertans in late February saw the province’s economy as strong despite the uncertain climate with lower oil prices.
That’s up by two percentage points from the previous survey in early February.

But their thoughts about the future economic outlook are not as positive.  READ MORE HERE
 
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I appreciate all your calls and emails. I'm looking forward to helping you with your next step towards building real wealth.
Your success continues EVERYDAY, let me help you build for tomorrow.

“Positive thinking will let you use the ability which you have, and that is awesome."  - Zig Ziglar

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar



===SPECIAL NOTICE: NO CASH, BUT GOOD CREDIT? CALL US TODAY TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN OWN INVESTMENT PROPERTY===

P.S. Stay ahead by checking out Danielle's daily blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Don't Panic Yet Alberta

  "If most people keep their jobs, they’ll be able to pay their mortgages. If you have a job and you want to sell, you’ll likely still choose to not sell over accepting an offer that represents a big hit to your equity.
If that happens, we’ll find a lot of listings remaining unsold, with corresponding big drops in sales stats, but relatively stable prices."

I think prices are going to go down for the next 18 months -24 months.  We may enter a down turn of 2 years, then up again in 2017 or 2018.

If you step back, it just seems to be that 5 to 7 year cycle. We may enter a down turn of 2 years, then up again in 2017 or 2018.

If you have a lot of equity and don't mind getting out then do so. I see a lot of listings where prices are strong.  Of course asking price and selling price can be two totally different things.

Read the entire excellent level headed article here

Monday, March 16, 2015

Detroit Reclaimed

Here are companies in Detroit truly making the best out of a bad situation. By reclaiming wood and glass from abandoned homes, they are keeping old forest wood out of landfills and producing beautiful products.

"Gary Zimnicki and Mark Wallace make guitars. Zimnicki also makes ukuleles and mandolins from old lumber that he says produces a richer sound. While most of his acoustic instruments use conventional wood, some buyers want an instrument made from a 100-year-old house, said Zimnicki, 57, whose home workshop is in Allen Park, a suburb.

“It’s a cool thing to be involved with preserving some of the past, part of our heritage,” said Zimnicki, showing a US$4,500 guitar made of wood from a house built in 1910. The top is made of Douglas fir from ceiling joists, rather than spruce. The back and sides are made from maple floorboards. " 


Read Full Article HERE

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Planting

Alberta Oil Sands Investment Real Estate News®
Glenn Simon Inc., Suite 1217, 5328 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Tel 1-888-780-5940 Fax 1-888-276-4517
www.glennsimoninc.com   email: info@glennsimoninc.com


March 14th., 2015
Volume 18, Issue 5

Dear Friends and Partners,

With the sudden burst of warm weather in Edmonton, it feels like spring is almost here. I took my youngest son to Home Depot last weekend to buy wood, seeds and soil for our new vegetable garden.

We also took some sprouting strawberry seeds and transferred them to little pots where we’ll grow them until we can ‘harden’ them and transplant outside after the threat of frost is gone.

This preparation to plant and the act of planting reminds me of quotes about planting a dollar, nurturing it to a business or an investment.

With that said are you ready for a little financial quiz? It’ll take you about 5 minutes and the results are insightful and fun to read:  Pro Profs Money Quiz


Central Edmonton: Allendale 5-Unit Cash-flow

This 5-unit, 1940 built mixed-use commercial multi-family property is located in the heart of Allendale . Near U.O.A., Strathcona School, Hospital and fast access to downtown and the Whitemud this is a terrific location boating many parks in a desirable, mature neighbourhood.

This property has front entrances to the main suites as follows; 1X 3BD, 2X 1BD, 2X Bachelor. This property was built as a dwelling and commercial units (2).

It has recently had Safe Housing upgrades as well as interior upgrades. This will become a turn-key deal. The property has a double car garage and driveway. Excellent access to downtown, transit and parks.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Inglewood is a great mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending Grant MacEwan. HUGE upside potential due to the quality of the building, great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this property in relation to Edmonton's desirable growing core.

Purchase price: $635K
Total Investment: $139,925K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76,000K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 55% or 11% per year

These 5 suites rent for top dollar and have everything arranged, including financing structure and incredible tenants. Your investment includes: impeccable tenant selection, financial analysis, professional inspection, insurance, financing set-up, legal fees, basic accounting, reserve fund, CMA, bi-annual statements, strategic market planning to ensure successful entry and exit, plus much more!

=========================

Oil Prices: Freaking investors out for 150 years and counting

By Tyler Crowe , Motley Fool, February 17th, 2015

The entire oil and gas industry has pretty much maneuvered from crisis to crisis since its inception.

Whenever I read or watch financial media coverage of oil prices lately, the image that comes to mind is a bunch of kids who just ate half their weight in candy, washed it down with a gallon of Red Bull, and then run around the playground at warp speed. They both move so fast and sporadically that is almost impossible to keep up with them. Here is just a small example of headlines that have been found at major financial media outlets in just the past week:
Citi: Oil Could Plunge to $20, and This Might Be ‘the End of OPEC’
OPEC sees oil prices exploding to $200 a barrel
Oil at $55 per barrel is here to stay
Gas prices may double by year’s end: Analyst

 FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Eklund’s Millions: Real Estate/Reality star visits Edmonton

By Laura Severs, Edmonton Journal, March 6th, 2015

EDMONTON - "It was a million-dollar moment for Edmonton’s burgeoning million-dollar home market.
Fredrik Eklund, New York City’s top agent for 2014 according to industry publication The Real Deal, was on hand to share his secrets for success with Edmonton’s real estate movers and shakers.

A sold-out crowd of 300 turned out at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald on Saturday, Feb. 28 to hear advice from the star of the hit reality real estate TV series Million Dollar Listing New York. They also showed up to find out how they could take Edmonton’s housing sector to the next level.

But the secret, said Eklund, is that there’s no silver bullet." 

“The unglamorous answer is to work harder than anyone else,” “The only thing you have is yourself; the more I’m me, the more successful I am.” Fredrik Eklund

READ MORE HERE

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Edmonton Economy to see slight growth


By Dave Lazzarino, Edmonton Sun, March 3rd, 2015

Edmonton council heard Tuesday that the local economy may be more resilient than the province is making it sound.
The city's chief economist, John Rose, admitted that the provincial arithmetic that points to a $7 billion budget hole is sound, but it isn't the only number to consider.

"I wouldn't say (premier Prentice) is exaggerating their fiscal circumstances; they've got a major problem and they need to address it," said Rose. "Perhaps what might be pointed out in a little bit more positive way is that they've got a $6 billion contingency fund they're sitting on. What's happening with that?”

GRAB THIS STORY
 
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I appreciate all your calls and emails. I'm looking forward to helping you with your next step towards building real wealth.
Your success continues EVERYDAY, let me help you build for tomorrow.

“My philosophy is that if I have any money I invest it in new ventures and not have it sitting around."  - Richard Branson

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar


===SPECIAL NOTICE: NO CASH, BUT GOOD CREDIT? CALL US TODAY TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN OWN INVESTMENT PROPERTY===

P.S. Stay ahead by checking out Danielle's daily blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.



Thursday, March 12, 2015

This and That March

Edmonton real estate market where is your downtown? 

The oil prices have everyone jumpy but as yet the market here is not showing significant moves either way. In our key areas houses are still being listed at values indicative of a strong market.

Listed but not sold.

We'll need to wait and see if what they are asking is actually what they get. 


“Our inventory is increasing, but we were very low and we expected it to do that in the spring,”
“Our sales are down a little, but we still do have sales. They’re not down as drastically as Calgary’s.” Realtor's Association of Edmonton President Geneva Tetreault  Read More

Something from across the pond

It's a great reminder of the Albertan/Canadian cost of living when you see what you can get overseas for the same amount of money as a house in Canada. Of course it works both ways if you look at Vancouver.
Investors from around the world have come to Vancouver to purchase properties to ensure their kids can get a high quality education. This is happening now in Scotland. 

"The average price of properties for Chinese buyers in the UK, skewed by London, is £770,000. But Mr Taylor says that spans "ultra-high-net-worth buyers who can spend tens and tens of millions, down to the buyer who starts looking at properties in the £100,000s" Read More

Friday, March 06, 2015

Rate ride and rate why

“Rates are so low now that investors should never be making an investment decision based on whether the BoC raises or lowers its rate,”"They need to pay attention to the reasons why it happens.

“Let the consumers obsess about the rate – strategic investors obsess about the why. It is always in the ‘why’ where strategic investment decisions are made.”

“Right now, the Bank of Canada is saying their economic metrics are showing stability and that they are happy with the impact of their last rate cut, happy with the lower Canadian dollar, happy with how that buffers the lower oil price while providing incentives to exporters,”
Don Campbell, a real estate investor, researcher, author and educator read full CREW article HERE

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Oil Price History - So this has happened before?

"Whenever I read or watch financial media coverage of oil prices lately, the image that comes to mind is a bunch of kids who just ate half their weight in candy, washed it down with a gallon of Red Bull, and then run around the playground at warp speed. They both move so fast and sporadically that is almost impossible to keep up with them.
Here is just a small example of headlines that have been found at major financial media outlets in just the past week:
    •    Citi: Oil Could Plunge to $20, and This Might Be ‘the End of OPEC’
    •    OPEC sees oil prices exploding to $200 a barrel
    •    Oil at $55 per barrel is here to stay
    •    Gas prices may double by year’s end: Analyst
Popular Among Time Subscribers

What is absolutely mind-boggling about these statements is that these sorts of predictions are accompanied with the dumbest thing that anyone can say about commodities: This time it’s different.
No it’s not, and we have 150 years worth of oil price panics to prove it." Read More

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Rate Debate

Alberta Oil Sands Investment Real Estate News®
Glenn Simon Inc., Suite 1217, 5328 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Tel 1-888-780-5940 Fax 1-888-276-4517
www.glennsimoninc.com   email: info@glennsimoninc.com


March 3, 2015
Volume 18, Issue 4

Dear Friends and Partners,

If you want to buy a revenue producing investment property, expand your portfolio, build the foundation for wealth - this is a great time to do it! Edmonton's experiencing a dip in its ever-cyclical real estate market that invites you, begs you, to hunt out the good deals.

If you are buying correctly (refer to our earlier blogs on how to choose an investment property) then you will see opportunity, as well as fear, in the market. What you need to do is have your parameters set tight for a property that meets your investment goal, and pull the trigger.

Are you waiting for rates to go lower?   Don't.
Do listen to what Peter Kinch has to say about that. Watch here

Here is an excerpt from Fast Company about the importance of zagging while others zig:

Disruptive strategies begin with the courage to zag where others zig. 

If your competitors are all starting to turn left, you look right. It is actually not that hard to do. It takes no brilliant foresight. It does not require seeing what others don’t. It simply requires reading the herd. When your competitors all start running in one direction, you just need to ask, "What if I ran in a different direction?”  Read it here


Central Edmonton: Allendale 5-Unit Cashflow 

This 5-unit, 1940 built mixed-use commercial multi family property is located in the heart of Allendale . Near U.O.A., Strathcona School, Hospital and fast access to downtown and the Whitemud this is a terrific location boating many parks in a desirable, mature neighbourhood.
This property has front entrances to the main suites as follows; 1X 3BD, 2X 1BD, 2X Bachelor. This property was built as a dwelling and commercial units (2). It has recently had Safe Housing upgrades as well as interior upgrades. This will become a turn-key deal. The property has a double car garage and driveway. Excellent access to downtown, transit and parks.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Inglewood is a great mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending Grant MacEwan. HUGE upside potential due to the quality of the building, great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this property in relation to Edmonton's desirable growing core.

Purchase price: $635K
Total Investment: $139,925K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76,000K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 55% or 11% per year

These 5 suites rent for top dollar and have everything arranged, including financing structure and incredible tenants. Your investment includes: impeccable tenant selection, financial analysis, professional inspection, insurance, financing set-up, legal fees, basic accounting, reserve fund, CMA, bi-annual statements, strategic market planning to ensure successful entry and exit, plus much more!

=========================

Lamphier: Alberta’s woes bring joy elsewhere
But TriWest says investors are moving in

By Gary Lamphier , Edmonton Journal, February 19th, 2015

 EDMONTON - Sometimes, Canada resembles a giant high school. Petty jealousies, parochial squabbling and ugly sniping often trumps any shared national interest.
For years, Alberta has led the nation in economic growth and job creation, generating wealth for the entire country. But too often, Alberta’s success has only stoked envy and resentment elsewhere.

Now that oil prices are down and Alberta’s economy is sputtering, there is barely disguised glee in other parts of Canada.

“Pardon my schadenfreude,” one West Coast newspaper columnist recently sniffed. “No one likes to see the job loss that the plummet in oil prices has caused in Alberta ... But the corrective effect it’s having on our neighbour’s hubris? I admit to my mean spiritedness.”
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE
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Workers, still finding jobs in Alberta, labour force numbers show

By David Howell, Edmonton Journal, February 6th, 2015

 Workers are finding jobs in Alberta but the oil and gas industry is taking a hit, January employment numbers show.
Alberta added 13,700 jobs in January, most of them full-time, bringing gains over the past 12 months to 67,000 or 3.0 per cent.

That’s the fastest growth rate among all Canadian provinces, Statistics Canada reported Friday in its monthly labour force survey.

Alberta’s unemployment rate was 4.5 per cent in January, down by 0.2 percentage points from December. Nationally, unemployment decreased slightly to 6.6 per cent.

Edmonton’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8 per cent but the city enjoyed a net gain of about 1,500 jobs, said John Rose, chief economist for the City of Edmonton. GET IT HERE

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Edmonton’s fast population growth to slow in 2015, city economist says.
Oil slump doesn’t mean people will stop moving here says, Rose

By David Howell and Andrea Sands , Edmonton Journal, February 11th, 2015

Edmonton has emerged from the latest Statistics Canada population snapshot as the second-fastest-growing city in Canada, behind only Calgary.
But the downturn in the economy means the rapid growth won’t continue into 2015, the city’s chief economist warns.

Between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, the population of the Edmonton census metropolitan area grew 3.3 per cent to 1,328,290, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

The Edmonton census metropolitan area includes Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Morinville, Devon, Gibbons, Redwater, Calmar, Thorsby and several other communities.  READ MORE HERE
 
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I appreciate all your calls and emails. I'm looking forward to helping you with your next step towards building real wealth.
Your success continues EVERYDAY, let me help you build for tomorrow.

“Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there."  - Bo Jackson

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar


===SPECIAL NOTICE: NO CASH, BUT GOOD CREDIT? CALL US TODAY TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN OWN INVESTMENT PROPERTY===

P.S. Stay ahead by checking out Danielle's daily blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.