Thursday, December 04, 2014

5 Factors to Real Estate Success

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


December 4th., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 9

Dear Friends and Partners,

Over the last few months we’ve heard a lot of feedback from readers like you, about our NuWire series. What we’re hearing is: “Keep it coming!”

Investors have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. In that spirit, we’re re-posting a few of our earlier NuWire articles to help you define your target area, property and tenant profile.

Before we jump into this month’s issue though, we want to wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!

We’ll be taking a winter break and this will be the last issue for 2014. New issues (#10 Volume 17) will resume January 15th, 2015. Take a break, recharge, and get ready for a rocking year ahead!

Real Estate Investing: Focus on the Fundamentals
There are three main criteria that must be addressed before moving ahead with any real estate investment. The key to a successful property purchase comes first from an evaluation and understanding of the area in which you'll potentially be pouring your capital. Today we'll focus on the fundamentals.

What makes a good property investment? First, look at what is driving the market. I'll give you the formula that I use to make profitable purchases. You can use these rules of thumb in any market to help you separate fact from fiction and leave emotion out of the investment.

The Top 5 factors you need to study:


Economy: Does your target area have a diverse economy or a single industry economy? The more diverse the economy, the better the buffer to weather out economic storms, especially when there are several industries that ebb and flow at different times, which creates more stability. Is there outside investment? If so, on what scale—millions or billions of dollars?

Population: Is your target region experiencing an increase of new workers, students or families? A growing population increases the demand for rental housing and home purchases. The younger the population demographic, the better; retirees may represent a niche market to sell property to, but they are unlikely to produce a long term rental and resale base. You need to determine whether there is an overall housing demand in the area. Is it growing faster than average?

Real estate cycle: Is your area beginning to grow and flourish, or is it nearing the end of its peak? Don Campbell, an author and real estate investor, breaks down the real estate cycle into four seasons—spring, summer, fall and winter—in his book Real Estate Investing in Canada. Like any good farmer, you should plant your seeds—buy your properties—in the spring, tend to them—repair, rent and manage them—in the summer and harvest—sell them—in the fall. In the winter, take a rest as you start preparing for the next planting season by doing research into the next target area and getting ready for the next buying opportunity.

Political leadership: Is there a positive, growth oriented atmosphere in your region, one that will foster long term growth?

Transportation improvements:
On a macro scale, look for areas that will benefit from a change in infrastructure or a transitional change in demographics as well as the beginning of renewal.

Keeping your investments straightforward, unemotional and grounded in reality pays. Choose a place where you can grow your money slow and steadily. When it's time to take profits, have your exit strategy in  place to ensure success.


 Central Edmonton: Terrace Heights 4-Unit Cashflow (PPI Deal)


This 1963 built Side X Side Bungalow with in-law suites is located of Wayne Gretzky Drive in Terrace Heights. Easy access to Downtown, UOA and the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this neighbourhood.

This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites. This property was built as a duplex and will need renovations to operate the (non-conforming) in-law suites.

This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage. En-suite laundry to be added. Property has parking pad. Excellent access to downtown, transit and Sherwood Park.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Terrace Heights is a great mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending U.O.A..

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 factors in renovations. P.P. of $575K + $25K renovations = $595K.

Purchase price: $595,000K
Total Investment: $139,000K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $94,475K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 68% or 13.6% 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!


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

Two 51 story towers planned for Edmonton’s downtown
By Caley Ramsey, Global News, November 15th., 2014
Turbo charge your portfolio.

Watch above: It’s described as one of the city’s biggest residential infill projects. One with the potential to change downtown Edmonton. As Eric Szeto reports, the latest condo development proposal is a reflection of Edmonton’s hot market.
EDMONTON – Yet another mixed-use development is in the works for Edmonton’s ever-booming downtown.

An Ontario development company is currently preparing a rezoning application to build two 51-storey towers near MacEwan University. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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

Jim Prentice says Alberta forgot some simple truths on energy industry

By CBC News, November 23rd, 2014

Jim Prentice says Alberta 'forgot some simple truths' on energy industry
Premier says goal is to work towards building pipelines in every direction possible

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice says the province has forgotten some key points about the sustainability of the energy industry and is vowing to work towards building as many pipelines as possible.
In a speech to the Economic Club's Canadian Energy Summit in Calgary on Friday, Prentice said the province needs to remember that hydrocarbons are only valuable when there are competing customers — and if there are multiple ways to ship the resource.

"For a period of time we lived comfortably in a world of insatiable American demand for Canada's energy products," said Prentice.

"Along the way we forgot some simple truths. We forgot that hydrocarbons are only valuable if there is someone willing to pay for them and moreover, someone who has the ability to receive them." READ MORE HERE
 
 ===============

We’ll be taking a winter break and this will be the last issue for 2014. New issues (#10, Volume 17) will resume January 15th 2015. Take a break, recharge, and get ready for a rocking year ahead!

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.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."  - Confucius

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar

Friday, November 21, 2014

Doing the Math - Wealth Warrior Movement

I love Steve Chandler's work. 

This is from his Wealth Warrior Movement

"I first saw the fun and benefit of this when my friend and company CEO Duane Black solved the equation on two flip charts in front of a grateful gathering of leaders.


 Here it is:  When you are positive (picturing the math sign: +), you add something to any conversation or meeting you are in.  That's what being positive does, it adds.


     When you are negative (-) you subtract (-) something from the conversation, the meeting or the relationship you are in. If you are negative enough times, you subtract so much from the relationship that there is no more relationship. It's simple math. It's the law of the universe up there on the flip chart of life: positive adds, negative subtracts.


     As in math, when you add a negative it diminishes the total. Add a negative person to the team, and the morale and spirit (and, therefore, productivity and profit) of the team is diminished.  Add a positive person, and you've just added life to your team, your organization, your life."

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Real Estate Goals - Clarify your targets

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


November 15th., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 8

Dear Friends and Partners,

Last month’s newsletter was immensely popular. Investors want to learn and understand how to use Real Estate cycles to their benefit. In that spirit, we’re re-posting a few of our earlier NuWire articles to help you define your target area, property and tenant profile. Coupled with real estate cycle knowledge, you can build a strong portfolio.

Reach Your Real Estate Goals with Filters that Clarify Your Targets
There are different strategies that you can apply to make money in good or bad markets, with short-term buys or longer ones. We follow a conservative style of investing or a ‘residential buy and hold strategy’ — nothing fancy here.

Real estate cycles and to a lesser degree, market timing, play roles in where and what type of property you’ll purchase. Once you have used those first filters, you can start using the other filters to analyze a potential area or property. The #1 constant filter is cash flow from day one.

Filters To Consider

1. Type of investment property and exit strategy: How long do you expect to be in the market, what exit strategies can you employ?

2. Financing options for this type of investment property: Is conventional financing possible - 50%, 35%, 20%, 5% down payment? Are their incentives such as grants or ‘purchase plus improvement’ strategies that you can leverage?

3. Your ROI target: After all expenses what is your minimum target return within your elected time frame? Is this realistic and achievable in the current market?

4. Management options: Who will look after your property? If it is you, what succession plan do you have in place to remove you from management when the time comes?

5. Is your system scalable: Can you create a template and duplicate success?


Exit:

Every time I consider adding a property to my portfolio I establish the type of deal and how/who I will eventually sell it on to. Some properties may be a short-term renovation/resale of 6 months. Others may be keepers that I don’t intend to sell for 20+ years. Is my exit buyer a fellow investor, a first time home buyer or a retiring couple?

Financing:

I very rarely want to use the smallest down payment possible. More often I look to buy properties that stress-test (a system we use to run interest rate hikes and rent drops to test the property’s breaking point; a shock test to determine the buffer we need to build in) with a LTV of 75%. Instead of going too skinny into a property I will look for ways to add value (equity) by financing renovations or buying with an advantage like dividing a lot, adding a suite, garage or other source of income. Of course, buying under value is also good. That doesn’t mean that I use all my time chasing distressed properties or desperate sellers.

ROI:

I run my properties through various filters and stress-tests (as above). Income after all expenses equals Net Positive Cash Flow (NPCF).  I factor in the expenses below, but remember you may have additional expenses that you need to add too. There are property specific costs such as mortgage, tax, insurance, condo fees, property management, vacancy, repairs, advertising, bookkeeping, yard care and tenant incentives. When I do up a pro-forma I look at my selling costs as well as what my return on equity and appreciation are. My main focus here is to establish my NPCF and determine if the overall ROI is inline with similar property metrics in my target area.

Property Management:

If you are self managing there will come a time when you want to hand the reins over to an experienced manager so factor these costs in. While you are self-managing you need to identify your cost be it time or money, because it will likely be both.

Scalable Systems:

First you need to establish your goal as a property investor. This may mean a dollar amount of NPCF, a lifestyle shift or creating generational wealth for your family. Refine your goal and the number of properties you need to reach it. Then look at capital, financing, time and energy needed to reach your goal – is it duplicable? Do you need to buy 3 single-family homes or 3 x100 units? Quite often you will find that you need less doors to reach your goal than you initially thought.

Remember that every plan grows and mutates. Along the way you’ll identify what works best for your skill set and in your area. You may tweak your plan to better compensate your lifestyle; grow with it.


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

 Central Edmonton: Terrace Heights 4-Unit Cashflow (PPI Deal)

Turbo charge your portfolio.
This 1963 built Side X Side Bungalow with in-law suites is located of Wayne Gretzky Drive in Terrace Heights. Easy access to Downtown, UOA and the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this neighbourhood.


This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites. This property was built as a duplex and will need renovations to operate the (non-conforming) in-law suites.

This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage. Ensuite laundry to be added. Property has parking pad. Excellent access to downtown, transit and Sherwood Park.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Terrace Heights is a great mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending U.O.A..

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 factors in renovations. P.P. of $575K + $25K renovations = $595K.

Purchase price: $595,000K
Total Investment: $139,000K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $94,475K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 68% or 13.6% 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!


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

Bumpy economic ride causes panic

By Gary Lamphier, Edmonton Journal, October 15th., 2014
EDMONTON - Yes, oil prices have tanked, and stock markets have sunk too. The last month has been a real bummer, man.

Unless you live under a rock, you know this. No need to alarm our fellow townsfolk by using words like “collapse” to hype the news.

No doubt, it has been a miserable few weeks. Corrections happen, and this one is well on its merry way, leaving pain and angst in its path.

As of Wednesday’s close, oil prices were 23 per cent below their June high. Toronto’s main equity index was off 11.5 per cent, and the key U.S. indexes had shed between 6.9 per cent and 8.5 per cent.

Why? Pick your poison, peeps. The reasons are many, and varied. For starters, stocks were overvalued, and overdue for a pullback. Ditto for oil prices, which remained aloft despite growing global supply and softer demand in China and Europe. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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

Alberta economy to ‘soften’ in 2015, but experts say no crisis on the horizon

By Amanda Stephenson, Calgary Herald, November 13th, 2014
Calgary and Alberta may be in for a period of softer economic growth in 2015, but two top economists said Thursday there is no reason to be alarmed.

While sharply lower oil prices are expected to have an impact, the guest speakers at Calgary Economic Development’s 2015 Economic Outlook said by no means will they be a catastrophe for Alberta or Canada as a whole.

“Sometimes you want a little bit of a moderation — it helps to control costs for energy producers, it helps to rebalance the labour market,” said Todd Hirsch, chief economist for ATB Financial. “I’m not expecting anything in 2015 that anyone could call a bust — just a slight pullback, a bit of a moderation.”  GRAB THIS STORY

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

Yedlin: Keep your eyes on Q4 results in Alberta’s energy sector

By Deborah Yedlin, The Calgary Herald, November 1st, 2014

For anyone who doesn't yet understand the importance of the energy sector to Canada's economy, Friday's Gross Domestic Product numbers were opportunity to reassess that view.
The country's economy grew at a rate of 0.1 per cent in August, with the fall-o in oil and gas activity being one of the key culprits. That GDP number supports an annual growth rate of two per cent.

While some of that decline is attributable to both planned and unplanned maintenance activity from August, the fact there was also a 4.3 per cent drop in oil and gas service sector activity suggests something bigger is going on. And that's before the oil price really tanked.  READ MORE HERE

 
 ===============


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.

“Learn to say ‘no' to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best."  - John C. Maxwell

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar



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.

Do your own thing on your own terms and get what you came here for."  - Oliver James

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 blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

















Friday, November 14, 2014

This and That November

I can't wait to take advantage of range of flights available from YEG. No more long layovers and driving to Calgary. The flights to Edmonton spawned the import of fresh fish to Edmonton. Imagine what this could open up...

“Having a premier airline flying directly into continental Europe with all those connections to the Middle East and Africa, in addition to all the great ties we have with the Netherlands, is a real plus for Edmonton and the future of the business community and for the public in general,” Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport.  READ MORE

 ************
We need to really slow down but I'm not sure 6 km over the speed limit warrants a ticket. 
 Find out what the speed limits are in your area.

 ************
 Calgary and Edmonton top the list of places to invest in Alberta Jump HERE

*************
BMO Susan Brown Head of Banking:

“We think that Alberta’s economy should definitely remain the leader among all of the provinces this year and next thanks to strength in the energy sector, surging population and a strong labour market. Our outlook for Alberta remains very positive and we’re very optimistic about the province and the prospects in this province,”

“We’re expecting Real GDP growth of 3.5 per cent in 2014 and even with the drop in oil prices we’re still expecting growth of 2.9 per cent in 2015. And that is certainly stronger growth than we’re seeing anywhere else in the country. It’s one of the reasons that we remain as optimistic about economic prospects in this province as we do. READ HERE





Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Looking for a new place - why don't you buy an island?

Apparently they're cheap in B.C.!

For all of those who thought a private island was out of their reach, you can end that type of negative thinking.

For as little as $395,000, you can retell bon mots of "summering on my island" at any social gathering.

It is tempting.... jump or swim here


Friday, October 31, 2014

Real Estate Cycles

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


October 31st., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 7

Dear Friends and Partners,

The value of the cycle; I endeavor to talk about the good news stories as much as I do about the (bad news) potential risks in the market. The underlying economic fundamentals drive a market and give it depth, but don’t always do it fairly. Recently I have spoken to investors that started buying property in the 80’s and (to various degrees) continue to buy. Granted, a few folks that bought in the 80’s have changed their buying profile to larger, more manageable building and others have sold their commercial property choosing to only keep a few key residential ones to pass down to their children.

When we talk about purchases made in late 2007/2008 we fall against the backdrop of the global recession. This ‘dip’ in the cycle was, and still is for some areas, much deeper than first anticipated. It’s actually quite incredible that Edmonton weathered this storm as well as it did; thank those underlying economic fundamentals. But, nonetheless some properties bought in the peak of 2007/2008 still haven’t climbed back up to where they were.

Thus, this is the cycle.

We look at real estate cycles typically being 5-7 years, and here in Edmonton you can see house prices coming back to earlier highs. Now, does that mean we are approaching a peak and shouldn’t buy? Be conscientious of what you buy - not based on where the cycle is so much as what the leverage/rates are that you are getting. A solid piece of real estate WILL hold its value throughout a cycle. Put another way, if you held your rental property for the full 25 year mortgage term (or whatever it is you set up) you would own an asset free and clear that would produce net CF for you (minus taxes/operating expenses) provided you had bought a solid property to begin with. The trouble you can get into with low rates is thinking that they’ll go on forever.

Regardless of the timing in the market, it will still have a cycle of high-low-high-low and stabilization in between. Real estate is a long-term game. The winners have enough skin in the game to hold when they have to and will reap the rewards for carefully selected real estate that will weather the cycle.

And what about the 2007/2008 property? With proper management, mortgage administration and diligent repairs that asset will hold its value. And if you want to sell it…the cycle will come round (like it always does) and give you an opportunity to do so; with years of banked equity.

See our articles on HOW to buy here:
Focus on the fundamentals
Keep investment real estate profitable in any economy

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

 Central Edmonton: Terrace Heights 4-Unit Cashflow (PPI Deal)

Turbo charge your portfolio.
This 1963 built Side X Side Bungalow with in-law suites is located of Wayne Gretzky Drive in Terrace Heights. Easy access to Downtown, UOA and the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this neighbourhood.


This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites. This property was built as a duplex and will need renovations to operate the (non-conforming) in-law suites.

This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage. Ensuite laundry to be added. Property has parking pad . Excellent access to downtown, transit and Sherwood Park.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Terrace Heights is a great mature area that is a desirable for tenants working in the city or attending U.O.A..

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 factors in renovations. P.P. of $575K + $25K renovations = $595K.

Purchase price: $595,000K
Total Investment: $139,000K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $94,475K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 68% or 13.6% 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!


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

Competitive tax rates give Edmonton an entrepreneurial edge over other big Canadian cities

By Geoffrey Morgan, Financial Post, October 20th., 2014

Louise Dirks admits it would be easier on her travel schedule to run her high-end shoe business out of a city like Toronto or New York, where trans-Atlantic flights are scheduled multiple times a day.
At the beginning of October, the founder and owner of Gravity Pope had just returned to her Edmonton headquarters after a business trip to Paris.

Ms. Dirks said that being based in Edmonton means there’s always one more flight to catch, or at least a few additional hours spent in a cramped airline seat, as she travels to France, Italy and Germany to source shoes and designer clothes for her stores in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE


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

IMF sees ‘solid’ Canadian growth, despite ‘uneven’ global recovery

By Gordon Isfeld, Financial Post, October 7th, 2014

OTTAWA — The “uneven” global recovery will be with us for at least another year or two, although the pace of growth will be “more country specific” than before, according to the world’s biggest lending agency. 

Overall growth should reach 3.3% this year and 3.8% next year, the International Monetary Fund said in its October outlook released Tuesday. That’s down 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, from the agency’s forecast in July.
For Canada, the IMF said “growth is expected to be solid,” thanks mainly to a strong pickup that is likely to continue in the United States during 2014 and into 2015. But it continued to caution policymakers about Canada’s “still-overvalued” housing market.  GRAB THIS STORY


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

Canada one of the world’s most popular destinations for job seekers: study

By Tavia Grant, The Globe and Mail, October 6th, 2014

Canada is one of the top spots in the world for job seekers who are setting their sights abroad.

The U.S., the U.K. and Canada are the world’s most popular country destinations for job seekers, a Boston Consulting Group global survey of more than 200,000 people released Sunday showed. Among cities, London is the most popular spot, while three Canadian cities crack the top 25 list for most-sought after places: Toronto (#8), Montreal (#21) and Vancouver (#23). 

Bigger economies are one reason why job seekers opted for the top three, along with a largely English-speaking population at a time when English is the most frequently taught second language, the paper noted.  READ MORE HERE

 ===============

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.

Do your own thing on your own terms and get what you came here for."  - Oliver James

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  blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.














Monday, October 27, 2014

Alberta This and That

It's no surprise that when an economy is active, salaries are up and so are rents - that’s the exchange you pay in any market. The opposite is true too; the cheapest rents are generally found in areas with depressed incomes. It's a lot harder to pay rent when you don't have a job.... Read Here

Here is a cool urbanist's look at Edmonton - Jump

We panicked with stocks is it time for oil now? They say YES.


Friday, October 17, 2014

What to remember when you invest. Peter Kinch ReBlogged....

I saw a report the other day that a UK company recommended Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary as the best places to invest in Canada. Well, one out of three isn't bad....

You may remember what $890k can buy in Vancouver. How are you going to cashflow with that property? You're mortgage payments are about $3320.00 so you have to rent that property out for about $3800 to cover tax, repairs, property management fees. I don't know about you but I have yet to find a tenant willing to spend $4000 to live in a hovel.

So with all the noise about investing where to do it, who to do it with even when to do it. You need to just remember the basics. For me the most important thing is why I invest. You could throw water on my face at 3am and it's quite likely I would shout out the answer word for word. That's my commitment.

Here are some reasons from Peter Kinch ( who I reblog a LOT) :

Here's the bottom line for all investors:

There are a lot of headlines this week trumpeting the downward slide of the stock market – All this while the head of Scotia Bank reminds us that reports of a ‘Housing Bubble’ are over-rated.
*If you are looking to invest over the long term, then don’t get too worried about the day to day fluctuations of the market – whether that’s in real estate or the stock market.
 

*If you’re looking for steady cash flow and long-term stability from your investment – then focus on the economic fundamentals of where you are buying and key in on having a solid tenant base.

In the meantime, here’s what’s ‘In the News’….

A new report suggests that Canadian homeowners are paying down their mortgages faster than they’re being given credit for.

Click here for full details from MoneySense.

Canadian concerns about a housing bubble are overblown in a country where credit growth is modest and the job market is stable, says Bank of Nova Scotia CEO Brian Porter.

Click here for the full Bloomberg article.

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz is signaling that it’s time to take off the training wheels – that the central bank will no longer be there to hold the market’s hand.

Click here for more from Business in Canada.

Do you have a mortgage that is coming up for renewal? Are you thinking of buying an investment property? Do you know someone who is buying a new principal residence and would benefit from a lower mortgage rate?

Now is the best time to get our expertise working for you. You can get a great rate and expert advice at the same time.

Call or Email Today to book a consultation!

Thank you Peter!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Developments abound

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


October 15th., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 6

Dear Friends and Partners,

Lot’s of big announcements these past few weeks. The city centre is growing fast with more and more new buildings coming on. Even if half come to fruition, the city scene will be positively changed forever.

On the energy front there have been some significant developments in transportation and the European energy bill, both of which you can read below. Stay informed, get active and don’t miss the opportunity Edmonton is offering.

BTW - REIN is hosting its ACRE event in Edmonton October 25th. If you are just starting DIY real estate investing, you won’t want to miss this.  Find more info about it HERE.

Central Edmonton: Inglewood 4-Unit Cashflow (Purchase Plus Improvement Deal)


Turbo charge your portfolio. This 1950 built Raised-Bungalow-Style 4-Plex is located in the heart of Inglewood, minutes from trendy 124th and downtown. The airport revitalization project is sending ripples of improvement throughout this area. Easy access to the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this character -rich neighbourhood.

This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites.

This property was built as a RF3 duplex and is noted as having lower-level suites in the tax assessment. This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage.

 Ensuite laundry to be added. Property has 1 x double detached garage . Excellent access to downtown, transit and St. Albert.

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 NAIT.

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 factors in renovations.

Purchase price: $664,000K
Total Investment: $152,930K
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit: $86,096.28K
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!


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

Hicks: There is no transportation crisis for Alberta

By Graham Hicks, Edmonton Sun, September 26th., 2014

If there's a looming transportation crisis for Alberta oil, why have Suncor and its partners committed $10 billion to the new Fort Hills oilsands project?
Why is Exxon-Imperial Oil full speed ahead on its $8.9 billion expansion of Kearl Lake, even as Phase I is just getting up to speed?

Let's not be stupid. Nobody puts that kind of money into any business, without 100% certainty the product will get to market.

Yet we keep hearing, time after time, that without new pipelines west (Northern Gateway) and south (Keystone XL), much of Alberta's oil will be trapped with no way out.

Here's the reality, as explained to me by a few veterans of the oil transport business.  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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

Oilsands victory in Europe - but how will they get it there?

By Daniel Schwartz, CBC News, October 9th, 2014

The Canadian government and the oil industry can clearly claim a victory after Tuesday's announcement by the European Commission that it will not go ahead with a proposal that would have labelled oilsands oil as emitting more greenhouse gases than conventional oil production.
But the reality is that very little Alberta oil gets sold to European countries right now, and getting oilsands oil there should still be more of a challenge — especially at a competitive price.

Although the European decision will be disappointing for many environmental groups, it "provides a signal that Europe is open for business," says Nathan Lemphers, an independent oilsands policy analyst.  READ MORE HERE

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

How Alberta’s oil patch teamed up with the ‘little guys’ for an end run around Obama

By Rebecca Penty, Hugo Millar, Andrew Mayeda and Edward Greenspon, Bloomberg News, October 7th, 2014

So you’re the Canadian oil industry and you do what you think is a great thing by developing a mother lode of heavy crude beneath the forests and muskeg of northern Alberta. The plan is to send it clear to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast via a pipeline called Keystone XL. Just a few years back, America desperately wanted that oil.

Then one day the politics get sticky. In Nebraska, farmers don’t want the pipeline running through their fields or over their water source. U.S. environmentalists invoke global warming in protesting the project. President Barack Obama keeps siding with them, delaying and delaying approval. Keystone has become a tractor mired in an interminably muddy field.  READ MORE HERE
 
 ===============


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.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.."  - Abraham Lincoln

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  blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to visit our website and take advantage of the Resource Tools and product section including REIN's #1 real estate books and Quick Start homestudy sets at a discount. Get your copy of the Canadian Success Stories book and the 2010-2014 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Flying pumpkins and corn mazes

After a thoroughly fulfilling Thanksgiving weekend we need other ways to get out and celebrate our short beautiful prairie autumn.

We have become converts to the corn maze. Alberta's expanse makes the corn maze a really popular autumn family event. Usually there is a puzzle involved to make the maze interesting for kids. Some mazes have words cut into them that is the answer to the puzzle. For the adults the "Children of the Corn" jokes never stop coming. Right Malachai?

It's a lot of fresh air and walking sure to bring a good nights sleep.

Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm have a huge puzzle, lots of activities and a haunted house that you can see with the kids. The also have the best thing I have ever seen done to a pumpkin - shooting them out of canons. Oddly satisfying.

Take a look at their excellent video here (THIS  VIDEO IS NOT FOR KIDS!) GO!

Prairie  Gardens is 100% kid friendly but this video is a little scary.

Thursday, October 09, 2014

It's 1984...

...not Orwell's dystopia, but gas prices yesterday in Alberta.

To celebrate 30 years of refining in Alberta some Shell stations in Edmonton and around Alberta dropped to 1984 prices. Gas signs that read 0.39, 0.49 and 0.57 drew huge lineups at the pumps.

Great idea and a way to give back to the consumer. Watch Video here

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

This and That October

Alberta is forging ahead with economic optimism - “Saudi Arabia’s (reported discounting of oil prices) could drive prices lower. But we could also see a situation where worries about supplies coming out of Iraq start driving oil prices higher again. There are just so many moving parts to this, and so many of them are geopolitical, not economic in nature.” Read more

Alberta's Goldilocks Economy - "In the long-run, it's stacked against us," he explained. "Energy is always going to be our strong card, but how do we increase that envelope of what's captured in the energy sector. It's hydrocarbons plus what other renewable energy sources could we be the champions of in Alberta. There's still a lot of work we need to do.” Jump here

When it gets to cold go to L.A. - "American Airlines launched Thursday its daily non-stop flight to Los Angeles International Airport from Edmonton." More here

Friday, October 03, 2014

Flying in Style

Start saving your Air-miles because this $23,000 Singapore Airline Cabin looks wonderful.
Check out the food, the service the amenity kit. So luxurious... Jump here

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

The city is abuzz

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


October 1st., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 5

Dear Friends and Partners,

More excitement in the city. If you haven’t taken a stroll in Edmonton’s downtown in a while, you might be surprised by all the cranes and construction. You’d probably also stumble across a couple of trendy new restaurants with lineups out the door; the city is a buzz. Edmonton's got a lot going on it’s just getting started.

 Like him or not, Daryl Katz is certainly a visionary for a ‘new’ Edmonton. With his interest in buying a portion of 104 AVE last week, to putting the arena into play, he’s making an impressive upgrade to the city’s downtown-core.

Since the revitalization of the core started it has created a massive wave of growth in business, retail and housing developments. All of Edmonton benefits and you can start to see the numbers in residential housing beginning to reflect this recent growth spurt.

 Edmonton’s fast-growing population is forcing real estate prices up, says the Realtors Association of Edmonton.

The month’s housing market by the numbers:

14 %: How much the total value of residential real estate sales ($5.7 billion) grew compared to the same time last year ($5.0 billion).

6.0 %: Year-over-year drop in the number of reported residential sales.

$435,430: Average price of a single-family dwelling in Edmonton census metropolitan area, up 4.3 % from same month last year. Full story here

 People are attracted by jobs and stability. People stay to raise a family and make their own mark in a growing city.



Central Edmonton: Inglewood 4-Unit Cashflow (Purchase Plus Improvement Deal)


Turbo charge your portfolio. This 1950 built Raised-Bungalow-Style 4-Plex is located in the heart of Inglewood, minutes from trendy 124th and downtown. The airport revitalization project is sending ripples of improvement throughout this area. Easy access to the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this character -rich neighbourhood.

This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites.

This property was built as a RF3 duplex and is noted as having lower-level suites in the tax assessment. This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage.

 Ensuite laundry to be added. Property has 1 x double detached garage . Excellent access to downtown, transit and St. Albert.

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 NAIT.

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 factors in renovations.

Purchase price: $664,000K
Total Investment: $152,930K
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit: $86,096.28K
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!


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

Dreams of a thriving new downtown Edmonton start to edge in reality
By Carrie Tait, Globe and Mail, September 11th., 2014

 It takes a lot of imagination to picture roughly four million people hanging out in Edmonton’s downtown each year, all visiting in the name of entertainment. The dreams exist, the blueprints exist, but the buildings do not. Negotiations are in their final stages. Diggers are digging. And Daryl Katz’s real estate ambitions are at skyscraper levels.

When the billionaire talks about his plans to revitalize Edmonton, he has lists of numbers. Lots of numbers. He rattles off the amount of money that will be poured into Alberta’s energy sector – the oil sands, refineries, pipelines – in order to back up numbers off a second list. That list is the one that requires creative thinking, and a lot of new buildings.  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE



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

Edmonton Real Estate mogul Bob Dhillon excited for changing city

By Dave Lazzarino, Edmonton Sun, September 19th, 2014

Bob Dhillon sits in an Edmonton restaurant, awaiting his meal, sipping a rich, Australian Shiraz and talking real estate. To him, the wine isn't the only glass that's half-full.
"Edmontonians should celebrate," said Dhillon, who knows all about celebration.

His company, Mainstreet Equity, owns 3,725 residential apartment units in Edmonton -- 2,424 of them surrounding the Edmonton Arena District -- making him the landlord to what he says calls a city benefiting from youth.

"What drives a city like Edmonton and Calgary is the in-migration, young people," he said. READ MORE HERE

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


Hicks: Strength among weakness in Edmonton’s corporate sector

By Graham Hicks, Edmonton Sun, September 19th, 2014

Alberta Venture Magazine’s September edition contains its annual Top 250 list of Alberta’s biggest companies and, as usual, it makes for fascinating comparisons.
The list demonstrates, more than ever, how Edmonton in the ‘50s and ’60s allowed the corporate side of the resource industry sector that surrounds us to slip away to Calgary. 

Fifty-nine of of the top 100 companies within Venture Magazine’s Top 250 companies, (as measured by gross 2013 revenues), are in the resource industries sector. Just two biggies, Weatherford Canada (61st, $1.3 billion) and North American Energy Partners (95th, $470 million) are based in Edmonton.  READ MORE HERE

 
 ===============


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.

“A true champion can adapt to anything."  - Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

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  blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to visit our website and take advantage of the Resource Tools and product section including REIN's #1 real estate books and Quick Start homestudy sets at a discount. Get your copy of the Canadian Success Stories book and the 2010-2014 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.




Monday, September 29, 2014

Tar Hugger

"When people are calling Fort Mac — calling a city in Alberta — an open sewer, ground zero for climate change, or they’re calling it Hiroshima, that adds a lot of fear and emotion to the argument that’s not supported by the facts, but industry can’t respond the same way. The industry has to respond with facts and it takes them a long time to do so,” Realtor Cody Battershill read about his one man (but growing) battle here

I do agree.


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Booms and Busts

You’ll never be wrong predicting a bust.

Same with predicting a boom - the rub is trying to get the timing exactly right. You might wonder why I put this article up on our blog dedicated to investing successfully in Edmonton real estate, and the answer is that everyone is right sometimes.

I haven’t read this book as it’s not out yet. I think that it’s naive to say that there won’t be another down cycle, because there will be many more up-cycles and many more down-cycles for as long as man buys-sells-creates. Economic fluctuation is the norm.

Do I think that there is a big correction headed for CANADA in the future?
No, not really. Canada’s a big place after all.

Do I think that certain markets, property types and lending manoeuvrings may create a dangerous situation for some speculators? Yes, I do.

But, that doesn’t mean that a crash is coming and even if it did indicate that, with the right investing skills, it would create an excellent time to make strategic real estate/business buys.

Simply put - don’t believe the hype (both good and bad). Study economic fundamentals, invest using a proven strategy, buy the right property (or business). Be responsible and be active.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Edmonton of the future - super cool

Image courtesy of Stantec
Do you like growing Edmonton or do you still have that image of the city in the 80’s? Here’s where we are today - and where we’re going. Edmonton is an up-and-comer. The new buildings, restaurants, sports facilities and the BUZZ show that. Jump

Premier Prentice lays out the need for getting Alberta oil out. His comments below are bang on.

“Sometime around 2017, 2018, 2019 at the latest, we begin to run into a circumstance where there’s not enough pipeline capacity to absorb the energy that’s being produced in the province, and we start to get bottlenecks that will create the so-called differentials where we no longer get even continental prices but start to get deeply discounted prices instead,” the Premier said.

He said that scenario will create a serious economic problem for Alberta and should be of concern to all Canadians, as it will have a “profound effect on the national economy post-2018.” Read More Here

Monday, September 15, 2014

Alberta's Story

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


September 15th., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 4

Dear Friends and Partners,

Summer sure came to halt here in Edmonton, Calgary even more so. 'What happened?’ asked all my cucumbers, withered and frozen on the vine. Despite a JOLT of winter the summer has been great - I hope yours has too.

We’re starting to see more Single Family Residential properties coming on the market and even a mortgage rate decrease. On Tuesday BMO listed a 5 year fixed rate of 2.99% to take advantage of fall home shoppers. The few points off won’t make too much of a difference to your cash flow, but will spur would-be home buyers to get active in the market after a lazy summer.

One of the best strategies for home owners to take advantage of low rates is to increase their payments as if their rates were higher.  They can pay down equity faster or save the extra cash and apply it towards a down-payment on a rental. Edmonton's multi-family inventory remains tight. There is a small handful of decent properties out there, however the price point tends to be higher than what an investor needs to make it work. With that said, we continue to work with unlisted properties and pocket listings to make deals happen. You have a good window ahead for Q4/Q1 to add quality revenue property to your portfolio - take advantage of it! 

Below are a few fairly stock snippets from an article on the upside of property investing and the hard work associated with it - believe me, there is a lot more of both!  

"Ms. Jansson is in good company. Thousands of Canadians rely on residential income properties, whether close to home or abroad, to help them feather their financial nests.” 

“It’s like any business that you want to enter. It’s all about time, money and expertise. If you don’t have the time, you at least have to have the expertise and you have to have the money to make it fly,” says Phil McDowell, a mortgage broker in Calgary.”
Read the whole article here


Central Edmonton: Inglewood 4-Unit Cashflow (Purchase Plus Improvement Deal)


Turbo charge your portfolio. This 1950 built Raised-Bungalow-Style 4-Plex is located in the heart of Inglewood, minutes from trendy 124th and downtown. The airport revitalization project is sending ripples of improvement throughout this area. Easy access to the Yellowhead as well as many parks and schools to enjoy in this character -rich neighbourhood.

This property has front entrances to the 2 X 2BD main floor units and lower entrances for the 2X 1BD suites.

This property was built as a RF3 duplex and is noted as having lower-level suites in the tax assessment. This is a purchase plus improvement deal, meaning that we wrap the ($25K) renovations into a new mortgage.

 Ensuite laundry to be added. Property has 1 x double detached garage . Excellent access to downtown, transit and St. Albert.

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 NAIT.

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 factors in renovations.

Purchase price: $664,000K
Total Investment: $152,930K
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit: $86,096.28K
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!

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

Painting a picture with numbers, the story of Alberta

By Karyn Mulcahy, CTV Edmonton, August 21st., 2014

 We’ve heard it time and time again, Alberta is a prosperous province with a booming economy, but how do we actually stack up, numbers wise? The Alberta Office of Statistics and Information has answers.

"Last year the population in our province jumped by 3.5%, which is triple the national average. More than four million people now call Alberta home. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in the province sat at $1,190 in April of 2014, with the cheapest rent found in Medicine Hat ($739 a month), and the most expensive in Fort McMurray ($2.061). Workers earned the highest average weekly wages in the country ($1.108.01), 22% more than the national average, and the unemployment rate sat at only 4.6%, the second lowest in the country after Saskatchewan."  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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

Arctic route for Alberta could trump stalled B.C. pipeline projects

By Justin Ling, Special to Financial Post, September 5th, 2014

Alberta’s plan to get its landlocked oil to overseas markets by way of Arctic shores might just become a reality — and sooner than the stalled Northern Gateway or Keystone XL projects.

The plan, until recently dismissed as dubious by some skeptics, may have finally found the right combination of winning conditions: a hunger for resource development in Yellowknife, a desperate need to find new markets for oil-sands bitumen, an aggressive push from the federal government to reduce environmental oversight in the territory, and the changing northern climate.   GRAB THIS STORY

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

Pembina Pipeline strikes Billion-dollar energy deals

By Bertrand Marotte, The Globe and Mail, September 2nd, 2014

Pembina Pipeline Corp. has struck a deal to build a West Coast propane export terminal in Portland, Oregon and is also tapping into the prolific North Dakota Bakken play with the acquisition of an ethane pipeline.
Calgary-based Pembina said on Tuesday it plans to develop a 37,000-barrel-per-day export facility in Portland’s port at a cost of about $500-million (U.S.).  READ MORE HERE

 ===============
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.

“Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself."  - Paul Bryant

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  blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to visit our website and take advantage of the Resource Tools and product section including REIN's #1 real estate books and Quick Start homestudy sets at a discount. Get your copy of the Canadian Success Stories book and the 2010-2014 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.




















Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Reading between the lines

Articles like this make me scratch my head. "Thinking of heading out to Alberta? Sure, there are lots of jobs. But be forewarned–there’s also lots of debt.” Does that mean that if I move to Alberta and start earning a higher wage that I’m going to start recklessly spending and go into debt?

“Sure, go to NY but be warned there are a lot of Broadway shows there... you might find yourself stuck in a musical, unable to ever leave.” Another rubbish sentiment.

The closing comments are especially telling "The report indicated 43% of Canadians hold mortgage debt, up 13% from a year ago. The rising share of households with a mortgage is driven partly by the active participation of first-time buyers, mainly younger Canadians, BMO said. More than half of all households are carrying a credit-card balance, although that total declined to 52% from 56% in 2013.”

Wait, it gets worse… the rising share of households with a mortgage falls to 'First Time Home Buyers’? That is good, not terrible. I don’t like the idea of ‘many households’ carrying credit card debt - yet the reported number doing so has DECLINED. Another good thing. What is being reported anyways?

I’m (generally) not one to pick apart news stories but sometimes enough is enough. The patter is so dubious and patronizing to spin some fairly good factoids into something bad. Be smart and read through the noise. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Investing done three ways

Here is an interesting article if you are into stocks - Brilliant Insights

Looking to future of the oilsands - Veteran Oilsands Financier

We received a bottle of wine from a pipe company that invests in a vineyard in South America.  It seemed a very interesting turn from pipe to grapes. Apparently wine investing is not that uncommon.  It's not something I would do but interesting nontheless.Watch the video at CBC


My desk

Sometimes my desk fills me with dread. I look at the pile of documents or the numerous emails I have to tackle and think yech... Especially when the sun is shining and we are in the middle of our short Albertan summer.

Then I read this:

     "Notice how people can play board games like Monopoly for hours on end. They play with great spirit and inventiveness. Video and computer games even more so. A pick-up game of basketball in the park after a long hard day at work can wake a person up like nothing else!
  
     It's the joy of just playing. Kids want to stay up and play all night. There is no fatigue when you're playing.

     Contrast that to "working."
   
     Working grinds you down. It hits you even before you do it. Just the thought of it. Just the thought of your work day can fill you with dread and anxiety. You're weary before you begin.
   
     Wealth happens to us fastest when we can play it into existence."
Steve Chandler

And I realized the only one who can make me work is me. I completely control my hours, my tasks and my thinking. So I'm going to make my desk a fun place to be. 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Do you have noxious weeds in your yard? There's an app for that!

A lot of the purple flowers I thought were so pretty in my neighbourhood are noxious weeds.

The City of Edmonton has launched an app to help residents identify noxious weeds in their area.




"The Alberta Weed Spotter helps Albertans identify and report noxious and invasive weeds – it includes 75 species currently regulated under the Alberta Weed Control Act." Read More
You can get the app through itunes


Monday, August 11, 2014

This and That August

Landlords or property managers are used to encountering strange things after a tenant has moved out. This Alaskan lady has probably topped everyone else by finding her ex-husband's body under the stairs.  Strange but true read Here

Some of the best food I've eaten around the world has been underground waiting for the train (eki soba for one) ... lets hope this Edmonton cafe can deliver as promised! Jump

Edmonton is experiencing a hotel boom. That is because we need more rooms to get deals done in this city Read

Alberta economy is hot Here

Friday, August 01, 2014

Dog Days of Summer

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


August 1st., 2014
Volume 17, Issue 3

Dear Friends and Partners,

We’ve been having a ‘heatwave’ the past week. I say enjoy it while we’ve got it, kind of makes up for the long, cold winters. With the heat comes epic thunderstorms; prepare as best you can for them.

The economy is hot too but there are some clouds of worry; consumer debt is higher, housing prices in certain areas are higher and geo-political tension is burning like a fever.

When I write or review real estate articles I always look locally first, studying the economic drivers of the city and its growth demographics. I look at how the city and province's industries are influenced (or influencing) national growth or are affected by retraction and global impact.

It is never possible to predict exact outcomes but it is possible to plan for scenarios. Living in a province that is primarily energy driven (albeit that we are getting more and more economically diversified) its necessary to pay attention to the global ebb and flow of energy markets and its customers. The trick is not to get to caught up in the noise and to plan for the inevitable down cycles that follow the good ones.

Edmonton real estate is very affordable, rates are low, we are in an up cycle and have increasing population growth; many green lights, but you still have to look both ways before entering an intersection and always check the rear-view mirror!

You have an excellent opportunity to add to your portfolio now. But, remember to keep a time-frame that allows for hiccups in the economy. Your plan may be 2-5-10 years or longer. Successful real estate investing and generational wealth building is a marathon, not a sprint.

Please note: We’ll be soaking up the summer for the rest of August. Your newsletter will resume September 15th 2014. But, you can still catch us at our blog  Enjoy your summer ;) 

South Central Edmonton: Ritchie 4-Unit Cash flow Renovation Project


Turbo charge your portfolio.

This 1981 built Side by Side Duplex is located near Mill Creek Ravine and minutes from Whyte Ave and Whitemud Drive in the mature and desirable neighbourhood of Ritchie.

This property has front entrances for the 2 X 2BD main floor units and side entrances for the 2X 1BD lower units. This property was built as a duplex but has one suite added, another suite will be added to the second basement. This is a purchase plus improvements deal, meaning that we wrap the renovations into a new mortgage. Ensuite laundry to be added. 1 x double detached garage.  Excellent access to UOA, downtown and the Whitemud. Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you.

Ritchie is a much sought after, mature area that is a desirable area for tenants and owners alike. 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.

**Please note this is a renovation/conversion project. The property type is for a side by side duplex and renovations will not render it a legal 4-plex. Purchase price factors in the renos**

Purchase price: $675K
Total Investment: $165K
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $93,707K
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 57% 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!

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

Oil Sands gushing jobs mark divide in Canadian economy

By Greg Quinn, Bloomberg, July 23rd, 2014

In Canada’s economy there’s Alberta, and there’s everywhere else.

The oil- and gas-rich western province was responsible for all of the country’s net employment growth over the past 12 months, adding 81,800 jobs while the rest of Canada lost 9,500. Alberta’s trade surplus, C$7.4 billion ($6.9 billion) in May, almost matched the deficit rung up everywhere else.

If growth trends over the past decade continue, Alberta would pass Quebec to become the country’s second-largest provincial economy in three years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.  FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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

View from Alberta: Is oil by rail a sea change or a temporary bridge?

By Stephen Ewart, Calgary Herald, July 23rd, 2014

Other than Ottawa’s new speed limits on trains moving dangerous goods through urban areas, there was no slowing down the rail industry’s rapid advances into the oil and gas sector this spring.
Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway reported record second-quarter financial results in the past week, based in part on strong North American energy markets that included the growing volumes of crude transported by rail as well as increased shipments of frac sand and drill pipe.   GRAB THIS STORY
===============

TransCanada gets nod for new oil pipeline pipeline adds to 2,100 miles of pipe across Alberta

By Daniel J. Graeber, UPI, July 24th, 2014

CALGARY, Alberta, July 24 (UPI) --A 56-mile pipeline planned through Alberta will be a foundation to plans to increase oil sands production in the province, TransCanada said.
The Alberta Energy Regulator approved TransCanada's plans to build the Northern Courier pipeline from the Fort Hills oil sands extraction facility to a tank facility operated by energy company Suncor in Fort McMurray, Alberta. 

"We are pleased that the Alberta Energy Regulator has approved Northern Courier, which will be a critical piece of infrastructure to support the long-term plans for growth and increased production from the Alberta oil sands," Chief Executive Officer Russ Girling said in a statement.  GRAB THIS STORY
  ===============


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.

“Deep summer is where laziness finds respectability."  - Sam Keen

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  blog at Edmonton Real Estate Investor for all your cutting edge market news and information.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to visit our website and take advantage of the Resource Tools and product section including REIN's #1 real estate books and Quick Start homestudy sets at a discount. Get your copy of the Canadian Success Stories book and the 2010-2014 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.