Edmonton Real Estate Investor: Edmonton real estate investments

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 1st., 2012
Volume 12, Issue 1

Dear Friends and Partners,

Did you use Leap Day to your advantage? I've never thought much of this extra day that comes once every 4 years. The concept of adding a leap year in the calendar was introduced by the Egyptians. This was mainly because the solar calendar and the man-made calendar didn't match. Fair enough, just like we have Daylight Savings time in Canada.

But look at this sneaky trick that was played on the Jamaicans; Explorer Christopher Columbus used the lunar eclipse of 29 February 1504 to his advantage during his final trip to the West Indies. After several months of being stranded with his crew on the island of Jamaica, relations with the indigenous population broke down and they refused to continue helping with food and provisions. Columbus, knowing a lunar eclipse was due, consulted his almanac and then gathered the native chiefs on 29 February. He told that God was to punish them by painting the Moon red. During the eclipse, he said that God would withdraw the punishment if they starting co-operating again. The panicked chiefs agreed and the Moon began emerging from its shadow. I guess you could argue that Chris Columbus was using all of his devices to save his skin.

I was curious to see who else was using Leap Year to their advantage in these modern times, and it turned out to be Disneyland. They had an explosive 24 hour event that was a massive success proving that crowds would line up at 10PM to ride all night long in the Magic Kingdom. Maybe you advertised a Leap Year special, offered a free training event or a special rental incentive for all leases signed or renewed on the 29th day of February? If you're able to offer something fun, new and helpful to folks, some will seize the opportunity - that's how we filled three suites yesterday ;)

South West Edmonton: Cashflowing Two-Suiter in Queen Alexandra

Turbo charge your portfolio. Upgraded 1948 built legal 2-plex with separate entrance to lower suite. 2 stylishly finished suites; 1345 sqft upper 4 bedroom unit with beautiful laminate, plus a spacious 2 bedroom 900 sqft. suite down. The upper suite has newer windows, electric fireplace, fresh paint and appliances. There is a common laundry room in basement too. The lower unit has new paint, windows, insulation and some newer appliances. Lower suite walks out to a shared fenced yard. There is a 2 car detached garage with automatic door and opener, bringing in additional revenue. 5 minutes to U.O.A., 20 mins to NAIT, Grant MacEwan and Downtown. Fast access to the Whitemud, Whyte Ave. and on the bus routes. These pictures show the detail and care that went into building this quality home.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Convenient South West area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent established neighborhood featuring many heritage homes; solid value and stable rents. HUGE upside potential due to the great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this home in relation to Edmonton's trendy University area.

Produces $242 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $350K Total Investment: $82.3K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $42.4K. Your pre-tax Total ROI is 51% or 10.2% per year + $242 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month

Poised for massive growth. These 2 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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Economic and Political Power Shifting West

By Post Media News. February 17th 2012

To see the country moving West, you have only to board a flight from Montreal to Calgary and hear almost nothing but French spoken in the waiting area at the gate.

On a full Air Canada flight on a weekday in mid-February, these Quebecers weren’t going to Calgary for the Stampede, or to Banff to ski.

They were going to work in the oilpatch, where a person with a skilled trade — an electrician or a welder — makes well over $100,000 a year. It’s the same in Alberta’s housing industry, which is clamouring for carpenters and plumbers. READ MORE HERE

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Share Oilsands Supply Chain To Fight Shortages
Pooling Resources

By Christine Dobby, Financial Post. February 17th 2012

Known for its dramatic swings, the Alberta oil sands labour market is booming again.

Investments in the industry hit $20.7-billion in 2008 before stalling along with the global economy and slipping to $10.6-billion the following year, according to Statistics Canada.

But that number is steadily climbing, with $11.2-billion invested in 2010 and an estimated $14.3-billion last year.

Production of the non-conventional resource is projected to hit 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2014-15, up from 1.61 million bpd in 201011, according to the Alberta government's 2012 budget. GRAB THIS STORY

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CMHC Predicts Stable Canadian Housing Market

By Angela Mullholland, CTV News, February 13th, 2012

Canada's housing market will remain stable for at least two more years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. predicted Monday, with the expected slow growth in the economy keeping house prices in check.

CMHC, the Crown corporation that insures Canadian mortgages, expects little change during 2012 in prices and sales of existing homes, as well as little change in new home construction.

Mathieu Laberge, deputy chief economist at the agency, says low interest rates will keep buyers buying, but the slow economy will put a damper on any price hikes.

"With the Canadian economy set to expand at a moderate pace and mortgage rates expected to remain low, activity levels in 2012 in both new home construction and sales of existing homes will stay close to levels seen in 2011," Laberge said in a CMHC statement. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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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.

"Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.." -John Wooden

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.
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 2011 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.

I found this video/ad for an investment property in one of the areas we like to buy in. It's simple and effective.

Take a look HERE

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., 2011
Volume 11, Issue 2

Dear Friends and Partners,

"You know those nights when you really NEED a good sleep but your mind is too busy entertaining a nonstop tap dance of worry? I had one of those last night." said my friend Patrice. She looked it too. Big, crate paper creases pocketed her empty, bloodshot eyes. When she attempted to smile, the sides of her mouth mockingly retained the smile shape like a failed claymation doll made by a psychopathic child. I asked what kept my friend up and she said "Well, I can tell you what it wasn't.

It wasn't the new health development project that I'm trying to win a minority bid on. It wasn't my daughter's dental work to remove an impacted tooth and it wasn't that I have to decide between two excellent candidates for a senior position. It was none of that. What really kept me up all night was that I tailgated a driver who cut me off for two blocks, before blasting him with my horn and giving him the finger while passing. He looked backed at me with bewildered eyes as he tried to navigate the road ahead, clearly overwhelmed and frozen in fear. He looked about 87 in that really old way that conjures up a paradox of looking like a child at the same time of being withered and old."

Patrice said she felt like a real b____. The old man may well have been driving recklessly, should possibly have retired from the wheel years ago… but Patrice still felt her actions were wrong. What she felt was the taste of a stinging potent cocktail of guilt and shame served cold with a twist of remorse. We talked more about about worry and what keeps us up at night. Many times it IS the serious matters in life and other times it is the ones we see as trivial. The 'trivial' can often reveal more about ourselves than we think, especially when they have moral implications. For example, you feel right or justified in the decision you made, but somehow compromised one of your values during the delivery.

There are two books that Patrice and I discussed that help put worry in place. One is Dr. De Martini's book 'Count Your Blessings' and the other, Dale Carnegie's 'Stop Worrying and Start Living'. One habit that I've adopted is to make is my 'To do' list before bed for the next day so I can put a lid on the little worries that try to escape me. That way I can rest, knowing that I have a list to tackle the next day. Another help is to practice weighing serious decisions against your set of values. Somethings will be so obvious that your gut instantly knows.

Other decisions may be cloudy and shift through minutia - it's those ones that I take the time to reflect on and see if they align with my higher values. Of course you can't put all worries to bed, but hopefully you can give then some nap time.

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South Central Edmonton: Cashflowing 4-plex in King Edward Park

Turbo charge your portfolio. Legal upgraded 1968 built 4-plex with separate entrance to all units. The three 3 bedroom suites are functionally built, large and open with newer appliances. The fourth 2 bedroom suite has been upgraded with newer kitchen and some laminate, fresh paint and original hardwood.

There is a common paid laundry room in basement. The lower units have new paint. There is a small, grassy, fenced yard before the 10 parking stall pad. 15 minutes to U.O.A. and Grey Nuns. 20 minutes to Grant MacEwan and Downtown.

Property is located on main road with fast access to Sherwood Park Freeway and on the bus routes. This property has good holding value and cash-flow. It requires some simple cleanup and modernizing (accounted for in purchase) to really make it shine.

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Convenient Central area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent established neighborhood featuring many heritage homes; solid value and stable rents. HUGE upside potential due to the great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this home in relation to Edmonton's developing core.

Produces $657 per month positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $496K Total Investment: $126K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $65K. Your pre-tax Total ROI is 52% or 10% per year + $657 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month
Poised for massive growth. These 4 suites rent for top dollar and have everything arranged, including financing structure and incredible tenants. Your investment includes: renovation costs, 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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Leveraging Our Greatest Asset

By Gary Lamphier, Edmonton Journal, September 17th 2011

When it comes to commerce, Edmonton is no slouch. This is a city that knows how to make a buck.
As my Journal colleagues have chronicled in this week's Edmonton Inc. series, the city's eclectic business activities contribute well over $150 million in dividends and income to city coffers every year. From power generation and water treatment to waste recycling, real estate, digging tunnels or investing, the city is a key player in the regional economy and beyond. GRAB THIS STORY

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Simons: Americans Could Ease Alberta labour Shortage

By Paula Simons, Calgary Herald, September 22nd, 2011

The economic news south of the border is grim. While Alberta has an unemployment rate of roughly five per cent, the U.S. unemployment rate is a little over nine per cent.

That’s only part of the story. California had an August unemployment rate of 12.1 per cent. In Nevada, it’s 13.4 per cent. Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, Michigan, North and South Carolina — all have double-digit unemployment. Here, our economic issues are the opposite. Some 30 per cent of Albertans work in occupational categories that are already facing labour shortages. We’re shy of everything from long-haul truckers to nurses. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Rental Shortage Drives Up Shelter Use In Calgary

By Carla Ho, Calgary Herald, September 28th 2011

Calgarians make up the majority of the province’s emergency shelter users due to a lack of rental accommodations in the city, according to a new study by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.

“A boom in Calgary, relative to elsewhere, attracts more people to move to Calgary,” said Ron Kneebone, a professor of economics and one of the authors of the study. “What they find when they get here is, there is simply not a large supply of rental accommodations, so they end up homeless and they end up in shelters.” 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.

"If I had my life to live over, I'd perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones." - Don Herold

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.

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 2011 Top Ten Investment Towns of Alberta and Ontario.

Snow in June, well almost. That was the name of a famous TV show in Japan too. These sudden changes in the Alberta weather keep you on your toes.

How about the changing market? Well, lots of action lately with multi-units being snapped up within days of being listed. There is a lot of pent up demand from both new and seasoned investors looking for the deals. One of the main reasons is the shift in attitude - folks are feeling more confident. And with confidence, comes improvement in the economy. But beyond there being just an attitudinal driver, you can start to see some of the projects coming back on track.

I know of one $26M gas project that ground is breaking on next month... and that's 2 hours outside of Edmonton.

North Central Edmonton: Cashflowing Tri-Plex In The Mature Area of Prince Charles  

Turbo charge your portfolio. Stylish 6 bedroom 3 bath Tri-Plex. There is one 1100 sqft 3 bedroom upper suite featuring gleaming stained bamboo flooring and bay windows. Separate entry to the two lower suites leads down to an 800 sqft 2 bedroom with plenty of windows and hardwood. The other 700 sqft suite is fully furnished and very stylish. The suites are legal, conforming and have passed safe housing. There is individual laundry up, and shared down. There is also an oversized double detached garage generating extra revenue. These pictures show the detail and care that went into building this home.   

Comes complete with great tenants making this a totally turn-key property for you. Convenient North Central area with easy access to LRT, Downtown and Ring Road. Excellent neighborhood that demands high resale value and rents. HUGE upside potential due to the great purchase price, strong economic fundamentals and the proximity of this home in relation to Edmonton's vibrant NW center.

Produces $210 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.  Poised for massive growth. These 3 suites rent for top dollar and have everything arranged, including financing structure and incredible tenants. Your investment includes: 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!

  Purchase price: $415K
Total Investment: $92.6K.
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $51K.
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 55% or 11% per year + $210
Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month  “Get into action and realize secure, long-term profits”   Already producing a great RETURN.

Visit HERE for the full FEATURE sheet and call 1-888-780-5940 to get started.

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

  -Please remember: All investments carry RISK. Be sure to seek your own independent legal advice-

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

  "Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering." -Paulo Coelho  

Kind Regards,  Todd and Danielle Millar

If you were holding rental property in Edmonton 2009 is not a year you will forget for a while. It's nothing new though just another trough in a city where up and down cycles come regularly like trains.

As prices on properties dropped more and more rental properties came on the market. Many investors were left holding properties that weren't selling at the price they hoped for. They had wanted to flip but market forces changed. Some of these impromptu landlords just wanted to get the money sucking property rented.

What do you do when the market is flooded with properties that don't sell? You rent for cheap! You offer stuff! You beg you plead and you cajole renters to get into your suite. The mortgage has to be paid right? I used every technique I knew to get rented and then some new ones too. Luckily we've seen this all before and were able to get get rented. For new investors it's a hard initiation for your first few properties.

Edmonton shuts down over the winter. It's one of the coldest places on earth and no one is going to be hauling a sofa around no matter how much beer they get.

It's only 5 days into the year and things just seem more positive. Consumer confidence is higher and hiring across Canada looks very optimistic for 2010.

High vacancy rates and price drops make for motivated sellers. As you become a more season investor these are the exact dips in the market you look for to increase your portfolio.

It takes mettle when all the news is bad but mettle IS what it takes.

Edmonton Economic and Development Corporation is an excellent resource for anyone interested in moving to, investing or starting a business in Edmonton. Their site is full of free research, documents and links for the public.

EEDC Goals

Increase tourism, conventions and visitations;
Maintain and strengthen the resource-based economy;
Support opportunities for value-added resource industries;
Support and encourage the development of our knowledge-based economy;
Create tangible value for the established business community; and
Encourage a positive regional business and investment environment.

Ron Gilbertson President and CEO of the EEDC has spoken at REIN and has an excellent PDF available for download. Outlining Edmonton's challenges, threats and goals - it is a quick and informative must read.

Download your copy here

Save The Cities, Save The Economy -“It’s consumer confidence that’s going to dictate what happens to the Edmonton economy in 2009,”

"... Edmonton is on much better footing than many cities in Canada. “When you get up in the morning, you hear about the price of oil, the exchange rate and the TSX ... and commentary out of Eastern Canada and the United States telling everyone how doom and gloom it is.” But media coverage doesn’t necessarily have much to do with Edmonton’s situation." Paul Tsounis, Edmonton’s chief economist

As a service hub to Fort McMurray and the rest of Alberta, and with strong education and health-care sectors, Edmonton can weather the economic storm, he says.

Province sheds 5700 jobs - "Without question, Alberta's economy is slowing and the labour market is weakening. But, with an unemployment rate of only 4.4 per cent, the jobs market in the province remains among the best in North America." ATB Financial senior economist Todd Hirsch

Experts predict economic growth - “But the reality is here in Alberta, and specifically in Edmonton, that the economy did fairly well, has been doing fairly well up until now and the projections that we’re seeing is that 2009 should probably be as good, if not, then a slightly better year than it was in 2008.” Ron Gilbertson, president and CEO for the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

Real estate numbers looking up for 2009 - "The tumultuous times that characterized the end of 2008 are not anticipated to define 2009.." Royal LePage

City's Psyche, like it's homes are undervalued - "Earlier this week, a national study determined that Edmonton house prices are eight per cent too low. This is an uncannily perfect statistic for anyone who seeks to understand the mysterious heart and mind of the Edmontonian."

"There is kind of a collective mentality. A malaise sets in, even if we have no intention of selling our house." Todd Hirsch, senior economist for ATB Financial

Edmontonians really have no idea what an incredible economic position they are in. The economic situation that Edmonton and Alberta are currently in is perhaps the healthiest economy in Canada.

After The Bubble Ghost Towns In America - "Since real-estate tanked, many new planned communities across the country are half-empty, with for-sale signs outnumbering residents by a large margin. Some of the projects abandoned by bankrupt developers are in places that were hotbeds of new housing construction: Southern California, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix."

Regions with economic fundamentals will weather the storm, but many other areas will continue to get worse. A 'general' correction of 25% is predicted and currently the USA is at about 15%, so in 'general' they can expect another across the board drop of 10% of house prices.

The Future Is Fantastic - "We strive at the university to really change lives with the kind of research we undertake -- whether it is in engineering, to find more environmentally friendly ways to extract oil, or in health-care fields, or in the social sciences,"University of Alberta president Indira Samarasekera

"She (Samarasekera) is confident that Edmonton can compete for talent with great academic centres such as Oxford and Princeton."

Attracting new students for an excellent education and the opportunity to influence international research is one way the university is helping to increase in-migration to the province. When these talented young graduates realize they can earn more money than anywhere across Canada they will make the province their home.

"It's being invested for the future in a way that will help Alberta take meaningful action on climate change without endangering jobs, the economy or our ability to support public services," Ed Stelmach on $4Billion set aside to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Alberta oil sands have had some pretty bad knocks in the press recently. Alberta is leading the world in recycling and consistently strives to improve it's image as a source of clean oil. This new allotment of serious funds will help to show the world that Alberta is taking climate change seriously.

While Alberta only estimated for $1.6 Billion surplus this year it looks like high gas prices will bump that sum up another $10 Billion. Not exactly loose change you find in the couch.

One third of the funds will be alloted to savings while the other two thirds are to build and maintain capital projects. The main worry is that windfalls like these will be used up and when Alberta's non-renewable resources , oil-sands and natural gas, are depleted the big windfalls of the boom years will be only a distant memory.

To plan for future generations the province set up a provincially appointed Financial Investment and Planning Advisory Commission whose recommendations to the government on how it should invest petroleum riches for the future include long term savings plans.

"Make sure the money that is coming in at this time isn't just viewed as something that's good for the current generation..." Financial Investment and Planning Advisory Commission chairman Jack Mintz

Alberta oil sands have proven oil reserves that will and can supply oil for many major markets around the world. This video is very interesting and very well done.

Oilpatch braces for new arrivals - "New census details from Statistics Canada show that Alberta hasn't lost its grip as the province considered by Canadians as the country's promised land.

More than 225,000 people moved to Alberta from other parts of Canada between 2001 and 2006, the latest census figures show.

A slight drop from the last census period, the figure still maintains Alberta's status by far as the province with the highest net gain of population due to migration from other provinces."

Growth in population means increases in housing prices

Calgary's property tax plan half of what they want here! - "While Edmontonians could be clobbered with a 10.9% property tax hike in the new year, our Cowtown (Calgary) cousins are being asked to pony up less than half that - 4.5%."

Edmonton has a smaller population to pay taxes that's why Calgary pays less

For Big Cities A Taxing Dilemma- "Mr. Brooks said he fears Vancouver could end up losing some of its head offices to friendlier tax jurisdictions in other provinces, such as Calgary and Edmonton, which ranked much better in the REALpac study as the country's second- and third-friendliest cities in property tax terms behind St. John's."

Business friendly cities get the business it's common sense

Credit Crunch Won't Affect Real Estate - “Fundamentals remain strong and are capable of weathering a slowing global economy, while tighter lending requirements in North America and Europe are putting moderate-leverage investors in a better position to secure deals at improved pricing,” says Jacques Gordon, global strategist at LaSalle Investment Management. “The future offers a return to more normal leverage and margin levels that will enable those who truly understand the property markets to prosper.”

Real estate is a safe solid investment

When I was younger I used to live wildly impulsively, within a set course plan. For example… I had an idea to travel to Indonesia and live in the jungle with an untouched, un-jaded ‘tribe’. I did so for six and a half weeks. I spent these days near starving, eating grubs and trying to hunt monkeys with poison darts. I kid you not. I trekked through the wettest jungle in the world to befriend not-so-long ago headhunters. I ran for my life while nearly being gored to death by wild boar…

My hired guides and I trekked through the mud, took dug out canoes up and down the muddy, leech ridden rivers. I remember wading across a deep creek while freezing cold rain pulverized my scalp. I held up my pack, throwing it repeatedly against the slippery clay slope all the while clawing my way along, trying to get a grip. After making it out onto the bank I looked at my body, covered in what appeared to be fat, black welts that were visibly growing into gluttonous banana slugs. Leeches. I would never have had the patience to burn them off. I furiously tore them away with my bare hands…. But, I digress. I was looking for something on my journey.

Some kind of proof that a 20-year-old kid had in his mind about the way things should be, about what I wanted to find. Looking back on that adventure I learned a lot, but at the time I hated it, not because of the sheer torture of it, but because of what I was looking for I didn’t think I found. That was until later, anyways…

I realized (years later) that I DID find something on that trip and it was…

Never continue trekking when you’ve got infected feet! Don’t push the river- it flows by itself; if you’re starving and haven’t eaten for days and someone walks out of the bush and offers you a basket full of mushrooms…Be grateful, but don’t eat them all in one sitting.

Some finer points can be translated and applied to life and real estate:

Don’t climb a 40 foot Rambutan tree if you’ve never even tasted the fruit; Watch and learn what is going on in your market and what constitutes a ‘sweet deal’. If you don’t know what one looks like, how can you find it?

Leaky canoes; canoes with holes in them don’t float well. Neither will your real estate team if it’s not put together right. You need to continually check and evaluate the performance and results of your group.

Have the right bartering chips; I traded tobacco for passage on my journey. I quickly learned the value of this commodity. Many investors throw away great deals over a little negative cash flow.

Running a $3K loss to make a $50K gain in one year is a good example. A very common and shortsighted mistake that rookies make is failing to understand what to negotiate.

Know what you’re buying; be it price or terms and how to negotiate it.

Make sure that your guides aren’t a bunch of yahoos! Whether you buy one property or a hundred, you need an exceptional team in place to help guide and protect you along the rocky paths. Make sure that you have a map and a team that knows how to navigate.

Lastly, don’t seek adventure in your real estate! Keep your business as simple and boring as possible. Sure, you can have fun, but get your excitement in elsewhere. The last thing you want is a gut full of pinworms and a few digits missing at your next business meeting.

Todd Millar

Alberta is one big sandy irritant, well at least that’s what Al Gore would have you believe. I’ve been hearing a lot from Mr. Gore recently about the oil sands and their role in contributing to global warming.

First and foremost I think we as Canadians care about the environment and have always taken the steps needed to protect our beautiful country. Secondly, in my opinion the off shoot of the economic world growth, especially in China and India, will ultimately help improve living conditions around the world and over time, better equip us as a global community to deal with climate changes as well as decrease global warming.

Alberta is an irritant, just not the kind Mr. Gore implies.

As a kid I remember going to Hawaii and on every street corner there were Hawaiians selling oysters from big icy barrels. They were something like 3 for $5, maybe more I can’t remember exactly. You had a chance to grab an oyster with a pearl in it. Every tourist bought them. Sure enough, every time, you got at least one with a pearl in it.

How did they do it? It was a surprise, I mean you weren’t guaranteed to find a pearl, but it was pretty likely.

Long ago, pearls were important financial assets, comparable in price to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be searched for just one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance.

Natural pearls form in oysters living in the sea without human intervention. When any irritant or parasite enters inside an oyster or mollusk the process of natural coating begins. However, natural pearls are rarely found nowadays.

On the other hand cultured pearls are formed with human help when a nucleus is implanted inside the oyster. It takes about 2-5 years to form a complete pearl depending upon techniques, where it is grown and other natural conditions. The pearls grow best when in a favorable environment. They need to have: clean, fresh or salt water, correct temperature and years to coat the grit in them to sheen of perfection.

It’s ironic that the pearl is actually an irritant to the oyster that’s trying to expel it, but one that we look upon so favorably. The Alberta Oil Sands may be an irritant to some, but a rare and beautiful jewel to others.

And just like pearls that thrive in the right conditions, your real estate continues to grow and flourish into a fine treasure.

For the time being Al Gore may continue to think the oil sands an irritant to the environment, but it takes time to grow a pearl, just as it does to make changes that will improve the environment and well being of many.