Edmonton Real Estate Investor: investing

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

May 17th., 2015
Volume 18, Issue 8

Dear Friends and Partners,

It’s been a wild week. The biggest change of course was the NDP’s surprising majority win and Rachel Notely becoming the Premier-elect. The second surprise was the massive snowfall after; a hell-freezing-over type of storm. Alas, this is a democratic win. The question on the minds of big oil, business owners and real estate investors is how will the new government effect business? Will royalties increase, taxes go up, rent control come into place…is the economy grinding to a halt? In reality we don’t yet know. I think that there is a good balance of opposition (Wild Rose and PC at 50%) to temper the direction. Fresh eyes can bring new ideas and progressive change, especially in environmental regulation, and if done right, without hurting the economy.

No matter what the diagnosis, we can manage and thrive as property owners and investors as we adjust to a ‘new game’. One thing is for sure, there will be bargains to be had if you have your buyers hat on; fear and uncertainty always offer a discount. Continuing to focus on quality property in areas with infrastructure in place or committed (read: already funded) such at hospitals, universities, LRT and select areas of the Arena District will fair well.

Strategies to hedge against a recession include reevaluating your portfolio and culling the dogs, CF bleeders or any hard to tenant/manage property. Use the next few months to renovate and sell any dead weight to mitigate negative CF and buffer up a CF fortress to weather a storm or at least inclement weather.

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

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

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

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

Purchase price: $449,000
Total Investment: $108,500
Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $60,697
Your pre-tax Total ROI is 56% or 11% per year

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

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Albertan’s wanted a broom, not a hammer and sickle

By Ezra Levant, Special to Financial Post, May 6th, 2015

Canada’s Left is jubilant that the NDP won a majority in Tuesday night’s Alberta election. Fair enough – no-one else has beaten the Progressive Conservatives in 44 years, let alone a fringe socialist party in Canada’s most conservative province. Perhaps the revolution was finally here! It could be. Rachel Notley, the incoming premier, wears a Che Guevara wristwatch. One of her new MLAs, Rod Loyola, publicly praises Hugo Chavez, the late Venezuelan authoritarian. And Alberta’s new First Husband, Lou Arab, is an executive with the labour union, CUPE.

FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Calgary business groups say they look forward to working with NDP government

By Mario Toneguzzi, The Calgary Herald, May 6th, 2015

Calgary business groups say they are looking forward to working with the new majority NDP government in Alberta despite still having some concerns about the party’s platform.
Amber Ruddy, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the voters clearly spoke on Tuesday night and now there’s a real opportunity to have small business issues front and centre.

READ MORE HERE

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Assaf & Hyde: The next four years in Alberta don’t necessarily have to be bad for business

By Danny Assaf and Goldy Hyder, National Post, May 8th, 2015

Looking at the chaos in the world today, one could be forgiven for thinking revolutions only happen at the barrel of a gun. The beauty of our democracy is that we can revolt at the ballot box and that’s exactly what happened in Alberta on Tuesday. Even with the most dramatic revolutions, however, there are things that must remain constant for any government: jobs and economic prosperity. All of us, of every political stripe, need to provide for our families and ensure opportunities for our children.

GRAB THIS STORY

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

“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality." - Nikos Kazantzakis

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 home study 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 a link on Web Worker Daily that offers 12 ways to use Facebook professionally. It is over a year old but I think that it is still quite relevant and useful if you haven't explored that social network as a web tool.

Here is the first tip:

"Think of it like personalizing your desk. You can’t help it. When you walk by someone’s desk, your eye is drawn to the pictures and the way they have personalized and organized their space. You pick up on clues to their lives without realizing it. Mary is a Mom whose desk is filled with pictures of two young children, and there are “To Mommy” pictures pinned to the side of her cubicle. You know what her weekends are probably like. John is still dating his high school sweetheart. He likes to scuba dive and he got some great shots of his last trip to Bonaire. You can see the paperback that Bill is reading on the corner of his desk. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to read that. Can I borrow it when you’re done?” Sally has a collection of labels from her favorite wine bottles. You know what to get her for her birthday.

Only display on your profile what you’d put on your desk. Just because Steve owns a picture his buddy took of him getting sick after an all-night party doesn’t mean he’s going to frame it and put it out for his co-workers to admire. Don’t add anything to your profile that you wouldn’t display for your supervisors, co-workers and clients to see as they’re walking by your work environment."

I think that is fantastic right now on my desk I have my goals, a day planner and a picture of my husband and I in the Philippines. They could actually all be replicated on Facebook and be used to start conversations, make connections and perhaps network with people. READ MORE

Excerpts from Bo Bennett’s article ‘Year To Success’ 7/07

Success is dealing with change, both positive and negative. The Donald Trump story is one of the most amazing stories of financial roller coaster rides there is. He went from real estate billionaire, to being close to $900 million dollars in debt, back to billionaire in a relatively short period of time.

Success is making your own mark, regardless of your upbringing. Donald was raised in a well-to-do family and had many opportunities and advantages in his youth. Despite his privileged upbringing, he did not inherit anything and went on to fame and fortune through his own business accomplishments.

Success is making the right connections. When Donald first moved to Manhattan, he was practically broke. Regardless, he squandered what money he did have to join one of the city's most exclusive clubs and met some very influential people.
Success is having an attractive personality. Donald Trump is funny, smart and honest. He is a very likeable person who knows the value of honest admiration.

Success is handling pressure. In 1991 when Trump was about $900 million in debt, it was his ability to deal with pressure that allowed him to stay in the game and eventually pull off one of the largest financial comebacks in history.

Success is self-promotion. Donald Trump is a very public figure who uses his popularity to fuel his success. He has appeared in dozens of movies, commercials and TV shows and currently stars in a reality-based TV series. It is reported that 98% of Americans surveyed know who Donald Trump is.

Success is doing great things for others. There is a story about an unemployed mechanic who once helped Donald Trump get his limo working again after it stalled on the highway. The mechanic did not accept anything for his services besides a "thank you". Trump was so impressed with the mechanic's generosity that the next day he sent flowers to the man's wife, and a letter certifying that the man's mortgage had been paid off in full.

Donald Trump (1946 -) is a real estate billionaire, best-selling author and executive producer of The Apprentice TV show.

I was on a battered old excuse for a barge sputtering along noisily between the many islands of Indonesia. I had just nearly escaped being eaten by a Komodo dragon and was fighting for a place to stretch-out on above the slosh of saltwater, sweat and other unfortunate body fluids (or remnants of lunch) while en route to Sumbawa.

I’d been traveling in Indonesia for nearly 5 months, learning the culture and geography of the land.

Indonesian people are always friendly. They kindly greet every traveler with a loud “Hello Mister!” regardless of gender. But one strange consistency I experienced was that some Indonesians don’t travel well. Buses, ferries and trains were always packed full of travel sick locals. In Indonesia it’s easy to gorge oneself on the sweet and greasy foods offered at odd hours of the night and then get sick on whatever mode of transport you’re on and whomever you’re near.

On this occasion the seas where a bit choppier than usual and the boat quaked and swayed like a one-legged flamenco dancer. I quietly watched one passenger, who earlier was the envy of us all for he had a hammock, get battered from ceiling to floor as his hammock upturned and released him to the pull of gravity. Then those fragile souls who had no control of their stomachs began to empty them in mass exodus.

One man, a man named Nolan, came forth and offered sage advice “Ride the Wave” he said, ”Don’t panic”.

See, travel sickness has some sort of mass psychology – one person starts and everyone follows, caught up in a flood of nausea they submit.

That reminds me a little bit of the stock market the past couple of weeks– maybe not as extreme but at least similar. Granted, the stock market gave reason to turn your gut (I know a few bargain hunters that are smiling though).

Panicking to list your house for sale is also type of half-hearted hysteria. Nolan’s comment of “Don’t panic, ride the wave” is good advice.

It may be time to remind ourselves that markets rise and fall. And within that ebb lays opportunity. Stock markets are more knee-jerking than Real Estate but if you have a plan to hedge against a sudden stock downturn you’ll not only cover yourself, you’ll make a tidy profit.

As predicted, Edmonton’s entering into a brief buyer’s market where the economic fundamentals remain strong, giving us the chance to cherry pick the best properties.

Join me to take advantage of this lull before we begin the next wave of ascent.

I read a great article by Suzanne Holman on how "Struggle Is Not Required" to be successful. If Napoleon Hill and The Secret are to be believed then Suzanne has something right. She lists seven struggles that we all face when trying to succeed and dispels them as unnecessary hold backs, offers useful remedies to get them out of your life and the rewards of doing so.

They are as follows:

1.URGENCY

Remedy: Take A Moment To Breathe
Reward: Satisfaction in being able to move forward in a purposeful, directed way.

2.SCARCITY

Remedy:Remember that there is always enough.
Reward:Your attitude will have a positive effect on those around you.

3.LACK OF FOCUS

Remedy: List your items and prioritize.
Reward: You have the freedom for more personal time.

4.SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINES

Remedy:factor in any obstacles that can get in the way of smooth completion
Reward:Clients are pleased that you have met or exceeded your promised due date.

5.NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

Remedy:Take the time to think of those times that you were successful.
Reward:Passion comes alive when there is room for it!

6.FEAR OF CRITICISM

Remedy:We won't please everyone ALL of the time. Just accept that fact.
Reward:Your creativity will grow exponentially.

7.ALLOWING URGENT ISSUES TO PUSH OUT THE IMPORTANT ONES

Remedy:Focus on what you know needs to be taken care of.
Reward:Others will respect you when they see you taking charge in a centered, empowered way.

This isn't just for business, it is for sports, family and just succeeding at life. If you want to read the entire article CLICK HERE

Here is another one from NuWire Investor. Todd Millar was interviewed by NuWire for this article there is also a 40min audio section. This site does require that you sign up for a FREE 30 day trial to access the article. It is well worth it, NuWire is well laid out with a lot of excellent articles for all types of investors

"You’ve likely heard the adage, “it takes money to make money.” While this is generally true, most business and real estate entrepreneurs will tell you it doesn’t always take your money to make money. The idea of leveraging “other people’s money,” also known as OPM, has become extremely popular in the post dot-com world."NuWire Investor - Other People's Money

Some relief is in sight for buyers into the Edmonton market. We are still having stellar appreciation with price growth slowing only slightly to 21.6% from 28.9%. Genworth Financial estimates that the average new home price in Edmonton will reach $388,694 in 2007.

They also predict a 5% increase in 2008 and 4% annually to 2011.

Let`s do the Math

So if your house is valued at the average price now

$388,694 and it increases 5% in 2008 = $408,128.70

Then 4% every year to 2011 compounding of course

2009 at 4% = $424,453.84

2010 at 4% = $441,431.99

2011 at 4% = $459,089.26

At the end of 2011 your house would be worth $459,089.26 a $70,000 dollar increase

$48 per day.

$2 per hour

$0.03 per minute

I made $.66 just writing this post. Now that is passive income.

To be honest I think housing prices will do much much better than 4% a year. That seems incredibly conservative for this market.

Condominiums are great purchases in the current Edmonton market. For first time buyers they are a good way to get in to quickly rising market and investors like the rentability, condo boards help with property management and they show a good return. The increase in single buyers have also made condos a hot seller.

The one point to remember about condos is they require more due diligence than other investments. Most important are the fees and reserve fund,

"The fees, paid monthly by owners, can include hydro, heating, taxes, maintaining gardens, snow shovelling, cleaning and repairs. But they may not include all of the above — each building is different. In a new building, the builder estimates the fee.

Condo buildings are managed by boards of directors that are elected and report to the shareholders — their fellow owners. Boards decide how to run the building and, among other things, draw up the yearly budgets, which determine what the monthly maintenance fees will be."

When you look into buying a condo you should definitely have the Reserve fund, Board Reserve Fund Plan, Financial Statements, Current Budget and bylaws reviewed. If it is your first condo purchase it is well worth the money to have a professional review the documents for you. Some companies will review documents and do a unit inspection at the same time, very convenient and the cost is about $400.

"I think the best protection is for buyers to have their documents looked at by condominium legal experts," Mr. Silver says.

"In the majority of cases, there are no contentious problems or issues. However, before buying, it's really vital to have condominium specialists look at all the documentation. That can help prevent surprises." For Full Article Click Here

Many people don`t want to JV partner when investing in real estate. That is okay, if they are willing to put in the time and work in finding properties and building a trustworthy team to represent you in the real estate world.

If you are one of those people take a look at our Real Estate Investing Tools page. There is an excellent range of books, courses and home-study programs that will start you on your path to wealth.

They are all part of the REIN investment course that was produced by Canada`s Number 1 Bestselling writer Don R. Campbell.

In Business Edge News Magazine Online

"Canadian real estate provided a total return of 18.6 per cent in 2006, close to the record 18.7 per cent set in 2005, according to the Canadian Property Index.

The index is published annually by U.K.-based Investment Property Databank and the Institute of Canadian Real Estate Investment Managers.

Of the six major markets monitored for the index, Edmonton recorded the highest property return at 35.2 per cent. The others were: Calgary (30.4 per cent), Vancouver (22.8 per cent), Montreal (18.3 per cent), Toronto (13.1 per cent) and Ottawa (12.6 per cent).

The index is based on data from pension funds, life insurance companies and real estate managers on more than 2,000 properties."

As they say "Don`t wait to buy real estate buy real estate and wait!"

Welcome to a fabulous 2007!

As you read this blog we have just come back from the winter highland of Northern Japan. For the last few days we have been holed up in a luxurious log cabin with two great friends, enjoying food, relaxing and taking “Onsen” - Japanese Hot Spring Baths in the Nasu Highland region of our prefecture.

With a bit of luck this past year has been fantastic for you. It certainly rates as one of my top ten. We have seen incredible
increases in Alberta Real Estate, our partners made outstanding returns on their investments and we helped people from 5 different countries meet their investing dreams. Speaking of dreams don’t let any dream stealers rob you with their negativity. Make 2007 the year where you do IT! Whatever it may be….

It is never too late to invest in Alberta. But, don’t take my word for it: take a look at this Labour Force Required Graph on our website http://www.glennsimoninc.com/edmontonfacts3.html under “It Has Only Just Begun” You can see for yourself that the Alberta Dynamo Economy is just starting and has a long future ahead. The amount of projects underway and new labour coming to Alberta is staggering. They all need homes to live in and apartments to rent as well.

Have a wonderful January.

“They all contribute to a money making opportunity,” says Todd Millar,
President of Glenn Simon Inc, a Canadian company based in Japan that provides a very unique twist on investing and profit sharing for its ex-patriot and Japanese clients.

Millar explains that the province of Alberta, Canada is home to the world’s second
largest proven source of oil. Alberta is currently producing more than 1.1 Million
barrels per day and is expected to triple to over 3 million barrels per day by
2015. This increase will push Canada ahead of Saudi Arabia, currently the world’s
number one supplier.

But, it isn’t oil or even oil stocks that his company invests in. It’s real estate.
Glenn Simon Inc provides completely hands free investments that give ex-pats and
Japanese the ability to purchase revenue real estate in this oil rich region.

Husband and wife founders, Todd and Danielle Millar have been living in and investing from Japan since early 2000. Their company’s strategy is straightforward- targeting revenue producing residential and commercial properties in the economic powerhouse regions of Alberta.

Glenn Simon Inc. was created out of the Millar’s own desire to invest in real estate. “Once we built a solid team and got our proven system working our results were incredible. When our friends started seeing our returns compared to their returns in more conventional investments, we had a great response. Our next thought was ‘Imagine if we could bring this opportunity to all the other dissatisfied investors’”
Says Danielle Millar.

By teaming with the Millar’s company, investors are provided with detailed analysis;
property inspection, insurance, impeccable property management, financing and the
market timing necessary to successfully sell, maximizing profits.

“We wanted to offer something more than just property. Anyone can buy real estate
and lose money. The skill needed to be successful in real estate investing requires the foresight to see the investment through to the end. We found that by forming a
partnership directly with our clients, we could offer a totally unbiased, win-win
scenario. Like our mission statement says ‘Making Investors Successful One Property
At A Time’. We succeed by making our partners succeed.”

Already going at full tilt, Edmonton and other Albertan cities need more workers,
who in turn need more housing. With more businesses both national and international
setting up shop long term, high salaries and a high standard of living create an overall long term demand for housing. Engineers from Germany and England, in-migration from Eastern provinces, Chinese oil company executives and others are all making Alberta their home. With the lowest taxes in Canada, highest incomes and best healthcare system it is an easy choice.

It’s not just oil either. The IT sector is booming. Dell computers has just opened up a call center; nanotechnology, agriculture, lumber and manufacturing all enjoy
consistent, healthy economic growth as well.

“A lot of people will tell you that Real Estate investing is speculative. And for them it is. What we do differently is we invest and manage in economically strong and
fundamentally sound areas of Alberta. We also put each property through a set of
systems to make certain that the property can carry itself as well as make a decent return in an up or down market. "There is nothing speculative about our approach”
Says Millar.

Glenn Simon Inc’s website is full of economic facts and links detailing Alberta’s
unique and diverse economy. For more information or to subscribe to the free
monthly newsletter visit http://www.glennsimoninc.

About Glenn Simon Inc: GSI has been specializing in Canadian residential real estate
for more than 5 years while residing in Japan. GSI and its associates have over 50
years of combined legal, real estate and accounting experience, making them experts
in the field of investment real estate. GSI was formed out of the desire to bring,
decent, honest and profitable returns to ex-patriot and Japanese clients who are
seeking something more.