Edmonton Real Estate Investor

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

July 15th., 2011
Volume 10, Issue 8

Dear Friends and Partners,

Trust that you are keeping busy and taking advantage of the summer. We're knee-deep in drywall, asbestos and concrete for our Cornerstone suite renovation. You can follow the progress on Edmonton Investor blog spot.

CBC Radio Active had a snapshot interview that centered around the very good advice of not over-"renoing". One of the most common traps that home owners get into when renovating is the add on. We're much more likely to throw in all our wish list items during a renovation project and end up way over budget. It seems easier to get the work done on your bathroom when your kitchen is being ripped out. Logical or not, don't do it. Stick to your budget and factor in additional renovations for a later date.

Often during renovations you may uncover some fault that needs remedy and it is beneficial to have a cushion in your budget for the unexpected. For example, while tearing down the walls to build a kitchen in the basement suite we found a hairline crack in the parging. Not a big deal except that it was damp at the base with a slow seep of water coming in. The parging had been done about 20 years earlier and covered up a much larger crack in the concrete wall. Better to discover this now than after you have spent $35K building the basement suite.

I ended up repairing this crack myself for about $60 in materials and 4 hours labour. You can spend anywhere from $400-$1000 for an internal crack to be repaired and much more if you attack the job from on the outside (I did a combination of both). Unexpected jobs come up and can be costly; prepare as best you can in your budget. Resist the urge to over renovate, instead, work in stages.

West Central Edmonton: Cashflowing Six-Plex In Queen Mary Park

Turbo charge your portfolio. Upgraded 1978 built 6-plex with separate entrance to all units. 4 functionally finished 710 sqft. 1 bedrooms on main, plus 2 upgraded 650 sqft. 1 bedroom suites up. The upper suites have laminate and fresh paint. There is a common laundry room in basement. The lower units have new paint and some fixtures as well. Lower suites walk out to a private grassy, fenced yard. There is a 2 car detached garage bringing in additional revenue. 10 minutes to NAIT, Grant MacEwan and Downtown. Fast access to Yellowhead Highway 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 Central area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent transitional neighborhood with 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 $676 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $525K Total Investment: $126K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76K.Your pre-tax Total ROI is 60% or 12% per year + $676 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month

Poised for massive growth. These 6 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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Job Gains In Alberta Top Numbers For Entire U.S.

Province Added 22,000 Jobs In June

By Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald. July 9th 2011

Alberta's brisk employment growth continued in June as the province added 22,000 jobs, more than were created in the entire United States.
But with more people re-entering the job hunt and moving here in search of work, Alberta's unemployment rate actually climbed slightly, to 5.6 per cent.

"They're really strong," ATB Financial economist Dan Sumner said of the Statistics Canada job numbers released Friday. "It's a little bit surprising how strong."

The variety of jobs across a number of sectors also speaks to the health of the Alberta economy, he pointed out. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Husky Bets Big On Northern Canada Oil Drilling Rights

TEDx A Showcase of Edmonton Innovators

By Jeffrey Jones, Reuters July 5th 2011

CALGARY, Alberta, July 5 (Reuters) - Husky Energy Inc (HSE.TO) has opened its wallet to grab the lion's share of C$534 million ($556 million) of winning bids for oil-drilling rights in the central Mackenzie Valley area of Canada's far north, sparking speculation it may be chasing a rich prospect.

In the 2011 government auction of drilling rights in northern lands, Husky bid C$376 million for two parcels near Norman Wells in the Northwest Territories, vastly outspending some of the world's largest oil majors, the government announced on Monday. READ MORE HERE

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Energy Drives Alberta To #1 Growth

By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald July 7th, 2011

An improving energy sector will fuel economic growth in Alberta, which Scotia Economics predicts will be the strongest in the country this year and next.

In a report released Wednesday, the bank said real GDP growth in the province will be 4.2 per cent this year, the highest in the nation, followed by 3.3 per cent growth in 2012, which will tie Saskatchewan at No. 1.

Scotia Economics is forecasting Canadian economic growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2012. 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.

"The more chance there is of stubbing your toe, the more chance you have of stepping into success." -Author Unknown

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'm continuing my Cornerstone Project basement suite development series. Please read the first post here.
In order to get funding for the Cornerstone Project you have to provide a series of documents. Most are relatively easy to get together but timing is crucial especially with the permit.

What you need:
1. Two itemized estimates of the total construction cost of the proposed suite - easy enough it would seem. If you have contractors you trust and use regularly have them come by and took a look. We actually had 8 contractors come through to get 2 quotes that ranged by about $15k. Make sure you get a lot of estimates so you have a good idea of what's out there and what is inline for costs.

2. Copy of Development Permit and Building Permit/ Electrical Permit - This one takes A LONG time. Think 4 to 8 weeks. If you think you'll get the suite up and be rented withing 6 weeks it's ambitious. The permit requires a lot of documents of it's own so prepare well, reserve a lot of time and plan for 2-month turnover before you can even start renos.

A) Development Permit and Building Permit for the City of Edmonton requirements:
i. Pictures from all angles of the property
ii. The Real Property Report - it must show 3 parking spots NOT including street parking (I know)
iii. A drawing of the space to be renovated including

-size and uses of all rooms
-locations of doorways
-floor to ceiling height
-direction the doors open
-window size and locations
-location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in main suite, basement suite, furnace room and top of exit stairwell
-plumbing and electrical changes
-construction materials

There must also be a true to scale drawing of the main floor above the suite. Our contractor did a basic drawing and I finished off all the details. I'm pretty artistically challenged and my walls didn't line up but as long as you "do your best" they will accept it ~ within reason of course.

The permit cost a total of $724.88 $260 of that is basic fee for Secondary Suite built within and Existing House and the rest depends on the cost of your renos.

Electrical Permit - generally the contractor pulls this.

3. Copy of land title or a valid offer to purchase to confirm the ownership of the property - an accepted offer is great or if you've owned the property for a while get title from the Registry office.

4. Copy of a current property tax notice/assessment - we just squeaked by on this as the vendors had not paid any taxes for 2011. Taxes are due by June 30 of the tax year and our closing date was June 24th. We went down to city hall and paid the arrears of course funds were credited to us in the sale. Make sure your taxes are up to date.

5. Confirmation of project financing - simply a bank statement showing you have the funds.

If you take away anything from this it's give yourself enough time to get the permit.

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

July 1st, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 7

Dear Friends and Partners,

This newsletter is our compact holiday version. Please look for the full length issue on July 15, 2011.

It's a beatiful day in Edmonton. The sky is blue and sprawling as only the prairie sky can be. For the last ten years we celebrated Canada Day in a small park in Tokyo generally during rainy season. Eating hotdogs and cake with a smattering of ex-pats from across our country sharing funny stories of being the stranger in a strange land while rain poured down. Sounds dire but we never missed a single celebration.

Driving around Edmonton seeing the flags, all the celebrations and fireworks is a great reminder of why we got together every year with our fellow ex-pats. Being Canadian was our common denominator, although we spanned from British Columbia to P.E.I we were joined by the red maple leafs sewn on our packs or sometimes tattooed on limbs.

We raise a glass to all the ex-pats joined together wherever they are to celebrate being Canadian.

Click Here for Fun Facts about Canada!

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

Your success continues EVERYDAY, let me help you build for tomorrow.

"When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully at the closed door, that we do not see the ones that open for us." Alexander Graham Bell 9th Greatest Canadian

Warm Regards,

Todd and Danielle Millar

living room of basement suite

For the past 2 years the City of Edmonton has offered a program to help improve the amount of affordable housing in Edmonton. The Cornerstone Project offers funding, up to 75% of $32,000 to be exact, to bring an existing suite to code or build a new basement or garden suite.

At first the program was a little lame. No funding for rentals houses had to be owner occupied and rent had to be below market average. Recently with a lot of money not going anywhere Edmonton has revised the program. Rentals are ok with market rent to a tenant with less than average income ie student etc.

So with over $6 million looking for suites to renovate we've decided to take the plunge and I'm going to chronicle the process for you here.

I've bought over 50 house but I've never bought a home. Unbelievable right? We bought our first home this month and decided to use the Cornerstone to put a suite in the basement. Even though we'll live here we'll improve the market value and make it a great rental for when we move onto our next place.

Step 1: The Inspection

So our first step was to call Cornerstones and book a inspection. A fire inspector and building inspector came out, went over the whole basement inside and out and made reports on the work that had to be done.

Including:

1. Drywall all ceilings and walls even in storage areas and under stairs
2. Ensure windows in bedrooms meet egress requirements. They also must not require special knowledge to open
3. Put hard-wired smoke alarms in suite, common areas and on the main floor
4. There should be a fan in the bathroom and proper venting in kitchen
5. Separate entrance must have easy access
6. Ceilings must be 96 inches minimum

The report also called for inspections of the hot water tank and that the furnace had property venting.

The next step PERMITS.

The riots last week in Vancouver left us all ashamed and angered at the hooligans that turned a sporting event into a national embarrassment.

One light in the darkness (isn't there always one?) is the couple who found a bit of time for romance on the street while cars burned, windows smashed and tear gas zinged around them.
Take a break to look at this truly funny photo gallery dedicated to their unbridled passion.

Click Here - the hot dog one is my favorite.

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

June 16th., 2011
Volume 10, Issue 6

Dear Friends and Partners,

I've had a very busy month that took me to Mississauga, NYC, 3 awesome workshops and the Canadian book launch of Change Anything where I met author Joseph Grenny. The travel was fantastic and the folks that I learned with at these events, were amazing. I'd love to share with you the long list of cool experiences that I had including buying a Gretchen Fuss painting in SoHo to hanging out with a pair of very successful IT developers in a Manhattan beer garden.

But, the point that I'd like to mention is that you have to raise your hand. Initially, I didn't raise my hand to go on this Eastern trip as I have many pressing obligations back in Edmonton, but Danielle challenged me enough to look at how I could tweak my schedule to make it happen - and I did. As soon as I 'raised my hand' and committed to going, everything fell into place - well almost everything, as there are always a few hiccups.

One thing I thought about New York was the image of 'making it' there. If you have taught yoga or owned a restaurant in NYC for longer than a year, chances are you look like you've made it. In reality your day may be a struggle and you are fighting to attract customers and keep your head above water, but optically you've made it. Why is that? I think many people aren't willing to raise their hand to challenge and competition, be it NYC or any other place or form. When you 'yes' I'll try, you are already halfway there. It may turn out that you don't like NYC or that you learned a better way to do something or another place or career that you'd rather be living out, but for that moment you have 'done it'. The staying power needed in a big city, top company, specific niche is tremendous. The competition extreme, and if you can stay the course, which is always much longer than a year, you have proven your ability to play the game at a higher level.

Here's to upping the game this month or taking time to savour the view from the place you're at.

West Central Edmonton: Cashflowing Six-Plex In Queen Mary Park

Turbo charge your portfolio. Upgraded 1978 built 6-plex with separate entrance to all units. 4 functionally finished 710 sqft. 1 bedrooms on main, plus 2 upgraded 650 sqft. 1 bedroom suites up. The upper suites have laminate and fresh paint. There is a common laundry room in basement. The lower units have new paint and some fixtures as well. Lower suites walk out to a private grassy, fenced yard. There is a 2 car detached garage bringing in additional revenue. 10 minutes to NAIT, Grant MacEwan and Downtown. Fast access to Yellowhead Highway 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 Central area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent transitional neighborhood with 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 $676 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $525K Total Investment: $126K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76K.Your pre-tax Total ROI is 60% or 12% per year + $676 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month
Poised for massive growth. These 6 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!

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

Edmonton International Airport Terminal Expansion Under Budget, Ahead of Schedule

Original $1B Budget Reduced By 25% As Recession Reduced Cost Of materials

By Bill Mah, Edmonton Journal. June 8th 2011

EDMONTON - Construction of a massive terminal expansion at the Edmonton International Airport is coming in under budget and faster than expected.
Adding more than 480,000 square feet — roughly the size of eight football fields — to the existing terminal building was originally budgeted at about $1 billion.

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

TEDx A Showcase of Edmonton Innovators

By Codi Wilson, Postmedia News June 11th 2011

EDMONTON -- Of all the video games former programmer Aaryn Flynn enjoys playing, Scrabble on his iPad is a favourite.

“It’s fun to play with your friends,” Flynn said. “It’s good for travelling too.”

Flynn, the studio general manager at BioWare, an Edmonton-based video game developer, spoke at the TEDx event Saturday inside the Citadel Theatre to a crowd of approximately 200. TEDx is a conference of ideas lead by technology and design industry leaders around the world.

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

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 isn't everything, but the will to win is everything." -Vince Lombardi

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.

"Now, the Alberta government forecasts a shortage of at least 77,000 workers within the next decade.

“We’re walking into a perfect storm,” Alberta Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk says."

Is this the beginning of another labour shortage? Possibly – there are definitely more ‘Help Wanted’ signs appearing and contractors are busier.

We’ve noticed an increase in tenants looking for rentals as well. Some of this demand is seasonal with a rush to get outdoor jobs (construction) done before winter. We’re busier here in Alberta and starting on the upswing, but we still have a few valleys to cross before we get moving full swing. Next year we should really see the demand. Click Here to read more

May 31, 2011 was the day anyone holding a variable rate mortgage was waiting for with bated breath. Mortgage rates looked like they were going up but now it looks like we may have a reprieve from rate increase for the short term due to global unrest.

“The Fed is not even dreaming of raising rates in the next 12 months,” Benjamin Tal

We've got a rate lock on a mortgage for September 2011, the big dilema, wheter to go variable at great cashflow and higher stress or lock in at a great steady rate for 3 years. We've chosen to lock in on this property. There were many factors but sometimes you get sick of the ups and downs of variable rates even though they do better in the long run. In the end it's all up to you.

VIDEO : Peter Kinch on the Bank of Canada's decision to not increase mortgage rates on May 31, 2011.

"An improving Alberta economy will lead to employment growth and an increase in the number of people moving to Calgary, which will be good news for the region's housing market in the next two years.

A report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. forecasts MLS sales in the Calgary region to increase by nearly five per cent this year compared with a year ago, while the average sale price will rise by just over one per cent."

We’ll still see ups and downs for a while longer while we head into improved upward momentum. The next 18 to 24 months will be steady for Calgary and Edmonton, and then we should move into full recovery cycle (meaning 2 years into a 5-7 year cycle). Calgary generally dictates the direction of Edmonton, so we watch and welcome their increase in home prices. If you factor in 3% appreciation per year over the next 5 years you should be on track.

Read More 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  

June 1st., 2011  Volume 10, Issue 5  

Dear Friends and Partners,

I moderate my doses of news as so much of it is unhealthy; unhealthy reporting, topics and servings of negativity. With that said I do tune into a few CBC Radio programs and they have had extensive coverage of the Slave Lake fire. I have found the interviews of the residents powerful. CBC reporters had spoken with folks who were literally breathless from having run to escape the flames. Other coverage took place from makeshift shelters in Athabasca. And more recently from the parking lot of a nearby town, as buses departed taking residents on a trip back of the remains of Slave Lake, touring neighborhoods where fire disintegrated more than three quarters of the homes to smoldering ash.

Imagine that for a moment. You're at home with your kids when suddenly you get a knock at the door telling you you have to leave - right now. You grab the kids, your pets and not much else. As you try and flee town you realize the fire is much worse than you thought as your only escape is a dusty, smoky, potholed back road lined with an inferno of blazing orange trees, collapsing helter-skelter around you. The next couple days are a blur as firefighters from all over Canada are sent in to help put out the fire - but it is stubborn and takes days. You still don't know if your house or business survived. Fast forward to last Thursday when residents did get to go back, many of which had lost their cars, homes and places of employment.

CBC interviewed these folks and the matter-of-fact resilience was amazing. Many people were optimistic to rebuild and excited that a few landmarks remained. They might have lost almost all of their material objects save the intangible memories they shared in their homes - but they are optimistic! I certainly hope I would be. Of course there are folks rightfully bewildered by loss and despair but the overwhelming majority shares a bespoke 'Getter Done' attitude to rebuilding.

Take a bit of that resilience today and magnify it back in the things you do; let it grow and go back to those people and the people in your family and community.

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

West Central Edmonton: Cashflowing Six-Plex In Queen Mary Park

Turbo charge your portfolio. Upgraded 1978 built 6-plex with separate entrance to all units. 4 functionally finished 710 sqft. 1 bedrooms on main, plus 2 upgraded 650 sqft. 1 bedroom suites up. The upper suites have laminate and fresh paint. There is a common laundry room in basement. The lower units have new paint and some fixtures as well. Lower suites walk out to a private grassy, fenced yard. There is a 2 car detached garage bringing in additional revenue. 10 minutes to NAIT, Grant MacEwan and Downtown. Fast access to Yellowhead Highway 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 Central area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent transitional neighborhood with 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 $675.87 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $525K Total Investment: $126K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76K.Your pre-tax Total ROI is 60% or 12% per year + $980 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month

Poised for massive growth. These 6 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!

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

Calgary Rental Company Offers Free Apartments For Slave Lake Fire Victims

By Clara Ho, Calgary Herald. May 24th 2011

CALGARY — A Calgary-based apartment rental company is offering 50 Edmonton suites to Slave Lake fire victims free of charge for up to three months.

“When I was watching TV, I saw many guys sleeping in gyms, sleeping bags, in cars, and my heart bled for them,” said Bob Dhillon, CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corp., which owns 8,000 apartment units across Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Vancouver.

“What we can offer is accommodation. We want to give them an opportunity to get their life together.”

READ MORE
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Expect To Pay More For Food, Power This Summer: National Energy Board

By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald May 20th 2011

CALGARY — Be prepared to pay more for power and fuel this summer in Alberta, according to the latest price outlook by the National Energy Board.

Although gasoline prices have eased somewhat since jumping earlier in the month, oil prices averaging $100 US per barrel to $120 US per barrel over the summer likely will cause renewed pain at the pump, the board said Thursday.

Unrest in the Middle East, the crisis in Japan and China’s growing demand for energy all factored into the boards expectations of continued high prices for oil. READ MORE HERE

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Armed With White Stetsons, Calgary Invades China

Carolynne Wheeler: The Globe and Mail, May 27th, 2011

There will be an estimated 150 million outbound Chinese tourists by 2015. Alberta is hoping a few hundred thousand of them will be inspired to take a look at some of Canada’s natural wonders.

Armed with a new Mandarin-language tourism website and dozens of white Stetsons to give away to business leaders, Calgary’s largest-ever trade delegation has just landed in Beijing for a week of selling its city to a Chinese audience. 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.

"The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm." -Swedish Proverb

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.

In case you missed this video when it was aired earlier this year, we bring it back again. Don Campbell puts forth a solid argument for Edmonton and Calgary's real estate future.

If you are new to investing, you'll need to add several more lines of expenses to Don's example. Perhaps his 'miscellaneous' item covers some of these but in addition to your P.I.T. (principle, interest and tax payments) you'll need to add: vacancy factor, repair factor, property management (even if you do it yourself, factor it in as one day you might pass it over to a manager), advertising costs and insurance.

We also add bookkeeping costs, but you may feel you don't need that. These additions will give you a realistic cash flow number and it will be significantly less than the cash flow number derived from P.I.T./misc. alone in the BNN video. If you have money left over from repair/maintenance at the end of the month that goes into your account to build a buffer for the unit.

Watch Video Here

Bold Step Forward Starts with Future Fund - "During the latter part of the Klein years, the Alberta government was criticized as not having a vision for the province's economic future. In response, in 2009 Premier Ed Stelmach commissioned a council of prominent resident and non-resident Albertans to create a vision for sustained prosperity in a changing world.

Some of the report's recommendations, released this month, have been criticized, some are gathering support and many will play out in the coming months as no less than three Alberta political parties choose new leaders. But whatever you think about the report, it is important not to throw out the baby with the bathwater."

Imagine if this kind of plan became mandatory for a province? Every city, town and local government sat down together and made an action plan for the next 30 years. Sure, sometimes plans would change or the ideas may be off-track and need to be altered, but what a great idea! Instead of running to catch up with what happens to us; we begin to shape and attract what we want to see in the future. Read More Here

Inter-provincial Migration to Alberta Set to Pick Up - "This provides an incentive for Canadians to relocate to Alberta and, if history is any guide (see graph), net interprovincial migration to Alberta could as much as triple from 2010 levels over the next few years.

In addition to the favorable unemployment differential, wages and housing prices in Alberta are also supportive of higher net-migration to Alberta. Wages in Alberta are the highest in the country (by far) at over 15 per cent higher than the Canadian average. And, compared to the boom years, housing prices have cooled off in Alberta relative to other provinces, which makes relocating here more affordable."

Strong in-migration, higher wages and housing affordability all equal an increase in renters as well as renters-turn-to-home-buyers in the next 18-36 months. This is good for landlords in the Edmonton housing market. Click Here

Five Alberta MPs rewarded with spots in Harper's new cabinet - "University of Calgary political scientist David Stewart said cabinet's composition gives the province a strong voice at the decision-making table. "Albertans certainly are arguably in the two most powerful positions (in government)," Stewart said."

Although the new cabinet is on the large side (should make NDP pleased) the selection of Albertan MPs will give us a representative voice in Ottawa. Jump Here

Sad news from Northern Alberta - thousands of homes, business and public structures have been destroyed by raging wildfires. Over 7,000 residents have had to flee their homes.

Please go here to read the story and watch videos - HERE
To donate to these people who now relay on the kindness of others - RED CROSS DONATION

"A Canadian Red Cross team of volunteers are deploying immediately from Edmonton and will accompany more than 400 shelter cots and 800 hygiene kits and blankets. The Red Cross volunteer team will provide additional shelter support to the lead agency which is the Slave Lake Disaster Services once they have arrived. The Red Cross will work closely with Alberta Emergency Management Authority and other community partners to ensure that basics needs of the evacuees are met."

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 14th., 2011
Volume 10, Issue 4

Dear Friends and Partners,

My opening newsletter for May was titled 'Winds Of Change' and they certainly blew through our nation and province; both figuratively and literally. Every riding but one in Alberta is Conservative. We will all benefit from a majority government for the next 4 years (hopefully) bringing continued economic growth and stability leading the country out of the recession.

Real Estate wise I have seen a unique little hot-spot develop in the area in which I live; house hunters are combing the sleepy tree-lined streets. The most sought after homes have character, are suited and nestle the green belt. Now I'll temper that comment with the buyers being very price sensitive - there is a narrow margin of what the market is saying these houses are worth and if you are priced over, your listing will stagnate. There are other hot-pockets (not like Jim Gaffigan's) around town, and plenty of flat ones too.

Another literal affect of the winds of change, was the wind we've had this week. I awoke on Friday morning to discover one of my trees had split in half and blown down on the freshly planted blueberry bushes. I marvel these forces. Be an act of force; be the change you want to see.

West Central Edmonton: Cashflowing Three-Plex In Prince Rupert

Turbo charge your portfolio. Upgraded 1931 built 4-plex with separate entrance to lower units. Beautifully finished 1280 sqft. 3 bedroom up, plus 2 upgraded 840 sqft. 1 bedroom suites down. The upper suites have laminate and fresh paint. There is a common laundry room for up and down suite, 1 per side. The lower units have had windows replaced as well. Lower suites walk out to a private grassy, fenced yard. There is a 2 car detached garage bringing in additional revenue. 10 minute walk to neighborhood park and fast access to Yellowhead Highway, NAIT, Grant MacEwan and 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 West Central area with easy access to transit and downtown. Excellent neighborhood that demands high resale value and stable rents especially with the city airport' improvement project. 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 $980 positive cash flow per month using an investor's mortgage plan - taking advantage of current low rates.

Purchase price: $525K Total Investment: $126K. Your Estimated 5 Year Profit $76K. Your pre-tax Total ROI is 60% or 12% per year + $980 Cash Flow in Your Pocket Every Month

“Get into action and realize secure, long-term profits”

Already producing a great RETURN. Visit for the full FEATURE sheet and call 1-888-780-5940 to get started.

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

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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U of A Eyes South Campus For High Tech Institute

By Keith Gerein, Edmonton Journal. May 7th 2011

The University of Alberta's president thinks her school's south campus would make an ideal home for an advanced technology institute, one of the major proposals touted by a government-appointed economic panel.

Indira Samarasekera said the site's abundance of undeveloped land, access to the LRT and proximity to the U of A's research centres make it a good spot to host an institution dedicated to commercializing discoveries. FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE

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Alberta Must Start Saving Oil Cash: Report

By Darcy Henton, Calgary Herald May 6th 2011

Alberta must stop using royalty revenues to fund day-today operations and start pumping all its energy dollars into a fund that will support hightech companies, economic diversification and targeted initiatives such as high-speed rail, says a report from a blueribbon economic panel.

Former federal Tory cabinet minister David Emerson, who chaired the 12-member Premier's Council for Economic Strategy, said the government has a decade to wean itself off the non-renewable resource revenues it now relies on for 30 per cent of its spending. READ MORE HERE
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Expansion Of Oil Sands Upgrader Goes On-Stream

Press release: By Shell Company, May 1st 2011
CALGARY, Alberta, May 4, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Shell today announced the successful start of production from its Scotford Upgrader Expansion project in Canada. The 100,000 barrels-per-day expansion takes upgrading capacity at Scotford to 255,000 barrels-per-day of heavy oil from the Athabasca Oil sands. "This start-up is an important milestone for our heavy oil business.' said Marvin Odum, Shell Upstream Americas Director. "And it adds new capacity from an important source of oil in a world requiring more secure energy." GRAB THIS STORY

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A report on the challenges facing Alberta in the coming years is a blueprint on what we'll have to be, think and do to bring Alberta to the state of success she can be. Topics include pressing environmental issues, control program spending and curbing the province's reliance on energy royalties.

"It challenges Albertans to dream big, to look beyond the province's (and Canada's) borders, to think long-term, and to recognize how the rapid ascent of Asia and the decline of the U.S. will affect the province's future prospects." Read More

Politics and often the general mindset of folks is for today. People grumble about their daily jobs and rejoice during a boom; but many don't give much thought to the long-term. To think and live larger than our positions today, to plan and build for a BIG future is what is important. Breaking away from myopic ideas and talking, working and thinking bigger will lead to more ingenuity and a superior economy that is well balanced.

“It does make me quite nervous when someone talks about another wealth-transfer program,” “All that’s going to do is reduce competitiveness and diminish our economy. We’ll lose our momentum and may never get it back.” Premier Ed Stelmach on Jack Layton's comment on oilsands

Cleanup is always good - just not when you're cleaning up money from Alberta's pocket and putting it into yours. Respecting the Oil Sands and the industry that they create and the lifestyle that they give many folks is very important. Keeping the Oil Sands moving towards better and more innovative environmental practices - also a good thing. Not addressing your plan and using the phrases 'dirty oil' a bad thing.

I am certain that many U.S. American's are now temporarily feeling that some form of justice has been finally served by Osama Bin Laden's death. But that may only be a temporary feeling and illusion. Bin Laden is only one of many individuals that have opposed and that still do oppose what the USA represents.

An over celebration of this death may be transiently meaningful and socially unwise. That is like the irrational exuberance that occurred when Saddam Hussein's statue fell and when he was captured. Many illusively imagined that the war in Iraq was now over and another illusive villain finally gone. But this too was naïve.

It is wiser to now understand that there are probably many Osama Bin Laden-like individuals with alternative and even opposing human values and intentions that will most likely emerge and attempt to confront or counter attack the U.S.A. once again.

Any time two individuals, families, communities, cities, states or nations have dissimilar or opposing values; clashes, conflicts and wars can ensue. Until two individuals, nations or cultures understand their differences and find their hidden similarities and humble themselves enough to learn and appreciate each other's unique values; value and ideological clashes will be repeated historically.

I am grateful for the closure on the story of 9-11 for many of the families and people directly and indirectly involved during the 2001 and other terrorist's attacks, but I feel that we are wise to ultimately learn that similar and opposing values (like synonyms and antonyms in language) are what make up the world. Having temporary wins or defeats over or under our opponents in a world that is ultimately here to teach us how to love and appreciate ourselves and others, is missing the ultimate purpose of the variety amongst human value systems that make up the world as a whole.

As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once emphasized there exist dynamic equilibriums of complementary opposites throughout the world. True love may be ultimately a synthesis and synchronicity of these various complementary opposites.

Alberta Industry cut 6.5M tonnes of Carbon emissions in 2010 -Do you remember a decade or longer ago when we captured almost zero green houses gas? There is so much more environmental control and cleanup being done now, it is a complete industry of its own. Does that mean that we shouldn’t expect green house gases to increase during growth periods? No. Does that mean that we shouldn’t continue to increase environmental stewardship and create newer and better ways to reduce gasses and improve the environment? No. We need to acknowledge the victories and continue the improvements; it might not be as fast as the snap of your fingers, but we are on the right path.

Edmonton house prices steady in March - Still a flat, but optimistic market; you can still ‘get a deal’ if you find a motivated seller. Folks with homes that don’t show well will get passed over or need to sell for lower as the competition for nice, clean homes is strong.

Harper says Western Canada can breathe easier with majority - B-R-E-A-T-H-E

It has been quite an exciting election this time around. If you look at the Canadian map of party support you can really see how diminished the Liberals/others were in this election. Equally amazing is how much of a win the NDP had. I hope that folks will agree to let the Conservative government with a majority win, do what they plan to do. Fair is fair and everyone got to vote. The NDP vote I think, should be pleased to see Jack Layton sitting across from Premier Harper in the HOC. It is a victory for them. And a victory for the Conservatives. Jump!

This is an article from the Irish Times reviewing a book by Richard Gills. Gill's theory is that Northern Rim countries and cities will do well (better than BRIC countries for example) over the next 25 years. There isn't a whole lot of depth in the article/review but the lat sentence puzzles me

"While a nationalist Canadian might find optimism here, the rest of us should be concerned. Nothing funny there."

Why do people write such nonsense? The review is about the economy opening up in these areas through new trade channels and cities growing. Hardly scary for anyone. The take away is that, yes, Canada is indeed well positioned if we stay on track with responsible energy and economic development. Read More Here