Whew--it's been a long time since I posted here. We're relaunching the LRT Searches for Calgary and Edmonton. I'm no longer a Realtor so other Realtors are setting up their websites for the 800 metre radius search around each LRT station. Calgary is finished and Edmonton will be finished in a...

Hi Jordan It's Randy Bett here. Yes I did get a chance to speak to Hassan. I'd suggest you speak to a few investment Realtors who are involved in REIN and get to know them and also make sure there is a fit. At the same time I believe both my son, Chad, and I can bring the expertise...

Here's the inside on Real Estate as seen from the financial planning world. Real estate is often overlooked in the quest for tax reduction and deferral, let alone income generation and inflation protection. If real estate is all of these things, why doesn`t everyone own a rental property? The...

OK thanks for the input. We use transparent documentation upfront and screen the applicants via a banker/broker and verify employment history, etc. As Brian says ****** happens and that can be mitigated to an extent with proper due diligence. Enjoy the long weekend.

Thanks for the follow up Mark. I`ll check this out with the local brokers and CMHC. On your paperwork are you indicating the option fee/security deposit/ or whatever your calling the upfront money-is fully refundable and does not apply to the down payment portion of the mortgage?

Hi there looking for some input from other investors who are using the RTO strategy. Based on a conversation yesterday (with a Calgary Mortgage Broker and a Former President of the Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association) and a review of CMHC`s applied policy/rules it appears that the upfront...

Here`s a summary of an article in the Calgary Herald.GE & Google Join Forces in Energy Alliance Calgary Herald 18th October 2008 21st century giants GE & Google have joined forces that will revolutionize North America with state-of-the-art smart electric grids. GE engineers calculated that...

By The NumbersCalgary Herald 27th October 2008 · Calgary’s job growth up by 2.37 percent for Aug. 2008 over same month in 2007 · Calgary’s inflation rate 3.3 percent in July as compared to five percent in 2007 · Calgary...

Developers to comply with Fintrac in 2009.New Money Laundering Rules Target Developers. Monte Stewart Business Edge September 5, 2008 Canada’s new and tighter anti money laundering laws will place extra regulatory burden on real estate developers. Legislative changes are being made in...

Here`s a review of an article that you may find interesting-US Perspective-Fundamentals Still ApplyReal Estate Downturn Analyzed – Top Markets & StrategiesPricewaterhouseCoopers 21st October 2008 A report titled Emerging Treads in Real Estate released by Urban Land Institute (ULI) based on...

Thanks Don for the input. Yes the amount of speculators holding new and vacant homes is huge. Don`s email and comments in regards to economic fundamentals and looking behind the curtain certainly ring true for 2008 and beyond. We need a shake out of the housing market to get rid of the...

After a conversation today with two veteran REIN real estate investors-Owen Shaw and Ryan Chernesky-they prompted me to look at the number of total homes on the market that are vacant and/or a new build/show home-either way the home/condo is empty. Here`s the numbers for Calgary and area-total...