I had a thought the other day as I took the dogs for a walk. They were being a bit ornery, and I had to let them know who was boss with a sharp word and a yank on the leash. While I was out with the dogs, I was thinking about how my real estate business was going. It has been busy lately...

I dropped by one of my properties the other day to do some maintenance on the garage and noticed that grass had not been mowed for ages. I asked them if they had a lawnmower and they said no, they had to borrow one when they have cut it in the past. Few options I am considering. 1. Tell...

This may seem pretty straight forward to most, but it is actually the first time I have had this situation, and I am wondering what you would do. One of my tenants called me yesterday to tell me her roomate is moving out. Both are on the lease. She is planning to stay and her boyfriend is...

Congrats to the others! Not sure if you guys are on the forums here or not. I wasn't able to make it for the picture unfortunately. At least we have Brock Rogerson representing for Winnipeg with his Jets jersey! Troy MacDonald brought my trophy home for me, which was great. Cool motivator...

Just curious about how investors decide whether it is time to sell a property. What are the factors that determine sell rather than hold? I have a tenant who needs to move. I could liquidate the property or I could find another tenant. I didn't have plans to sell, but it could be an...

5 Tips For Finding A Good Landlord Posted: May 26, 2011 10:32AM by Linsey Knerl [/i]) TUTORIAL: Mortgage Basics 1. Try for Transparency It's preferred that your landlord be honest, but being transparent is even more desirable. "Being transparent about the rental property is perhaps...

Ever wonder what Manitoban landlords have to deal with? Just a little short of communism. lol Nik Manitoba News Release ............................................................ May 18, 2011 PROVINCE INTRODUCES TENANT PROTECTION PACKAGE - - - Greater Affordability, Controlled...

Looks like Ontario is moving towards the Manitoba model that we here have been dealing with. I don't see how it will get rid of Ontario bedbugs, because we have them here too. What it ends up causing is a situation where landlords are not interested in improving or maintaining their buildings...

BC, Alberta, Sask and Ontario most vulnerable to mortgage rate increases | Thursday, 10 February 2011 - Mortgage Broker News Households in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario are most vulnerable to interest rate increases or another economic slump, according to a new TD...

Guess I officially hold over a million dollars of real estate now. Started investing about a year and a bit ago. The funny thing is, it doesn't really seem like a big deal. You see books with that as a title! Should I write one? I don't think so. I guess it is a bit of a road marker, but...

Seems like there are alarmist warnings for Canada's real estate. Any thoughts? Nik Rising interest rates could trigger housing market collapse | Friday, 4 February 2011 Rising interest rates later this year could trigger Canada`s housing market to collapse, according to a new report...

As I continue to grow my portfolio and design my plan for continuing its growth, I've started to wonder how others are doing it. If you are willing to share your rules for yourself when pyramiding (using the equity in your buildings to help you purchase more), I would appreciate hearing about...

I was thinking about converting my 4 plex to Condos and selling them off. The condo market is still pretty good here in Winnipeg. I have a mortgage of about 290k on the building. Each door cashflows $150 per month net. Each is a 2 br unit and could sell for $150k to $175k each as a condo...

I`m about to open a discount brokerage account and do some trading / investing. Wondering which vehicle is better? I had been thinking that since I have lots of room in my RRSP and it would be good to save on taxes now when I need cash, the RRSP might be be the way to go. I`m a public school...

Is the Canadian consumer overextended with debt? Who knows? Who should care? By David Johnston, M.T.I., CFPManager,Residential & Select IPL Mortgage Specialist The Johnston Mortgage Team, New Brunswick I grow weary of reading reports and surveys suggesting that consumer debt in Canada is a...

I have put an offer on a 4-plex which has been accepted. I wrote it with subject to lawyer`s approval. In Manitoba we have a rental tenancies branch. My lawyer is looking into whether the rents were registered or not. The place is vacant now. I have a feeling that the vendor did not...

It`s unseasonably cold across the prairies this month. The low was +3 the other night here in Winnipeg and the other night it froze in Moose Jaw. The tenants in my 4 plex were starting to get cold and asked when I was going to turn on the heat. I hadn`t wanted to yet since I pay for the heat...

3br and 1 bath purchased for $80 600 25% down prime minus 0.5 variable bank appraised at $113 000 before any renos fixed damp basement, eavestroughing, new chainlink fence, kitchen counter tops, central air about $5000 total approx $1000 per year taxes lease signed for $985 a month plus all...

Toronto woman paying for mortgage fraud | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 A Toronto woman is being ordered to pay RBC $95,000 after failing to realize she was being tricked into a mortgage fraud. Angela Isaacs accepted $6,000 to co-sign a stranger`s mortgage and signed the documents without reading...

Looking for some opinions regarding an apartment building purchase. I am in the early stages of my portfolio building. Right now I have a four-plex that cash flows positive but barely. I bought it before I had a clear plan. Now my plan is to start adding properties to my portfolio with good...