QUOTE (GarthChapman @ Mar 3 2009, 10:30 PM) I am currently getting borrowers between 4.19% and 4.39% for 5 years from multiple lenders, depending on the strength of the buyer and of the subject property. I believe TD is also doing 4.39% for 5-year. HSBC, however, only offers 4.39% to homebuyers...

QUOTE (Nicola @ Mar 2 2009, 07:29 PM) Hi Tommy, Does this apply to LOCs on HSBC Equity Power Mortgages? We have two that we got last summer at prime. Thanks, Nicola To answer a few inquiries about LOC. What it boils down to is either your LOC is secured or unsecured. Yes, banks...

Yes, it is true that most lenders/banks are "re-pricing" their existing LOC (either unsecured or HELOC). I work for HSBC Bank Canada, and we are also in the process of increasing HELOC interst on most clients. Most LOC agreements have a clause that allows the bank to increase interest rate...

Hi Garth, I looked at my assessment and it doesn`t have the breakdown, but I will ask my insurance broker. I would probably assign 80% for building value. This is a low-rise condo. Thanks everyone!

QUOTE (Nukav @ Feb 26 2009, 09:16 AM) This is what I would call a "GREAT BIG HUGE GIANT GRAY AREA" when I was starting out a few years ago I went through this over, and over...I told the accountants to just pick a number, they wouldnt, I looked all over and only just got more confused. We...

QUOTE (thomasbeyer2000 @ Feb 25 2009, 09:31 PM) use an educated guess .. or look at your appraisal which often breaks it out ! What would the land be worth in its current zoning without a property on it ? 10% of assessment ? 2% ? 25% ? 90% ?It depends on location, age, condition .. in some...

Hi REIN Fella! I am working on my taxes right now. I looked at my assessment but there`s no breakdown of land and building value. I know you can claim Capital Cost Allowance based on the building value. But since I can`t find any (I even emailed City of Edmonton), how do I determine the...

QUOTE (Dan_Eisenhauer @ Dec 13 2008, 11:15 PM) This evening is the first time I have looked at the Demographia website. It confirms on page 23, I think, on this link why Vancouver prices are so high. In a nut shell... landlocked with mountains to the north, an international border to the...

What surprises me is most banks are offering great 2-year GICs at 4%-4.5%. High-interest rate accounts are anywhere from 2.75%-3.75% (HSBC`s special offer before March 2009). And lending rate is at 3.5%??? Where is the spread? Very strange. Tommy

There`s something new I learn every time i log in. I didn`t know tenants would bust the door if they lock themselves out. Oh boy, things some tenants would do. This is a tricky situation as nothing was stolen. Tommy

QUOTE (Jack @ Dec 7 2008, 06:17 PM) Stock markets plummeting shouldn`t be much of a surprise. With tens of millions of baby boomers retiring in the next few years, their investment strategy has gone from "growth" to "preservation". This means bye-bye to emerging market mutual funds, bye-bye to...

QUOTE (ohsofrugal @ Nov 30 2008, 09:26 PM) Hello everybody,After dropping out several years ago, I have decided to go back to university and complete my degree. I believe post-secondary education is an investment in myself and certainly a necessity to do better (income and personal development...

Thank you Jack and Jason for posting their open letters. I have sent mine to [email protected].

QUOTE (LeighF @ Nov 26 2008, 05:44 AM) I find that when I delete my listing on Kijiji after a while and re-submit it, I get some traffic towards it again and emails galore! Ok, I think this is what I am going to do. Take my ad off kijiji for a couple weeks. Then re-post it again with a new...

QUOTE (JoefromTO @ Nov 27 2008, 12:52 PM) So its safe to say that cash will be king...which suggests selling properties to liquidate..?Cash is nice. But cash sitting in a bank account is a waste of time. The money is not moving fast enough. The best way is to generate cash flow with much...

QUOTE (nepoez @ Nov 24 2008, 10:37 PM) What do you guys think of 2 of my desperate ads: http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-housing-apartm...QQAdIdZ84963519 http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/apa/931177495.html Did you rent it out Nepoez? I am trying some desperate incentives as well... winter winter...

QUOTE (EdRenkema @ Nov 24 2008, 10:28 AM) So here it is folks, this should bring the calls in droves, I mean who could resist http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=89...14-86a4ffff0af1 Lots of FREEBIES. Hopefully you can get some call. Man, I didn`t realize how slow it would be...

Thank you Jack and Monte. I have decided to put away the money until I have a comfortable emergency funds for rainy days. Once I put away 2-month of rent in the savings, then I will start paying down my own residence to reduce bad-debt (non taxable interest). Thank you for all the responses...

QUOTE (C2Ventures @ Nov 23 2008, 08:47 PM) ROI on house investment = 31.2% (simple interest) based on 25% down payment. 1981 avg home price in Calgary = $114,838 (25% down payment = $28,709.50)2007 avg home price in Calgary = $356,957 (source, Thomas Beyer post on Calgary avg house...

QUOTE (holymoly @ Nov 23 2008, 08:06 AM) Or a 2.5 or 3.5 year lease, so you don't end up having to find December renters again when those long-term tenants leave. I totally agree. The rental market really slows down from Nov - Feb.