Just thought I`d offer my thanks to those of you in this forum who put me on to tenantverification.com. Also my thanks to REIN for the nice discount they offer members. This service is fast, competitively priced ($15.70 CDN plus tax with discount). No setup charge and if you have your...

FYI SUN Ottawa had an article yesterday "Drastic Changes for ING" in which a test of free chequing accounts was announced. Unlimited transactions, FREE email money transfers (think electronic rent cheques). They call them THRiVE accounts. 10,000 accounts will be set up starting Sept 14th with...

Has anyone had success renting to international tenants - particularly students? What process did you follow? Credit check? Method of payment for first and last? Guartantor? Please share your experiences good and bad to learn from.

I am looking at a student residence with a 50 gallon gas water heater for 12 rooms. The websites I have found so far only give examples of typical family of four situations but imply that the tank is undersized. Can anyone refer to a better source to estimate sizes for larger purposes? If you...

Hoping to hear from landlords out there with student housing on viability of coin-op laundry equipment. The property has a standard washer and dryer for twelve rooms. I can`t see the point of offering them at no charge for fear of abuse of utilities. Don`t need people inviting their friends for...

FYI Heard an update on CBC radio today that some may be interested in. 300 CREA members met in Ottawa today to consider what action to take. It was said they voted to establish a flat rate for listing a property on MLS in an effort to placate the Competition folks. Details were few. No costs...

I am starting to look for a good lender for a commercial mortgage on a small retail plaza. All tenants are independent mom and pop businesses with no unusual risk that I know of. Can those with some current experience with, or arranging mortgages for, similar property share info? I am looking to...

Thought I`d post on today`s milestone. After a few other properties didn`t work out, I had my first accepted offer on a rental property today. It`s a 5 door retail plaza that I sourced as a pocket listing. Vendor revenue and expense numbers show a 9.1 cap at price offered and cashflows with 100%...

I don`t understand the notice that I just found on Experian.ca. What "very difficult economic environment in Canada" are they talking about. Aren`t we top in the G8? Why would poor economic growth suggest they would lose money in Canada? Shouldn`t things be much worse in US. Anyway just thought...

First of thanks to all for the informative posts I have already read on various topics. As I evaluate local buying opportunities for existing multi-family properties, prices have lead me to question whether building may have financial benefits that exceed buying given the right property. Are...