Blog
Market News on Canadian commercial real estate into 2012
Alberta is booming again…RBC Report Amid the heightened economic uncertainty spreading globally in the past several months, Alberta’s steady progress toward full recovery from the recession is refreshing. RBC Report here… 2012 12_RBC_economic outlook – AB Multi-family is the in demand asset class! Momentum Expected to Carry Over Into 2012 In an era where stability is prized, multi-housing properties will continue to be in favour. This is the only commercial property type in Canada that is performing similarly in the...
read moreIs home ownership really a smart investment?
In a recent article, the question was asked as whether home ownership is really a smart investment. Here are our thoughts… Beware comparisons to stock markets on avg home prices. Home ownership is for pride, and forced savings, NOT an investment. Although based on forced savings, most people have more equity in their home than in investments at retirement. Investing in cash flow real estate however, if done properly, generates net income (tenants pay the costs) and when you factor in leverage, the % returns are an entirely...
read moreMarket commentary on commercial lending rates, and Europe’s effect on Canada
Rates have bounced around quite a bit in the last 24 hours. Beginning early Monday afternoon, the bond market began to rally sharply as word came out that S&P were going to place 15 (out of 17) eurozone sovereigns on negative watch for possible downgrade, including all six AAA-rated nations (Germany, France, Austria, Netherlands, Finland, and Luxembourg). S&P is apparently concerned about the impact of systemic stress within the eurozone on economic growth, although the downgrades themselves are very likely to amplify such stress,...
read moreEdmonton downtown arena – approved by City Council
EDMONTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES FUNDING FOR NEW OILERS ARENA The Canadian Press – 10/26/2011 7:26:22 PM EDMONTON — One hurdle remains for the National Hockey League Oilers to get a new downtown rink — but it’s a big one. Edmonton city councillors voted 10-3 Wednesday to sign on to a cost-shared deal with team owner Daryl Katz for a new $450-million arena. But when everything is added up, the deal is still $100 million short. Both Katz and the city have been asking for that money from either the provincial or...
read moreThoughts on the Occupy Wall Street movement
Here is an article that we like, on the perspective on realities of issues with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Enjoy the read and please comment below to let us know your thoughts. Perspective: Losing our Sense of it . . . By Mary Beth Hicks Call it an occupational hazard, but I can’t look at the Occupy Wall Street protesters without thinking, “Who parented these people?” As a culture columnist, I’ve commented on the social and political ramifications of the “movement” – now known as...
read moreOil demand, hiring sprees, CMHC update
Oil sands for the very, very long-term Alberta’s oil sands are a key factor in global oil pricing, says head the of Total S.A. chairman. In an article by the Globe & Mail, he explains Alberta’s resources are an increasingly important source of energy in a world where finding and extracting oil is becoming more and more difficult. This is leading to increased investment in Alberta, which creates jobs, housing demand, and ultimately rising real estate prices. See here for a visual example of the impact energy appetites over the...
read moreEdmonton on verge of a boom, REITs outperform condos
Edmonton on the verge of boom If you’re undecided about the timing of your investment in the Alberta real estate market, you may want to consider some of the signs that point to the beginning of price increases. Whether we call it a ‘boom’ or whether we call it a period of growth, president of Canada’s REIN (Real Estate Investment Network) Don Campbell is suggesting that, based on the latest economic data, Edmonton is entering the next phase in its market cycle. In Parkhurst’s piece “Alberta is on...
read moreIt’s time to get skeptical
How can we trust the people and corporations behind our investments? How can we ensure they have our best interests in mind? How can we guarantee they will do what they say they will do? We can’t in the complete sense. And, ironically, we’ve never seen a better time to invest than right now. One of the most frustrating aspects of this increased trend of mismanaged funds, insider trading, irresponsible lending, and white collar crime in general is that it’s not just the ‘fly by night’ people and...
read more