Toronto and Mississauga Real Estate Market January 2010 is a far cry from January 2009

Homes sales in the GTA and Mississauga were slightly higher than the average number of home sales in the past 5 years. If you are a buyer looking for a property right now, you know that our marketplace is very fast right now and almost everything is selling very quick.

Average prices are up considerably when you compare January 2010 to January of 2009, but the period from October 2008 to January 2009 was dismal.

In fact January of 2009 was the bottom of the slump in our market, the outlook for real estate was dismal. One year later and the outlook is incredibly different, you won't find many people who are not optimistic on real estate in Mississauga and Toronto for 2010

All the best,
Mark

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,986 transactions through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in January 2010.

This result represented a large increase over the 2,670 sales in January 2009 when the home sales were in a recessionary trough. Last month’s sales were slightly higher than the January average in the five years

preceding 2009.

“The GTA housing market has rebounded well from the lows in sales experienced at the beginning of 2009. Sales climbed back to healthy levels across the GTA because the cost of home ownership remained affordable in the Toronto area,” said TREB President Tom Lebour.

“Increasingly confident consumers moved to take advantage of affordable home ownership.”

The average home selling price in January 2010 climbed 19 per cent to $409,058, compared to 343,632 in the same month last year.

“Expect strong annual growth rates for existing home sales and average price through the first quarter as we continue to make comparisons to the weak market conditions at the beginning of 2009,” said Jason

Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The rate of sales and price growth will be lower

How to find Tax Sale Properties in your Municipality

In order to find tax sale properties in your area, you have to contact each municipality, this is not an easy task!

Read more about the process here:

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-Sales-TAX-Sales.htm

Please let me know if you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can help you with regarding tax sale properties.

Thank you,

Mark

Why does maintenance fee show $0 for many power of sale properties?

This is a common question that I receive about POS properties and zero maintenance fees on the mls listing.

Hello Mark,

Thanks for your daily information and sure helps...I have a question for you some of the listing says $0 maintenance fees what does that really mean? Is it that the POS includes the maintenance fees for one year?

My answer is:

Hi B.

Thank you for your real estate inquiry.

The maintenance fee shows $0 because the bank does not want to take any responsibility for any oversight or underestimate of the fee, so they put $0.

We/You have to find out from us what the average is for that type of unit.

When you submit your offer, we will receive a status certificate that shows the exact fee for that particular unit.

Mark

$1500 extra taxes due to HST in real estate transactions in Toronto and Mississauga

HST is coming to Ontario July 1st, 2010 whether we like it or not.

The HST effectively combines the 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the 5%
Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) for a combined 13% sales tax rate known
as the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

The HST will apply to a number of goods and services that are currently
exempt.

For housing in Ontario, the HST will add 8% more tax on any services related
to real estate transactions, such as real estate commissions, legal fees,
home inspections and moving costs.

It is estimated by OREA that the HST will add about $1500 in additional
taxes to the cost of the average residential real estate transaction.

It is expected that there will be a surge in sales this spring to avoid the
HST that becomes law on July 1st.

All the best!
Mark

Single family residential snapshot for sales in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace

Single family residential snapshot for sales in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace
This graph shows you the percentage of each housing type that was sold last month




For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Housing market indicators for real estate in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace Marketplace

Housing market indicators for real estate in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace
Sales are up 115% for last month compared to same month in 2008
New listings are up slightly 6% compared to same month in 2008
Days on the market is down 40% for December 2009 compared to same month in 2008, indicating a very fast market!

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Average single family residential real estate sales prices since 1999 in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace

This graph shows the average prices for single family residential real estate in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace since 1999 and shows that there is a clear trend.
As the RBC states, past performance is not an indication of future trends... no kidding... but let's hope that this continues for some time to come!

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Chart showing 2009 and 2009 average price per month for Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace

This chart shows the average price for each month since January of 2008 and 2009 in Toronto Mississauga and GTA Real Estate Marketplace
Prices have increased year over year. you can see the fall in the prices in the fall of 2008 and then the rebound in 2009




For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Average annual income of a real estate agent

Some people think real estate agents earn huge money, millions per year! LOL

Too bad that is not the case.

If you take the total number of properties sold on the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) last year multiplied by the average selling price and then take 2% commission as the average per side in the transaction then the 'average' agent earned approximately $31,000 in 2009

87000 properties sold last year on TREB, 23000 realtors on TREB, average price $411,000 and 2.0% average commission per end equals $31000 average income on TREB

(87 000 / 23 000) * 411 000 * .020 = 31 093

In the US the average sales agent earns about $28,400 and the average for brokers and sales reps is about $36,700 (just another reason, besides the warm weather, to move to the US! LOL)

Median Gross Personal Income of REALTORS®

YEAR	Brokers/ Broker-Associates	Sales Agents	ALL REALTORS®
2008	$49,300	$28,400	$36,700
2007	$65,200	$31,000	$42,600
2006	$73,300	$34,600	$47,700

All the best!
Mark

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

2009 GTA TREB residential real estate resale home sales up and prices up for year

The figures for the 2009 are out for Toronto and GTA real estate market and they show that after a slow start in the spring, the real estate market rebounded nicely in the last 3/4 of the year. In fact, the number of sales year over year was up 17% and average prices were up to $411,931 for single family residential dwellings, an increase of 4% over the previous year.

GTA REALTORS® REPORT DECEMBER RESALE HOUSING MARKET FIGURES

TORONTO, January 6, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 87,308 MLS® transactions in 2009 – a 17 per cent increase over 2008. This result included 5,541 sales in December.

The 2009 result was in line with the healthy levels of sales experienced between 2004 and 2006, but lower than the record of 93,193 set in 2007.

“After a slow start to the year, existing home sales rebounded during the second half of 2009,” said TREB President Tom Lebour. “As consumer confidence improved, many households moved to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities in the GTA.

The strong residential real estate sector was a key contributor to overall economic recovery in Canada.”

The average home price in 2009 climbed four per cent to $395,460. The average price for December transactions was $411,931.

“Market conditions became very tight in the latter half of 2009. Sales climbed strongly relative to the number of homes listed for sale, resulting in robust price growth that more than offset average price declines in the winter,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “A greater supply of listings in 2010 will see home prices grow at a sustainable pace.”

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family in 2010!

Mark

Almost time to lock in your mortgage

Take a look at this graph showing the current and projected interest rates in Canada. If you have any doubt, read some of the recent Bank of Canada's announcements on interest rates. It's almost a sure thing that rates will begin to increase in the middle of 2010 and significantly over the next year after that.



Good long range planning will certainly help you with your future!



This goes against what I have written many times in the past. I've always recommended going short term on your mortgage. Once we come out of this recession and the economy starts to improve, rates will increase and we may never see these low rates again for many decades to come. It could be time to lock in for 5, 7 or even 10 years at the current rates to take advantage of these all time low mortgage interest rates



Thanks

Mark

US Housing Market has reached bottom!

The US housing market seems to have hit the bottom and will slowly recover, finally!

This is another feel good report from RBC

Bottom Reached in Housing

U.S. home sales got a lift from the government’s first-time homebuyers’ tax credit and record low mortgage rates.

Sales of both new and existing homes are running 31% higher than their recent low, albeit 25% slower than their peak pace.

This increase combined with sharply lower housing starts has reduced the inventory of unsold homes significantly. Price increases so far have been limited, with the average still about 20% lower than peak levels.

The outlook for real estate remains murky given the backlog of foreclosures and strong increases in the number of homeowners who are delinquent in making their mortgage payments.

The government’s tax credit was extended until the end of April and the base of those who qualify broadened out. With interest rates remaining low, we expect that the pace of activity will gradually pick up but expect a relatively tame recovery for this sector during the forecast period.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?


• Power of Sales and Foreclosures


• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up


• See seasonal housing patterns


• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

2010 is shaping up to be a great year, from RBC

RBC is now reporting that there will be good growth now that 2009 is nearly behind us. This has been one of the hardest years since the early 90's recession and in some cases harder than the early 80's recession.

2010 may be a great year, hold on for the ride.

Enjoy the article below.
Mark

New beginnings

Turning the page on 2009 will be done with great relief almost everywhere in Canada. The past year has been, by far, the toughest since the early 1990s recession and, in some cases, the early 1980s recession. Hardship was evident from coast to coast, even in parts of the country, such as Alberta, that were previously considered almost bullet-proof.

Perhaps more importantly, however, will be the full force of fiscal and monetary stimulus kicking in. Nearly all governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels have initiated substantial infrastructure spending programs and these will be in high gear during the year ahead.

In most cases, although not all, 2010 will be the peak of stimulus spending.

The easing of monetary policy is already having a visible impact – most notably in housing resale markets across the country – and should continue to do so despite our expectation that the Bank of Canada will gradually take its feet off the gas pedal starting mid-year. Extremely low mortgage rates have been key to the spectacular rebound in housing resale activity in every province since early 2009.

The precipitous decline in activity that started late in 2008 plunged a number of provinces – including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia – into a deep slump through the better part of the year, which reverberated loudly in regional job markets.

The ranks of the unemployed swelled and unemployment rates surged broadly, reaching the highest levels since the 1990s in Ontario and Alberta.

While many challenges will remain, 2010 promises a widespread turnaround in economic performance, albeit a modest one at first. A more sanguine global context will sharply contrast with the meltdown on the world stage that took place in 2008 and early 2009. With the financial crisis behind us and the U.S. economy on the mend, factors “external” to the provincial economies are expected to contribute positively to growth again.

In turn, this housing resurgence should be seen as evidence that consumers are feeling more upbeat even in areas of the country such as British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta where the recession caused substantial damage.

The price tag for the fiscal stimulus is enormous – huge budget deficits.

Collectively, the provinces are projecting shortfalls totaling $38.2 billion in the 2009-10 fiscal year and at least $30.2 billion in 2010-11 (with two provinces not providing estimates), both records in terms of value. However, relative to GDP, the deficits will be modestly milder than the peaks recorded in the early 1990s.

While running up huge budget shortfalls might cause some discomfort, the alternative was even less attractive given the severity of the economic downturn. Nonetheless, returning to balance during the medium-term will be a challenge involving difficult choices. ECONOMICS I RESEARCH

In this update, there is little change to the big picture from our September Provincial Outlook: the contraction in activity is still seen to be widely spread in 2009 among provinces (with Manitoba and Nova Scotia the only exceptions)

and the expected recovery to be equally generalized in 2010.

On the upside, there have been some upward revisions to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in both 2009 and 2010 (Nova Scotia is now projected to be flat in 2009), and Quebec and Manitoba in 2009.

In this report, we are also introducing forecasts for 2011, which generally depict provincial economies strengthening further. The western part of the country – led by Saskatchewan – is generally expected to grow faster than the national

average of 3.9% with the exception of British Columbia, which will be feeling some post-Olympics moderation.

However, we have made minor revisions to some provincial forecasts. The most significant change has been for Newfoundland & Labrador, where longer-than-expected production shutdowns in the mining sector have prompted us to deepen the real GDP decline in 2009 by one percentage point to 4.5% and to bump up growth slightly in 2010 to 2.4% from 2%.

Smaller downward revisions have also been made to Alberta (to reflect weaker-than-expected momentum at this stage) in both 2009 and 2010, Saskatchewan in 2009 (in light of the dramatic drop in potash production) and Ontario in 2009 and 2010 (a larger-than-expected decline in the second quarter of 2009 and slightly more subdued recovery in 2010).

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

Is it Time to Lock into Long term mortgage interest rates?

The question of whether to lock into the current low mortgage interest rates or continue to stay short term is a question that I often get asked.

The answer depends upon many factors including your ability to tolerate risk.

I've written many times in the past that the best route was to go short term on your mortgage, for at least the past 20 years or so. Mortgage rates are predicted to increase beginning about the middle of 2010 and some are predicting that the Bank of Canada will increase the prime rate by as much as 2.75% over the period from the middle of 2010 to the end of 2011 If this happens, then it's likely mortgage interest rates will also increase by about the same or even more than 3% over the same period.

This would indicate with almost certainty that you should lock into long term mortgages. BUT, this is not necessarily true. Read more at this link

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Lock-In-Short-Term-Long-Term-Mortgage.htm#update2009

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!
Mark

Wishing You and Yours a Merry Christmas!

Wishing You and Yours a Merry Christmas!

Memories of Days Gone By!

Coca Cola's Famous Santa
Drawn by Haddon Sundblom in 1949

All the Best!

Mark

RBC reports that the US economy has also turned the corner

Similar to Canada, RBC is now reporting that the US economy has turned the corner and is on the road of recovery, let's hope!
Mark

U.S. Economy Turns the Corner

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% annualized pace in the third quarter, marking the first increase in real GDP after a year of quarterly declines.

Some of the increase was directly attributable to the government’s Car Allowance Rebate System (also known as the cash for clunkers program), which bolstered spending on autos in the quarter.

The strong pace of auto purchases will likely not be sustained in upcoming quarters; however, retail activity continued to firm up in October and November, suggesting that consumers have come out of hiding.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

RBC reports Canada at the end of the great recession

RBC reports Canada at the end of the great recession

This is the latest from the RBC on our recession, or at least the end of it. This should come as good news. It's been about 14 months since our market entered the recession

The end of the great recession


Through the ups and downs in the economic numbers, one point is becoming increasingly clear — the great recession of 2008-2009 has come to an end. Most major economies we track have posted at least one positive quarterly growth rate with the lone holdout — the United Kingdom — posting another decline in the third quarter but on course to post a decent-sized gain in the final quarter.

However, the recovery so far has come in on the soft side as the unravelling of financial market leverage continues and economies grapple with high levels of unemployment. The enormous amount of stimulus coming from low interest rates and government spending will support an increase in momentum in 2010 but untillabour market conditions improve, central banks are likely to keep
conditions very accommodative.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2010 Calendar?

Costs for Real Estate License in Ontario

Often I receive emails from people who are thinking about obtaining their real estate license in Ontario. I've created some pages to help people with their decision.

I have a few sections on my website that will give details about licensure and the first section if about costs associated with getting your license, it's about the same anywhere in Ontario.

Start here and read through the 10 pages or so about the costs associated with obtaining your real estate license in Ontario:

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/costs-course-obtaining-my-real-estate-license-Ontario.htm

These are the courses required to obtain your real estate license in Ontario:

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/courses-required-to-get-real-estate-license-in-ontario.htm

These are the 7 Tips for long term success in the real estate business in Ontario

These are the Ten specific Tasks that leading real estate salespeople do to succeed in real estate

Once you have read through these pages, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Here is some information on motivation and universal success secrets

I wish you all the best in everything you do in life!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino, P.Eng., Broker
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Bus: 905-828-3434
email: mark@mississauga4sale.com
web: www.Mississauga4Sale.com

Fixtures and chattels Agreement of Purchase and Sale Residential Real Estate

This is another good real estate tip regarding fixtures and chattels for your agreement of purchase and sale.

Enjoy!

Mark

Traditionally buyers get five basic chattels and all the home fixtures when buying residential homes. Lately we have noticed a shift from this trend as sellers now either sell with less or sell with a different set from that with which they staged.

Accordingly we must now pay great attention to what is included or excluded in the chattels and fixtures on the agreement of purchase and sale.

When acting for either party, to ensure clarity of the agreement, it is prudent to not only exclude any fixtures that have been agreed to be excluded but to do so in as much detail as reasonably possible and to also include in as much detail as can be gathered the chattels that are included.

For example using Schedule A of the OREA form of Agreement of Purchase and Sale the chattels and fixtures clause would be phrased as follows:

“Chattels included: The refrigerator in the wet bar being a white Kenmore serial # ______________, the refrigerator in the kitchen being a black Frigidaire serial # ___________, the dishwasher in the kitchen being a black Whirlpool serial #______________, the washer and dryer in the laundry room being stacked white Kenmore series with serial #’s ____________ and _________ respectively and the stove in the kitchen being a black Kenmore serial #_____________.

Fixtures Excluded: the dining room chandelier described as a tear drops crystal glass design, the green Alde shrub outside the master bedroom window aged approximately ___________ , and the glass on the family room fire place”

At first glance this clause may appear overloaded with information but as staging is becoming more and more popular buyers are becoming more wary and prone to assume substations in agreed inclusions. This detailed description gives the buyer comfort that he/she got what was bargained for and the detailed exclusion ensures that the buyer is aware of fixtures that do not form part of the agreement.

Remember to reinforce the golden rule to both parties always:

Fixtures stay unless you exclude them and chattels go unless you include them!

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Facts about Dubai's debt problems

Dubai's debt
Here are some interesting facts on Dubai's debt

Property prices in Dubai are half of what they were a couple of years ago

Enjoy!
Mark

Ben Thompson, business reporter, DubaiFinancial markets and businesses are closed here for the Eid holiday - some suggest that's why the announcement was made when it was.

It's sparked real shock that things have come to this. Just 12 months ago, few could have believed the city would find itself asking for this lifeline.

It seems Dubai is now paying the price for living on borrowed money.Of course, everyone knew the boom couldn't last forever, but no-one expected it to collapse when, or as suddenly, as it did.

Property prices have more than halved over the past year and investors have fled.The official figure for Dubai's debt is $80bn, but talk to anyone here and the feeling is the figure is much higher. Unpaid bills, abandoned cars and empty buildings are all too obvious. Some analysts put the real figure at close to $160bn.

Wow!
Mark

3, 4, 5, 7 & 10 FIXED RATES HAVE DROPPED

Did you hear the news yet?

Residential Mortgage Rates have dropped!
Effective December 1, 2009^*

Term	6 Month	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year		5 Year		10 Year	Var Rate	Prime Rate
Posted Rates	5.10%	4.10%	4.25%	5.05%		5.85%		6.90%
Best Rates	4.59%	2.75%	3.05%	3.49%		3.99%		5.34%	2.15%	2.25%

GREAT NEWS!!

3, 4, 5, 7 & 10 FIXED RATES HAVE DROPPED

ALSO---VRM rate is now 2.15%...( P-.10% )

see the current rates:

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Rates-Current-Posted-Mortage-Interest-Rate.htm

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

GNOUI and GOLD on the world markets

This is interesting information on how your 5 or 10oz bars of gold compare
to the world markets
Enjoy!
Mark

GNOUI simply translates into:
Golden Nuggets Of Useless Information.

#1 For folks who might not know, all the gold that's ever been found would
fit into two Olympic-size swimming pools. Including the 200 M. Tonnes that
India bought, the purchase from Sri Lank and the $70 Millions or 2 M. Tonnes
that Mauritius bought last week. There is expected to be a fourth buyer this
week. It seems that the Central Banks are slowly converting back to the Gold
Standard.
Quote from Bill Fleckenstein / Today's Gold Market.

And that's sad. We think of having a couple of 5 or 10 oz. bars, some wafers
and maybe some gold coins, wherein, we actually have so little in comparison
to the total, that if we dropped it into the pile, no one would ever know.
Maybe Goldfinger was not so wrong after all.

.

Mississauga Residential Real Estate Tip

This is another residential real estate tip that I'm sure you will find interesting

Enjoy!
Mark


Most clients are not aware of the reach of the Planning Act and as sellers only find out when the realtor explains the effect of the Planning Act clause of the OREA agreement of purchase and sale to them.

The OREA form of agreement of purchase and sale contains a standard Planning Act clause that provides for the seller’s compliance with Planning Act control. What that clause omits is the need for the buyer to comply in order to complete the transaction.

The effect is that a buyer may contemplate the purchase of a property that will result in non-compliance on the part of the buyer without the buyer even realizing this at the time of executing the agreement of purchase and sale.

As the deal will not be conditional on the buyer complying with the Planning Act the question then becomes does the buyer close and breach Planning Act or does the buyer breach the agreement and refuse to close?

Neither of these answers is very favourable to the buyer. The best avenue would be for the buyer to spend the money, get an extension, where possible and necessary, cure the Planning Act issue, and then close the deal.

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid this contractual nightmare would be to amend the Planning Act clause of the OREA form agreement of purchase and sale to include the words “or Buyer, where applicable”, everywhere Seller appears.

I hope you find our hints helpful!

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
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Residential Real Estate Tips

Hello

This is another great tip that I thought you may be interested in reading about

Enjoy!

Mark

In residential real estate matters we often find the sellers having to deal with buyers who enter into an offer and use the conditional clauses to back out even where the buyer never sought to fulfill the condition.

This of course leads to delay in the seller’s ability to dispose of the property and may cause the seller some monetary loss.

One way to avoid this scenario is to phrase the conditions in such a way that the buyer needs to show evidence of the non-fulfillment of the condition or waiver of same by a certain date otherwise the agreement will be considered firm and binding as of that date.

Needless to say buyers will not be happy with such clauses but at least the seller can then decide if he/she/they would risk the deal by insisting on that wording.

I hope you find our hints helpful!

from Burhana Bello-Ayorinde

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?


• Power of Sales and Foreclosures


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• See seasonal housing patterns


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Warning: Credit / Debit Cards

T his is an email that I received, another one of those 'read it or lose' emails where they attempt to scare you into believing things that are not necessarily true. I don't understand why people continue to propogate these types of emails, but sometimes they are very helpful and for the most part they are fun and some are just outright baloney.

This one is not bad.

enjoy!

Mark


Be sure to read Scene 3
Quite interesting.

SCENE 1.
This is a new one. ?

People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they?

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.
After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, 'Funny, I thought I locked the locker. ?



Hmm, ?'He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.

Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.

A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!


He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions.

Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system
and asked if his card had been stolen. ?


'No,' he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. ?

An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.

The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.


Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them.

How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?



$9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped?



Small amounts rarely trigger a 'warning bell' with some credit card companies.

It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!




SCENE 2.

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.


The bill for the meal came, he signed it,and the waitress folded the receipt
and passed the credit card along.

Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. ?Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and
behold, it was the expired card of another person.


He called the waitress and she looked perplexed.


She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man.

All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card.

No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict:

Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours.


Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time.

Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, 'assuming' that it has to be theirs.



FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!

SCENE 3:



Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in.


I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly ?
to my checking account.

The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on
the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure.


While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.

I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. ?Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a
picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on.


It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.

He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open.

About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.

Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card.

Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be
careless.



Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card.

Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days.

FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN THINK OF. LET'S GET THE WORD OUT! JUST BE AWARE
Never let your card out of your sight.....check and check again!


My comments are:

these are possible, but not really probably

number one is crock, if you didn't sign the charge, then you don't have to pay for it, ever

you will never be billed or lose money beause of credit card fraud

it's the credit card companies that are spreading this shit around trying to scare everyone into taking good care of their cards so the credit card companies do not lose more money

DEBIT CARDS are a different story, it's a very long and drawn out process to get your bank to put money back into your account after a fraud, guard your PIN with your life, it's the key to everything, a lousy 4 digits!

Interesting perpestive on the stock market

I have a friend who is seriously involved with the stock market and analysis of the economy. He sent me the following analysis, what do you think?

Thanks

Mark

Dear Mark

Additional info:
Remember when you bought stocks, oil and gold in
December 2008 - you shorted US$.
Now it's going the other way.
There is no other way.
US$ down everything up,
US$ up everything down.
However, since China will not allow the US to destroy the US$ (as they spend to oblivion)
the yuan is pegged to the US$ - unchanged for years
(since China announced they were getting out of US$ -
September 2007) - but they did the opposite.
That was the day C$ hit US$1.1.

You will notice that the whole market did not bottom until
March 9, 2009 when the C$ also bottomed,
but gold bottomed first in December.
Conversely, the top for the market was in September 2007 (when C$ hit US$1.1).
Same thing happened in 1999-2000.
Gold bottomed after September 2001 -
when they cut interest rates.
Just like the 1970s.
Not to mention 1930s.
Now interest rates are at 0% - just like Japan since 1991.
But, mortgage rates did go up.

"Investors" have a short memory.

The economy is not gettting better (affecting politics!):
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6902932.ece


Based on the charts for currencies (US$/C$/Euro/Sfr/yuan/Ruble),
gold, oil, real estate, technology, financials,
This recession will last forever,
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/bonner/bonner101209.html

which DOES NOT mean you cannot make money in the stock market -
you just have to be patient and disciplined
and you need to understand what you are doing.


Do you actually know what mutual funds hold?
I bet even the conservative ones hold stocks
(to boost returns).
Notice how financial experts, analysts, stockbrokers, politicians...
always buy - almost nobody sells!
Good luck.

National Housing Outlook In Detail

This is another in a series of articles from CMHC talking about the country and the housing outlook

National Housing Outlook In Detail

While activity has picked-up in recent months, when compared to low levels in the first half of 2009, housing starts will still decrease to 141,900 units this year compared to 211,056 in 2008.

Housing starts will increase to 164,900 in 2010 as the economy strengthens. Given the degree of economic uncertainty, we have considered an array of economic
scenarios to generate a range for the housing outlook in 2009 and 2010.

Accordingly, we expect starts to be between 138,000 and 146,000 units in 2009 and between 135,000 and 190,000 units in 2010.

Housing starts were down in most provinces in the first half of 2009, however, activity is beginning to rebound and will continue to do so in the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.

Nevertheless, housing starts are forecast to decline in all ten provinces in 2009. Moving forward to 2010, growth will turn positive in nearly all provinces, with Western Canada leading the way.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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Oprah Winfrey TV show to end September 9th, 2011

Oprah Winfrey show to end September 9th, 2011

After many years on TV Oprah is finally ending her TV show and moving on
with things in her life. She is one of the wealthiest people on the planet,
good for her, time to spend with her family and friends and spreading the
wealth!
Oprah Winfrey will end her show after its 25th season wraps in 2011,
according to publicists for her production company, Harpo.

This confirmation comes after speculation that Winfrey could be moving the
popular syndicated talk show, which currently films in Chicago, to her new
cable network, OWN, which is based in Los Angeles.

Sources tell msnbc.com that Winfrey will host a new daily talk show on OWN,
and will also host specials for the network.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34050109/ns/entertainment-television/

Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Oprah Winfrey will announce the end of her syndicated
talk show on tomorrow's broadcast as she plans to start a cable channel with
Discovery Communications Inc.

The television host will provide further details about her plans tomorrow,
Don Halcombe, a spokesman for Winfrey's Chicago- based Harpo Inc. production
company, said today in an interview.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show," syndicated by CBS Corp., helped make the
55-year-old entertainer one of the richest Americans, with a net worth of
$2.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine. It spawned an empire that
includes a magazine as well as film and television production. Winfrey
formed a venture in January 2008 to convert Discovery Health into the Oprah
Winfrey Network.

"We have the greatest respect for Oprah and wish her nothing but the best in
her future endeavors," New York-based CBS said in an e-mailed statement. "We
look forward to working with her for the next several years."

WABC in Chicago reported the story earlier. The last show will be in
September 2011, Tim Bennett, president of Harpo, said in a letter to
stations that carry the program.

Oprah's talk show began airing in 1986, according to the Internet Movie
Database.

CBS, owner of the most-watched U.S. broadcast network, fell 42 cents to
$13.31 today in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have
gained 63 percent this year.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

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CMHC predictions on Mortgage Rates, Employment, Income, Net Migration, Natural Population Increase, Resale Market and Vacancy Rates

How do these 6 important key indicators affect our economy and what does CMHC predict for each of the next year, very interesting reading!

Mark

1. Mortgage Rates
2. Employment Income
3. Net Migration
4. Natural Population Increase
5. Resale Market
6. Vacancy Rates

Movements in mortgage rates are difficult to predict due to uncertain economic conditions. Nevertheless, rates are expected to remain steady this year and gradually rise over the course of 2010. Mortgage rates will remain very low in a historical context.

Due to the economic downturn of 2009, employment is expected to decrease this year. However, 2010 should see economic conditions improve, which will help employment turn back up in 2010.

Over the past few years, tight labour markets have put strong upward pressure on personal income growth. For 2009, softer labour markets will cause growth in wages and incomes to moderate. In 2010, income growth will strengthen, along with economic activity.

Net migration is forecast to decrease from record levels in 2008, but will remain relatively high. An improving job market will favour an increase in net migration for 2010.

The low birth rate is the major factor in the slowing of growth in the natural population (births minus deaths). This will lessen the demand for additional housing stock in the medium and longer term.

Sales on the existing home market have rebounded in 2009, which has caused markets to move from buyers’ to sellers’ conditions. While MLS® sales are expected to moderate from the near-record levels of the second and third quarters of 2009, sellers’ markets conditions will put upward pressure on house prices in 2009 and 2010.

Increased competition from the condo market and modest rental construction will be partly offset by rental demand. As a result, vacancy rates across

Canada’s metropolitan centres will remain relatively stable this year and next.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
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CMHC's predictions on mortgage rates

This is CMHC's prediction on mortgage rates in 2010

Trends Impacting Housing

Mortgage Rates

The Bank of Canada cut the Target for the Overnight Rate in the early months of 2009. The rate was 1.50 per cent at the start of 2009 and has since fallen to 0.25 per cent. The Bank has committed to keeping this rate at 0.25 per cent through the middle of 2010, unless inflationary pressures warrant an increase.

Mortgage rates have fallen over the course of 2009, but are now expected to remain relatively stable for the rest of the year.

Posted mortgage rates will gradually increase through 2010, but will do so at a slow pace.

For 2010, the one-year posted mortgage rate will be in the 3.50-4.25 per cent range, while three and five-year posted mortgage rates are forecast to be in the 4.50-6.00 per cent range.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
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Housing market indicators in the Toronto and GTA marketplace

The chart below shows you how the housing market is progressing compared to
the same month last year.

You can see that real estate sales are up about 64%, the number of active
listings is down significantly by about 46% and this is part of the reason
why our market is so 'hot' and prices are rising.

All of the above results in the days on the market decreasing by about 30%
from the same month last year, this is why we say the market is so 'fast'
right now.

All the best!
Mark

CREA and Competition Commissioner decision

Below is an email that we just received regarding the recent conclusions that the Commissioner of Competition in Canada released. In a nutshell, the commission concluded, among other items, that CREA and local boards must open their boards up to private listings for sale.

To say the above conclusions have created a "flashpoint" would be an understatement.

At any rate, here is our RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic VP and Regional Directors response on the matter below. It's the most clear and succinct information I've seen on this issue to date.

Enjoy!

Mark

To: RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Broker/Owners, Managers & Sales Associates:


I write to you today in response to various media reports that have transpired over the last week with respect to the inquiry by the Commissioner of Competition. Understandably there is some unrest and definitely many questions throughout our network with respect to whether this will affect our current business model and practices.

All that RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic knows about the issue between CREA and the Competition Bureau is what has been reported in the media and minor clarifications that have been made thereto.

It is our understanding that CREA has not made a decision yet as to how they will proceed as they are still waiting to receive further clarification on what exactly the proposed changes will entail.

We are actively monitoring the situation to determine what any actual change will be. So far this is what we have been able to determine.

CREA has been in communication with the Competition Bureau regarding the inquiry by the Commissioner of Competition into certain practices in the residential real estate brokerage industry in Canada. The Bureau has recently informed CREA of the Commissioner's conclusions.

1. CREA does not agree with the Commissioner's conclusions. CREA believes that the Bureau's concerns are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the way in which the rules of the MLS® system operate.
   
2. CREA has always indicated its desire to be responsive to concerns expressed by the Competition Bureau and to engage in productive dialogue with the Bureau. Although CREA believes that the Bureau's concerns about the MLS® rules the Bureau is focusing on are unfounded, it is evident that these concerns have become a flashpoint for the Bureau.
   
   
3. The Board of Directors of CREA has determined that it will pursue a consensual resolution with the Bureau, subject to member support. It is my understanding that discussions are ongoing and that it is CREA's intention to inform its members and stake holders of any proposed solution and seek member support before agreeing to any settlement.

Please note a decision has not been made and it is business as usual.

Sincerely,

Michael Polzler
Executive Vice President and Regional Director
RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc.

Number of Active listings is down

The fact that the Number of Active listings is down puts pressure on the market and prices strictly from a supply and demand point of view, less listings, more interest and prices go up. This is what we have experienced in the past few months. Notice the number of active listings was high from about October 2008 to March 2009 and we did experience a softening of prices during the same period.


Thanks!


Mark

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?


• Power of Sales and Foreclosures


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Financial markets and the possibility of a crash! Series

Fourth in a series of articles about our financial markets here in Canada



...of this past "crash".There were bailouts, injections of large amounts of cash, by both Banks and private individuals.Interestingly enough, there was no Government intervention. The Fed's felt that the prevailing markets could best be served if left to their own devices.

Although many felt that this was the cause of the Great Depression, noted economists, both today and then,state that this may just have been a contributing factor, however, all agree it was not the cause.
Seems just like today, except the Government did the bailouts.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
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Financial markets and the possibility of a crash! Series 3

Third in a series of articles about our financial markets

Quite probably, also as was the term Credit Crunch which was liberally used.And we think we invented everything.

Oddly enough, there were many rich investors on a ship on which J.P. Morgan had an office onboard, with a wireless connection to their NY office.

These investors who held huge positions on margin, when they left Southampton were rich, however when they arrived in NY they were wiped out,although they had been trying to sell all the way on their return voyage home.

Many of these people lost as much as $20 Millions each and one of the investors in NY offered and finally did put up $25 Millions of his own Capital, only to lose it.

Being somewhat entrepreneurial, he had saved some cash and bought back the $250.00 shares for 20 -30 CENTS EACH and held onto them.

His son was interviewed from his Long Island home a few weeks ago. Apparently, they have kept the fathers spoils of war, as they are not living in abject poverty.

The moral of the story could be: Hold Nortel and Bre-x, they just may come back

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Financial markets and the possibility of a crash! Series 2

Second in a set about the financial markets in Canada

Depression was a result of many factors.In that the Market had crashed, the companies who used to be traded, had now shares that had no monetary value ( read Nortel ).

In that the Banks had no faith in these companies, because they had nothing that would show a positive collateral value, they could not raise funds to operate.

The words "Credit Crunch" were used liberally on the old film clips. Additionally, as these companies also had no ability to produce product, their markets shrank or actually disappeared completely. This gave rise to a continuum of layoffs and plant closures.At that point in time, the general public lost faith and just stopped buying anything except necessities.

Additionally, at that time, Credit was becoming a household word, people had borrowed money to get into the "can't lose Stock Market" and now could not pay it back. This resulted in multiple foreclosures, no building, no buying.

The rest is History, save and except a few enterprising people who had stayed out of the Market and were Cash rich.

They went out, cash in hand and bought up any Real Estate that had a potential for recovery and also expensive Automobiles that they put away and sold at huge profits when the Economy returned to normal.

All too familiar....No?

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Financial markets and the possibility of a crash! Series 1

This is a very good series of articles and this is the first of a series

of this past "crash".There were bailouts, injections of large amounts of cash, by both Banks and private individuals.Interestingly enough, there was no Government intervention.

The Fed's felt that the prevailing markets could best be served if left to their own devices.

Although many felt that this was the cause of the Great Depression, noted economists, both today and then,state that this may just have been a contributing factor, however, all agree it was not the cause.

Seems just like today, except the Government did the bailouts.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Financial Markets in Canada

What is the outlook for the financial markets in Canada?

This is a question that has been asked many times over in the past.

Here are some thoughts, Enjoy!

Mark

Our morning rant about the economy and it's possible demise. Again!!

Employment numbers are up as of this morning.

RE is up yet again, both in sales and avg. values.

The Cdn. Dollar is headed back to parity. Oh well, never mind that I bought a bunch of USD before it went to $1.05 now it's about $104.4

Gold is still on the upswing at $1096

Silver at $18.45

All these are out of sync.

When the dollar goes one way, metals usually go the other.

W hat is going on?. This is either a mirage which will disappear soon or is it really possible that real recovery is in progress.

Now the Prophet of Doom speaks....SELL, The end is nigh !!.

Hope you can answer any of this, because I sure cannot.

If you can make heads or tails of the markets, let me know your secret!
Mark

Why dogs do not like Halloween.......

Why dogs do not like Halloween.......

I posted this on my blog because this is just 'too funny'

If you have any other photos of dogs or pets in funny Halloween costumes, please post them here or send me the picture in an email and I'll post it on my blog.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Mark

I've added a few more that people have just sent me!

What is best? The stock market versus real estate investing

Hello,

The bull market has been running up the high Dow Jones and TSX and other markets for some time now and many people feel they need some pessimism in order to cool it down a little since the rise in the markets was too high and over a short period of time too fast for most of the market to absorb the huge influx of money.

Maybe it's time to sell your stocks or mutual funds and sit on the sidelines for a while.

Only time will tell.

I continue to feel that real estate is a very good long term leveraged investment, tenant pays off the property, you get a tax write off.

Here is a good "real life" example of how you can be financially secure when you are 60 years old.

Imagine you bought just one townhouse investment property when you were 40 years old for $250,000

You put $25,000 downpayment and your mortgage and tax payments were $1500 per month for 20 years and the rent payments were $1400 per month for 20 years

It may cost you $100 per month out of your pocket plus another $100 per month for regular maintenance and incidentals, thus $200 per month or $2400 per year but you got $1000 of that back on your taxes so it really cost you $1400 per year or $28,000 over the 20 years and ...

Imagine you are now 60 years old and you say, honey, we need some money to travel and buy things for our children and ourselves and enjoy life since we are now 60 and you sell that investment property for at the least $300,000

Your adjusted cost base, (your total cost of your investment property) is initial cost plus additions which is about $284,000 (250000+28000+4000 land transfer tax and legal fees to buy and sell it) less costs when you sell equals a capital gain of $16000 which you would pay about $2000 income tax so now you have $288,000 EXTRA cash to spend on you and your family for 20 years of owning that investment property, piece of cake!

This is assuming that the property value increases only 20% over 20 years. If history repeats itself, then the property should at least double if not triple in value in 20 years, but let's be super-conservative with our estimates and say it doubles, even with capital gains tax on half the profit you would still end up with about $455,000 (250000+250000 less about $45000 capital gains tax)

Now, and here is the kicker, if you bought two properties at 40 and did the same thing you would end up with $910,000 in your bank account at age 60

Almost $1MILLION

It does not matter how much inflation we have over the period from now until 20 years from now, $910,000 in your bank account is still almost a million dollars no matter how you look at it

If I had $910,000 today versus $910,000 back in 1989 I would still have a heck of a pile of money and freedom to do the things I want to do, inflation or not.

1989 was not that long ago, so 2029 is not as far in the future as it seems, it will be here for you sooner than you think and if you don't start doing something about it now, you won't have the $910,000 in your bank account or anything for that matter in 20 years from now

You must take some action, get off your butt and do something about it today. Beg or borrow that $25,000 today, buy that townhouse today for $250,000 and sit on it for a measly 20 years, only 240 months and you are done. If you can do it and surely if you can purchase two investment properties now, you'll be set for the balance of your life

I'll even make it easier for you, buy one or two properties as I have outlined above and then let me manage them for you for a small fee and you can literally sit back and enjoy the benefits of your long term investment without lifting a finger for the next 20 years. Want to know more about property management?

Sound like a plan for you? Then let's just do it!

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/property_management.htm

I wish you All the Best to you and your family!
Mark

Mississauga and latest Prime rate and five year fixed rates currently 3.68%

This is another great article about the current mortgage interest rates and
why they are at current levels and what the future holds.
Enjoy,
Mark

Good afternoon,

As expected, the Bank of Canada kept their overnight rate unchanged at 0.25%
(meaning the prime lending rate remains unchanged at 2.25%). With the
economy starting to show some signs of recovery and with the real estate
market as strong as it is, the Bank of Canada would have likely raised the
rate this morning if it were not for our strong Canadian dollar.

Raising mortgage interest rates would send our dollar higher, therefore
doing damage to our economy. As long as the Canadian dollar remains high,
we can expect the prime rate to stay fairly low and there is some
speculation now that the prime rate may be left unchanged beyond the BOC's
commitment to hold it to mid 2010.

With most major lenders pumping their 5 year fixed mortgage rates up by as
much as 35 basis points last week, there are still many rate deals available
for your clients. It still amazes me just how many homebuyers go to their
bank and accept whatever rate they are quoted without actually taking a look
at other options that could save them thousands of dollars. For example,
most banks are offering a 'discounted' 5 year fixed rate of around 4.35%.
With a mortgage amount of $300,000 and an amortization of 35 years, the
monthly payment would be $1,384.88 at 4.35% Let's now compare this with
the lowest available market rate for a five year fixed, which is 3.68%.
For the exact same mortgage amount, your monthly payments would only be
$1,266.45 saving the client $118.43 per month or a whopping $7,105.80 over
the 5 year term! Now, this 3.68% rate is for closings within 30 days
only, and comes with limited prepayment privileges of 5% per year, so it may
not be for everyone, however over 90% of homeowners never take advantage of
their prepayment options anyway. With a 5% prepayment privilege, they can
still pay up to $15,000 toward their mortgage without penalty using the
above example, so does it really make sense for you to PAY just to have the
OPTION to pay up to $60,000 more per year towards their mortgage? While
some people may have that kind of disposable income to throw around, I would
say that most don't.

Today's lowest mortgage rates:

1 year 3.68
2 year 3.20
3 year 3.50
4 year 3.85
5 year 3.68 (quick close, no frills)
5 year 3.84 (full prepayment options, 90 day close)

5 year ARM 2.15 (prime -0.10)
I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

Read more about:
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-Sales-Bank-Sales-Alert-Request.htm>
Homes for Sale

* Interest <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/rates.htm> Rates

* Power of Sale Properties
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-Sales-Bank-Sales-Alert-Request.htm>

* Price <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm> Trends

* or Search the MLS
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mls-ca-real-estate-mississauga.htm> and
more at my website

Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you
with please don't hesitate to contact me,

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/selling-process.htm> Thinking of Selling?
Best Mortgage Rates
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mortgage-rates-mark.htm> Current Home
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm> Prices Search MLS
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mls-ca-real-estate-mississauga.htm>
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
* BUS 905-828-3434
*mark@mississauga4sale.com
* Website : <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/index.htm>
Mississauga4Sale.com

* Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a
Complimentary <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm> &
Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?

* On-Line <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm> Real
Estate Newsletter sign up

* See seasonal housing patterns
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBavg1995date.htm>

<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-of-Sale-Bank-Foreclosure.htm> Homes
for Sale

RBC comments on the economy

This is the latest report from RBC on the state of the economy

Enjoy!
Mark

ECONOMICS DIGEST

October 2009

Economy flatlines in July

GDP output stalled in July, disappointing forecasts for a 0.5% monthly increase. However, despite July's disappointing result, the spurt in manufacturing sales will likely be sufficient to see Canada's economy record a modest increase

in the third quarter.

Strong job gains and a fall in the unemployment rate in September indicate improvement in labour market conditions and support our view that the economy is emerging from recession.

Retail sales disappointed in July, falling 0.6% after a 1.1% rise in both May and June, but the healthy retail sales gains in May and June represented a sharp turnaround from the lacklustre sales from February to April and resulted in sales

being up 2% at an annualized rate at the start of the third quarter.

Housing starts were stronger than expected in September at an annualized 150,100 (market expectations 148,000). Although this was a 4.6% decline from 157,300 in August, housing starts are still up from a recent trough in April of 118,500.

The merchandise trade balance for August deteriorated to C$2 billion from a C$1.3 billion deficit in July. Upward pressure on imports and downward pressure on exports will likely result in net trade acting as a drag on economic growth through next year.

The headline CPI was flat in August and the year-over-year rate stayed in deflationary territory, rounding out three months of negative prints. The Bank of Canada’s core measure, which is reflection of underlying price pressures, continued to trend down and, at 1.6% year-over-year, was the lowest since July 2008.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Downsizing: The Rising Wave in Real Estate

I received this email today and thought I would share some of the thoughts that people have with regards to our local real estate market, the real estate market in Canada and what is happening with the 'baby boomers' in the next decade. It's an interesting set of statistics.

I love the bottom of their email where they talk about the 10 reasons to downsize, I think that 8 of the 10 reasons are either true or apply in my case, but I'm not going anywhere yet! It's a little doom and gloom, Garth Turner like, but interesting perspective and thought I would share it with you.

Enjoy!

Mark

Did you know?

• 22% of Canadians expect their home to be a primary source of retirement income
• 31% of home sales in Canada this past summer were attributable to downsizing
• 60% of Baby Boomers expect to downsize in the next 10 years

Downsizing is a significant and growing segment of the real estate market.

As homeowners approach or enter retirement many of them need to capture the equity value of their family home. These homeowners face a growing risk of seeing their value decline in the coming years as:

• interest rates rise
• the number of family home buyers decreases
• the number of family home sellers increases

Here are some of the areas covered:

• Home prices in the GTA - history, trends, predictions
• Demographic trends and their impact
• Affordability - history, trends, predictions
• Downsizing Case Studies
• The Keys to Retirement Income - Security, Potential, Flexibility

TOP TEN REASONS TO DOWNSIZE IN THE NEXT YEAR

10. There are rooms in your home that you haven’t been in for more than a year

9. Home prices are good now but will likely decline when interest rates rise

8. You can't remember what’s in the boxes in the basement/garage

7. Affordability has never been better and there are a lot of potential buyers out there

6. You are paying to heat/cool/clean at least twice the space you actually need

5. Home prices have risen for 13 consecutive years ... is it time to lock up your gains?

4. Your home equity can earn Guaranteed Income Growth of 7% each year before retirement including 2009!

3. It took more than 12 years for home prices to recover after the last "peak" in 1989

2. The home equity you free up can generate Guaranteed Income for Life with upside potential

And the #1 Reason to Downsize in the next year:

Your “30 something” kids won’t be able to move back in with you!

Dow Jones Closed at highest level in a year

Dow Jones closed highest in a year!
Things are looking up!

GTA "Hot" housing market expected to cool by November

This is an interesting perspective. Our local GTA marketplace is very hot right now, not too many listings on the market compared to previous months.

Below is an article summing up our real estate market that I thought was definitely worth passing along:

Hot housing market expected to cool by November

Reuters
TORONTO -- Low financing costs and pent-up demand helped restore Canadian existing home sales to pre-recession levels, but the red-hot pace will likely peter out before the year is out, a report showed on Wednesday.

The Bank of Canada lowered rates to an all-time low with an aim to cushion the Canadian economy from external shocks. Instead, this aggressive easing has "proved to be more of a trampoline for resale housing markets," Toronto-Dominion Bank economist Pascal Gauthier said.

As of August, 50-60% of pent-up demand has been absorbed, and if the current pace persists, the demand will dry up by November, TD estimated in its Resale Housing Market Outlook. A sharp shift in consumer confidence has contributed to the rebound, combining with low and favourable interest rates that made home ownership affordable for many Canadians.

Between 45,000 and 53,000 potential sales late last year failed to materialize because consumer confidence froze up during the worst of the global financial crisis, TD estimated.

No other Canadian economic indicator in the past few months has recovered as strongly, and in fact, home sales have now exceeded pre-recession levels and matched the lofty volumes of 2007, TD said.

"After plummeting by nearly a third in the second half of last year, the seasonally-adjusted level of sales had climbed back by 61% as of August," the report said.

Overall, TD estimates national existing home sales will rise 2.4% to 445,000 units in 2009 from a year earlier, with the average price climbing 2.1% to $310,000. In 2010, sales are seen rising 2.2% to 455,000 units, while prices jump 5%. But in 2011, TD projects eroding affordability will dampen sales but the average price will still add a modest 2%.

TD also looked at nine Canadian cities and their prospects for existing home sales. All cities coast-to-coast were forecast to show gains from this year to 2010, but then retreat the following year.

On Tuesday, TD released a report that suggested the Bank of Canada could raise interest rates sooner and more aggressively than forecast if real estate strength did not cool.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Which is better for you - Fixed versus variable rate mortgages?

The graph below shows the fixed versus variable rate differences for the past 25 years. You will note that the variable rate is often lower than the fixed rate. This implies that in the long run, you may be better off going with a variable rate mortgage as opposed to a fixed rate mortgage.

I've written about the benefits and risk associated with this decision on my website: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Lock-In-Short-Term-Long-Term-Mortgage.htm

September 09 has been kind to most....a welcome relief from last year's fears. Thankfully - the financial markets are improving and confidence is growing.

Mortgage interest rates are low, lenders are competing for business, and we've seen slight decreases in both fixed and variable rates.

I am often asked for historical mortgage interest rate data. The graph below is for data from January 1985 for both fixed and variable rates.

In reviewing the graph you will immediately see how expensive rates were back in the mid 80's compared to today

It's great to be able to obtain the current rates.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thank you again for contacting me and I will do my best to help you with your real estate needs,

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?


• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up


• See seasonal housing patterns


• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

REMAX reports residential real estate is now in recovery mode

This is what REMAX Ontario Atlantic reported about the real estate market in Ontario and Canada, all good news!
Mark

Mississauga, ON. (July 13, 2009) - Pent-up demand for residential housing has bolstered sales in Canada's major markets-a clear signal that the housing sector has shifted into recovery mode, says RE/MAX.

More balanced market conditions have emerged, effectively ending the stronghold that buyers had on the market over the past six to eight months. Canada's largest markets, Toronto and Vancouver, led the charge-with June sales among the highest in history for both local real estate boards. Close to 11,000 properties changed hands in Toronto, up 27 per cent over one year ago, setting a new record for sales in the month of June. The figure was just slightly off the all-time peak of 11,146 units. Residential sales in Greater Vancouver increased 75.6 per cent over one year ago, to 4,259 units, just short of the record breaking 4,333 sales, which occurred in June 2005. Overall, major markets began to recover in March, posting escalating sales in April, May and June. The impetus is expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2009, with most centres now forecasting year-end sales on par or ahead of 2008 levels.

"The strength of the market, amid the most significant global recession in recent history once again underscores its relevance to the nation's economic engine," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. Canadians believe in homeownership -- a fact best illustrated by the purchasers who ventured forward in recent months and snapped up some of the best real estate deals this market has seen in years. Those who chose to sit it out on the sidelines are now facing a market in transition, characterized by the threat of rising interest rates, low inventory levels, and upward pressure on housing values."

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

RBC reports on Toronto market has showng improvement

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/selling-process.htm> Thinking of Selling?
Best Mortgage Rates
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mortgage-rates-mark.htm> Current Home
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm> Prices Search MLS
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mls-ca-real-estate-mississauga.htm>
Newsletter
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/newsletter/latest_newsletter.htm>
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
* BUS 905-828-3434
* FAX 905-828-2829 *CELL 416-520-1577
* E-MAIL <mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga Real Estate
Information Request> : mark@mississauga4sale.com
<mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga Real Estate
Information Request>
Website <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/index.htm> :
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/index.htm> Mississauga4Sale.com

* Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you
like a Complimentary
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm> & Quick
Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-Sales-Bank-Sales-Alert-Request.htm>
* If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate
newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm> Real Estate Newsletter
sign up
* See seasonal housing patterns
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBavg1995date.htm>
* Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm> ?

Toronto - Market rally brings relief

With further sizable declines in the first quarter - ranging from 3.9 to 7.0
percentage

points - RBC's affordability measures for the Toronto area have now been
restored

to historical averages for all housing types. This has opened the door more
widely

to new buyers and set the stage for a resale market rally this spring.
Following a

worrisome drop to a 10-year low during the fall and early winter, resale
activity has

since bounced back vigorously and even slightly exceeded the year-earlier
pace in

May for the first time since the end of 2007. Further, there has also been
evidence

recently that prices are moving up again. While it is still too early to
wave the "all

clear" sign - economic uncertainty has yet to dissipate in the region - it
appears

that Toronto's housing market is averting the painful crash scenarios that
some

had feared.

Happy Birthday Canada!

Today is Canada's Birthday celebrating 142 years since Confederation.

I have a client from Buffalo who is an American and they sent me a Happy Birthday note along with an image, showing that how close we are as countries.

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Power of Sales and Bank Foreclosure Question

I had a question from a reader and thought I would share my answer:

Question: My understanding is that the bank must list the property for what is owed,
including any seconds and thirds. Is this true?

Answer: The mortgagee processing the POS is under no obligation and owes no duty to
subsequent mortgagees. This is why you will occasionally see a 2nd or 3rd
mortgagee bring the first mortgage into good standing and stall or stop the
POS to protect their interests.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/selling-process.htm> Thinking of Selling?
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The Power of Persistence as learned from Rocky Balboa

I thought that this was pretty good advice so I will share it with you. Although Rocky is a little corny, there were some great scenes and lines from the movie that have to motivate you. Geez, I remember jogging all around the McMaster campus after Rocky was released with grey sweats and a white towel stuffed into the collar, just like Rocky! LOL

Enjoy

Mark

This was passed along to me this morning

After years of extensive study into the key determining success factors of self made millionaires, Brian Tracy concluded that amongst the most important were the twin characteristics of persistence and determination.He quotes, “Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel. The quality of persistence is the absolutely indispensable quality that goes hand in hand with all great success in life. The courage to persist in the face of adversity and disappointment is the one quality that more than anything, will guarantee your success.”

As we all know, the one thing that is inevitable in our lives is the recurring crisis. If you are living a busy life, it is highly likely you will have a crisis of some kind every few months. In between these unavoidable crises will be a continuous succession of problems and difficulties. And the more things that you attempt, the bigger your goals, the more determined you are to become successful in your life the more problems and crises you will experience.

The good news however is that you can control is how you respond to those difficulties and setbacks, and your greatest personal asset can be your willingness to stay at it longer than anyone else.

Now although it is easy to grasp this intellectually, and rationally, it is another thing altogether to live this mantra or creed on an emotional level, when we are in the midst of crisis, or when we feel at our most vulnerable. This is where it can be useful to have an analogy to draw on - something which inspires and motivates us in times of difficulty.

Perhaps one of the best and most stirring analogies I have seen In this context comes from the 2006 movie, Rocky Balboa starring Sylvester Stallone. In one particular scene he is dispensing the above advice to his son, only in his own inimitable style of course! He says,

“Then the time came for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for someone to blame.”

“Let me tell you something you already know; the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.”

“But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward - how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! You gotta be willing to take the hits and not point fingers, saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that, and that’s not you!”

Click on the link to watch this scene from the film…

click here

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
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REMAX Ontario Atlantic reports on the New Reality for real estate agents and the real estate market

This article is published by RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic by the regional director of our area. It's an interesting perspective on what our housing market is currently doing and what is predicted for the short term and what us real estate agents need to do to survive in this business. It's somewhat of a refresher, but I've always been positive on the real estate market here in the GTA and blogged in January that January of 2009 was the bottom of the market ... and it turns out that it was!

Real estate - The new market reality

As stability returns to residential real estate markets across the country, realtors and their customers are breathing a sigh of relief. The carnage south of the border has failed to materialize in Canada and all indicators - economic and otherwise -- point to a housing market on the upswing.

These have been trying times for our industry. Realtors that bought into the negativity in the marketplace from September 2008 to March 2009 now find themselves in a precarious position. No listings, no clients, no money. The 'paralysis by analysis' approach of letting fear limit progress has few benefits.

Those that stayed the course over the period-pressing forward despite obvious challenges, adjusting to conditions, employing new strategies, creating solid business plans, farming entire neighbourhoods, and aggressively listing properties--are now ideally positioned. Realtors, who stepped up, instead of standing back, are now reaping the rewards.

The same held true for purchasers. Buyers who moved in the midst of uncertainty, ignoring warnings from doom and gloom forecasters, economists and naysayers, snapped up some of the best real estate deals this market has seen in years. By contrast, those who panicked and chose to sit it out on the sidelines are now facing rising interest rates and-in some markets-limited inventory levels.

With national resale housing market activity returning to pre-recession levels in May, it would seem that we've come through the worst of the financial meltdown, with the real estate correction nearing an end. The number of positive indicators is very encouraging. However, recovery is still underway, and there may still be some bumps along the road.

Nevertheless, the buoyancy in the marketplace took economists by surprise. Just over half of all major markets reported an increase in unit sales in May over year-ago levels.

Consumer confidence continues to strengthen across the board. While the summer months are approaching, it is important to remember that there is still much work to be done. This is not the time to take your eye off the ball.

Ours is a market-a business-that must, by necessity, continually evolve. We know by experience that the real estate climate can change quickly, as evidenced by events such as 9-11 and the current financial crisis.

However, a smart realtor is one that is always prepared-never taking a good market for granted, always employing strong business fundamentals to ensure that, while markets may suffer, his/her career will not. To that end, going forward, we may all have to go a bit further, work a bit harder, and persevere to maintain a competitive edge. While some may view this a time to survive, there's no question that, for those who are savvy, it can very well be a time to thrive.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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Latest Mortgage Interest Rates in Mississauga and Toronto

These are the latest mortgage interest rates that are posted and attainable

Have a great weekend!
Mark

TERM	POSTED	Attainable RATES*
6 Month	4.60%	3.75%
1 Year	3.75%	2.75%
2 Year	4.05%	3.05%
3 Year	4.65%	3.55%
4 Year	5.14%	4.09%
5 Year	5.85%	4.32%
7 Year	6.80%	5.25%
10 Year	6.90%	5.35%
Variable Rate		2.65%
Prime Rate		2.25%

* Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice OAC.
Rates Last Updated: Thursday, June 18, 2009

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Motivational quotes for real estate agents and everyone!

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Motivation-Success-Ten-Scrolls.htm

This article came from some of my internet reading, and I have changed it a little, cannot even recall from where, but I’ve put it into my blackberry and have it remind me once a month that this is the way to succeed in real estate

You have to Create Daily Success in Real Estate and in your personal life to succeed in life

The journey to a successful life should be enjoyed. True success comes from accomplishing the daily activities that will lead you to your ultimate goals in life. Failing or neglecting to accomplish the daily disciplines will lead you down the path of lost opportunities and lost income.

If the penalty for not accomplishing your daily activities or disciplines was implemented or assessed today, we would look at neglecting them differently. The truth is the penalty for neglect is more visible in the future than it is today. The person who eats fried foods does not pay the penalty at 35, he pays at 55. The person who fails to save 10% of his income for retirement is not penalized at 40, but at 60.

If we were zapped today from neglecting the daily disciplines rather than in the future, our daily disciplines would change. We have to make the neglect more painful than the activity. There are three disciplines that must be done daily in real estate for success;

1. working on Growth

2. Administration and

3. working On your business.

1. Growth

Growth is the part of the business that brings in the revenue for your business. The more time you spend of your day in growth, the more income you will make. Most Agents work on growth activities at the last minute, when they are running short on funds. The problem is that is too late. To have a steady business income you need a steady approach to growth.

Growth is the prospecting that you do daily. It is the listing appointments that you have for the day. It is the lead follow-up that you are doing on the people who want to buy or sell. It is the meeting with your lender to work on your competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Growth is the critical part to any business. Without growth a business will fail. I know a lot of Agents who are highly skilled in growth and poorly skilled in administration and working on their business, who earn large amounts of money. I know of very few successful Agents who are not highly skilled at growth. You can have huge deficiencies in administration and working on your business but still win the game. You cannot be deficient in growth and win.

2. Administration

There is a huge amount of daily activities that complete with your income stream, such as processing the listing so Agents can find it in the MLS, completing trade record sheets, communicating with your clients on a regular basis, dripping on your clients with emails or paper campaigns, etc.

These activities, done well, will enable you to turn clients into fans who will look for new business for you. You will need one to two hours daily for administration. If you create a good system or purchase good software or have a highly trained and skilled staff, your time spent in this area will be reduced. In the perfect system, administration gets done well, but the Agents spend little personal time on it.

3. On your business

This is the time that most people neglect. This working on your business really separates long-term success and growth from just running faster on the treadmill of life. Long-term financial success lies in this section of your day. The ability to earn more profit is also located here.

We are all really employees of our own little real estate business. We are the ones who bring in the business and make the system go. The more time we plan, read, strategize, practice, role-play, and implement our ideas, the more ownership we gain. Becoming the owner of your real estate business only happens through diligent work on your business. Instead of being the employee who works to draw a salary and pay the bills, why not become the one who orchestrates the company? Be the one who has something to sell when he wants to try something else and/or retire.

What do you think your business would look like in 90 days or even six months if you were to implement an effective daily routine? ……

A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.
A goal broken down becomes a plan.
A plan backed by action makes your dream come true. It’s as simple as that!

Do you want to read more motivation like this: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Motivation-Success-Ten-Scrolls.htm

I wish you all the best! Mark Argentino mark@mississauga4sale.com

Current Market Observations and what to do with your investment dollars

These are my personal observations regarding where things may be heading in the next few months.

My observations are this:

Many are saying gasoline will be $1.09 in the summer-this means it will go to at least $1.15 or $1.20

Everyone said 8 months ago we'll be out of recession in 1st QTR 2010 - we will be out of recession in 1st QTR 2010


Many are saying CDN$ will go to parity in a while- this means it will be at or near parity in a few months

We are just leaving the trough of an ugly recession, there is great opportunity for those with vision and big nerve - where to put your spare $$ is a difficult decision

Many are cash rich-they too are looking to invest and double their money

Hindsight is everything- by the time you know where to invest it's too late - so take out the dice and you'll probably be right - or wrong - you have a 50/50 chance

Maybe it's time to buy Magna shares, again you need large nerve and excess cash to possibly lose

No matter what you invest in, pick something where a bank or a broker that does not make most of the money-good luck again

I like real estate for investment, but only on a 5+ year horizon as you are at least guaranteed the tenant will pay it off for you, but that takes plenty of time

In these record low interest times, it's almost idiotic to not do leveraged investing, such as real estate or even in the financial markets

Another thing in my mind is another similar event to 911 as this would give the pundits another reason the pound the financial markets and take out more cash and profits from the marketplace


So, what to do with your spare cash, there sure are many options!
All the best!
Mark

When selling should you list furniture items for sale?

Some of my sellers want to tell the buyers that they wish to sell furniture in the house when they list their house for sale.



‬‪The issue of the furniture is one we come across from time to time. It is my belief that we sell the house first and then give the buyer an itemized list of furniture etc. with prices and then the buyer can decide what they may or may not want.



Again, a 'normal' buyer most likely would look negatively upon a seller who offers their furniture upfront as this may again indicate desperation, marital problems, lack of funds by the seller or some other negative consequence to your sale or price.‬‪

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

When Selling should you tell people you are moving out of town?

This is a question that I receive from some of my sellers



There are mostly negative aspects of stating you are moving out of town after your closing or out of the province or even worse overseas.



In my experience, it is very negative to mention that you are moving far away on the listing or to even tell the buyer this fact. The buyer would most likely become very nervous knowing you are moving out of the country and would worry about the condition of the unit and removal of any items and how they would possibly remedy any unforeseen problems after the closing date if you left the country. ‬‪ ‬‪



Also, moving out of the country can be interpreted as 'the owner is desperate and must sell" and this could negatively impact your sale price. Thus, I can only see a negative impact on your sale if you mention this anywhere or anytime.‬‪



I hope this helps.‬‪ ‬‪



Thank you,‬‪ Mark‬‪

What is the lowest possible interest rates on a 5 year mortgage?

This is a question that I often receive. Here is the full question and my
answer.
Thanks
Mark

Hello,
What is the lowest possible interest rates on a 5 year mortgage?
Before I go ahead, is there any pointers you might have?
Would you consider giving me a couple pointers?
Thank you for your help.
Susan

Hi Susan,

Thank you for your email. The interest rates that I've seen on the 5 year
rate seem to vary almost daily. The best option for you to is contact my
mortgage contact with TD Canada Trust, they are often the least expensive or
will at least match the least expensive rate on the market.

Normally, I would recommend going short on your mortgage, but the 5 year
rates (and the 3 year rates) are very good these days and almost too hard to
pass up on. This decision is one for you to make as it really depends upon
your personal situation, your ability to withstand the unknown if you go
short term and your ability to withstand and deal with the risks involved
with going short versus long term.\

My mortgage is still short term because there is still some savings between
the prime plus .8% and the fixed rates, but as soon as the prime rates
increase I will likely lock in for the long term.

Please let me know if you have other questions.

Thank you,
Mark

How to become a real estate agent in Ontairo

I receive many questions about how to become a real estate agent and what
are the courses required and can you take the real estate course online,
etc. I made up a few pages on my site so that this would help people.

Below is a common question that I receive.
Thanks
Mark


Hello,

My name is K and I am interested in becoming a real estate agent. I
wondered if you could help me and let me know the steps you took in order to
get to where you are?

I currently work full-time and wondered if you knew of any correspondent
courses I could take as I would have a conflicting schedule?

Thank you for your time,
K

Here is my answer:

Hello K,

Thank you for contacting me. I am guessing you have read some of the pages
on my site related to becoming a real estate agent, such as:
http://www.mississauga4sale.com/how-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-realtor.htm

Yes, you can take course 1 and 2 online, but not course 3.

You can read all about the courses from the main educator for real estate
and the organization that the governing body that certifies you to become a
Real Estate Agent OREA http://www.orea.com/

I hope this helps. If you need more information, please don't hesitate to
contact me.

Thank you,
Mark

Investment Guru explanation - "So you understand"

more of my investment guru advice and comments, Enjoy, Mark

The markets are still going up.
Or are they?
Look at these:
INTC, MSFT, DELL...
IMMR, IDTI, SKS, M, JWN...
CIEN, ADCT, JBL, EFUT...
sw.to, cls.to...
DRYS, EGLE...
Basically, many are topping,
and some are still going down.
Some never even went up for more than a 20% gain -
off their multi-year bottoms.
Some you can NEVER buy, like NT, GM and ASYT.

For some you're too late,
for others you're not.
However, at this stage it is
too risky.
Now, imagine if they were in a mutual fund.
You would never sell.

In your case I would suggest not to do anything.
Yet.

I wouldn't - and I know how to get in and out during the same day.

You want a clear up or a clear down.
When it is I will let you know.
This is neither.

Basically, at this stage you are too late to buy
and many you can't short yet (because you want them to go down -
and not hold the same level - which many still are).
Just like buying - you don't want to hold the same price forever.

It just looks like another Wall Street setup.
You should ask a financial adviser -
tell them the exact stocks and see what they tell you.
I bet it will be: Buy for the long-term.
Then ask: When do I sell?
For Intel, Microsoft and Dell I can tell you right now:
If you have not yet sold you never will.

Whatever you buy you have to sell.
What if you can't sell?

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

More investment advice, if you like the stock markets!

I certainly prefer real estate for our long term investment strategies, but the stock markets also have opportunities. Here are more thoughts from my investment guru. As you can see, he's a little negative on the US economy, but has some interesting points!

Enjoy!

Mark

US$?

Let's see if the US government will be able to destroy the US$ -
once and for all.

Inflation destroys the currency.
Welkommen Weimer Deutschland.

Actually, I don't know.
The weekly (long-term) charts show this,
but the daily (monthly) do not.
But I can hope.
We've all been hoping for years -
we even have the Bush billion banknotes printed.

The good news:
You don't need to do anything to benefit from this,
just don't live in USA.
However, it does look that Canada and Switzerland are best positioned to benefit from this.
Caution: Don't buy gold/silver.
If you got it good - don't buy more.

It looks like the final attempt of the US administration -
now or never. Now is the best time ever.

I am sure nobody would be surprised.
Not even the Americans - they will have to welcome it as a necessary evil.

The FDPIX (Falling US$) is very strong here at the bottom.
Remember 2007?
Well, this could get better:
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/schiff/schiff051109.html

If this fails, the next attempt will not come until this Fall.
If that one fails the next will be in January 2010.
and the next...
Let's just get it over with - no point postponing the inevitable.

My investment Guru updated thoughts

My investment Guru updated his prognosis from the other day and I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!
Mark

Hope this helps:

Rule No. 1: If you don't know what to do - do nothing.

This is what I would do:

short DNDN, efut, calm - stay short itmn...

wait for these to drop more: soap, sks, m, jwn, spls, jcp, drl...

wait for a correction in these: lvs, byd, mgm, wynn (the Vegas play)

wait for a correction in airlines (direction is not clear)

many techs...

get out of financials...

But then, as you can tell, I do not care much about mutual funds -

and I can easily adjust whenever necessary.

This is the problem: March 9, 2009 was a fantastic buying opportunity -

however some are starting to fall....

but you can't get in (too high).

Most stocks you can play both ways - up or down.

However, many you can NEVER buy: GM, ASYT...Bombay, SharperImage, NT...

ers, peix, desc...etc...etc...ENRON, WCOMM...and other scams...

Actually, it is really simple:

If there is a market correction - buy.

If it goes much higher - short with options.

Wouldn't you like to have shorted everything in October 2007?

Or 2000?

Guess who usually wins in the LONG-RUN.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

Correction in stock market predictions!

This is an update/correction to my investment guru's recommendations, Enjoy!

Mark

C$, oil and $spx are holding very well (weekly chart).
It is very likely that they will try to destroy the US$ (to create inflation).
Remember last time?

However, for some reason, gold/silver do not show much upside.
But, oil does.
Things change.

What would I do now?
Hold C$.
Hold some oil.
Hold some financials.
For now - eventually you got to sell.
But, the charts don't show it yet.

Very confusing situation: the weekly charts (long-term) show more upside,
but the daily charts (short-term) show a sell.

It could be another trap - too early to tell.

With stocks it is easier - some you can short now, some you hold,
some you buy, some you sell, some you avoid.

Mutual funds are different - because of 1-10 stocks you can lose all gains.

Whatever you do be careful.
Usually the signal you use is: if analysts recommend a stock that has gone up significantly get out!

Great advice!

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive m