Understanding Economic Cycles: Part I
If we’re going to invest in real estate, wouldn't it be great if we could predict the future? Well we can, sort of. Our economy is made up of remarkably predictable patterns that regularly repeat themselves over time. These patterns, called cycles, can give us clues...
Happy Labour Day!
Mortgage Renewal Intel
renew? I've coordinated renewal of several mortgages over the past few months (you may recall we sometimes try to time renewals for US election years because of typically coinciding rate dips), and here's what I've learned: Existing variable rates are crazy-low (as...
Mortgage Deferrals
defer? Since March, Canadian lenders have offered borrowers an opportunity to defer mortgage payments (they're okay with this because interest continues to accrue, and they're in the business of earning interest). As one of our goals is the rapid repayment of...
Exit Alberta Real Estate?
exit? 2006 and 2007 were frothy years in Alberta real estate, followed by a not-unexpected collapse in 2008. We waited for things to settle down before beginning to acquire property at significant discounts to those earlier insane prices. When I first spoke with...
Happy Canada Day!
Canada Day, originally known as Dominion Day (until 1982), marks the anniversary of Confederation in 1867 when the British North America Act came into effect. Happy Canada Day!