GTA Real Estate Marketplace May Newsletter

Welcome to my monthly real estate newsletter, this is the newsletter for the month of May 2009

Mortgage interest rates have fallen again due to the Bank of Canada lowering the rate to another record low of .25%, read more.

Our market continues to hold steady, prices are up month over month. The average price last month was higher than the previous month and the average days to sell a home is steady. This is all good news.

My observations for the Mississauga marketplace is that we continue to see that prices are firming up, meaning that they are holding steady and even rising in some areas. Moderately of course, but still, they are rising.

It will be interesting to see what the next quarter brings as the summer is typically a slow period in our market.

You are reading my May newsletter

April Resale Housing Results are Positive again!

Update on interest rates, Bank Prime rates dropped again and are at record levels of 2.5%, read more, Bank Rate

May Report



April Resale Housing Results Bring Positive News


TORONTO, May 6, 2009 - In April 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,107 sales – down seven per cent from April 2008. While April sales remained lower than last year, the resale housing market gained momentum on a month-over-month basis.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in April, at 80,900, was up 26 per cent from March and up two thirds compared to January’s ten-year low

“Conditions in the resale housing market have improved markedly this spring,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Home purchases have increased as households have taken advantage of low interest rates and slightly lower home prices.”

The average price for April transactions was $385,641 – down three per cent from last year.

“The rate of average price decline continued to diminish last month. This is due in large part to a tightening in the resale market,” stated Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The level of sales relative to new listings increased in April.”

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 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?

Mortage Interest rate update for GTA

You can take advantage of today's historically low interest rates.

There's no better time to consider purchasing your first home, renewing your mortgage, or planning that home renovation you've been thinking of.

I wish you all the best and have a great Mother's Day weekend!

Mark

TERM	POSTED	Current Best RATES*
6 Month	4.75%	4.25%
1 Year	3.9%	2.9%
2 Year	4.05%	3.05%
3 Year	4.15%	3.15%
4 Year	4.84%	3.79%
5 Year	5.25%	3.59%
7 Year	6.6%	4.95%
10 Year	6.7%	5.25%
Variable Rate		3%
Prime Rate		2.25%

* Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice.
Rates Last Updated: Thursday, May 07, 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?

TREB report sales volumes down but prices up!

The monthly stats are out for April and the housing market is showing good signs of momentum. Month over month the average price is up significantly for all of the GTA, from $362k in March to $385k in April

Greater Toronto REALTORS® report 8,107 Resales in April

May 6, 2009 -- In April 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,107 sales – down seven per cent from April 2008. While April sales remained lower than last year, the resale housing market gained momentum on a month-over-month basis. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in April, at 80,900, was up 26 per cent from March and up two thirds compared to January’s ten-year low.

Thank you,
Mark

Read more about:

• Interest Rates
• Power of Sale Properties
• Price Trends
• or Search the MLS 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

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns

Do you need a degree to sell real estate in Ontario?

I receive questions from people who are thinking of becoming a real estate agent. Here is one below with my answer.

Hello my name is AC and I live in Prince Edward County. I was googleing and I came across your web page and I have a few questions as I am considering real estate a career. First, do you need a degree in order to legally sell in Ontario? Second, what do you think is the most legitimate way to receive your license?

If you can find the time to reply I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

AC

Hi AC,

You live in a beautiful part of the Province, just gorgeous!

You do not need any degree obtain your license, but you must have your real estate license to sell real estate in Ontario unless you are working for a builder or a corporation that buys or sells real estate.

The best place to begin is http://www.orea.com/index.cfm/ci_id/10346/la_id/1.htm and this will show you all the necessary steps on becoming a real estate license.

I wish you the best in all your endeavors!

Mark

Financial Markets, Real Estate and the Dollar

This is a snapshot by my investment guru, let's see how much of this comes to pass.

Do you agree with anything below? Disagree?

Mark

Synopsis of the Financial Markets, Real Estate and the Canadian and US Dollar

As the markets go down,
so does OIL and C$.
Just watch the charts.

Same old, same old...
US$ up, everything down,
and then the reverse...

US$ down - to create inflation (that's why OIL goes up)
to get out of the housing mess created by US banks.
However, China comes and doesn't allow US$ to go down by much.
The stock market comes to a halt.

US$ up - recession continues.

Today is the turning point - as bank stress tests come...
Chart shows TOP ($spx - 500 leading US companies).
Closely mimicked by $tsx (but not the same - due to the weighting of gold stocks).

Canadian mutual funds are down (and will stay down in the long-term) due to the heavy weighting in energy.
Canadian mutual fund managers bet against the US$ - they will NEVER recover.
Some have already left the industry.
However, if you go for swing trading you will not only recoup all your loses but pretty much make more.
With the right stocks - in the US (in US$).
Not mutual funds.
NO "investing for the long-term".

If you want to invest for the long-term just hold C$ (nothing else).
I don't see 1:1 again, nor gold to $1000 nor OIL $100 - remember that - that was inflation.
There is no US$ devaluation and except for these 1-2 month bounces there is nothing else the US Federal Reserve can do (they are bankrupt).
They have no money - have to print or borrow from China.
And when they print $ they don't create jobs - they just give it to Wall Street.
The FED can't lower rates any more (they are zero).
32 US banks have gone bankrupt in 2009. (regardless of the stock market games).
Unemployment will be even higher this summer (the official one) -
not it is at 26 year high.
That's when you buy - on OFFICIAL BAD news.
You sell on good (are there any?).

Follow GM the next couple od days - don't be a collector
(the price should go up to $138: 100-1
reverse stock split - like NT).
Most likely GM will not be around in a month from now - the best scenario is a government-run company.

I can't take the credit for writing the above synopsis, but it's very interesting read.

So, what do you think of the above synopsis, agree, disagree, or something else?

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?

Good time to trade up in real estate?

I had another email commenting about the current real estate slump we are in and whether it's a good time to trade up or not. This is my current view of the real estate market in Mississauga and the GTA.

This person bought 2.5 years ago and expected to make some money on his purchase. He also wants to sell his current condo that is worth about $160k and trade up to a larger semi for about $300k. This was my response.

I understand how you feel about buying and holding and expecting to make money. Since 1995 this philosophy worked well, until the current economic slump. I've had other clients in similar situations as you. What I have found is that you will benefit by the downturn since the larger more expensive properties have dropped much more compared to your condo, thus the difference is far less than it was 2 years ago.

The market is typically good up until mid June and then slows again for the summer, until about middle/end of August. Thus, if you want to sell this spring, the sooner the better, otherwise you may wish to wait until late summer. Of course these are historical trends and each year could be different. With that said, we expect this year to be similar to previous years, just not as large of a spike in the spring. See this graph: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBavg1995date.htm

Thank you,

Mark

Mortgage interest rates are dropping

Hope you have a good start to your day.

Mortgage rates have been dropping recently.

Right now some fixed rates look quite attractive.

3-year fixed: 3.15%
5-year fixed: 3.46% (Even lower for high-ratio deal)
5-year variable: P+0.6% (2.85% now)

If you have any question or need any help, pls let me know.
Mark