Monday, June 01, 2009
Current Market Observations and what to do with your investment dollars
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
Sunday, May 31, 2009
When selling should you list furniture items 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
Saturday, May 30, 2009
When Selling should you tell people you are moving out of town?
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
Friday, May 29, 2009
mortgage rates may be increasing shortly.
may wish to get a pre-approval to lock the rate.
The followings are the best rates I have recently seen.
5-year variable at P+0.4% (2.65% right now.) This is a new promotion,
available for pre-approval.
3-year fixed at 3.15%, Available for pre-approval (might be lower to 3.05%
when finalized dpending upon variables in transaction)
5-year fixed at 3.41%, not available for pre-approval.
My suggestion: Get a pre-approval for 3 year fixed or 5 year variable right
away.
I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!
All the Best!
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Friday, May 22, 2009
Public Open houses - are they still effective?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
What is the lowest possible interest rates on a 5 year mortgage?
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
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
How to become a real estate agent in Ontairo
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
Friday, May 15, 2009
More Interest Rate reductions -just in time for long weekend!
TERM | POSTED | BEST Found RATES* |
6 Month | 4.75% | 4.25% |
1 Year | 3.90% | 2.90% |
2 Year | 4.05% | 3.05% |
3 Year | 4.15% | 3.15% |
4 Year | 4.84% | 3.69% |
5 Year | 5.25% | 3.54% |
7 Year | 6.60% | 4.95% |
10 Year | 6.70% | 5.25% |
Variable Rate | 2.95% | |
Prime Rate | 2.25% |
Rates Last Updated: Thursday, May 14, 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?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Recent Incredible News In GTA Real Estate Market
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?
Investment Guru explanation - "So you understand"
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?