Great letter of introduction and Information from a TD mortgage rep

I thought that this information was very detailed and showed that this
mortgage representative with Td Canada Trust was very thorough in their
approach to the business.

You may or may not agree.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
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
mark@mississauga4sale.com
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 ?
www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm

* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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 Real Estate Newsletter sign up
www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm

* See seasonal housing patterns
www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm

* Would you like me to send you a desk or wall Calendar?
www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm

Dear valued and prospective Customer,

I make every effort to provide my clients with qualified and up-to-date
financial advice. I believe that educating my clients throughout their
buying, selling, or re-financing experience helps them to not only make the
right decisions but to feel comfortable and secure in their financial
position. I also work directly with real estate professionals, builders, and
other centers of influence helping them serve their clients, and grow and
improve their businesses. I work with a number of professionals in various
areas of expertise that extend well beyond my direct specialization. Through
this, I am able to support my clients and business partners in connecting
them with the right and qualified people in different fields.

Buying a Home (First Home Buyers or Repeat Home Buyers) When yours client
thinking of buying a home, it's definitely worthwhile talking to a
professional Mortgage Specialist. TD Canada Trust is a leader in providing
competitive mortgage products along with exceptional service. This
combination of service and advice, together with my experience in the
financial services industry, allows your client to enjoy a comfortable
mortgage experience handled by a professional Mortgage Specialist.

As a Manager of Residential Mortgage in TD Bank, I can help your client to
understand how much mortgage he/she can control and to explore both
traditional and leading edge mortgage options that suit his/her individual
needs. We work with first time buyers and repeat buyers alike. If your
client finally found his/her dream home and are looking to obtain the
mortgage that's right for him/her, please talk to me before he/she move any
further.

Renewing his Mortgages he/she is looking to buy a house and willing to get a
mortgage, or he/she already have a house and looking to get home equity line
of credit, transfer his/her existing mortgage or refinance an existing
mortgage to consolidate his/her current debt, I can assist them in finding a
better mortgage solution to suit his/her needs and long-term financing
goals.

I believe when he/she try to renewing his mortgage, it's more than likely
that his/her current lending institution will offer them a rate that is NOT
the best for them. At this point he/she is in a strong bargaining position,
and by joining TD Bank he/she can obtain a rate and product that suits them
and his/her financial situation.

Refinancing Your Mortgage Refinancing, whether it be a relatively straight
forward refinance of his/her existing mortgage balance, or utilizing his/her
home equity for any other purpose desired, is a tactical decision and
usually the best one for them. I can work with them to see if I can help
lower his/her monthly payments, consolidate his/her current debt, and
arrange money for renovations. To find out more ways to get the most out of
his/her home's value or help pay his/her existing debts or just want a lower
monthly payment of his/her current mortgage, talk to me & I will be more
than happy to assist them.

Obtaining a mortgage is one of the toughest decisions to make; my help and
advice will resolve his/her mortgage solutions. Whether he/she choose the TD
Canada Trust Home Equity Line of Credit or one of our innovative TD Mortgage
products, I can find the best financing option for them.

Please feel free to contact me to help your client make financial decisions
that he/she will not regret.

With best regards,

I thought that this was very good, you may wish to choose TD, if so, send
me an email and I'll put you in touch with a good rep.

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
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
mark@mississauga4sale.com
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 ?
www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm

* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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 Real Estate Newsletter sign up
www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm

* See seasonal housing patterns
www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm

* Would you like me to send you a desk or wall Calendar?
www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm

TREB average prices month by month since January of 2009 to August of 2010

This chart shows the TREB average prices month by month since January of
2009 to August of 2010 and clearly shows that prices have increased
substantially over the past 20 months or so and that there is a cycle of
price increases throughout the 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

TREB West districts sales to active listings

this graph shows the TREB West districts sales to active listings and
indicates that about 38% of all active listings are currently selling, this
is down compared to the previous 12 months, indicating that our current GTA
west marketplace is softer compared to a year ago
I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

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

TREB number of active listings on the market

This graph shows that the TREB number of active listings on the market is up
compared to last year but not as high as it was during the summer months
I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

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

Toronto and GTA first half results for September 2010 Housing Figures for resale homes

Sales for the first half of September 2010 are slightly better compared to first two weeks of September 2009. Prices are up 5% compared to the same period, thus we seem to be experiencing a healthy marketplace this year, regardless of the negative press.

Full report with sales stats are below

All the best,

Mark

GTA REALTORS(r) Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures

TORONTO, September 16, 2010 ‐ Greater Toronto REALTORS(r) reported 2,623 sales through the Multiple Listing Service(r) (MLS(r)) during the first two weeks of September 2010. This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 3,361 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Year-to-date sales amounted to 65,455, representing a six per cent increase compared to 2009.

"Sales remain below the record pace we experienced in the second half of 2009. The prospect of higher interest rates and new mortgage lending guidelines resulted in higher than normal sales in the first few months of the year.

To balance this out, the pace of sales has slowed in the second half," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.

"It is important to note that year-to-date sales remain above the number reported through the same period last year," added Johnston.

The average price for September mid-month transactions was $412,367 - up five per cent compared to the average of $393,818 recorded during the first 14 days of September 2009.

"Under current lending standards, the average selling price is affordable for a household earning the average income in the GTA. The annual price growth we have been experiencing has been justified by this positive affordability picture," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Summary Of September Sales And Average Price

September

2010 2009

Sales Average Price Sales Average Price

City of Toronto ("416") 978 $435,643 1,280 $415,126

Rest of GTA ("905") 1,645 $398,529 2,081 $380,712

GTA 2,623 $412,367 3,361 $393,818

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Sales & Average Price By Home Type

September‐2010

Sales Average Price

416 905 Total 416 905 Total

Detached 312 919 1,231 621,706 476,329 513,326

Yr./Yr. % Change ‐22% ‐22% ‐22% 8% 6% 7%

Semi‐Detached 102 195 297 460,878 339,515 381,195

Yr./Yr. % Change ‐29% ‐14% ‐20% 0% 3% 0%

Townhouse 99 287 386 402,683 298,204 325,000

Yr./Yr. % Change ‐35% ‐28% ‐30% 14% 1% 5%

Condo Apartment 457 203 660 311,897 247,145 291,981

Yr./Yr. % Change ‐20% ‐11% ‐17% 0% 2% 0%

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
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
mark@mississauga4sale.com
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 ?
www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm

* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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 Real Estate Newsletter sign up
www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm

* See seasonal housing patterns
www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm

* Would you like me to send you a desk or wall Calendar?
www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm

TREB overall number of sales each month past year

This graph shows the TREB overall number of sales each month past year and
indicates that there is clearly a cyclical pattern throughout the year for
the number of sales, up in the spring, lower in the summer, up again in the
fall and lower in the winter, we expect the fall of 2010 to be typical of
previous years sales
I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

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

The HOLY GRAIL is BS

I am blessed in life because I have a beautiful family, I have a wonderful wife and two great boys. My family is complete so far and I am very balanced and happy with life. I am lucky to have a positive attitude wired into my thinking, I've always been this way.

I too am blessed with many friends who seem to care about me. It's only 9am on September 17th 2010 as I write this and I've already had about 20 birthday greetings and emails and wishes, I'm very lucky and fortunate to have such great friends who think about me and care about me, it's a nice feeling.

In 52 years of hindsight, I think that this is the case because I love to help people and if you love to help people unconditionally, then they will like to help you back. I don't expect this, it just happens.

One thing that happens as you get older, you feel that you have earned the right to talk and tell people things. This must be why old people tell such long and boring stories. I hope to tell stories, and they are usually long, but I want them to be motivating, not boring! lol

So here is my story for today, now that I've reached the ripe old age of 52, I can tell you a motivating story.

What the heck, this is a blog and I can write what I want, can't I? :-)



A friend of mine wrote me yesterday and said that he ran into a friend who summed up his day nicely with "Well, this is just another day of searching for the Holy Grail"

Many subscribe to this philosophy, but not me. I don't believe in the Holy Grail. I think the Holy Grail is BS.

If you want something bad enough, you make it a goal and then you work towards it, that's the Holy Grail for me. I have many Holy Grails, about 50 big one's and 100's of little ones.

If you think that winning the lottery will allow you to reach your Holy Grail, you are dreaming and you will be very disappointed in life.

If you need or want something bad enough, you will likely just have to change something in your lifestyle to reach the goal! There is no Holy Grail

So, bottom line is that I don't think that way,

I don't feel there is a holy grail or a pot at the end of the rainbow, my mission is to work every day and do the things necessary every day and over time those things will accumulate and continue to add to the pile and the pot just gets bigger and bigger - we have short and long term goals and things we would like to accomplish and as we accomplish those task and reach those mini goals I get to reach my mini "Holy Grail" ." very often and this brings pleasure and satisfaction almost daily

the Equation of Life is

actions x time = long term accomplishments

what you do every day x time = your long term results

in anything and everything and every aspect of your life, work, wealth, relationships, everything

notice it's actions, you actually have to do something, not just sit around and hope!

You can dream and visualize, but eventually you have to start working and do something that takes you towards your goals and mini Holy Grails

The other great thing about the equation of life is that it's absolutely infallible, if you do it - it will happen, your end result goal is absolutely certain to occur if you work at it every day

It does not matter how old you are or where you are in life, if you want to accomplish something then you have to do something towards that goal and over time you'll reach that goal

Every day of my life as far back as I can remember - I constantly reward myself. Sometimes it's just silly little rewards and other times it's big rewards like trips we go on as a family and the boat we just bought and things that I like, but regardless, I ALWAYS reward myself someway every day for what I have done every day. It's a nice feeling, it's selfish, but it too keeps me going.

So, what's my point in all this? You have to act differently to get a different result, otherwise you will have the same result.

I think you should have many Holy Grails, not just one and you must work at it every day to reach your Holy Grail

(isn't that the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!)

I'm hopeful that YOU can find one little thing in what I say or do and that helps you towards reaching your goal and maybe you should reward yourself with some little things so that you can feel that you have accomplished something every day that takes you toward your holy grail and then you can sleep very well every night!

So here's to your health and your inner thoughts and goals and may they all align so you can have a healthy and happy life!

All the Best!
Mark

RE: Current Mortgage Interest Rates in the GTA

These are the current posted and attainable mortgage interest rates in the
GTA

TERM POSTED Attainable RATES*
6 Month 4.65% 3.95%
1 Year 3.70% 2.50%
2 Year 4.20% 3.20%
3 Year 4.75% 3.34%
4 Year 5.44% 3.49%
5 Year 5.79% 3.59%
7 Year 6.49% 4.70%
10 Year 6.80% 5.10%
Variable Rate 2.30%
Prime Rate 3.00%













* Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice OAC.
Rates Last Updated: Friday, September 17, 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
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
mark@mississauga4sale.com
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 ?
www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm

* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
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 Real Estate Newsletter sign up
www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm

* See seasonal housing patterns
www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm

* Would you like me to send you a desk or wall Calendar?
www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm

The Truth - Saving is the key to wealth!

Regardless of what anyone has told you, this is the truth:

Saving is the key to wealth - The rich are not rich because they earn a lot of money; the rich are rich because they save a lot of money.

If you do not spend less than you earn, and if you do not save the difference, you cannot build the wealth you desire.

You have to have a system. The easiest system is a percentage system.

Let's say you use the 10% system.

Pay yourself first, take the first 10% from your paycheck and bank it, invest it, squirrel it away, skim it, transfer it to another bank, take the cash and put in a savings deposit box, whatever you like, I don't care what you do with it, but put it away somewhere and just watch it grow over the upcoming months and years. It's that simple. And that difficult. Just do it.

To your success!
Mark

Buying a Townhouse investment property in the Erin Mills Town Centre Churchill Meadows Area

Hello,

I thought that I would share with you the email that I just sent a client who is looking to purchase another investment townhouse property in the area of the Erin Mills Town Centre and Churchill Meadows (see the map below showing the boundaries of the area I am referring to).

The reasons he wants to purchase another townhouse in the Erin Mills Town Centre area are the same as my reasons for owning investment properties in the area, that is; great amenities, easy to rent, good rent, draws quality tenants, good future potential, townhomes are the lowest price to get into market, low maintenance fees compared to a high-rise condo and more.

This is the email I sent to him, he was asking about what the state of the market is, what the next three months should bring and if there any "good deals" on townhomes currently for sale on the market.

I wrote to him:

The market continues to do well, in spite of the negative press. The stats of late are typical of June, July and August, no worries, but with interest rates increasing people are a little more cautious. The market is not 'on fire' the way it was in the spring, but most properties are still selling, some big price reductions here and there, but nothing significant yet.

See the link below, there are two townhomes at 2955 Thomas that are 'typical' 2 storey or 3 storey townhouses, otherwise, everything is as you say, well over $300k

Click here
http://www.torontomls.net/PublicWeb/CL.asp?link_no=32913113.495304

to view Properties of Interest (this link will only work for 2 weeks, up to about end of September 2010)

At 5659 Glen Erin that about 1.5 years ago had units for sale at $240k now has a unit for sale at $314k, just nuts.

These new price levels seem that they are here to stay. As you pointed out, prices are at $345k and more for McFarren, on at $358 and another at $385k at McFarren are both sold conditionally.

I too was hoping for a 'good deal' sometime in the summer, only one at 3150 Erin Centre, but it faced Erin Centre and was at the corner of Erin Centre and Oscar Peterson and it was the only 3 bedroom that sold for a hair under $300k

Notice that the 'Last Status" on many of the listings is PC meaning a price change, meaning they have dropped their price recently. This is an indication of a normal to softer market, but the prices are still high.

I'm not sure what Oct, Nov and December will bring. I don't think interest rates will go up again. If there is a recession or slowdown out there, it's certainly not in the GTA or Mississauga real estate sector.

The townhouses at 2955 Thomas are about the only townhomes that will carry with the rent. Passing on those at the price they are at could be a mistake in hindsight. There are some typical 2 storey units in that complex, but not listed right now.

Please let me know if you have more questions or would like to see inside any of the properties above.

Thank you,
Mark

So there you have it, the current townhomes for sale in the Erin Mills Town Centre and Churchill Meadows area in a nutshell!
Mark