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.

.

Mortgage rates falling again

This is a 'great news' article for people taking out new mortgages or up for renewal. Mortgage rates increased significantly in October and are now falling again. Good news indeed!

Thanks
Mark

After the significant jump in fixed mortgage rates in mid-October, it was appearing as though the sub-four percent 5 year fixed mortgage rate had become history.

Here we are 6 weeks later and they are back and further decreases are expected.

There are many 5 year fixed rate programs available with the best rates being found on mortgages closing within 30 days. The lowest 'quick close' 5 year fixed rate available now is 3.84%, however I anticipate that dropping a little further within the next week.

The lowest rate on a 5 year variable is currently 2.15% (prime -0.10%), but we can expect that to drop to 2.00% (prime -0.25%) soon.

The lowest quick close mortgage rate specials often have limited prepayment options, which some people will shy away from as they may plan on prepaying more per year than the 5% maximum, even though over 90% of home owners do not take advantage of their prepayment options.

People are willing to pay significantly higher interest rates just so they can have the 'option' of prepaying their mortgage because they don't want to have to face any sort of penalty if they did choose to prepay more than the maximum.

But if mortgage seekers were to question this penalty with their mortgage professional, they would find the results quite astonishing.

Let's say for example you have a $300,000 mortgage at 3.84% with a limited prepayment option of 5%. Under the terms of their mortgage commitment, you would be allowed to prepay up to $15,000 per year.

Now, if you were to prepay the entire mortgage, your penalty would be three months interest which would be approximately $1,300 depending on what point you choose to prepay (with the extremely low rates today, the penalty will be 3 months interest and not the interest rate differential, which is what is causing the high penalties for people paying out their mortgages in today's low-rate market).

Now let's say you wanted to prepay 15% in their first year, which would be a total of $30,000 more than the maximum. The so called 'penalty' in this case would only be around $130, yet you would be canceling out thousands of dollars in interest and would save $288 on your scheduled mortgage payments in your first year alone.

This is based on today's lowest regular 5 year fixed mortgage rate of 3.99% (most banks and mortgage brokers still have regular rates around 4.19%, which would be $684 savings in the first year)

This is why it is so important for mortgage seekers to ask questions when dealing with their mortgage professional and adequately explain their plans as many mortgage professionals may not take the time to adequately explain the different options to their clients.

Ask questions and be informed and make sure you deal with someone who is going to put your needs first.

Today's lowest mortgage interest rates:

1 year 2.55%
2 year 2.95%
3 year 3.45%
4 year 3.85%
5 year 3.84% (30 day quick close)
5 year 3.99% (regular)

3 year variable 2.00% (prime -0.25%)
5 year variable 2.15% (prime -0.10%)

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

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

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 ?
• 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?

Mortgage Interest Rates in the GTA

These are the posted and obtainable mortgage interest rates in the GTA and
Mississauga

Mortgage Current Rates
Term Posted Rate Best Rate
6 month 4.60% 4.60%
1 year 3.75% 2.50%
2 year 4.05% 2.95%
3 year 4.65% 3.35%
4 year 5.14% 3.89%
5 year 5.85% 3.99%
7 year 6.80% 5.09%
10 year 6.90% 5.19%
Variable Rate 2.10%
Prime Rate 2.25%

Please note that rates are subject to changes, and that some conditions and
restrictions may apply. Please contact a mortgage representative today to
find out what kind of mortgage you can qualify for.

A mortgage-rate update

Some of the mortgage special rates available in the market are:

* 95% Financing available for purchases and refinances, at 2.10%

* Special Variable Rate Mortgage at Prime-.15% (2.10%)

* Line of credit with a fixed mortgage

Please let me know if you would like more details or if you would like me to
send you mortgage broker contact information, please send me an email.

Thank you,
Mark

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


• 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?

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!

Buyer representation began in January 1995 and is still strong today

BUYER REPRESENTATION IS HERE!

This was the headline that was shouting out a new revolution in real estate in January of 1995!

Buyer agency really has changed for the better the way real estate is conducted in Ontario.

When you buy your next home, Why be a customer when you can be my client?

For all the details on this new and exciting way to purchase your home, call me now!

As your professional real estate agent, my job is to help you find a home that is comfortable, safe and within your family budget.

We have information brochures that will give you all the facts you need, so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. If you would like any of the brochures listed below, call me now.

20 Critical questions to ask a Real Estate Agent Before signing anything!

10 "SECRETS" you better know when buying in Mississauga, send me an email if you want this one!

79 Ideas and suggestions to help you improve your sale price by $1000-$5000

1st Time Buyers manual & qualification guidelines

Amortization Schedules, Land Transfer Tax & Legal Fee Booklets

Sellers Checklist Kit

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Buyer-Agency.htm

We treat you like the valuable client you are. Experience our WILLINGNESS TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES service to be ...

Your personal agent for life!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO BUY OR SELL?

Historically, the best time to buy is January and to sell is February or March. This was an old graph I used back in the mid 90's and the trends still stand today, spring is typically the best time to sell if you want to maximize your sale price. But, it's difficult to purchase in the spring as prices may be escalating, another double edged sword to contend with!

As you can see from the above graph the SPRING was the best time to sell in 1994, as it maybe in 1995

A. Mark Argentino, P.Eng., Real Estate Representative

RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc. (905) 828-3434

Lowest Inventory of Townhomes in Erin Mills in 22 years!

There is a real lack of inventory out in our marketplace. In 22 years in real estate, all working and living in Erin Mills I've never seen so few townhouse listings in the area.

In the Thomas and Glen Erin areas, "normally", there are about 15 to 25 townhomes to choose from, currently there are only 3!

In the Churchill Meadows area, typically there are about 20 to 30 townhomes for sale, currently there are 10!

Talk about low inventories. I realize this time of year people tend to not put their properties on the market, but this is the lowest I have ever seen.

Should be very interesting to see what happens in January as we head into the winter market.

See townhomes in Erin Mills and Churchill Meadows at this page: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Mississauga-Townhomes-Townhouse-Complexes.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?

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates Reiterates commitment to hold until end of second quarter of 2010

These are the latest trends, analysis and discussion about interest rates
from CREA

Enjoy!
Mark

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates

Reiterates commitment to hold until end of second quarter of 2010

The Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight lending rate steady at 0.25
per cent at its setting on October 20th, 2009. The trend-setting Bank rate,
which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate,
remains at 0.5 per cent.

The Bank acknowledged that recent indicators point to the start of a global
recovery, and that economic and financial developments have turned more
favourable than it had previously expected. While recognizing that the
Canadian economy is rebounding, it expects the recovery to be weak by
historical standards.

The Bank downgraded its forecast for Canadian economic growth this year,
while keeping its forecast unchanged for 2010. It also lowered its forecast
for economic growth in 2011.

In its September announcement to hold interest rates steady, the Bank
forecast that inflation would return to its two per cent target in the
second quarter of 2011. The Bank has now moved that date out to the third
quarter of 2011.

The Bank's commitment to keep interest rates on hold until the second half
of next year is conditional on the outlook for inflation. Since inflation is
not expected to pick up sooner than it previously expected, the Bank
repeated its commitment to keep interest rates on hold. "Conditional on the
outlook for inflation, the target overnight rate can be expected to remain
at its current level until the end of the second quarter of 2010 in order to
achieve the inflation target."

The Bank pointed to the rapid rise in the Canadian dollar in recent weeks as
a risk to the Canadian economic recovery, saying "Heightened volatility and
persistent strength in the Canadian dollar are working to slow growth and
subdue inflation pressures." The Bank now expects that the domestic economy
will be a greater source for economic growth, at the expense of weaker net
exports.

The Bank expects the output gap to close in the third quarter of 2011, one
quarter later than it had projected in July when it said production would
reach capacity in mid-2011.

"The Bank threw cold water on recent speculation that it may raise interest
sooner rather than later," said CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. "By
highlighting the recent rapid rise in the Canadian dollar while
intentionally failing to mention the rebound in the Canadian housing market
as sources for concern, the Bank aimed to end recent speculation that it
will hike rates before its repeated pledge of not doing so until at least
July 2010."

As of October 20th, the advertised five-year conventional mortgage rate
stood at 5.84 per cent. This is down 1.36 per cent from one year earlier,
but stands 0.35 per cent above where it stood when the Bank made its
previous interest rate announcement on September 10th.

Improving credit market conditions have enabled lenders to reintroduce
discounts off posted mortgage interest rates. Discounts of up to a
percentage point can be negotiated, depending on lender-client relationship.

(CREA 10/20/2009)

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

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

Current Trends in the economy many sectors improving

RBC is reporting the economy and current trends are that sales are up in many sectors

Current trends…

Economy stumbles for second month in a row

p GDP output slid by 0.1% in August, defying expectations for a move into the plus column. Slumping manufacturing, wholesale trade and oil and gas activity weighed down output in the month.

p The economy pared back the number of employed by 43,200 in October — the first decline in employment in three months. However, because of job gains in August and September, there was a net gain of 14,500 positions during the three-month period.

p Retail sales recorded a second monthly increase of 1% in September; sales were up an even stronger 1.2% on a volumes basis following a 0.5% rise in volumes in August. This augurs well for a positive GDP report for September.

p Housing starts rose 5.4% in October to an annualized level of 157,300 . The rise re-established the upward trend that had prevailed through August, with starts steadily rising from a cyclical trough in April of 118,500.

p The merchandise trade deficit was cut in half in September to C$0.9 billion from C$2 billion in August. The improvement was almost solely the result of a 3.5% jump in exports; imports were relatively steady, dropping a marginal 0.1%.

p The headline inflation rate emerged from a four-month period of negative readings in October as the deflationary pressures coming from movements in the energy component of the CPI dissipated.

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?