9
03
2010
Every investor is different.
Every investor has different risk tolerances, goals, objectives, and sensitivities.
But at some point, there has to be a minimum standard. Doesn’t there?
My recent experience with a west-end property has shown me that some investors don’t actually care about their return…
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Categories : Investing
22
02
2010
For any first time buyer, the idea of renting out the basement for $800 per month to help pay the mortgage sounds like a fantastic idea!
But when you rent to that long-haul truck driver who won’t pay his rent and won’t leave, then you’re in trouble.
The one thing that buyers never consider: the legal ramifications of the basement apartment…

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Comments : 6 Comments »
Categories : Investing, Houses
18
02
2010
At the risk of being black-listed by developers in the real estate industry, I’m going to tell you what I think about the “special broker’s preview” that took place on Tuesday at Sync Condos.
It was a freaking joke, and I can’t believe I expected anything different…
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Comments : 12 Comments »
Categories : Pre-Construction, Development, Investing, Opinion, Condos
17
02
2010
Egad! This makes no sense!
This condo down the street from me has been “FOR LEASE” now for a total of three full months and the seller/landlord has yet to reduce the asking price. The condo is vacant and he is losing money.
Sense. This situation makes none…

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Comments : 1 Comment »
Categories : Investing, Leasing/Renting
4
12
2009
There’s been some awesome feedback and comments on my blog in the last couple days about the future of real estate in our city.
So let me add some more fuel to the fire.
Fashion House condos are selling in pre-construction for an average of $550 per square foot, and as high as $632.
But if the market is going up forever, then who cares….right?

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Comments : 13 Comments »
Categories : Pre-Construction, Development, Investing, Opinion, Condos
10
11
2009
Financing an investment property is as easy as 4, 5, 6…
That is to say that four is easier than six, but still not easy.
Sounds difficult? It’s easy to follow…
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Comments : 4 Comments »
Categories : Investing
9
11
2009
I’m growing increasingly frustrated by what passes for an “investment property” in Toronto these days.
I suppose the definition of “investment property” is so loose that a cardboard box under the Gardiner Expressway could be considered as such, just as long as the homeless man inside pays for its use.
To each, their own….right?
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Comments : 1 Comment »
Categories : Investing, Leasing/Renting, Opinion
4
11
2009
The only real estate market any of us have ever known has been hot, hot, hot!
But what happens when there is more supply than demand? What happens when supply is ten, twenty, or thirty times greater than demand?
How does the market absorb the inventory?
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Comments : 3 Comments »
Categories : Development, International, Investing, Opinion, Condos
30
10
2009
In August of 2008, one year since I had taken occupancy of my unit at Rezen and a mere four months since final closing, a unit sold across the hall for $265,000.
The unit was larger than mine, but it still got me asking myself, “I wonder what I could get for my unit…”

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Comments : 10 Comments »
Categories : Development, Pre-Construction, Stories!, Investing, Business, Opinion, Condos
29
10
2009
“Second week of February,” said the sales person from Rezen when I asked for the ninety-fourth day in a row when the building would be registered.
“If we’re not registered by then….cut my throat…..my word to God’s ears!”
That was the single strangest prayer I had ever heard…

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Categories : Development, Pre-Construction, Stories!, Investing, Business, Opinion, Condos