This brightly lit corner unit has an open concept design. It has in-suite laundry, which is nice. Don’t you hate it when someone takes your laundry out of the machine?

Appliances included.

Laminate throughout.

The other two things I like about this unit are that it has two bathrooms (master ensuite) and the unit is on the main floor. Being on the main level means your back patio is right on some nice private green space and you never have to wait for the elevator.

Filed under: for sale by Keith Marshall
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I had lunch with Terry Blondin recently. He’s the Regional Manager for  FM Windows and doors. Naturally our talk turned to real estate.

TB: I just bought my second investment property recently.

KM: How’d that go?

TB: Smooth. It’s my second and because I’m in house related business, I know a good house when I see one.

KM: So you didn’t get it inspected?

TB: No. I think if the house is less than 25 years old, or maybe even 35 years old the inspection is an unnecessary step. What’s better is to get the information through your real estate agent about the roof, electrical system and furnace. Frankly, $400 for a home inspector isn’t really worthwhile in most cases, I think. If a homebuyer has questions about something, like the electrical, he should call in an electrician, get an expert who does that sort of work everyday, not a home inspector.

KM: Makes sense. Tell me about your real estate investment experiences.

TB: I bought the first townhouse seven years ago with the equity build up in my family home and then last year I bought the second townhouse with the equity built up in the first investment property.

KM: So you’re dealing with one bank?

TB: Oh no. I shopped the mortgage around both times. Actually I’m dealing with three lending institutions; Mcap President’s Choice and TD.

KM: Do you mind me asking why you’re investing in real estate instead of mutual funds and that sort of thing.

TB: Two reasons. One is I know that I make about $400/month from my properties. I have good tenants. They cover the mortgage, taxes and insurance and leave me with a predictable monthly profit. By using my equity, I’m actually using someone else’s money and I’ll also profit when I sell the units eventually.

KM: What’s the other reason?

TB: I don’t understand the stock market. I can’t see it. I have no control over it. And I don’t think my investments did very well.

KM: Maybe you need a better investment advisor.

TB: I think I’ll stick with real estate.

KM: Any other advice about buying real estate for investment.

TB: Location is very important. It’s much better to buy the smallest and cheapest house in a good neighborhood, rather than the biggest house in a cheapest neighborhood.

KM: Why is that?

TB: Lifestyle mostly. Better neighborhood, better neighbors, better school, means better tenants that will take more care of my investment.

KM: Makes sense. Thanks Terry. Very enlightening.

http://www.fmwindows.com/

Filed under: advice, Buying Real Estate, investing in real estate by Keith Marshall
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China’s citizens have been told not to spend their ever-increasing savings in the domestic real estate market as the government fears speculation will fuel a Chinese housing bubble. Instead, the millions of upper-middle and higher classes of communist Chinese are looking for other safe investment vehicles.

High-end luxury condo properties in posh areas of Vancouver are being snapped up. At an average cost of $5.5 million, many of these properties are beyond the budget of most Vancouverites.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/mainland-china-pours-wealth-into-bc-housing/article1600114/?cmpid=rss1

Filed under: real estate trends by Keith Marshall
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Doing some renovations? Need professional help? Before hiring a handyman or contractor you should find out a few things about them. Here are some important questions to ask:

How long have you been in business? Try to get someone who has been operation for at least five years. Google their name and see if any complaints come up.

Are you licensed and registered to operate in Waterloo Region? Ask to see their license.

Do I need a permit? Did you know that in most cases you need a permit to build a deck on the back of your house in K-W? If you go ahead and do renovations without a permit, you may run into trouble when it comes time to sell.

Will you be using any sub-contractors? Ensure that the subs are insured and licensed.

Do you have any references? Often contractors will tell you where they are currently working. You might interview that homeowner. The contractor should have a list of references with all the contact information you need.

http://www.hgtv.ca/articles/articledetails.aspx?ContentId=1876&cat=4&by=2&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Tip%20of%20the%20Day

Filed under: advice, home owners by Keith Marshall
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When Elvis shows up, you know you’re going to like it.

And, like it? I loved it!

What a crowd. The mayor of Kitchener, the mayor of Waterloo, three radio stations, the Waterloo Region Record, Elvis, musicians, singers, dancers, the man who brought the chicken dance to Waterloo way back when, two guys in nylon body suits, a six-foot chicken, an inflatable beaver and of course a big, blow up, phallic lion, the same one that started it all. There was a crowd of more than a thousand, by my rough estimate. It was a spectacle, a pageant about a parade marshal.

This story has legs. I’m frankly surprised and amazed how it continues, groundswells because of Ellen Degenerers’ media distinction. How does a little facebook fan page lead to a blocked off main street, in front of city hall and this kind of attention?

It’s Oktoberfest. It’s Ellen. As one attendee told me, “She’ll come now. She’s that kind of lady.” I’m not sure what that means, but I like it, no I love it, because Ellen Degenerers as our parade marshal will be good for Oktoberfest and great for Kitchener-Waterloo.

Filed under: Around Kitchener Waterloo, just for fun by Keith Marshall
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