Produced and distributed to past and present clients
and a selected list of businesses
in the Niagara Pensinsula
by
Duncan Pollock Real Estate Broker
427 Gate Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, Canada L0S 1J0
Tel: 905-468-3154 Fax: 905-468-3812
Cellular: 905-704-9037
email: duncanpollock@sympatico.ca
website: http://www.duncanpollock.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The texts of the mailing
pieces I've sent out so far can be brought
up by
clicking on whichever
of the following topics interest you.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda ...
May 2008
Opportunities, like history, have a way of repeating themselves. Having
to forego them
the first time doesn't have to mean you'll never have another chance.
Rent or Buy? II
April 2008
Thoughts about two other ways in which to ease yourself into the market
by Renting To Own or Renting With An Option To Buy.
Rent or Buy?
March 2008
There are occasions when the idea of renting instead of buying
has its merits,
especially when it comes to commercial premises. Here
are some related thoughts.
Peeling back the layers
February 2008
What you see isn't necessarily what you're going to get.
It therefore
makes sense to bring an appropriate degree of scepticism
to what has caught your fancy.
Apples and Oranges
January 2008
The current downturn in the U.S. market doesn't seem likely
to have any effect on our own.
Here are some thoughts in support of this widely held
view.
---------------------------------------------------------
The Tax Man Cometh III
December 2007
Toronto's City Council has decided to levy a second
and separate land transfer
tax on property sales within the city with effect
from February 1st 2008.
Here are some thoughts about the wisdom
or otherwise of the move.
Cap rates, ROI's, and other
mysteries
November 2007
The commercial real estate sector has a language of
its own.
You can find an explanation of some of the terminology
here.
No change to speak
of
October 2007
Some thoughts about the impact that political
changes no longer
seem to have on the real estate market.
Four cents an acre
September 2007
The Louisiana Purchase provides an interesting
example of
the elements that are involved in
real estate transactions to this day.
Differences of
opinion
August 2007
Buying and selling houses isn't a cut
and dried affair. Here's a discussion
of several of the issues involved
-- some of them in conflict with others.
Whatever it takes
July 2007
Although my website explains the Exclusive
Buyer Broker idea, here are some of
the specifics of what I do,
how I do it, and, by implication, why I enjoy doing so.
Oops!
June 2007
Rules, like records, can be broken.
Here are some examples of when it
can make sense to step aside from
what usually makes sense!
If at
first ...
May 2007
Some reflections on how the
market, like the weather, is constantly changing.
Nevertheless, the key to success
is still the idea of having to Work At It.
Only
in Canada
April 2007
Although the market has undoubtedly
softened, the mutterings about it are
much louder in the United
States. I think there are some reasons for this.
What's wrong with this picture?
March 2007
Houses are built to last,
but they do need some looking after.
Here are some comments
designed to put things into perspective.
What happens now?
February 2007
Getting an offer accepted
is just a beginning.
There are numerous details
to get through before the transaction is completed.
Finding the "one right house"
January 2007
The task can be likened
to finding a needle in a haystack
Yet it's really no
more than a process of elimination and lies at the
heart of the Buyer Agent idea.
---------------------------------------------------------
Maybe next year?
December 2006
Talk of a softening
market can suggest that 2007 will be a good time to
buy.
However, the decision
isn't quite so simple. It calls for considering
a couple of other issues first.
What happens now?
November 2006
The US and our
local elections are probably going to have some economic
repercussions.
One of the effects
will be a prolongation of the soft landing that many
observers are talking about.
A great place to live
October 2006
There are some
good reasons for moving to the Niagara Region
-- and for staying
put if you already live here.
Let the seller beware
September 2006
Here are some
questions that the seller and his/her listing agent
may hope you won't ask.
But you're
entitled to the answers and it pays to know what you're
getting into.
Rent To Own II
August 2006
This idea
may resurface if there's any truth to the reports
of a market softening.
Here is my
attempt to put it into some perspective.
Summer doldrums
July
2006
There
are mutterings about a current softening of the market,
but I'm
not convinced
that there's much -- if any -- cause for concern.
Two heads aren't always better than
one
June
2006
It is
now obvious that the Municipal Property Assessment
Corporation
is working
at cross purposes with the Assessment Review Board.
Putting things into perspective
May
2006
Houses
aren't as affordable as they were five years ago, but
our local
market
has largely avoided any soaring price increases.
What Buyer Agency really means
April 2006
The idea of looking after a buyer's best interests
calls for a whole lot more
than simply rushing forward with an offer on a given
property.
Sounding the alarm
March 2006
A change in the law about household smoke alarms
has now come into effect.
It doesn't translate into a lot of expense
or work for most homeowners, but people could
be faced with fines if they ignore the new requirements.
Ah yes, but is it really
yours?
February 2006
One of the latest additions to the complexities
of buying real estate is Title Insurance.
It's something your lawyer will mention and it's
well worth considering.
Green Grow the Rushes, O
January 2006
Derelict industrial sites and buildings are
being revitalized by developers with vision, even
though it calls for both patience and courage
in overcoming the difficulties.
---------------------------------------------------------
Home for Christmas
December 2005
A few thoughts about the real estate business
as another year comes to an end
-- with a closing a link to a fun, toetapping
"Christmas Tale"
The Tax Man cometh
II
November 2005
MPAC's reassessments two years ago
didn't cause much of a stir, but
this time it's a different story
Should you become
a landlord?
October 2005
Some time and effort is required if
you want to own income properties
Is your car
still in the driveway?
September 2005
If there's no room in the garage
for the family car, there
is
a solution
This just in ---
and this
August 2005
A couple of news items. One
about a high tech answer to a low tech
problem.
The other dealing with a fun
foray into the Title Search aspect of real
estate.
Going round
in circles
July 2005
There's been a flurry of sales
activity in the Niagara Region recently.
It reminds me of
some advice I gave in my February 2004 newsletter.
What is a business
worth?
June 2005
An objective analysis of the
figures needs to be tempered
by some healthy subjective judgement
Is the bubble
about to burst?
May 2005
The odds are against it, at
least as far as the Niagara Region is concerned
I thought
you'd never ask
April 2005
A range of answers about making
an offer and completing a purchase
A different
approach to things
March 2005
The Exclusive Buyer Broker
idea means doing what comes
unnaturally
Different approaches to value
February 2005
The relationship between assessed
values and market prices
Looking
into a crystal ball
January 2005
A few thoughts about what's
to become of us in the next twelve months
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A gift that
lasts
December 2004
There are a few parallels
between our thoughts about house buying
and those that cross our minds
at Christmastime
What is
the White House worth?
November 2004
Maybe you could pick it up
for $106million(USD)
FSBOs and other
"opportunities"
October 2004
They have their place, but
their true nature isn't always obvious
Water, water
everywhere ...
September 2004
If you're a country dweller,
you ought to be aware of
the repercussions of
The
Walkerton Enquiry
The eye of
the beholder
August 2004
Price isn't the only thing
that needs to be right when you're buying
a home
Making the
right move
July 2004
Dealing with the buy-then-sell
or sell-then-buy question
Crunching the
numbers
June 2004
Figures don't lie, but they
don't necessarily tell you the truth!
A Sea of
Troubles
May 2004
You're at some risk if you aren't
a client
A Wee Scottish
Loft
April 2004
How
do
you put a value on a castle?
Are you being
served?
March 2004
The customer
isn't King.
Only a client is.
Making haste
slowly
February 2004
Don't panic, but make sure you're
able to take a quick decision
Should you
(be asked to) sign a Buyer Agency Agreement?
January 2004
A handshake ought to be enough
-----------------------------------------------
The Tax Man
cometh!
December 2003
Your assessments for 2004
and 2005 may be higher than they ought to
be
Is it a
good investment?
November 2003
The case for owning property
instead of stocks and bonds
Today has been
cancelled!
October 2003
Getting insurance is no longer
a foregone conclusion
Who pays the
piper?
September 2003
Value is the only tune to dance
to
Due diligence
August 2003
Value can be measured -- by
one means or another
Sins of omission
July 2003
You're entitled to know the
true value of what you're buying
Sumer is icumen
in
June 2003
Like the weather, the market
is always changing
Kill all
the lawyers?
May 2003
A Buyer Agent isn't the only
person looking after your best interests
Perchance to
dream ...
April 2003
The only thing that matters
is paying no more than you ought to do
Is it still a Buyers Market?
March 2003
Should you worry about multiple
offers and bidding wars?
If you aren't already
on my mailing list, you can easily add your
name to it.
This will allow me to send you
another of these "Shots Across the Bow"
around the middle of each month.
There's nothing hard sell involved,
as I like to think the texts you've read
will have indicated. Rather, the idea is
to share my thoughts with you about how I believe
buyers can be better served by the real estate industry.
Thank you.
Duncan
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