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.
This isn't a game
September 2009
At the risk of upsetting political sensitivitees, I'm not afraid to argue
that forcing a new election
is a mistake. I think we should leave well enough alone until recovery
is more assured than it is.
Where are prices headed?
August 2009
If the medicine does seem to be working, what effect is it going to have
on house prices?
There isn't any clear answer, just several thoughts. Here are some
of them
.
Is the medicine working?
July 2009
On balance, I consider that the moves to prime pump the economy are
going to have
the required effect. Here is some of the thinking that enables
me to say so.
Close to home
June 2009
The international downturn in the world's financial health has repercussions
on our own
doorstep. My personal view is that they're inevitable,
but I also think we'll manage to surmount them.
.
Looking into the future
May 2009
Here are some personal thoughts about where we now are, where we've
come from, and what lies
ahead of us -- triggered by a recent visit to Toronto to
hug my great granddaughter on her first birthday.
Is this the time to buy?
April 2009
There's no clear answer, but on balance it could be. As
a buyer, you're in a stronger position than usual.
As long as you negotiate carefully, you could come out ahead
of those who think it wiser to wait and see.
Let the buyer beware
March 2009
Although paying less than the asking price is a fundamental
buyer agency objective,
I'm now inclined to think that the emerging likelihood of a
drop in values makes it an imperative.
The time has come ...
February 2009
It's probably going to take some government intervention,
but I see no reason
to think that the real estate market isn't going to
recover -- and perhaps sooner than later.
Should we be worried?
January 2009
Although there are justifed concerns about turning the
economic downturn around, I am confident that we
will return to prosperity, probably sooner than later.
Here are some of my thoughts in support of this opinion.
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To buy or not to buy?
December 2008
Despite the uncertainties, this might be as good
a time as any to make a purchase.
Buyers are few and far between, interest rates are
still low, and your offer could be the only one a seller sees.
Exciting Times
November 2008
The Obama victory is considered by many people to
be historic. It's going
to be interesting to witness the changes that are
widely thought to be overdue.
You win some. You lose some.
October 2008
Regardless of what I said last time, the October
14th results, as well as the battle for
the US Presidency, do underscore one significant
truth: it IS the economy, stupid!
Political
uncertainties
September
2008
The Canadian and American
elections don't seem likely to have any significant
impact on the
real estate markets.
Here's my thinking about why this is probably
the case.
The 100 year mortgage?
August
2008
Some reports suggest
that house prices are going to double in the next
twenty years.
Here are some thoughts
about whether this will have to be an answer.
Taking care of buyers
July
2008
Here are some comments
about what I believe ought to be a change
in the traditional
role of the real estate industry and its agents.
More complications
June
2008
New government
regulations being introduced this month are going
to have an impact
on both buyers
and sellers. Real estate companies will be required
to keep written records
of the legitimacy
of transactions and the people involved in them.
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.
Oranges and Apples
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.
Dealing with
the paperwork
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.
Election twists and turns
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
Comparing assessed and market values
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
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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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