Monetary Problems Facing The Canadian Monetary Relations

Is there any need for us to worry about the economic instability of our country, isn't the most difficult part over and done with now? This is not the position we are in and now the Canadian economy is facing more worries than the average person realizes.

The Bank of Canada assumes that the drop in economic growth is going to be a short-term problem and that the second half will be marked by more rapid growth. This is based entirely on a plausible but uncertain supposition that levels of energy prices will not rise, and that they’re more likely to decline. The current excuse for the depression, however, is thought to have arisen from events in Japan. A perfectly logical reason, but underneath this problem the consumers are the individuals who influence our economy. Of course, the Japanese issue has an genuine impact on the economy, but the thing is that it is not even close to being the primary reason for the slowdown. The majority of consumers are perplexed by the effects of gasoline prices and erratic job growth.

The Canadian debt to personal means ratio is at present approximately 1.5, a bit higher than the US pre-depression ratio. Another thing in our favour is that the banking institutions are on a lot firmer ground, meaning that if there was a problem with debt, then the banks would still stay strong. It is always a concern to home owners that home prices are going to fall especially during any recession; but at the end of the day the effect on bank profits are not going to be as bad as they were a few years ago. In the US there have been bailouts that influence the US economy, while with the banking situation as it is in Canada we are unlikely to see the same thing occurring here.

The US and Canadian monetary status are closely linked, so trouble facing the US could impact negatively on Canada, including banks and BC property market. So, we can say the Canadian economy is quite healthy but that could fluctuate dramatically if the US economy declines any further. The contagion could hit from Europe, which is currently having some serious problems with Portugal, Ireland, and Greece. Conditions have a way of escalating and drawing other countries in with tightening of credit which could affect the property market, shifts in the equity market and the fall of commodity prices; all with the chance of destroying Canada's economic potential.

Strike A Good Rate For Your Future Vancouver Home Or Condo

Real estate news abounds with reports regarding the Vancouver housing bubble. Many are confused as to whether it is the right time to start seeking a new home. Luckily, if you are looking for a kind of a typical asset and , it seems that it really does not matter terribly.



The Vancouver housing market has been quite lively starting 2010. It started its recovery from a trough and has been mostly on a rise since. In the entire market, each price divison has been showing diverse figures. While units in the most prosperous areas have inflated at a velocity that has been beyond belief, other categories have witnessed moderated trends or mere unrests.

If you are persistent enough, you’ll find that there are still deals to be made on the Vancouver (BC) realty market that treat buyers to great value for a reasonable price. These are not very evident amidst all the fluctuations that is going on in the market. Experienced Realtors® will have chosen these one neighbourhood at a time so that they can share them to the buyers they serve as agents to.

If you are clever to look for your future home with open eyes, and if you’re willing to search for a variety of houses in a variety of locations with an unbiased perspective, very likely you will circumvent the intermittent instances of price excitement that happens in Greater Vancouver for the most outlandish reasons.

Don’t worry, however. The value of your unit will still improve in the future in hand with the moderate-to-positive outlooks. It is merely in the upcoming months, that rapid appreciation is unlikely.

Part 2 Of Selling Your Home - Some Do's And Don'ts And General Advice

1. Colour schemes that are at the extreme side of individual taste need to be removed. Psychedelic walls in the bedroom may bring back memories of when you were a teenager and the children may love the little mermaid themed bathroom, but it's not going to be to everyone's taste and can be quite off-putting to a potential buyer. Be sure to pick a neutral theme, and stick with uncomplicated modifications that individuals can easily renovate and modify themselves when they purchase your home. What you need to bear in mind at all times is that first impressions is potentially the difference between selling your home or not.

2. A dirty yard: Having a front or back yard that is unkempt can definitely decrease the value of your home. You may have dogs who have turned the garden into dying grass with big holes all over, or children that have run around so much it is just a pile of mud; this means that any potential buyer is going to know that they need to spend time and money making it look good again.

3. Many individuals ignore something like a leaky pipe until it becomes a problem; keep in mind any plumbing problems need to be dealt with immediately. Anything from a leaky tap to a broken pipe could have catastrophic consequences if left unattended. One of the damaging things that can happen to a home is to ignore a plumbing job. This can result in mold in the home which can make a home virtually unsaleable.

4. House Location: Unluckily, there’s not really much you can do about this situation. As a BC real estate professional, my houses are usually in amazing surrounding. The first most important factor of a home purchase for most individuals is where the home is built. Things such as reputable schools, a quiet environment, and close proximity to shopping and public transit are what individuals usually look for. A good example of this is a well-known incident of one neighbourhood with a considerable difference in value between the even and odd-numbered houses. The reason? Well, the odd numbered homes had a major highway and utility lines at the back of them, whereas the even numbered homes didn't, resulting in a price difference of about 10%.

5. Bathroom/kitchen carpets: Carpets soak up moisture which in turn leads to damp and mold, so even though carpets may feel pleasant under foot, they are a breeding ground for germs and are nearly impossible to keep in good condition. Also, carpets in kitchens are likely spattered with various food stains, so you’re usually better off with a hardwood floor or tile in either of these two areas.

My January Article Selections

January passed week ago, and here I come with trio of the most interesting article by Vancouver Homes. Wikinut hosted our article called simply Add this, or that! dealing with the market power of simple home renovations. Another one, this time on Multiply, discussed the Bad Renovation Faux Pas. Finally, second part of our article about Property Improvements was published on Amazines.

Selling Your Home - A List Of Do's and Don'ts And Useful Advice

Few of us are fortunate enough not to need every penny we make out of our home sale; with most of us having to have the money to finance a move. There are many ways in which home sellers unwittingly decrease the value of their property. Your home could well command a higher price by avoiding these renovation traps. The following are a few of the mistakes made and some tips on how to dodge them:

1. One of the main drawbacks as a seller is floor space, a potential buyer is not going to look twice at your house if the rooms look and feel cramped with no space to move. Reorganize your furniture and remove excess items from rooms, so you can create at least the feeling of space, you won't be disappointed. Think about the layout of your house, avoid access trouble to rooms; for example going to the family bathroom through a bedroom.
2. Sloppy DIY:home improvements: Don't forget the sins of the 1970s. For those that remember stone cladding, brick fireplaces and ornamental plaster on the walls; this is a definite turn off for potential buyers. If there is DIY in your house make sure it is not falling apart, but generally make sure it blends well the the house itself. Laminate floors may look good and be simple to clean but they definitely don't suit a Victorian house, just as plump, heavily upholstered furniture and lots of ornamentation wouldn't suit a modern apartment. If you want to add an extension to your home, do not use up all your outdoor space, people like to have an outdoor area they can relax or even have friends over for a B-B-Q.
3. A bad roof: Roofs are expensive to change, and a good roof is thought to be standard equipment in a property. As a buyer, if you walk into a house and see leaks on the ceiling or hear an inspector remark that the roof is bad, you'd probably take that home off your short list right away. Make sure the roof is at least in adequate condition before putting your house on the market.
4. Apart from the kitchen, the bathroom has a large role when it comes to selling any house. Ordinary problems such as broken tiles, an old toilet, or lime scale build-up around the bath will have buyers looking for money off your sale price, or even put them off altogether. A quick fix here and there could pay off greatly
5. Potted plants and flower arrangements: These can make a room look and smell beautiful and fresh, but make sure they are not dying and shedding leaves and petals over the floor and surfaces. As a Vancouver condos realtor I know plants can create a bonus even in a loft. The appearance of dead or struggling potted plants will affect the buyer's perception of your house and the way you've looked after it - they're better off in the garbage bin.

picture by Velo Steve

The Best Articles of December 2010

As in the previous month, I bring you again a brief list of the most interesting articles I have contributed to various web communities.

Selling Home and Renovating Your Property - Real estate market is tough and you want to squeeze 100% of your property's potential. Considering some minor renovations is an option!

Your Property - Minor Improvements - this article continues with the outlined topic of minor renovations.

The 'trilogy' is concluded with Minor Redecoration Can Help Sell Your House.

My Xanga blog brings you Reviving Your House - Part 2.

Do not avoid Renting out a Fully Furnished Property and Buying Property in Vancouver - Informative Guide for US Buyers on HubPages!