He mentioned about looking at the number of ‘assignments’ coming up on the market as an indicator…these are pre-sold units where the investor hopes to unload at a profit with no intention of carrying the mortgage…these are up and are beginning to have an effect on recent completed builds.

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You aren’t too bright, maybe this chart will enlighten you. Gee, looks like almost a 500% gain in 5 years, certainly better than stocks or homes

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Yes it has. The trouble is that the average lot size has been decreasing so it’s difficult to compare apples to apples. More families these days are opting for townhouses where 25 years ago they would be comfortably in an SFH.

The ratio may have changed a bit recently with longer amortizations on mortgages but this is really a hidden cost. It will all come out in the wash but you may need the patience of a Tibetan monk.

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http://tinyurl.com/2ywekz

Gold is a lousy investment. In fact, it may be one of the worst investments you could ever make.

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Now, let’s look at gold. If you get squeamish at the sight of truly horrific investment returns, now would be a good time to turn away.

If you’d put that same $1 into gold, your investment would have grown to … ready? … $1.95. Without adjusting for inflation, your $1 would be worth a whole $32.84

Over the 204-year period studied, $1 invested in the stock market grew to $755,163,

http://tinyurl.com/2ywekz

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MLS®: V690490

-dropped $40k after two weeks on market

MLS®: V675745

-on market since last summer

MLS®: V689607

-one of 10 listings, in 12 unit duplex complex – on sale since fall

MLS®: V689070

-on market most of last year – relisted this year for approximately same price

one street has 6 houses for sale and three houses being built

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Western Coins & Stamp Ltd – 604-278-3235
2-6380 No. 3 Road , Richmond , BC V6Y 2B3

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“what is the best way to buy silver in Canada? Is there a CAD$ ETF (or fund) or do you buy SLV in the US?”

For physical silver the best would be to hold it yourself perferably the 1000oz Engelhard of Johnson Matthey bars but definately not in certificate form as that is a piece of paper and institutes such as the Bank of Nova Scotia who sell you such products don’t charge insurance or storage fee when they sell you that certificate. Hence they probably don’t even have the physical to back up your certificate as they have sold it short or else they would charge you those fees when they sell you the certificates.

SLV’s problem is in its custodial arrangements. The silver is unallocated and pooled thus you don’t actually have a claim on any bar and the auditing of the holdings are almost impossible.

The Central Fund of Canada (CEF.A) which is 50% gold 50% silver but at times trades at a premium over NAV as its downside – but you can also sell at a premium, and also Millenium Bullion Fund (MBF100) which is actually one of if not the top performing mutual fund tracked by Morningstar Canada since the beggining of 2008. MBF100 holds 33% gold 33% silver and 33% platinum and unlike CEF.A trades at NAV. MBF100′s downside is its MER’s running at 3%. SLV, CEF.A and MBF100 all have their upside and downside. Take your pick….

Now I thought this was a housing blog. Why are we on the topic of tangible assets without counterparty risks? I want to hear and see the housing bubble collapse!! muhahaha

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what is the best way to buy silver in Canada? Is there a CAD$ ETF (or fund) or do you buy SLV in the US?

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bdk, good to read your post and get a scientific ratio for housing versus income, (3:1). Do you know if this ratio has changed since then? What do you think might be a sensible ratio now so that we can compute an adjusted real price for housing and get an idea when it’s safe to buy?

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“For a more recent indication, paulb’s blog tells us that North Van inventory jumped 31%, and West Van listings jumped 35% during the first 2 months this year.”

The observations I’ve made have come from walking around the neighbourhood and comparing what I’m seeing to the past. Maybe it’s the calm before the storm. I’m not friends with these people, but curious enough about the real estate market to ask questions. Friends who were trying to make money from real estate sold last year.

And I personally haven’t any worries. I’d like to see prices go down so I can buy another property when prices are about to hit bottom.

I don’t know much about North Van, but I have been expecting prices to go down in the Valley with gas prices going up and traffic being what it is. This is more anecdotal evidence, but I’ve talked to a few who gave up that big place in Langley to move to a smaller place in Vancouver/Burnaby/New West because they were tired of spending time and money commuting. This may take some time because our high dollar is keeping gas prices relatively low.

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it was tit-uary efflorescence complete with pasties

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sheeplessin vancouver,

Hate to rip the ladder out from under yor feet, but rather than trying to gauge the market from what your 2 buddies are doing/saying/seeing, why not tune into the stats from FVREB to discover that sales this January were down 4%, and listings were up 18%.

For a more recent indication, paulb’s blog tells us that North Van inventory jumped 31%, and West Van listings jumped 35% during the first 2 months this year.

Maybe it’s time to wake up, No?

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