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The recent RE/MAX report found out that Generation X became the most important buying force on the Canadian market with recreational property, replacing the aging baby boomer generation.

Who are the people in Generation X?

As you may have noticed, generations of the 20th century have been given fancy names by social scientists.  It were the different political and cultural attributes of the period when a certain generation was brought up that influenced its members and gave the generation a name.  While baby boomers (those born in the period of mid 40’s late 50’s) were the most active buying force until just a couple of years ago, most of them have entered or are just about to enter retirement. 

Now the children of baby boomers (named as Generation X) have grown up and in their 30 – 40’s they are in a sufficient financial condition to purchase recreational property at almost any price.
The change is especially noticeable when you confront the first half of 2009 results to the 2008 results.  Waterfront cottages, resort condos and all other kinds of recreational property products are now very popular among thirty-something buyers. This has been reported by 74 percent of markets surveyed this year.  This compares with only 40 percent in 2008.  From January till April 2009, the number of sold recreational properties decreased – at least two thirds of all surveyed markets showed such trend.  But now, since the start of the new cottage season, many major centers are now reporting an intensive buyer activity.

The most important points of the report:

Most markets report reasonable supply, but in 18 percent of the markets the inventory levels for entry-level products are tight, as most of the activity was targeted in the lower-end.  Younger buyers with families are now purchasing properties from older cottage owners, who in many cases own their properties outright.  Numerous cottages in Canada are owned by Americans, who are presently taking advantage of the stronger dollar to cash out of the market.  There are some exceptions of course, but we can say that American purchasers have in most cases disappeared. One of the known factors in the marketplace is pent-up demand. For example some buyers who had intended to buy recreational properties in the second half of 2008 decided to defer the transaction till the next year. The warmer parts of USA, such as Florida, Arizona, California or Nevada – this is where some older Canadians still want to purchase secondary homes. Although the Generation X purchasers are prepared to pay their hard-earned dollars for recreational houses, they still want to be sure they’ve negotiated the best possible outcome.

Due to the commercial climate property prices have dropped with some alluring discounts available. Investors in real estate look forward to these times. To pick up the geese that will drop the golden eggs. How do Canada and the USA equate.

Real estate prices in the USA dropped much more than in Canada (where the prices have actually already made a comeback) and their mls listings are jam-packed with stock. As prices are lesser in the USA wouldn’t you think this was the better place to invest? Canada is still seen as the prime real estate investment preference by those whose job it is to watch it.

Global Property Guide authorities still warn of rushing into the US market and suggest Canada as a more feasible option. It is anticipated that the USA prices could still fall more. The perplexing tax system, low returns make the US a less than desirable option. Two out of five is the star rating of the USA property market according to the long term investment assessment chart.

The cities used for analyzing are: Canada = Toronoto, USA = New York. Canada has been been given 3 out of 5 stars. The better results are due to a less complicated tax system, better returns on investments, a better rental market and a more safe economy.

Transactions costs are less expensive making Canada an even more desirable investment chance. Model property (resale 0 000 condo in major city, cash paid) transaction costs (totalling registration costs, real estate agent charges, legal charges and sales and transfer taxes) count for 6.96% of the sale price in Canada, while it is 9.07% in the USA. The 2% division makes quite a variance for investors.

No matter which country you choose in the end, I wish you the best of luck with your investment.

There has been a growing interest in franchising in Canada as of late. This is because the industry is booming. As a matter of fact, nearly half of all new retail businesses in the country are franchises. Before putting up a franchise business in Canada, a potential franchisor must first be aware of the different Canadian laws that concern the franchising business. A good way to do this is to hire a attorney in franchise.

Some of the services of a attorney in franchise are: preparing and reviewing disclosure documents; drafting, reviewing, and negotiating franchise agreements; giving advice on the application of franchise laws and regulations; registering and licensing trademarks; and mediating or litigating commercial disputes. Because Canadian franchise lawyers are experts in the field of franchising, they are well-equipped to protect their clients’ business interests. Their services are invaluable not only during the start-up phase, but are essential also in the maintenance stage of the franchise business.

One important consideration when setting up a franchise business in Canada is how federal laws directly affect the franchise industry.The Competition Act is an example of legislation that directly affects franchising in Canada. This law prohibits a person engaged in business from influencing the price at which another person offers to supply a product or service within the country. Consequently, the franchisor cannot dictate the price at which the franchisee offers its products or services. Another example would be the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, which specifies guidelines for the packaging and labeling of products to be sold in the country. In case the franchisor is in the business of distributing imported goods, this law would require him or her to specify the country of manufacture, as well as the name and address of the importer, on the product label. Most elements of the labeling should also be written in both the country’s official languages: English and French.

These are just a few of the legal-related matters a potential franchisor or franchisee has to consider before starting to conduct business in Canada. Franchise attorneys will be able to answer business-specific queries or concerns.

-C.D.

Franchising is on the rise in Canada. Franchises make up nearly half of all new retail businesses in the country. Consequently, a lot of individuals and businesses are considering going into the franchise business.Before putting up a franchise business in Canada, a potential franchisor must first be aware of the different Canadian laws that concern the franchising business. A good way to do this is to hire a lawyer in franchise.

A Lawyer in franchise possess the expertise to offer their clients invaluable legal advice relating to the franchising industry in Canada, thus protecting their clients’ business interests. The services they provide are essential not only during the start-up stages of the business, but during the maintenance phases as well. These services include: preparing and reviewing disclosure documents; drafting, reviewing, and negotiating franchise agreements; registering and licensing trademarks; giving advice on application of franchise laws and regulations; and mediating or litigating commercial disputes, among others.

One important thing to note before putting up a franchise business in Canada is that some Canadian federal laws have a direct effect on the franchising business. Take, for example, the Competition Act, which prohibits a person who is engaged in the business of producing or supplying a product or service from influencing upward, or discouraging the reduction, of the price at which any other person offers to supply or advertise a product or service within Canada. What this means is, a franchisor is prohibited from establishing the lowest price at which its franchisee is to offer its products or services. The Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act prescribes policies on how products that are sold or distributed in Canada are packaged and labeled. This law would require franchisors to indicate the country of manufacture and the importer’s name and address for products that are imported.  Product labels should also be written in both English and French, Canada’s official languages.

These are just a few of the legal-related matters a potential franchisor or franchisee has to consider before starting to conduct business in Canada. Franchise attorneys will be able to answer business-specific queries or concerns.

-C.D.

Searching for Canadian real estate is a very different process than searching for property in the U.S. If you are looking for Winnipeg real estate, for instance, you will find that up-to-date Winnipeg real estate listings are hard to find on the Internet. The best way to get current listings is to contact a Winnipeg real estate agent directly, because they have access to the most up-to-date data.

Many agents do not like to link to live MLS listings, because broker reciprocity agreements in Canada place the listing broker’s contact information on the listing. This increases the likelihood that the listing agent would get the phone call from a potential buyer rather than the agent who linked to the MLS in the first place. The system favors listing agents, discouraging buyers agents from promoting other agents’ real estate listings.

The data that the public can access on the official “Realtor.ca” site are not 100% up-to-date as well, meaning most searchers are better off simply contacting a real estate agent from the start. This way, you’ll be looking only at current listings, and not wasting your time on outdated information.

About the Winnipeg area

Winnipeg is located in Manitoba, Canada. It is the largest city in the province, with more than half the Manitoba population living in the municipality. Located near “The Forks” (named after the convergence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers), the city has a population of more than 720,000 people.

Winnipeg weather

Before buying real estate in Winnipeg, most people want to know what the weather is like in the region. While Winnipeg residents (who call themselves “Winnipegers”) jokingly call it “Winterpeg” because of the low temperatures, it also happens to be the 6th sunniest city in Canada year-round. Though winter lows can get as low as minus 9 degrees F in January (not taking into account wind chill), they do go back to the balmy mid to high seventies in early summer.

Winnipeg neighborhoods

While there are over 200 neighborhoods in Winnipeg, the most popular are:

• The Waterfront District
• The Forks
• Central Park
• Broadway-Assiniboine
• Exchange District
• Chinatown

For more information on Winnipeg homes or searching for up-to-the-minute Winnipeg real estate listings, please see a Winnipeg real estate agent who is an expert in all the region has to offer.

Now is a good time to consider exploring and penetrating the Canadian business market. Canada is now considered a franchise industry leader, with nearly half of all its new retail businesses being franchised businesses.There is a lot to learn about successful franchising in Canada, whether you are a franchisor expanding into Canada for the first time, or are a seasoned international franchisor. There are a lot of business and legal issues to consider, including cultural challenges, disclosure compliance, anti-trust laws, and intellectual property protection. Franchisors operating in Canada are subject to both federal and provincial law, so it would be prudent to consult with a Franchise Attorney before setting up your franchise.

The areas of law related to franchising in Canada include licensing; franchise and distribution; intellectual property; multi-level marketing; transporting franchise systems into and from Canada; and general corporate commercial law. Most franchise attorneys offer a comprehensive list of services related to franchising, including preparation of documents, analysis, and advice.

A good franchise attorney is a specialist in his field who is able to meet the needs of various clients. For instance, a startup franchise system may need help with drawing up documentation to sell franchises; a mature international franchise system may want to penetrate the Canadian market; a prospective franchisee would possibly need assistance reviewing documents provided by the franchisor. A franchise lawyer with business experience in franchising is a big plus, since he will be able to give his clients first-hand advice based on his own business experience.

Trademarking and protecting intellectual property are important considerations when one puts up any kind of business. A franchise attorney who is also a registered Canadian trademark agent will be able to properly register the business trademarks, and protect his client’s business from infringement anywhere in the world. The attorney can also provide advice on copyrights, industrial design, and patent issues.

To be successful at government auctions you don’t need to have magical insider knowledge. As a matter of fact it’s frightfully easy. One key ingredient to certain auction success is ‘diversity’. This can be said to be the most significant out of all the countless lessons learned. Normally this can be approached from a few viewpoints. You may want to think about buying different assets, i.e. Not only autos and fixed property. Perhaps consider looking at other areas. You’ll be hard pressed to start at a better place than Canadian Government auctions.

Canada, as a neighbour to the States, conducts auctions in very much the same way. Similar to governments around the world, the Canadian bureaucracy have many layers of agencies. The Crown Assets Distribution is an agency that manages assets on behalf of the national government. Their responsibilty as independant agency is to sell any autos and other assets which the government consider as surplus. They manage this by way of different distribution points around Canada. More than 50% of the goods sold are sedans, trucks and SUV’s with the rest being made up of scrap metal, furniture, boats and other miscellaneous goods. 

Michener Allen Auctioneering is a company that assists the federal government with car auctions in Canada. The reason why they act as another outlet is because of the amount of cars for sale – good news for bidders!

The CAD are nearly exclusively in charge of disposing surplus goods and vehicles for the federal government. Canada also consist of ’separate’ provincial areas and this includes British Columbia, Northwest Territory and Ontario. These provincial authorities also conduct auctions which can be an additional outlet for auction bargain hunters. All government agencies and departments do so. This includes Cities. Notable Cities in Canada include Halifax, Edmonton and Victoria. Canadian city auctions are excellent places if you’re looking for cheap cars and other goods.

Will you be left satisfied when looking for bargains at Canadian auctions? The long and short answer is, ‘YES’. Auctions in Canada offer great deals and should be on any serious bidder’s radar screen.

A great investment is learning how to buy gold coins. Gold bullion is an excellent commodity to invest in. As fiat money crashes like the house of cards it is, your gold provides the security you need. While paper money can hold value, it devalues quickly and is not internationally recognized. The only currency that has stood the test of time is gold. Gold bullion is easily the most attractive commodity on the planet. Empires have been built and toppled on little more than gold. As a safe haven investment, gold is where the savvy investors turn to during turbulent markets. This should tell your something, the best way to protect your assets and recession proof your wealth is to invest in gold bullion. You can’t go wrong buying the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.

Look at these reasons to see why a Maple Leaf is a good choice for a gold coin:

1) For thousands of years gold has been a yardstick by which wealth was measured. Never in all of history has gold lost its worth completely.

2) Coins are easily bought, stored, and transported. This is one of the simplest, yet effective forms of wealth preservation that exist in the world today.

3) Since gold is the original money, it is easily purchased or sold on the free market. There is always a market for gold coins, especially popular ones like the Maple Leaf. So owning Maple Leafs not only preserves your wealth, but keeps it very liquid.

4) The volume to value ratio is very high with gold coins, making them a good commodity. They are thus easily stored and transported. Gold is accessible to everybody.

5) The process for investing in gold is pretty painless. The concept of gold as a secure safe haven investment is obvious. Gold Maple Leafs are easily confirmed. Highly collectable gold coins are worth more than the spot price of gold on the market.

Even though the markets are in turmoil, learning how to buy gold coins is always good because gold coins a safe haven investment. While everybody else plays with paper, gold is the actual standard. Your money is your busines, don’t trust others to manage it for you. Take the reigns of your investment portfolio and put your assets where they will be safe: gold bullion.

Manzanillo beachfront property

Manzanillo Mexico is located in the State of Colima. It’s the kind of place that defies the imagination and surpasses the expectation.Colima city is the capital of Colima. Out of thirty-one states Manzanillo is almost the smallest. Not sizable, but not dimunitive, what you get in Manzanillo is well proportioned. The temperature is perfect, neither too hot or too cold.There’s no hurry but it still offers so much. In short, it’s been a wonderful place to live while the rest of Mexico sells out for tourists. For example, Manzanillo has approximately 5% of the hotel rooms of Puerto Vallarta to the north.

Two-thirds of those visiting are Canadian. Manzanillo is a land where you can see Canadians and Americans walking hand in hand, like natures best friends. Dubbed the ‘anti-Cancun,’ the city tries to be everyhing other Mexico vacation destinations are not. Returning to places is always nice as they frequently recall the last time you came, and give you a warm greeting. Warm smiles greet you making you feel embraced and welcomed. This hidden gem won’t stay that way forever, enjoy it while you can. A feeling which is a shared desire of the locals, who, it is reported, have for many years been reluctant to accept federal funds targeted at developing tourism in the area.

In light of this, Manzanillo’s prices are moderate compared to the mega tourism locations.  Those who desire it, can still find oceanfront on which to build a single family home, right in the city.  For example the Perla Del Mar Manzanillo condos is reasonably priced. Las Brisas is one of the best beaches in Manzanillo, and we were able to acquire some perfectly placed lots for our condos. If that’s not your style then try Barra de Navidad

Enjoy what you can while you have the chance.  Come see the international lifestyle you can enjoy and afford in Manzanillo.You have to experience it to believe it. The exciting, sheltered, unique city that is Manzanillo.This is the truth, it’s no myth, it’s cheap, and it can be yours today.