The basics of financial literacy should be taught starting in grade school but for some strange reason it's not, and it’s costing people billions of dollars each year in lost investment potential. The basics of investing, how to read financial statements, how the stock market works, dividends, interest rates, mortgages, leverage, how various investments are taxed, capital gains, principal residence exemption, how to save and buy a home etc etc. These are all things everyone should have at least a basic level of knowledge and proficiency in.

Everyone knows that low interest rates will reduce your monthly payments but another even more important bi-product of these ultra low interest rates is what it’s doing to your principal payment each month. I strongly suggest my viewers go to www.calculator.net and go to its mortgage calculator. Play around with the numbers… take a look at what 1.19% interest on a $820,000 mortgage does to your principal vs interest ratio over the next 25 years. Now plug in what 5 or 6% interest does to that ratio… It’s shocking. Our current record low interest rates on mortgages is doing a tremendous amount of damage to the principal balance starting from day one. 3 out of every 4 dollars paid is coming straight off the principal. When interest rate ...

Several topics on this video. First up is the importance of hiring a Realtor and receiving fiduciary duty when buying a pre-sale condo in the Lower Mainland. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to go into a display centre and buy a unit from the developer's representative. Remember my service in representing you in the sale are completely free to you. The developer will pay me for my service. I also talk about what we call in the business “Buying a Listing” where a Realtor will list an overpriced home that has zero chance of selling.

As promised - some takeaways from a recent meeting I attended featuring Bob Rennie. What he currently sees in the Vancouver Real Estate market and where he sees it going in the future.

I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 18 6111 TIFFANY BOULEVARD, Richmond, BCOne of the best locations in popular Tiffany Estates quietly nestled into the back of the complex and comes complete with a private, west facing fenced backyard. A perfect family-friendly complex, this is a spacious townhome with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, large family/dining room, bright kitchen with eating nook, storage room and 2 full size parking at your front door. FULLY RENOVATED in 2014 with new: kitchen cabinetry & appliances, bathrooms, window coverings, washer/dryer, wide plank laminate flooring on main floor, carpeting on upper floor, crown moldings, fireplace exterior, light fixtures, large patio deck. Blair Elementary/Burnett Secondary ...

Not much has changed in the past 3 months since my last quarterly update. The Vancouver and Lower Mainland market continues to remain in a strong Sellers Market with the overall sales to active listings ratio in the mid 30’s. Historic low inventory levels (very little for sale), far more buyers than there are sellers, and historic low interest rates will probably keep us in a Sellers Market for some time to come.

Time for another Investing 101 video. In this one I’m going to talk about the investor mindset vs the trader or speculator. Buying high quality equities and real estate and then simply sit on your hands. There will be plenty of sell-offs and price corrections along the way .. It’s the price you pay for superior long term returns.

A variety of investing topics in this video including the difference between cash flow and income on an investment property, and why cash flow is not always top of mind for me and most of my investors. I also discuss taxation on Real Estate and equities, leverage, suitability and proper portfolio construction.

I just finished uploading this House/Single Family for sale, 17351 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY, Richmond, BCFamily home located on 66x120sqft lot. Central location with easy access to Richmond, New Westminster, Burnaby and Vancouver. Short drive to the airport, shopping, restaurants and transportation. A great opportunity to buy and build your dream home.

I’m now approaching 25 years as an investor in the equities markets and well over 30 years now as a Vancouver Real Estate investor. In this video I share my simple plan to becoming a millionaire using a simple buy-hold and re-invest strategy. Have a good weekend.