The Home Renovation Tax Credit for Edmonton Home Owners and Calgary Real Estate Investors – Canada HRTC and how it affects Alberta

What is the Home Reno Tax Credit and How Is It Different From Previous Federal Government Energy Efficiency Home Initiatives?

If you live in or around the Edmonton area, why not consider the new Home Renovation Tax Credit supplied by the federal government during their latest budget. Also known as the Canada HRTC, the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit provides up to fifteen per cent rebate on most home renovations. As an initiative in the 2009 Federal Budget, the Canadian HRTC Home Renovation Tax Credit helps Calgary and Edmonton home owners and investors in making some much needed home renovations on their property. Up to $1350 will be rebated by the Canadian federal government according to the 2009 Budget for renovations on everything from sodding their lawns to renovating their bathrooms and kitchens. This is in efforts by the Canada federal government to stimulate spending on home renovations and houses during a time of global economic problems. The HRTC Canada or the Home Renovation Tax Credit will allow Edmonton home owners and Calgary real estate investors to save a lot of money when it comes to small to large renovation projects at home. The Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit 2009 will allow home builders and house owners in Calgary and Edmonton real estate to claim up to 15% of their renovation costs up to the date of February 1st, 2010. This will certainly stimulate spending by a certain segment of Edmonton’s and Calgary’s home owner sector who have put off making renovations and rebuilding their homes for a while due to high costs of trades and materials.

What is the Canadian HRTC Tax Credit Offered by the 2009 Federal Budget

As the global economic crunch has hit the major cities of Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, once the booming capitals of Canada, consumer spending has decreased significantly in the past 12 months. Because of this, the Federal Budget 2009 announced the new HRTC tax credit for home renovations in Canadian homes, which will provide just a temporary stimulus for new Edmonton home renovation projects or accelerate planned future Calgary house reno projects. The document about the Canada HRTC tax credit on home renovation grants also says: thus providing timely stimulus to the Canadian economy while boosting energy efficiency and the value of Canada’s housing stock.” Overall, the Federal Budget 2009 outlines that they expect more than 4.6 million families to take advantage of the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit between now and February 1st, 2010 (which is when the HRTC expires) which will save home owners and real estate investors more than $3 billion (in tax relief) while stimulating trades and material consumption in Alberta. Effective immediately (January 25th, 2009) until Feb 1, 2010, the Home Renovation Tax Credit for homeowners can be applied to any home, cottage, rental property or house that you own. The HRTC Canada is expected boost and stimulate three industries that include forestry, home retail and construction to levels that can maintain employment until the economic forecast improves in Alberta and in Canada. How the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit HRTC works for Edmonton property owners and Calgary homeowners is that taxpayers can claim the home renovation costs on their 2009 (next years) tax returns. However, the stipulation on the tax credits for home renovations for Canadian households including those Edmonton home owners and Calgary real estate investors is that the home renovations have to cost between $1000 to $10,000 for the HRTC to apply for your reno project.

How You Can Benefit From the Canada HRTC Home Renovation Tax Credit 2009

As an Edmonton home owners and Calgary property investor or homeowners, you can easily benefit from the 2009 Federal Budget announcement of the Home Renovation Tax Credit this year. For those who have waited to get some home renovations done on your own Edmonton home or Calgary property, now is the time to do it as materials and trades have become more affordable and with the 2009 HRTC in place, you are bound to save even more money on your project compared to last year. This much needed home renovation program in Canada is much more efficient and less stringent then previous attempts by the Federal Government to increase initiatives for home renovations mainly based on energy efficiency which required auditors and property appraisers to make sure that the changes are realized properly. With those previous initiatives, many homeowners in Edmonton and Calgary decided to hold on and not spend as the rental incomes and property were increasing in value regardless of any renovations being made. Now with the HRTC or Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit, the 2009 Federal Budget oulines that individuals who are home owners are only required to apply for the tax credit directly on their 2009 income tax returns. All the federal government in Canada is requesting for the HRTC tax credits are the appropriate receipts for your Edmonton or Calgary home renovation project which will be audited by Revenue Canada next year. For those looking to finish their basement or improving their landscaping for greater curb appeal, contractors must invoice you on such jobs so as to produce paperwork that proves that money changed hands and that the home renovation in your Alberta home actually did take place.

What’s Included in the Home Renovation Tax Credit?

The home renovations included in the HRTC Canada tax credit relief includes many things for Edmonton homeowners and Calgary real estate owners to consider. Routine maintenance does NOT quality for the Canada HRTC tax credit. Things such as new purchases for appliances (like kitchen appliances, washer/dryers), furniture are not included and therefore do not quality for the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit 2009. In addition, such things as daily or seasonal maintenance do not quality such as lightbulb changes, water filters, snow removal, and carpet cleaning. None of these are covered by the HRTC Home Renovation Tax Credit in Canada at this time. However, there are certainly many home renovations in Edmonton and Calgary real estate market that will be considered and qualify for the HRTC 2009 tax credits. These include small or large renovations of kitchens, bathrooms and finishing basements. Also qualifying for the Home Renovation Tax Credit Canada include new flooring (carpets, hardwood, lino etc.) in addition to additions to your Edmonton home or Calgary house that includes building out decks, patios, balconies in addition to retaining walls. Other less glamorous home renovations in Edmonton and Calgary that quality and are included in the Home Renovation Tax Credit include replacing furnaces and water heaters. More surprising inclusions for the HRTC 2009 are interior and exterior painting as well as driveway resurfacing for those who require it. As you can see, there is no energy efficiency stipulation in the 2009 Federal Budget announcement of the Home Renovation Tax Credit, so your home renovations do not have to fit the stringent regulations of the energy efficiency protocal. Overall, the HRTC Canada tax relieve for home renos should save Canadian home owners more than $3 billion over the next year.

RRSP Contributions for First Time Home Buyers

In addition, the federal government announced that first time home buyers in Canada can borrow up to $25,000 from their RRSPs for the purchase of their first home. This RRSP contribution for first time home buyers has been increased from $20,000 to $25,000. If you are married or common law, the federal government allows each individual to contribute and borrow from their RRSPs for their first purchase. So, it used to be $20,000 x 2 for a total of $40,000 towards their home purchase. With the recent change in the 2009 Federal Budget, first time home buyers can contribute up to $25,000 x 2 for up to borrowing $50,000 for their first house purchase.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan for Housing and Homes

The government of Canada’s proposed Economic Action Plan contains new tax measures that may benefit you. If you’re a homeowner, or are planning to become a homeowner, the Action Plan can help support for home renovations. For a limited time, the new Home Renovation Tax Credit, or Canada HRTC, means homeowners could receive up to $1,350 in tax relief on renovation expenses until 2010. Support for first time homebuyers could also benefit from the Canada Economic Action Plan 2009 with an increase to $25,000 in the amount you can withdraw from your RRSP under the Home Buyers’ Plan to purchase or build a first home. A First Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit that allow syou to save up to $750 on the closing costs of a first home is also another measure in the Canada Economic Action Plan 2009. For more information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca today or call 1.800 O-Canada (1.800.622.6232).

Tax Break Boosts Canada Home Renovations

In a new survey conducted shortly after the 2009 Federal Budget announcement by the government of Canada, Canadians were asked what impact the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) will have on their plans for home renovations this year and next year. According to the newest survey conducted by Angus Reid Strategies, one in five Canadians reported the HRTC makes them more likely to undertake home renovation projects in the next 12 months. The Home Renovation Tax Credit or Canada HR is a temporary 15 per cent tax credit that can be claimed on up to $10,000 of eligible home renovation expenditures between January 27, 2009 and Feburary 1, 2010. The credit will apply to the portfion of eligible expenditures on home renovations that exceends $1,000 but does not exceed $10,000, up to a maximum credit of $1,350.

First Time Canadian Home Buyers Get $750 Tax Break – Is This Enough?

Many economists are wondering if the recent first time homebuyers $750 tax break for Canadians is enough to help stimulate the ailing Canadian real estate market. The new federal governemtn offere a number of initiatives to benefit homebuyers and home owners and this $750 First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit is to help first time homebuyers with their closing costs, land transfer taxes and other legal fees occurred upon closing their property. A new Home Renovation Tax Credit or HRTC Canada of up to $1350 will help current home owners write off a 15% portion of eligible home renovations for the next 12 months on their personal tax returns. This is in addition to a new funding program for ecoENERGY Canada retrofits that provides home and property owners up to $5,000 for energy improvements and a new social housing program just released by the federal government. An increase of the Home Buyer’s Plan for borrowing RSP for first time home buyers has also increased from $20k to $25k (for couples you can multiple that by 2).

Is Lake Summerside the Best Place to Buy Real Estate as well as to Rent in Edmonton?

The Best Places To Invest in Edmonton – Lake Summerside is the Perfect Place for Renters and Investors

Touted as Edmonton real estate’s first residential lakefront community that has a recreational activity spin to it, the Lake Summerside Edmonton real estate district is certainly one that property investors, homeowners and renters are looking at with open eyes. Rated as one of the best places to invest in Edmonton in addition to one of the top places in Edmonton to rent a condo, townhome or single family home, it is no wonder that Lake Summerside has been growing at an astronomical rate in the past few years. Considered a very new community in the South West corner of Edmonton, next to the Anthony Henday Edmonton Ring Road as well as very close to the International Airport, Lake Summerside Edmonton investment has come from huge provincial and municipal government funding into large infrastructure projects to connect the community with the rest of the city. In addition, Lake Summerside has been the best place to buy real estate in Edmonton because of its growing population, close proximity to well paying jobs and its growing infrastructure that is ahead of its original timeline to support the people moving into the community. This article will explain why the Edmonton Lake Summerside community is the best places to invest in Edmonton, best place to buy real estate Edmonton sa well as the ideal spot for renters looking for affordable rental suites and apartments in addition to why it is the best investment overall for homeowners and Edmonton real estate investors.

Resort Living at Its Best at Lake Summerside Edmonton

Being a master planned new community in the heart of the city of Edmonton has its perks. With new roads, new infrastructure, new retail, new homes, townhomes, apartments, carriage homes and industrial moving into the neighbourhood, the self-sustaining neighbourhood of Lake Summerside Edmonton has become the perfect place to call home for thousands of families. While combining school, work and the beach is not something that a regular Edmonton resident would associate with the city, the growing middle and upper class residents have demanded for more lifestyle choices within the city. Lake Summerside Edmonton has provided that and more. This is why Lake Summerside is one of the best places to buy real estate in Edmonton. Resort living is now available on the shores of the growing Lake Summerside real estate community, with simple resort and recreational type pleasures just outside your door. Stroll on the sandy beachfront of the Lake Summerside lakefront areas in addition to owning a classic Cape Cod style home or you can enjoy all the recreational pursuits during the winter time with sledding and cross-country skiing just outside your door. The new Edmonton Lake Summerside community is truly Edmonton’s first exclusive recreational lake community with four seasons of fun and activity waiting for you. Lake Summerside? Best place to buy real estate Edmonton!

Lake Summerside Rentals – Edmonton Apartments, Carriage Homes and Townhomes for Rent

If you are renting and looking for a new place to call home, the Lake Summerside Southeast Edmonton location could be an ideal fit for you. With numerous types of housing available for rent, the Lake Summerside rental market remains very tight as there is so much interest in the area. Providing clean, modern and new homes for rent, Lake Summerside Edmonton rental apartments are the entry level properties for tenants seeking affordable and convenient homes to rent. These can range from studio homes to two bedroom condos and will range in rental price from $795 to over $1295/month plus utilities. The rental market for Lake Summerside carriage homes remains the tightest of all housing types in southeast Edmonton because of their size, garages, upgraded second bathrooms and finishes and will range in price from $1250 to $1450/month. Next up for families and retirees are the Lake Summerside townhomes for rent and the rental townhouses in southeast Edmonton that provide three story living with spacious exterior spaces, storage, attached garages and gourmet kitchens. The rental Summerside townhomes can range anywhere from $1395 - $1695/month. The more expensive units for rent include the Summerside rental homes in southeast Edmonton real estate that are usually two stories with unfinished basements and have three bedrooms and 1.5 to 2 bathrooms. The Lake Summerside rental homes will usually cost about $1895 - $2500/month depending on how close they are to the lakefront and Club House. Lake Summerside? Best place to rent in Edmonton rental market.

Call Paul at 780.885.6728 or email rent (at) investedmonton.com for Lake Summerside Edmonton vacancies.

The Best Places to Buy Real Estate in Edmonton

With so much to experience and its close proximity to everything you need including urban conveniences, amenities, recreational facilities, retail, shopping and restaurants, the best place to invest in Edmonton is still Lake Summerside in southeast Edmonton real estate market. If you are looking for single family homes along the lakefront, investors are flocking to best place to buy real estate in Edmonton such as these premium houses. The luxury Lake Summerside Homes in Edmonton provide great investment opportunities for investors and these mansions can cost anywhere from $750,000 to over $2M at this time. Also available are more affordable townhomes that are perfect for couples and growing families. Usually three story townhomes, the lake Summerside Edmonton townhouses for sale are relatively affordable and should come with double attached garages, laundry rooms, small back yards and premium appliance packages. The best place to buy real estate in Edmonton certainly includes the Lake Summerside townhomes for sale as they range from $275,000 to about $400,000 for larger half duplexes in the community. Also top rated investments are found in the style of carriage homes. These Edmonton specials are eight plex buildings providing eight separate two bedroom suites in a single building. Most come with detached garages, patios and lots of interior space with either one or two bathrooms and large crawl spaces and these certainly reflect great investment value if you are looking for the best place to buy in Edmonton real estate. Also available in Lake Summerside real estate market are the apartment complexes where you will find a range of studio homes to two bedroom condo residences. These condominiums at Lake Summerside Edmonton represent great value for your money if you are looking for the best place to invest in the city of Edmonton. So, whether you are a property investor or a home buyer, the best places to invest and buy property in south west Edmonton real estate is definitely Lake Summerside community.

Investing in Edmonton’s Lake Summerside – Is It the Best Place?

The fundamentals behind this growing residential community are bright, even with the recent global economic downturn and the drop in Edmonton real estate prices. Started in 2000, the Lake Summerside community is now home to over 1500 families and by 2018, which is the expected timeline for the entire build out of this master planned Edmonton community, it is expected to be home for over 3000 families and 5000 residents. From apartment condominiums to luxury lake front homes, Lake Summerside real estate provides carefree and maintenance free living within the city limits of Edmonton. The fundamentals are obvious. Just two minutes from the Anthony Henday Ring Road that connects Lake Summerside residents to the rest of the city to the numerous highways and roads in and out of the Edmonton International Airport, Lake Summerside investment has exponentially increased with time. Retail, shopping, gas stations, schools, hospitals, clinics, shopping and much more are moving into this community at a faster rate than in any other Edmonton real estate community and there is much reason to believe this will not slow down. From secluded natural parks to the exclusive Lake Summerside Beach Club, residents here in the southeast of Edmonton will enjoy endless summer and winter activities throughout the year.

Why Invest and Buy Property in Lake Summerside Real Estate

People always ask where the best place to invest in Edmonton real estate is. Really, there are always deals to be found in any property market and any location. Overall, Lake Summerside represents great value for your money in terms of investing in Edmonton real estate for several reasons. Firstly, the homes at Lake Summerside Edmonton property market are completely new, saving you lots of maintenance costs when compared to older homes that require renovations and re-builds. Secondly, the location is ideal for many families and couples. Being close to the ring Road and the airport in addition to Sherwood Park and downtown has its perks. In addition, you can be walking distance from groceries, recreational facilities and other activities which makes it a great place to invest in Edmonton real estate. Thirdly, what makes the Lake Summerside area the best place to buy real estate in Edmonton property imarket s because Lake Summerside real estate master planned development is a phased construction project which means that the area will not be overbuilt in a short time period and thereby allowing residents to gradually move into the community and increase the population. Fifthly, the best Edmonton places to invest in real estate market right now are ones that have a mixed residential/retail/office use, and Lake Summerside in southeast Edmonton property certainly has a diversified land use. Sixthly, you can be part of a growing community that will become self sufficient with parks, green spaces, trails, lakefront beaches, clubhouse, schools, retail and restaurants. The best places to invest and the best Edmonton investments in real estate are those that can survive the test of time, and so far Lake Summerside has bucked the trend and is more stable and has a better outlook than most other communities in south east Edmonton.

Alberta Climate Change and the Premier Ed Stelmach Government

Alberta Climate Change

Alberta climate change is a big topic for Premier Ed Stelmach and the Alberta Government. With so much at stake in Alberta and the Canadian economy, it is a top priority for the Alberta Government to keep on top of this issue. At risk are the economic benefits to Alberta for the next few decades with the Alberta Oilsands being of such importance to the Alberta economy. Not only will being proactive in making any suggestions for Alberta climate change be vital but the Alberta Government will need to show that they are keeping the large oil companies accountable for their effects on the environment. With the election of President Barack Obama, Premier Stelmach is sending a clear signal that the Alberta Government is concerned and would like to play a key role in any decisions made about climate change. They don’t want to be blindsided like the last time when Prime Minister Jean Chretien made major changes in negotiating a climate change pact without first consulting the other provinces of Canada.

Green house gas emissions and the Alberta Government

Greenhouse gas emissions are a major concern for the world as it pertains to Alberta climate change which has a significant impact on world climate. The Alberta Government has been playing a key role in evaluating green house gas emissions and the effect that the Alberta Oil Sands has had on the environment. The main issue here is that Alberta’s energy sector has produced a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions, an amount that far exceeds their actual size. This effect will have a huge detrimental impact on what the public perceives as global warming, the premature melting of the polar ice caps, and other such effects as a result of green house gas emissions. The Alberta Government and more specifically, Premier Ed Stelmach, wants Prime Minister Harper to voice Alberta’s concerns for having a larger voice in any negotiations relating to Alberta climate change. This is of particular concern now that President Barack Obama is going to be taking a more serious look at the effects of green house gas emissions. Since the Alberta Oil Sands plays such a huge part in Canada’s economy and the world economy, it only makes sense to have the Alberta Government more closely involved in all the negotiations relating to green house gases.

Alberta Oil Sands and the US Economy

What the Alberta Oil Sands represents to the US Economy is a stable source of Oil. Despite President Barack Obama’s insistence on improving the US economy’s reliance on renewable resources, it is indisputable that Alberta Oil and specifically Alberta Oil Sands oil will continue to play a vital role for decades to come. Canada has the closest source of stable and economical Alberta oil for the US economy. Not only will Alberta Oil Sands continue to supply the US economy with an abundant supply of oil but Canada will continue to ensure that they reduce the cost of producing it. With recent improvements in converting Alberta Oil Sands into useable oil, the cost to produce has reached an economical $30 a barrel. It is the hopes of the Alberta oil companies that they can further reduce this figure so that they can remain profitable and provide the world with a source of inexpensive oil. Of course all this has to also be green house gas friendly and make a positive impact on the economies that are affected.

Public views of Environmental impact of Alberta Oil Sands and Alberta Oil Sands Companies

What people think about Alberta Oil Sands

What do you think the public sees when they think of the Alberta Oil Sands? Is it that the Alberta Oil Sands image is one of only monetary gain at the expense of the environment? Or is it even worse and they believe that once the Oil Sands are without oil then the companies will leave a dirty oil legacy and not care about their environmental impact at all. Some people, especially the people who work in the Alberta oil sands, are working hard at dispelling any false beliefs and any wrong public opinions. Of course since the Alberta Oil Sands is so far north and only migratory birds get a birds eye view of the impact, this is a harsh uphill battle for the public relations people who work for these Oil Sand companies. Nevertheless, these Oil Sand firms will spend vast amounts of money documenting their success at reducing their carbon footprint while benefitting not only themselves but the communities and the great country of Canada. This article is about this view of the Alberta Oil Sands and firms that work in the oil sand fields.

What Alberta Oil Sands Companies are doing about their image

Whether we are in a recession or a market boom, Alberta Oil Sands companies are very concerned about what the public views of their operations and their environmental impact. Communities such as Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta are complaining that the big Alberta Oil Sand company is making their environment very dirty. These companies have changed the environment that they live in and will forever leave them with a legacy of dirty oil. This powerful environmental impact will be due to the greed of the Alberta Oil Sands Companies and will not benefit the communities at all. Of course when you talk with the Alberta Oil Sands Companies such as Imperial Oil or Shell you hear a whole different story. The large Alberta Oil Sands Companies’ opinions are that there is a large mistrust in their operations as a result of publics’ high dependence on the industry’s products but poor understanding of what it actually does. More importantly, they say people are viewing their companies from way up from space and only really see lights but not the real detail. In fact, the Alberta Oil Sands company has been doing a lot to counteract the effects of their operations on the environment and they would like to inform the public better of their actions on this front. Hopefully the future of towns such as Fort McMurray will have a positive attitude towards the growth and prosperity of their communities as a direct result of the Alberta Oil Sands companies. This is the image that public relations is working hard and spending a lot of money to achieve. Will it work or will it backfire on them, only time and perhaps the media can tell.

Recent poll of public’s opinion of Environmental Impact of Alberta Oil Sands

A recent poll taken by Alberta Oil Sands companies aimed at finding out public opinion on the environmental impact that the oil sands companies are having and what people really thought about this topic. The poll was a 60 question telephone poll and asked 425 people in Edmonton and an equal number in Toronto. The results of the poll drew similar conclusions including: the Alberta Oil Sands image problems are broader than any one company, that Canadians believe that it’s possible to develop the Alberta Oil Sands while protecting the environment, that they see technology as a large part of the solution, and that they are most concerned about the environmental impact of projects on the fresh water and greenhouse gas emissions.

Alberta Infrastructure Gets a Boost from the Federal Government – Multi Million Dollar Investments in Capital Projects for 2009

According to the Journal of Commerce, January 7th, the federal government of Canada plans on injecting multi-millions of dollars into the Alberta infrastructure projects over the next four years not only to curb the recent unemployment fears, but to setup Alberta has a leading province for investment and lifestyle in the next decade. As announced last week, the Canadian federal government will be injecting funds into a wide range of Alberta infrastructure projects that include everything from water and waste systems to public transportation and roads as well as other important capital projects that require funding from the federal level. According to Bill Steward, the VP of Merit Contractors Association in Alberta, “Both the federal Canadian and provincial Alberta governments have said they will step up infrastructure spending. We have a 20 year Alberta infrastructure plan and it looks like its full speed ahead on that.”

The Province of Alberta Dives into the Federal Gas Tax Fund for Funding Municipal Projects

Recently, the Alberta government announced that it would dip into the federal Gas Tax fund itself and invest more almost $800 million dollars into the provincial Alberta infrastructure that includes many projects in its largest two metropolitan areas: Edmonton and Calgary. With an extension in place by the federal government of Canada, the Alberta infrastructure projects will be funded covering four years until 2014 which will provide not only stable federal funding of these capital Alberta projects but also long term stability in investment in infrastructure of Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta. The range of eligible Alberta infrastructure projects includes local roads, community energy, public transport industries, water, waste water management and solid waste infrastructure improvements. Lastly, the Canada federal government boost will also include funding for the Alberta long term planning. Funding from the federal Gas Tax fund will be immediate and can be used to fund many municipality projects going forward in 2009. Phase 1 of the Canada Gas Tax fund will support modern Alberta infrastructure projects that will help the province stay competitive in the long-term. Over the next five years, Alberta will benefit from an injection of nearly $476 million from the federal Gas Tax fund from the government and more than $258 million has already been transferred into municipalities to support over 567 Alberta infrastructure and capital projects. $176 million from the federal Gas Tax fund will be going to smaller towns of 100,000 or less people throughout Canada. The federal Gas Tax fund is actually a part of the Building Canada initiative, a long term Canada infrastructure program that will see through the development of environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects throughout Canada in order to clean the air and water and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The 20 Year Strategic Capital Plan for Alberta

Last year in 2008, the province of Alberta announced the 20 Year Strategic Capital Plan that included a $120 billion cash injection from the provincial government into infrastructure in order to better deal with the growing problems with population/economic growth and infrastructure/building. The 20 Year Strategic Capital Plan for Alberta is a plan that covers the next two decades and will heavily lean towards the northern part of the province including new roads and transportation routes between Edmonton to Fort McMurray, hub of the Alberta oilsands projects. Other parts of the funding will help with the 20 Year Strategic Plan of Alberta for an increase and assistance with hospitals, clinics, affordable housing, technical schools, colleges, universities and other major projects.

Canadian Federal Budget 2009 - What Can Canada Afford to Advance Infrastructure Projects for the Provinces like Alberta?

The top infrastructure projects throughout Canada are now being discussed by Parliament for the January session. So what exactly do the provinces want from the federal government, especially Alberta, which has several capital projects on the go and many more planned. Do these Alberta infrastructure projects take a back seat or is there a green light to go ahead as planned. With the current global economic crisis, Canada's federal government has a dilemna. Spend more to stimulate the Alberta economy (and that of Canada as a whole) through infrastructure spending, or wait out the global recession and plan for the intiation of capital infrastructure projects in the future? Right now, it seems as though the Canadian federal government is not providing the funding required to complete or even initiate many of the Edmonton and Calgary Alberta infrastructure projects. However, as the global economic crisis deepends, the federal government in Canada has leaned towards providing more funding for the completion of hospitals, roads, and water treatment plants in Alberta, and namely the major centres in Edmonton and Calgary. So in order to stimulate the Canadian economy, here are some of the top infrastructure projects that have been talke about in Parliament. According to ReNew Canada, here are the top five Canadian infrastructure projects asking for federal funding in 2009:

5. Clipper pipeline (Alberta) - $2B
4. Spadina subway Extension (Ontario) - $2.63B
3. Eastmain project at James Bay (Quebec) - $5B
2. Bruce A nuclear plant (Ontario) - $5.25B
1. Romaine Hydroelectric project (Quebec) - $6.5B

Here is a breakdown by province on major provincial capital infrastructure projects asking for Federal assistance this year in Western Canada:

British Columbia - Vancouver Infrastructure Spending

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell might be looking for tax reductions in the federal budget, but he also has $3 billion potentially tied up in his own gateway project infrastructure vision — essentially large highway improvements such as the $1.6 billion Port Mann-Highway One upgrade. In addition, Port Moody, in the riding of Tory Heritage Minister James Moore, is worried that the downturn in the economy might delay or even kill its $1.4 billion private-public partnership to link this Vancouver bedroom community with the downtown core.

Alberta Infrastructure Projects

Premier Ed Stelmach has a "Port Alberta" project, a strange name for an infrastructure proposal when you realize that Alberta is one province away from the Pacific Ocean. In fact, located at Edmonton’s International Airport, this is another "gateway" which would make the province more attractive to business. It is part of the Alberta infrastructure government’s plan to spend about $6 billion annually for the next 20 years on capital projects.

Saskatchewan Infrastructure Plans

The province has a five-year capital plan in place to lay new asphalt on highways all over Saskatchewan, like the twinning of the infrastructure highway from north of Saskatoon to Prince Albert. The 2009 bill for Saskatchewan’s first tranche of highway building is about $170 million.

Manitoba Infrastructure Projects

Winnipeg has about $4.5 billion of projects on its infrastructure wish list, including road and terminal improvements to make that infrastructure city’s international airport an "inland port." Then, once you get outside Manitoba’s biggest city, the province is spending another $400 million annually on a 10-year road improvement scheme, which upgrades infrastructure highways in places such as Brandon and Gimli.

'Money will flow very slowly'
The 2009 Canadian federal budget revealed that about $12 billion in new money would be set aside for capital infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, railways, universities, recreation centres and other infrastructure over the next two years. The federal government is promising $4 billion over the next two years for infrastructure projects beginning construction in the 2009 and 2010 building seasons. The Canadian government said it would approve provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects, and cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs. But Toronto Mayor David Miller criticized the budget for creating a time-consuming application process for municipalities, in which "money will flow very slowly, if at all." "Municipalities are already investing in infrastructure," Miller told CBC News from Toronto. "We were hoping our federal partner would support us by investing in the projects we're already doing, so we can expedite them." That concern was shared by Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandell. While Mandel was pleased to see more money for Edmonton infrastructure projects, arts and recreation centres, he raised questions about how the money for these major Alberta infrastructure projects will be handed out. "It's exciting. There's going to be $12 billion for infrastructure," he said. "But I don't know what the terms and conditions of it are. There's concerns about the flow of money: What are the terms and conditions of it? How much do we have to put into it? "Is it going to be directed a lot more towards eastern Canada, because maybe they have a few more problems than we do?"

The truth behind the current drop in Edmonton real estate prices and the drop in Alberta home equity

Will the recent decline really hurt home owners in Edmonton, Alberta?

Before you go and pull out your calculator and drive yourself crazy to figure out how much Edmonton home equity you lost, lets examine the real reason why you bought your house in the first place. Did you purchase your home in the burgeoning Edmonton real estate market hoping to ride the real estate curve and make a few quick dollars or to have a beautiful place to call home for a long time or even generations to come? Or you bought your new Edmonton home because you fell in love with the place and absolutely wanted to live there? And you love all the extra spaces that it provide for you and your family, the lovely fenced yard for the kids and the dog, the deck that you always wanted to have for all those long summer nights, the gourmet kitchen that you love to cook and entertain in. Congratulations if you bought your Edmonton house because you fell in love with it then it! Then it really doesn’t matter to you which way the Edmonton real estate market goes because you love your home so much that you wouldn’t sell even if the market skyrocketed tomorrow or in the near future.

Investing in Edmonton properties is different than other investments

Most Edmonton house buyers purchased their homes to live in and they are not concern about the most recent drop in Edmonton real estate prices. This is because regardless of what happens, we still need a roof over our heads and a place to call home. That’s why in one lifetime the best investment is your own homes and this makes even more sense if you’re investing in Edmonton properties. Investing in Edmonton property is quite different than buying other investments such as stocks, mutual funds, GIC, bonds, gold, etc as these are more sensitive to the direction of the property market. This is not the case with the drop in the value of your Edmonton property values. As long as you can make your monthly mortgage payment you’ll still have a lovely home to stay in and no one will come knocking on your door to ask you to pay back your line of credit. That is why investing in Edmonton real estate makes sense and also makes sleeping easier compared to other more riskier investments.

Nothing happen to your Edmonton home unless you sell

Unless you can’t sleep at night or you are a realtor in Edmonton making a living selling real estate, the current up and down markets should have no bearing on your current finances. You qualified to buy your new Edmonton home based on your income earning ability at that time to service the mortgage and unless this has changed, you are still making the same payments the downturn in the Edmonton real estate market. The good news is that eventually this Edmonton home mortgage will be paid off and you can live in your home mortgage free! Then you wouldn’t care which direction property the market goes.

Edmonton real estate has increases over the past five years

Another way of owning your own home in Edmonton’s property market now is the right time to invest in more properties in Edmonton. According to the Edmonton real estate board an average houses in Edmonton 5 years ago costs $177,178 and when the Edmonton market peak in May/June 2007, an average Edmonton homes cost $426,028 and it is now sitting at $303,304. That’s a 71% increases since 2004. It is no wonder why we have seen slight adjustments in the values of Edmonton property and housing prices over the last 1.5 years. Edmonton real estate at one point used to be the tenth highest priced city in Canada to purchase a home, it now sits at fifth or sixth. This is why investing in Edmonton property for the long run still make the most economical sense and will continue to attract migrants from other provinces because of the no sale taxes and the lower cost of living in Edmonton combined with well-paying jobs and housing availability.

Home Sales in Edmonton real estate expected to drop in 2009

A drop of 10.5% is expected in Edmonton real estate sales for 2009

A recent article in Edmonton Journal has forecast Edmonton real estate to drop 10.5% in sales for 2009. While the drop in Edmonton home sales is less than ideal news for Edmonton home sellers, this is better than what could be. The slow down in Edmonton real estate sales will bring total forecast Edmonton home sales to 15,500. The number is forecast by the Edmonton Real Estate Board and represents a 1,800 drop in Edmonton real estate sales from the previous year.

Edmonton real estate prices will remain stable in 2009

The article further forecast while Edmonton real estate sales will fall, however the sales price will remain flat. As less units are sold in the Edmonton real estate market the price theoretically should adjust up. However, Edmonton builders have reduced the amount of new housing starts which has reduced the new inventory coming to the market. The Edmonton real estate average price for single family homes was around $351,000 in 2008 and this will continue to be the Edmonton home price in 2009. Edmonton home buyers who are waiting for a lower price may be frustrated in their pursuit of lower Edmonton home prices.

More people looking for Edmonton homes but can they afford them

Another take on 2009 is the ability of Edmonton home buyers to actually take advantage of lower Edmonton real estate prices due to falling values in their stock market related investments. Imagine finding the ideal Edmonton house price and location but not having the financial ability to take advantage of this because your down payment money is insufficient. This double-edged sword will be sharp s the Edmonton house prices start increasing at the same time your market portfolio increases. A good bet for home buyers who have saved their down payment money is to make their purchase this year of the Edmonton home that they find. The best deals may be found this year for Edmonton house prices as the economy slowly improves and allows for the maximum time to shop and choose. A luxury that few Edmontonians could afford to do as Edmonton homes have not been this affordable for quite some time.

Mortgage rates make Edmonton real estate more affordable

There is some great news for those Edmonton home buyers and home sellers in 2009. The Canadian mortgage rates are now at their lowest that anyone can remember. The Canadian prime rate is now at 3.5% which is a great rate for Edmonton home buyers to get a pre-approval and hold their low rate for their potential purchase. Canadian mortgage rates in conjunction with a 35 year amortization has made 2009 an affordable year for a larger percentage of potential home buyers. Even with a higher Edmonton real estate price, the rates and amortization allows Edmonton home buyers the same affordability with their monthly payments. A change in amortization from the traditional 25 year to 35 year amortization can reduce the monthly payment by $200 or more for a typical mortgage. In addition, Canandian banks now offer a lower down payment requirement for conventional mortgages of 20% which further enables Edmonton real estate buyers to take advantage of a home purchase with a lower deposit. This is just in time with the decrease in everyone’s stock market portfolios.

Global Economic Crunch Will Temporarily Slow Down the Alberta Oilsands Boom – What Does This Mean To You?

Alberta Oilsands in Trouble?

There have been recent reports that many Alberta oilsands projects will be either delayed or cancelled this year. From the Calgary Herald to the Edmonton Sun and from the Financial Post to the Globe and Mail, the latter part of 2008 and for the most part the beginning of 2009 has brought about negative publicity and news regarding the growth (or lack there) of the Oilsands projects in Alberta. Obviously, the slowdown in the development of the Alberta oilsands will impact significantly employment in the northern part of Alberta, namely Fort McMurray, but also will have residual impact on the economy in the bustling engines of Edmonton and Calgary. The trickle down effect will be a stabilization of jobs and maybe an slight increase in unemployment which will make a dent into the Edmonton real estate market as well as the once fire hot Calgary property markets. According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, also known as CAPP, the Alberta oilsands northeast of Edmonton will likely reduce the barrels of production until the economic gloom and doom has ended. CAPP also expects that the spending in the Edmonton and Calgary oilsands projects in Alberta will be cut significantly by about twenty five per cent over 2009 from a projected estimate of $20 billion to $16 billion. Other projcts such as the East Coast Offshore projects in the Alberta oilsands indicate some troubling times ahead as well, cutting spending from $50 billion in 2008 down to $43 billion in 2009. Leading Alberta oilsands exploration, gas and oil companies have also slashed budgets and spending during the 2009 fiscal year during these times of economic uncertainty. Petro-Canada, Nexen, Canadian Natural Resources as well as Suncor and EnCana Corp have already announced budget slashes as the oil prices per barrel have landed between the low $30 to mid $40 US range.

Survival for the Edmonton/Calgary Oil Sands

It is widely speculated that the break even point for new Alberta oilsands projects is a target of $44 US per barrel, while the break even point of existing Edmonton oilsands projects is in the low $30 US per barrel, a price that oil has already touched on several times in the past quarter. So are the Alberta oilsands projects in trouble and will existing Edmonton and Calgary economies remain more stable than the rest of Canada through 2009? Well, with the recent headline news that BA Energy Inc which is the developer of the Heartland Upgrader $4 billion project near Edmonton real estate, there is no safe place in the world during this global economic crisis. With cash flow shortages, tighter credit laws and an angst against possibly losing money, the Alberta oilsands new developments have been temporary put on hold until the economic environment improves. The most recent Financial Post headline news story from January 15th explains that spending on the oil sands in Alberta may actually drop more than 50% compared to the spending during 2008. A reduction in oil and natural gas prices as well as the lower demand for these commodities have driven many Alberta oil sand projects off the table for now.

How Does The Drop in Oil/Gas Affect You in Alberta?

There are many things that will happen in the next year and during the last two quarters of 2008 and the first month of 2009, a hefty drop in oil and gas prices have basically stalled the once booming Alberta economy. Much of the economy is based on oil and gas in Alberta, and with the recent decade worth of boom times, both Edmonton and Calgary real estate markets saw substantial increases in value. Property prices skyrocketed while wages also increased in order to keep up with the cost of living, and therefore, everything was offset. However, during the recent drop in oil and gas prices, employment has staggered and layoffs have started. What this brings is a drop in wages and jobs available in the Alberta oil sands projects and other industries that depend on the oilsands in order to survive. With unemployment rising (the most recent tally is a loss of 16,000 jobs in Alberta in December), less people can afford property and to buy their homes. The most recent drop in the Edmonton real estate market (both pre-sale and resale homes) as well as the once hot Calgary property market and everything in between in Fort Saskatchewan and Red Deer as well as Fort McMurray is a cause for concern for those who purchased at the peak of the market. It is widely speculated that both the Calgary and Edmonton real estate markets have crashed about 17% from its peak already within one year. Spending has also decreased as more people are saving their money in the bank. With deflation a thing creeping into the Alberta economy, many people and consumers are waiting for the best deal that may come next month and postpone spending their hard earned cash until they spot the best deal in town. What this does is it stagnates the economy and makes things even worse. All of this is because of the most recent boom that happened too quickly and the sudden drop in oil and gas prices around the world. The Alberta oilsands delays and cancellations will have a profound effect on the Alberta economy in 2009 and with the recent royalties imposed on the gas and oil companies, the recovery period may take a while longer.

Our Perspective on the Calgary and Edmonton Real Estate Bust and the Oilsands Future

Headlines is headline news. It’s main purpose is to sell more articles, magazines and newspapers. With so much negative news about the Alberta oilsands, we take things in perspective. The Alberta oilsands has been the top discovery of commodities, oil and gas in recent memory and with it came an incredible boom time for Albertans. Everyone enjoyed something from the oilsands projects in Alberta, whether it be blue collar or white collar jobs working in Fort McMurray, or real estate investors who saw their properties double in value in less than a year or even to people living outside of the oil sands areas like Edmonton and Calgary that had to build infrastructure to house the many people moving into the province through in-migration. Having the lowest unemployment rate in Canada (close to the low 3% at one time and now only creeping up over 4% .. still the lowest in Canada), Alberta has seen a boom time that has not been rivaled by any other province, not even close. With the sudden increase in housing prices throughout Edmonton real estate as well as the Calgary marketplace, people forgot to due their due diligence and ran with the dream of making a big fortune by flipping or buying/selling huge numbers of properties. Although the economic outlook is grim and the demand for Alberta oil and gas has diminished, Alberta has a great thing going for it. With the world’s largest deposits of investable oil, the oilsands of Alberta will be key to the turnaround of Canada’s economy. Enjoying the highest GDP per capita and a growing population, the Alberta oilsands will become the economic engine for Canada in not too distant future. As the US has embraced self reliance on energy, oil and gas, Canadians have to agree that the Alberta oilsands near Edmonton house more than enough oil to keep the country going for decades to come. Yes, there is a lot of money being pumped into alternative energy sources in North America and in Europe, but the two developing nations in India and China will continue growing at an astronomical pace and their demand for oil will certainly skyrocket. Each with a population greater than 1 billion (yes, that is more than North America and Europe combined in one single country) and with a 2009 GDP growth estimated at 5% and 7.5% respectively (revised this month in January 2009), India and China have had talks with the Alberta oilsands to make sure that they can claim a stake in the oil and gas in the future. The demand for oil has slowed down, but it is temporary. So instead of a moderation in spending and oil production in the Alberta oilsands through to 2020 (and a stabilization of housing prices through that period in the Calgary and Edmonton real estate markets), we now see a period of delays and cancellations of oilsand projects in Alberta (and a subsequent drop in Edmonton and Calgary housing prices). Once the demand for oil and gas increases again, we predict another huge boom that will be triggered by an onslaught of new Alberta oil sands projects starting and existing oilsands projects working at full capacity. Employment will again skyrocket, followed by jobs, minimum wages, spending and of course, another increase in the housing prices of both Edmonton and Calgary and everywhere in between. It is not yet known how long this economic crisis will last, but rest assured, another boom time will be coming maybe in a year, 5 years or 10 years. Hold tight, enjoy life and stop speculating, because speculators will never will all the time. True investors always win in the end.

Welcome to the Alberta Investment Blog - A Resource for Edmonton & Calgary Real Estate Markets, Oil & Gas, Economy and Other News

Thank you for visiting the Invest in Edmonton Real Estate Blog.

Here you will find information about the real estate market in Edmonton and its surrounding communities in addition to details about the state of the market in Alberta. Fueled by the growth in Fort McMurray and the oil sands of Alberta, Edmonton is growing at a fast pace and real estate has boomed. From homes to master-planned communities and from real estate properties to condominium towers, Edmonton Alberta is the place to be when it comes to jobs, entertainment and real estate investments.

Read further to learn more about the various Edmonton real estate investing portunities right now with 4AM Properties Ltd. From joint venture deals to lending money, 4AM has a right fit for any investor who wants to get a great return on their investments.

Welcome again to the Edmonton Real Estate Investing Blog 2009.