Posts Tagged ‘economics’

A Cool Animation That Visualizes the Credit Crisis of 2008-2009 by Jonathan Jarvis

Monday, March 30th, 2009
The Currency Crisis Explained in Animation! By Mike Stewart
View in HD  Download 720p HD Version  Visit Mike Stewart’s ExposureRoom Videos Page

I saw this great animation about the Credit Crisis and I thought I’d share it. Its by Jonathan Jarvis as part of his thesis work in the Media Design Program, a graduate studio at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.


The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

What do you think?

When will Vancouver Real Estate Prices Hit Bottom? Beware of Those Telling you its Happening as its Happening!

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Hi All,

Pretty much everyday someone asks me when prices in the Vancouver real estate market will hit bottom and everyday I say I don’t know.

I say I don’t know, because I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t see the future and as I licensed Realtor I can be liable if people take a hit relying on my predictions.

There are people out there who are saying they KNOW when the prices will hit bottom and they can tell when prices are bottoming as they are hitting bottom. Don’t trust these people!

What happens if prices stabilise and a bottom is called and then prices fall again? Nobody can accurately predict a market bottom and don’t trust those who say they can.

The market bottom can only accurately ascertained with 100% certainty AFTER it has been hit.

In making your decisions about buying or selling real estate and timing your transactions, do your own research. Read widely and speak to a variety of people with different viewpoints. Don’t rely on those who have simple answers that are too easy.

If something is too good to be true, more than likely it isn’t true.

Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

American Buyers are back in the Vancouver Condo Market. Could this be a sign?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
American buyers are back in the Vancouver Condo Market in 2009! By Mike Stewart
View in HD Download 720p Version Visit Mike Stewart’s ExposureRoom Videos Page

Hi All,

American buyers are back in the Vancouver Condo Market! A good exchange rate for US buyers and the fact that some individuals and companies Stateside are weather the storm well means our American freinds and neighbours are back.

Is this a sign that Stimulus is bringing confidence back?

On another note this Video is the first I have shot with my new Flip Mino HD Camera. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the camera and this video from a technical perspective.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below!

Will Inflation make a Comeback and How Will it Affect Vancouver Real Estate?

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Inflation and Vancouver Real Estate – Will Inflation be an Isssue 2-3 years out? By Mike Stewart
View in HD Download 480p Version Visit Mike Stewart’s ExposureRoom Videos Page

Stimulus packages coupled with ultra low interest rates are attempts by national governments and central banks to reflate economies around the world. If these efforts are successful (I think they will) I think inflation will be an issue in 2-3 years in Canada. I think elected politicians and to a lesser extent central bankers will find it very difficult to stop priming the pump once things improve.

I think changes in the Chinese economy will also push up inflation as we move forward. A 2007 Report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has said inexpensive Chinese exports have kept inflation around the world in check. As China develops though, the cost of China’s labour becomes more expensive, pushing up costs for the huge amount of simple products it exports around the world.

How does this relate to Vancouver Real Estate?

Inflation will cause prices and rents in Vancouver to increase while fixed rate mortgages locked in before inflation hits will decline in real and nominal value at an accelerated rate. Equity will increase at an accelerated rate for those with fixed rate mortgages.

Variable rate mortgage holders would see their rates and possibly payments rise in line with Bank of Canada rate increases to combat inflation.

If inflation does re-appear it will be very interesting time in the Vancouver Real Estate Market.

I’d love to hear everyone’s thougths!

More Justification of Stimulus and What Should We Do Instead?

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Hi All,

I recently posted on the stimulus pacakges being enacted around the world and it generated alot of conversation, which is great and I thank all those who participated.

I shot a video justifying my position and I’d like to share with you. I’d also like to hear what people who oppose the stimulus packages think should be done to deal with the financial cirsis we find out ourselves in.

I look forward to your comments!

Will the Stimulus Package help Vancouver Real Estate?

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Hi All,

The global recession has caused national governments around the world to enact huge stimulus packages to get their economies going. I think with the global nature of stimulus efforts we should pull out of this recession in line with the Bank of Canada and other commentators predictions by 2010.

What are your thoughts? Is it the end of the world? Are we going into another Great Depression?

I’d love to see your comments below.

I found this great interactive map on the Economist site and I wanted to share it. If you click on the countries you can see the details of each countries stimulus package.

Why do Real Estate Markets go up and down? Niall Ferguson’s book explains this and much more…

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson – Recommended by Mike Stewart Vancouver Realtor By Mike Stewart
View in HD Download 480p Version Visit Mike Stewart’s ExposureRoom Videos Page

The Ascent of Money. Wow! What a book! I read this book when I was away in Mexico growing this crazy red beard you see me with in all my recent videos.

Niall Ferguson is an Economic Historian at Oxford and Harvard Universities and the authour of several books. In The Ascent of Money, he accurately predicted the Credit Crisis of September 2008 in early 2008. Very impressive!

In Chapter 4 of his book he discusses Real Estate. If you are interested in why property prices go up and down, this should be required reading…

Have a look at the television version of The Ascent of Money on PBS.

I’ve posted some recent videos of him discussing The Financial Crisis and would love to hear your thoughts.

Lowball Offers – What they are, how to do it, and how to deal with one if you are a Seller

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

It’s a buyer’s market for Vancouver real estate these days and Lowballing is a great way for buyers to get the best deal possible. For sellers a Lowball is an opportunity to get an accepted offer in a time when these are scarce.

Many buyers are afraid to Lowball for fear of insulting the sellers. With a Lowball offer it’s like anything else in life, if you don’t try, you’ll never know!

I put a deal together at 2502-1483 Homer Street. The asking price was $1.1 Million and we got it for $97 (more…)