Ryan's London Ontario Real Estate Blog

Your Members of Government Part 2

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:00:36 -0500

I recently posted about your criminal members of government in a post HERE. A common theme among them was that they all belonged to the Council on Foreign Relations, Bilderberg Group, and Trilateral Commission. So what are these goups and why do all your "representatives" belong to unelected thinkgroups which are completely ignored in the main stream media?

Well here is a brief summarization I took from a blog. Keep in Mind this was written in 2007. You have a computer at your fingers tips, cross reference anything here, and look up Bilderberg and Trilateral Commission for some more fun. Is your democracy just an illusion?

The goals of the CFR is best described by its very own members. Bill Clinton's Georgetown mentor and CFR member Carroll Quigley states: "The Council on Foreign Relations is the American branch of a society which originated in England... (and) ...believes national boundaries should be obliterated and one world rule established.". Quigley differs from many of his CFR colleagues in that he believes their plan for a new world order should be more publicly disclosed. In his book Tragedy and Hope, Quigley concedes he is unique among his peers in that he believes the new world order plan of global government's "role in history is significant enough to be known". Quigley also admits that the two-party system allows for both groups to be controlled at the highest level but operate like bitter rivals. As Quigley says, this gives the voters the chance to "throw the rascals out at any election without leading to any profound of extreme shifts in policy.". Controlling Washington elite allowed private central banks to " dominate the political system... ...and economy of world as a whole" and implement a new system of "feudalist fashion" through "secret agreements". Although he believes the CFR's intentions should be more public, Quigley understands the average person doesn't understand feudalism or serfdom and will never read his book.

Surprisingly, many of its own members admit the CFR goal is to subvert the democratic process. CFR member and Judge Advocate General of the US Navy Admiral Chester Ward writes "The main purpose of the (CFR) is promoting the disarmament of US sovereignty and national dependence and submergence into and all powerful, one world government.". This high ranking military officer went on to explain their procedures for influencing policy, claiming: "Once the ruling members of the CFR shadow government have decided that the US government should adopt a particular policy, the very substantial research facilities of the CFR are put to work to develop arguments, intellectual and emotional, to support the new policy and to confound and discredit, intellectually and politically, any opposition.".

The CFR's strategy is also being used to promote world government as well as the new environmental agenda. Obama and most candidates have made the environment a major issue in the policy. The CFR has long suggested a global tax, specifically identifying the environmental movement as a means for its advancement. All CFR candidates align themselves with the position that the government has both the ability and responsibility to maintain the world's environment. Good intentioned individuals may genuinely seek environmental protection, but nongovernmental organizations are quickly capitalizing on land acquisitions and taxes in the name of global warming. While most scientist agree the planet earth is undergoing a degree of climactic change, the CFR admits the environmental argument will be used to erode national sovereignty and build up their global authority. Proposed "Carbon Taxes" place carbon expenditure ratings on mundane human activities. Contrary to popular misconceptions, CO2 is by no means a pollutant. As an essential gas for life, plants thrive on increased levels of CO2 which in turn they produce higher levels of oxygen. Furthermore, carbon based life forms emit carbon to the atmosphere, hence a "Carbon Tax" is a tariff for doing nothing but maintaining life. A popular movement lead by the CFR's own Al Gore would have you believe CO2 is the root cause of environmental woes while ignoring real industrial pollution in developing countries. There are serious environmental problems that are ignored in favor of issues that can be used to tax the broad population.

Environmental protection has already lead countries to willingly surrender control of natural resources. The US has ceded control of natural resources to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a land grab under the guise of environmental protection. UNESCO is part of the United Nations, an organization controlled by many CFR members like permanent US ambassador John Bolton. The CFR's President Richard N. Haass boldly admits "Some governments are prepared to give up elements of sovereignty to address the threat of global climate change.". He adds that this "Globalisation thus implies that sovereignty... ...needs to become weaker.". While it is important to be conscious of humans' effects on the earth, nongovernmental organizations like the CFR see an opportunity to redistribute wealth through selective enforcement targeting the US. The CFR openly states its intentions of using the environmental movement and other emotional arguments to build up global authority and undermine US sovereignty.

The CFR backs other programs that promote regional governments. Another ambitious goal of the CFR is the implementation of regional unions under the control of a central world government. World leaders are moving towards a regional partnership of North America consisting of Canada, the US, and Mexico. In 2005, the CFR released a report titled "Building an American Community" which sought to eliminate borders between the three North American countries. One part of the plan called for decreasing government control of cross-border traffic in an effort to dissolve national borders. Robert Pastor, a vice chairman of the task force that released "Building a North American Community", names the " Amero" as a hypothetical unified North American currency similar to the Euro. Carried out with precision, the private, run-for-profit federal reserve bank has massively devalued the US dollar, allowing foreign corporations to buy up US resources for literal pennies on the dollar.

The European Union is a similar model to the North American partnership. The EU was hugely opposed by Europeans, and took a half century for the complicit European power elites to fully implement the union. During his time as Prime Minister, Tony Blair tried several times for the United Kingdom's adoption of the unpopular EU constitution that was also staunchly rejected by French and Dutch voters. The current Prime Minister Gordon Brown continues to advance a similar constitution under a new name. Like the EU, American countries would keep their governmental infrastructure but all policy would be superseded by a regional constitution.

Already in place in North America is the Security and Prosperity Partnership (spp.gov) established in a meeting between Bush, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. The SPP consolidates protection of the North American Union by establishing a security perimeter extending north of Canada to the Mexican/ Guatemalan border. This measure was authorized under Bush's ambiguous executive authority, thus avoiding any congressional input or oversight. It is a precursor to a trilateral authority between the three North American economies.

A similar measure to the SPP in the establishment of a unified North American region is the NAFTA "Superhighway" which eliminates border restrictions on shipping, allowing imported goods destined for the US to arrive in North America at ports in Mexico. Rather than arriving at the port of Long Beach, imported goods would enter the US via a "port" in the mid-west that lies along the shipping lane. This measure has been unanimously opposed by US cities in proximity of the highway, but the democratic voice is ignored as the government covertly advances. Congress has largely looked away from the issue. Members who are aware of this plan avoid this issue and prefer that it stay secret, and the CFR presidential candidates will not address it. The presidential candidates' association with the the self-described "shadow government" compromises the the voting process and defrauds the constituency.

Barack Obama has captivated voters from all parties with his refreshing new style of rhetoric. He has the voting record to back his criticism of the Iraq war. But like his CFR colleagues, he vows to continue the pursuit of a shadowy enemy under the vague threat of "terrorism" - a policy that has cost citizens their personal liberties, trillions in debt and untold lives. The war on terror has been crafted to spend the US into bankruptcy and setup a domestic police state. Money continues to be being printed out of thin air by the private run-for-profit Federal Reserve, while China remains leveraged with over $1 trillion in US dollar holdings. In the middle east, the CFR's blank check for U.S. military operations will deplete U.S. resources while inciting sectarian strife and anti-U.S. sentiment, ignoring the history of blowback as documented by the CIA. Obama and other CFR candidates affiliation with the organization is not promoted on their websites or in any press releases because the organization has centralized political power and financial capital to set policy the public would otherwise oppose. The career politicians in the CFR know corporate sponsorship is frowned upon by voters. The Council is one of the major conduits between government and business leaders in the US. The CFR is guaranteeing power by owning all the horses in the race that is the 2008 election. Obama is captivating unlike most of his competition, undoubtedly intelligent enough to understand his political niche. Another CFR US president guarantees more of the same costly foreign policy that protects corporate interests and isolates the US. Like his colleagues, Barack Obama's stated foreign policy intentions foment the long term militarization and balkanization of the middle east while resources will continue to be spent in deficit to finance an illegal foreign policy. Only when the control of the CFR is fully exposed will the voters have a real democratic choice.

How International Bankers Gained Control of America

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:57:11 -0500

It's time real history gets heard. You can verify or cross reference anything in this video. I've done my research, people need to get to the core of what is going on in the world. This video is one of the best that sums up YOUR LIFE. Please forward this video to everyone you know. Keep in mind this video was made in the 90's, and everything predicted has come true. width:400px;height

You can visit http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936 to access full screen video.

A Message From the President of the United States of America

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:51:00 -0500

This can only send shivers down your spine.

Your Representatives in Government for Your United States of America

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:01:50 -0500

Here is a brief overview of the Cabinet (if you dig deep, some of the stuff gets insane) Some stuff they "forgot" to mention on the 6 o'clock news. Now this isn't an Obama bashing thread. You have to realize he had no say in who the cabinet was going to consist of. All these people are appointed by the people running the show, just as Obama was - his only job is to sell the lie - can't people see this?

Notice the relationship between the people's history and their job criteria. For example, look at the background of the monetary appointees - ie if you realize the history of the privately owned Fed.

If you look at Obama's advisors it's even more scary, but that can be for another topic.

Obama - A vote for change? It's the same people/theme from previous administrations. Look at the corralation between them - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral Commission = your unelected thinkgroups who make the decisions which run your daily lives. I'd suggest you look them up.

FYI - John McCain is all CFR, Bilderberg, Trilateral Commission too. I know Obama was at least a CFR and Bilderberg guy. Can you not see that there are no party differences and it's just a two headed, one party system? I know you guys care (thank god because there are alot of sheep out there), because you are here, and you voice your displeasure about what is going on. So what is the core reason for the insanity? Why do politicians lie all the time? Why does an election never bring change? Who is making the decisions that effect your future?

Joseph Biden - Vice President - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral

Rahm Emanuel - Chief of Staff
Member of Israeli Defense Force, staunch Zionist, congressman, Board of Directors for Freddie Mac, member of Bill Clinton's finance campaign committee, Emanuel made $16.2 million during 2.5 years as an investment banker for Wasserstein Perella. His father was a member of the Israeli Irgun terrorist group.
Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral Commission
Much has already been written about Hillary Clinton's criminal past, her poor record on domestic civil liberties issues, and now she can export her "It takes a village to raise a child" message to the entire world. Bilderberg, CFR, and Trilateral Commission member, Hillary Clinton will continue the phony global war on terror indefinitely. "It is essential that we win this war against these borderless terrorists, but it is, I believe, critical that we once again recommit ourselves to that American internationalism that I mentioned in the beginning," Clinton told Richard Haass and the Council on Foreign Relations in 2003. Internationalism, of course, is inseparable from neoliberal globalism of the sort the CFR has pushed for decades.
Timothy Geithner - Treasury secretary- Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral Commission
Geithner is president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, and was intimately involved in the multi-Trillion dollar transfers to International banksters. He was also a former Clinton administration Treasury official, worked for Kissinger Associates and has also held a senior position at the IMF. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
He will likely push the New World Order agenda decided at the 2008 Bilberberg Meeting of a one world currency and global control of financial systems. Geithner wrote an article in the Financial Times calling for a global regulatory banking framework, and called for the Federal Reserve to have an instrumental role in this new framework.

Geithner wrote this piece right after the Bilderberg Meeting where some of the most powerful figures in the world of central banking attended. Not only did Geithner attend, but the attendee list included Ben Bernanke the Federal Reserve Chairman, Henry Paulson the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Jean-Claude Trichet the president of the European Central Bank, Robert Zoellick the president of the World Bank and other high profile bankers. With the who's who of central banking attending the Bilderberg Meeting, it is highly unlikely that what Geithner is proposing in his Financial Times article was not discussed at the Bilderberg Meeting. It is no secret that the true objective of the Bilderberg Meeting is to steer the world into accepting a global government. By establishing a new global regulatory banking framework, this will inch the planet ever closer to a one world currency operating in a cashless society where microchips are used to facilitate transactions. Make no mistake about it, this system will not be good, because it will be controlled by a bunch of criminal psychopaths like the one's who attended the 2008 Bilderberg Meeting.
Lawrence Summers - National Economic Council head - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Bildergerg, CFR, Trilateral Commission, and Treasury secretary for the final 1-1/2 years of the Clinton administration. It was Summers who forced through the deregulation of financial markets in the 1990s. Lawrence Summers played a key role in lobbying Congress for the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act. His timely appointment by President Clinton in 1999 as Treasury Secretary spearheaded the adoption of the Financial Services Modernization Act in November 1999.
Harvard University Economics Professor Lawrence Summers served as Chief Economist for the World Bank (1991-1993). He contributed to shaping the macro-economic reforms imposed on numerous indebted developing countries. The social and economic impact of these reforms under the IMF-World Bank sponsored structural adjustment program (SAP) were devastating, resulting in mass poverty.

Summers wrote a memo saying the World Bank should actively encourage the dumping of toxic waste in developing countries, particularly "under-polluted countries in Africa," since poor people in developing countries rarely live long enough to develop cancer.

In 1993, Summers moved to the US Treasury. He initially held the position of Undersecretary of the Treasury for international affairs and later Deputy Secretary. In liaison with his former colleagues at the IMF and the World Bank, he played a key role in crafting the economic "shock treatment" reform packages imposed at the height of the 1997 Asian crisis on South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.

Larry Summers became Treasury Secretary in July 1999. He is a protégé of David Rockefeller. He was among the main architects of the infamous Financial Services Modernization Act, which provided legitimacy to inside trading and outright financial manipulation.

Summers was also a Consultant to Goldman Sachs and managing director of a Hedge fund, the D.E. Shaw Group. Under the helm of Larry Summers and as a direct result of the financial meltdown, the D. E. Shaw Group made record profits. At the end of October 2008, at the height of the financial crisis, the D. E. Shaw Group announced $7 billion in revenue, a 22 percent increase over the previous year, "with nearly three times more cash on hand than a year ago".

Considering that Summers is a chief architect of the current financial meltdown, we should be wondering why Obama isn't preparing an arrest warrant for him, instead of offering him a powerful economic role in the world.
Eric Holder - Attorney General - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Former Clintonite and Deputy Attorney General, he is probably best and infamously remembered for his role in the controversial pardon of billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, the FBI Most Wanted criminal who colluded with Iran at a time when that country was holding U.S. hostages.
In private practice as an attorney, Holder represents Merck and helped negotiate an agreement with the Justice Department for Chiquita Brands International in a case that involved Chiquita's payment of "protection money" to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a group on the U.S. government's list of terrorist organizations.

Holder played an important role in the D.C. v. Heller ruling on handguns. Holder joined the Reno-led amicus brief, which urged the Supreme Court to uphold Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban and said the Department of Justice from Franklin Roosevelt through Bill Clinton had always believed that the Second Amendment does not protect the rights of individuals to own guns for personal use. In short, Holder is a gun grabber who is opposed to the Second Amendment. As attorney general, we can bet he will work tirelessly to outlaw all firearms in the United States.

Holder has advocated government censorship of the internet. "It is gonna be a difficult thing, but it seems to me that if we can come up with reasonable restrictions, reasonable regulations in how people interact on the Internet, that is something that the Supreme Court and the courts ought to favorably look at," Holder told NPR after the Columbine massacre in 1999.
Robert Gates - Defense Secretary - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Robert Gates is a loyal Bush senior stooge. During Bush 41's presidency, Gates served as deputy national security adviser and then as CIA director. Robert Gates is a consummate insider. "Gates indeed worked under every U.S. president from Richard M. Nixon to George Herbert Walker Bush," notes the National Security Archive. He is closely connected to former Secretary of State James Baker III, a prominent CFR member.
"The Iran Contra affair in which Robert Gates was implicated was part of the architecture of the ‘war on terrorism'. What is rarely acknowledged is that part of the proceeds of the illegal weapons sales to Iran were also used to finance the CIA sponsored Islamic brigades (i.e. Al Qaeda) involved in the Soviet-Afghan war. These covert operations in support of Al Qaeda paved the way for the ‘war on terrorism' which constitutes the cornerstone of US National Security doctrine," writes Michel Chossudovsky.
Gen. James Jones - National Security Adviser - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Former Marine general and former NATO supreme commander James Jones sits on the board of directors of the Boeing Company, Chevron, and NATO's Atlantic Council of the United States. Jones is cozy with the Council on Foreign Relations.
In essence, Jones will serve as Big Oil's security chief. "Jones is currently a director of Chevron Oil. He also heads of the Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy - a group lobbying on energy issues in DC and described by the Grist as ‘part of the Republican machine, dominated by - and lobbying fiercely for the interests of - Big Oil, Big Auto, Big Pharma, and other such Bigs,'" writes Mitchell Anderson.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jones remarked at the 45th Munich Conference on Security Policy at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof on February 8, 2009, "As the most recent National Security Advisor of the United States, I take my daily orders from Dr. Kissinger, filtered down through Generaal Brent Scowcroft and Sandy Berger..."
Paul Volcker - Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Bilderberg, CFT, Trilateral
Longtime associate of the rockefeller family, Bilderberger and North American Chairman of the Trilateral Commission, Paul Volker was chairman of the Federal Reserve Board in the l980s during the Carter and Reagan era. He was president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and played a central role in implementing the first stage of financial deregulation, which was conducive to mass bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions, leading up to the 1987 financial crisis.
Ellen Moran - Director of Communications - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
As someone who has spent most of her public life as executive director of EMILY's List, a pro-choice eugenics organization, imagine the public propaganda messages that will now spew forth from this office.
Janet Napolitano - Secretary of Homeland Security - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
As a CFR member, Napolitano is onboard with the globalist agenda to impoverish the American worker. She will continue the do-nothing approach to illegal immigration. "Far from being a border hawk, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano frequently blocked efforts to curb illegal immigration, say enforcement advocates concerned about her expected nomination to be the Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama," reports Fred Lucas for CNS News. She opposes a border fence and favors a controversial technology visa program and favors a "stringent pathway to citizenship," in other words allowing millions of illegal aliens to become citizens.
Susan E. Rice - U.S. Ambassador to the UN - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Ms. Rice, a former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs under Clinton and a Rhodes scholar, is a minion of the Brooking Institution. Brookings is a neolib "think tank" par excellence. It is funded by the Ford Foundation, the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, American Express, the Bank of America, Lockheed Martin, Walmart, Goldman Sachs, and the United Nations.
Rice is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Aspen Strategy Group, the latter where she rubs elbows with the likes of Brent Scowcroft, the neocon Eliot A. Cohen (a "leading champion" of the war in Iraq), Madeleine Albright (a proponent of mass murdering Iraqi children), CFR president Richard N. Haass, and other crossover neocons and neolibs.
Carol M. Browner - White House coordinator of climate and energy policies. - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Member of the Socialist International and leader of the group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. This highly influential group is headed by a Bilderberg Group luminary that calls for the implementation of global government.
It really is no surprise that Barack Obama chose this woman to oversee the effort to combat the global warming fantasy. She is a believer in the socialist doctrines behind the whole climate change scam created by the new world socialist order over 12 years ago.

You may remember Carol Browner from her days as President Clinton's EPA Administrator where she used the EPA to campaign against Republicans. A bipartisan letter from the House Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs on March 21, 1995, charged the Environmental Protection Agency and its administrator, Carol M. Browner, with violating the federal Anti-Lobbying Act by faxing unsolicited material opposing the Republican-sponsored regulatory reform package to various corporations and public-interest groups.
Sanjay Gupta - U.S. Surgeon General - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
CFR Member is part of the ongoing eugenics vaccination effort. Part of Gupta's "public message" is that thermersol and its mercury-based preservative has nothing to do with autism. In 2007, Gupta went on CNN to state there appears to be no relationship between thimerosal and autism. Gupta does not mention a study published in the March 10, 2006, issue of American Physicians and Surgeons that reveals that since mercury was removed from childhood vaccines, the alarming increase in reported rates of autism and other neurological disorders in children dropped sharply. Mr. Gupta appears to be part of an effort to deny there is an epidemic and try to hide the data from public scrutiny, while at the same time secretly putting in an addendum in to the Homeland Security Act specifically to prevent parents from suing vaccines companies for vaccine damage.
He was a White House Fellow in 1997 and served as special advisor to then-first lady Hillary Clinton.
Kathleen Sebelius - Health and Human Services Secretary - Bilderberg, CFT, Trilateral
Kansas governor and Bilderberger attracted national attention in 2004 by signing a Kansas law granting illegal immigrants a tuition break at the state's public colleges and universities. Pro-abortion advocate, Sebelius also recently signed an executive order covering 25,000 of the state's 41,000 employees prohibiting on-the-job harassment against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and people who have undergone sexual-reassignment surgery.

Leon Panetta - CIA Director - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
He served as President Bill Clinton's White House Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997.
George Mitchell - Special Envoy for the Middle East - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
CFR member and former director of the globalist organization. Mitchell sits on the steering committee of the American Friends of Bilderberg along with such luminaries as Conrad Black, Henry Kissinger, and David Rockefeller.
Richard Holbrooke - Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
He is on the board of directors of the Council on Foreign Relations. A dedicated Clintonite and former ambassador to the United Nations, Holbrooke brokered the Dayton Peace Accords, the "peace agreement" that partitioned and reduced Bosnia to a NATO and IMF client state, a model of bankster privatization. Along with Henry Kissinger, David Rockefeller, and Paul Allaire, Holbrooke directs the American Friends of Bilderberg, an organization that takes money from Exxon, Arco, IBM, and other transnational corporations and has its meetings funded by the globalist Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and the Carnegie Endowment fund.
Thomas A. Daschle - Director of the Office of Health Reform - Bilderberg, CFR, Trilateral
Bilderberg, Council on Foreign Relations, former Senate majority leader, Citibank lackey, mentored by Robert Rubin.

Home Sales for June in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:13:25 -0500

Homes sales for May in London, Ontario stayed steady. Thanks to record low interest rates, home buyers are purchasing at a steady rate, particularly first time home buyers. While the economy has taken a beaten in the manufacturing sector, overall it's steady enough and combined with the low interest rates, people are purchasing homes. It is not uncommon to see multiple offer situations if a home for sale is priced at market value or below market value in the first time homebuyer price range - $200,000 and under. The full market report can be read HERE.

In unrelated (yet related news) one has to wonder why the general population is completely unaware that private banking corporations own and run the Federal Reserve Bank in the USA. Yes, that is correct, private banks are in complete charge of the worlds supposed super power and have been for the past 100 years. And these mega rich and powerful banking families own major banking institutions such as Lehman Brothers, Citibank etc (remember last fall?)

Think about this for a second - it's KIND OF IMPORTANT . (And if you think I'm making this up because you haven't heard this on the 6 O'Clock news or in the newspaper, upon a little research you will find that this banking cartel own 100% of the main stream media you think is giving you the real news).

It's easy to find information on this with a simple search on your browser.

Creation of the Federal Reserve

AN ASTOUNDING EXPOSURE

How International Bankers Gained Control of America

Do your own search, your own research. As long as you ask some questions! Please don't be ignorant and think that this won't have a tremendous effect your future.

How to Eliminate Income Taxes While Ensuring Growth and Prosperity of the Country (Who is really behind the Economic Collapse)

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:15:02 -0500

Yes it is possible. Very possible. More importantly, now that I have your attention, as we explore the topic I'm addressing hopefully you will experience just a small paridigm shift in your thinking to at least make you ask some questions. Questions which will hopefully help you see what is the single greatest issue facing every person in this country and around the world today. 99% of the population is completely unaware, not of their own ignorance, but by researching further you will learn that you are intentionally mislead and misinformed so you don't learn of their secret.

I'm going to keep this posting simple and not go into great detail. Since you are reading this I know that you have access to the Internet. I know that you have a search function on your browser. You are free to research, inquire, explore, confirm any information you want. You are free to question any facts or information presented to you. I not writing this to tell you what is fact or what is happening. I'm writing this so you will look at information and form your own questions and conclusions. As some of this information will come as a complete shock to people, it's important to keep an open mind and research, question, and confirm what is fact and fiction.

I would like to talk about the Central Bank. Boring topic you might be thinking. However, what you wouldn't find boring is who owns or controls the Central Bank. I'm talking about the Bank of Canada, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and every other Central Bank that operates their nation's currency. News flash: the Government of Canada (aka you the citizen) DOES NOT OWN OR RUN the Bank of Canada. Ditto for the for the US govn't and the Federal Reserve, Bank of England etc.

So who runs, owns and controls the Bank of Canada? Answer: Private Banks. Yes, private banking corporations issue money, set interest rates, and control the monetary policy. When the Canadian government borrows money for whatever purpose, it does not print its own money and issue it. It borrows the money from the Bank of Canada - which is really a private banking cartel - at interest. To simplify things, the private banks print money out of thin air, "lend" it to the Government of Canada, and charge interest so you the taxpayer can pay for a debt that is impossible to pay off. What???

Now if you have read this far and this is the first you have heard of such a "scam" (cause that is what it really is) you are immediately questioning my sanity. You are thinking this is impossible, I'm just making this up, how could such a system be in place, this isn't what I learned in school or read in the news. Again, you have a wealth of information at your finger tips, research the topic, "google it" as they say, prove this to be wrong.

You can start Here: http://billtotten.blogspot.com/2009/05/bank-of-canada-tutorial.html http://www.members.shaw.ca/theultimatescam/The%20Bank%20of%20Canada.htm

Note: Concerning the Bank of Canada, it's a little blurry whether the international banking families directly own the BoC, or just use their immense influence to ensure the Government of Canada (YOU!) use their institutions. But they do! Illegally! (If you don't think they do, research who owns the IMF, World Bank, BIS who Bank of Canada follows their policy and direction and are currently in the process of implementing a world currency system)

However what is clear and documented and is not a secret is that the Federal Reserve - the most powerful financial institution we know - is privately owned by the "banking cartel" You can view the following video or search whatever source you would like - there is a tone of documented evidence proving this to be true. If this is true, stop and think about this for a second. (and maybe pause and think about what happened last fall)

To further the grand picture, if you would like a complete history of the banking families and their institutions and how they've shaped and impacted the world today you can view this video. 3 hours might seem long and boring but it might be the most important eye popping 3 hours you could spend. (There are condensed versions of this video available to view) Not to many people today know that a small group of families (lead by the Rothchilds) own or control all the central banks of the developed nations.

It is important to Grasp: Private Banking Corporations run Central Banks. Same banking families own and operation the world bank, IMF etc. NOT GOVERNMENT!

I shouldn't have to spell out the consequences of such a situation, the vast control and power into a small number of hands. As you begin to explore this reality, you only begin to see the enormous impact on the world today as we know it.

From a purely selfish point of view, the very least you should do is complain to have this system abolished, clear our nations debt and rid yourselves of most taxes including income tax - which was implemented to pay the interest on the Debt that was created illegally by these banking institutions forcing your own govn't to borrow from them (if you really simplify things, the income tax you pay goes directly to the banks and the banking cartel).

This is the greatest fraud of our lifetime and has been going on under our noses for generations. Please research this topic. If you are a skeptic, prove this to be wrong. I challenge you. Our nation and civilization are in a mega crisis and the general populous is completely unaware of what is going on even though it is staring you right in the face. (Upon "googling" it's easy to learn that this same "cartel" owns or controls virtually all of the main stream media ie why you haven't heard of this before, nor will you ever see it when you turn on the TV or read the newspaper) As you are likely aware, there is a huge push for a world government and a world currency (and it isn't your elected officials who are behind the push) Rather then being blinded by the propaganda you hear and see on TV and newspaper, please do your homework!

Real Estate Market Sales Activity in April for London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:50:49 -0500

The results of April home sales are in and the London area proved to be very active. Detached home sales increased by 1.8% over April of 2008. This is very surprising stat - I expected the numbers to be good given the activity and interest I've seen generated over the last couple of months - but these numbers are very solid. Condos sold decreased 26% for April of 2008.

This continues with the theme I've reiterated over the last 6 months - London real estate market was in a good situation, is currently in a good situation, and will be in a good situation in the future.

I think we are closer to a neutral market now (split even between buyers/sellers market) then the buyers market we say in December for example. I'll have to crunch the numbers in a future post.

Below is part of the press release. The full release can be read HERE

Last month, 804 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 666 detached homes (up 1.8% from April 2008) and 138 condos (down 26.6% from April 2008). Year to date, 1,840 detached homes and 414 condos have been sold - down 15.1% and 26.9% respectively compared to the same period in 2008.

"April sales have increased by 20% over March - that's great news, especially in a tougher economy," says Joe Hough, LSTAR President. "We have now seen detached home sales move from being down 35% in January, down 30% in February, down 7.2% in March, and now they are up by 1.8%. The federal government incentives announced in the last budget, including the increase in the maximum withdrawal allowed under the Home Buyers' Plan to $25,000, and the First Time Buyer Tax Credit, have certainly influenced April's sales."

Hough says the average residential price is also improving. "Year-to-date for April 2009, the total residential average price is down 1.8% to $207,591, compared with a decline of 2.7% in March, 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January."

Home Sales in March for London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:58:09 -0500

Real Estate home sale numbers are in for March. Homes sales were solid for London Ontario. They were down 7% compared to March 2008 - which is encouraging (If homes sales for the remaining 9 months are 7% less then 2008's numbers, that would be a decent year).

I've repeatedly said that home buyers took a couple of months off due to the uncertainty in the world markets. Once they see the area market is stable, and the weather warms up, home buyers are going to be ready to buy - particularly first time buyers. Historical low interest rates and a buyers market are hard to ignore. We are starting to see that activity now. Sales numbers for April and May should reflect this - they won't be 2008 or 2007 numbers - but no one is expecting them to be nor do they have to be for the real estate market to function at a healthy rate. Homes prices have slipped 2.7% year to date compared to 2008. It will be interesting to see how this plays out the rest of the year. My prediction is by the end of the year homes prices will be 1% to 3% less the 2008 prices. (CMHC recently predicted 0-1%) I think there will be enough buyers and sales to keep the market stable and to keep in check the increased amount of new listings available.

You can read the full market report HERE. The follow is some brief comments from the report:
Last month, 669 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 551 detached homes (down 7.2% from March 2008) and 118 condos (down 21.9% from March 2008). Year to date, 1,174 detached homes and 276 condos have been sold - down 22.6% and 27% respectively compared to the same period in 2008.

"Compared to January and February of this year, we are certainly seeing stabilization in home sales in LSTAR's jurisdiction," says Joe Hough, LSTAR President. "January sales for detached homes were down 35% and February sales for detached homes were down 30%, so to see March home sales for detached homes down just 7.2% is very encouraging."

Hough says the average residential price is also holding steady. "Year-to-date for March 2009, the total residential average price is down 2.7% to $206,944, compared with a decline of 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January, so we are seeing some stabilization there as well."

St. Thomas sales were up in March. "Compared to March 2008, sales of units in St. Thomas actually increased by 14.6%," says Hough. "But the average home price has declined by 7.2%." "Typically the Spring market we're moving into generates more activity, and this year there are the benefits from historically low mortgage rates and improved affordability in most markets," says the President of the Canadian Real Estate Association, Calvin Lindberg. "REALTORS® are reporting increased interest, especially from first-time homebuyers."

Mortgage Rates in London, Ontario Continue to Drop

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:28:45 -0500

Mortgage interest rates in London, Ontario continue to drop. 5 year fixed terms can now be purchased at 4.19% or maybe a little less. These rates are at historical 50 year lows. A $200,000 mortgage over 25 years equals $1,070 monthly payments. A $150,000 mortgage is $805/month. If you wanted to do a variable mortgage, rates and payments are even lower. Free mortgage preapprovals can be done quickly with no obligation. To find out how much you can afford to purchase go HERE.

This is one of the reasons homebuyers are going to be purchasing homes in the spring market. Judging by activity at open houses (a lot of potential homebuyers are attending), and talking with buyers, the spring market should be fairly active. Many of these buyers will be first time buyers looking to get into the real estate market for the first time.

Bank Foreclosures - Distressed Property

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:02:08 -0500

Homes For Sale in London Ontario

Bank Foreclosures - Distressed Property

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London Ontario Real Estate Market Breakdown

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:01:15 -0500

I had the opportunity to listen to a CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) speaker recently present their information of London Ontario's real estate market and economy. I will briefly recap some of the main points discussed. This information refers to London, St. Thomas and surrounding area.

CMHC predicted around 7000 real estate sales for the market for 2009. This is about a 25% drop from 2008. They had previously predicted a 10% drop prior to the fallout in the US in October.

Homes for sale will be around 17,000 - which is around the same as 2008. (To compare, 2006 had about 8,500 homes for sale). One of the major reasons for the increase are homeowners cashing out their equity that they built up during the price increase from 2001 to 2008. The increase in homes for sale is the number one reason why it's a buyers market now compared to the sellers market of 2006.

Consequently, new home construction is suffering since homebuyers have ample resell homes to purchase and usually choose a resale home over a more expensive new home if given the option.

CMHC predicted average sales price to be -1% to no change from 2008. In other words, prices should flat line. (Remember this is average for the entire London region for every price range. There are certain price ranges that have seen a decrease etc)

Talked about the demand factors for the city and region:

1) Employment

Employment overall is fairly steady. It's increased from 7.1 to 7.8. (In early 90's it was around 10%).
We all know that the manufacturing sector has been hit really hard. So why hasn't unemployment risen to a higher level? It's because there are other sectors that are creating jobs. Health care and service sector are both creating jobs. (Hard to know that since the news always reports the negative stories). This is one of the strong points of London as I've mentioned before - diverse economy has helped ease the pain felt in some areas of the economy.

2) Population Growth

London has a 5% birth rate. Ontario overall has 7%. London lags behind the average a bit but a least it's growing.

3) Migration

London has a net migration (meaning more people move here compared to moving out)

Seeing international migration to the city. While still a fairly conservation city, it's a very slow change as immigrants are moving here.
Seeing migration from larger centers to London - namely Toronto area. The 25-45 year old age group is finding London a lot less expensive and more affordable. $200,000 vs $350,000 for the same house.

----

Vacancy rate for 2009 is predicted to be 4.2%. It was 3.9 in 2008 and 3.2 in 2007. The main reason for the increase is the completion of new apartment buildings (If you want proof, look at the skyline of downtown). So these new units will take a little time to be absorbed into the market.
Who are going to fill this apartments? empty nesters (older people selling and renting), international migrants and students, cautious renters, and youth moving our from parents house.

Mentioned also was that first time buyers and baby boomers (ages 25-45) will push the market. This demographic has always had a big influence over the London Ontario real estate market. The conditions are there for them to be purchasing real estate (low interest rates, supply, and steady economic conditions). The CMHC speaker mentioned that consumer sediment is a major factor right now with the public. I agree - the buyers are out there, it's just a matter of them feeling confident to do so.

Real Estate Sales for February in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:09:54 -0600

Real Estate homes sales numbers have been updated for the month of February. The news report can be read HERE

480 Homes exchanged hands for the month. I predicted in my previous post the number would be around 500 so I was pretty close. This number is obviously down from 2008 February which was one of the best on record. Looks like the London area market is on pace for around 7000 sales for the year - which is off for the 8000 plus we've seen in recent years when the market was a strong sellers market - but is still good enough for what you would call a "normal" year.

Communicating with a lot of buyers, there are a lot of purchasers ready to jump in the market. A lot of these buyers will be first time buyers - these are the buyers that traditionally make the London market move. Once the weather warms up, and people get past of the negativity they keep hearing in the news and realize the market is still fundamentally strong, they will take advantage of historically low interest rates and a great selection of homes to purchase their home of choice.

A Neighbourhood on the Rebound

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:40:01 -0600

Ten years from now, what neighbourhood in London, Ontario are going to see a dramatic change in value? Look no further then most people's favorite location to bash - East of Adelaide.

The Old East Village (Dundas, Adelaide, Central, Quebec) is currently undergoing a major shift from it's 1990's - run down, crime ridden, poor demographic, falling apart neighbourhood; to a vibrant community, rich with history, and a great place to live.

Now, I'm sure some people might shake their head at what I just wrote. But if you are paying attention, it's happening. I want to make one thing clear, I'm not saying it's there yet - that's clear by driving down Dundas street. To put it in perspective, if we are talking about a 9 inning baseball game, the Old East revitalization has just completed the top of the 3rd, and is looking at a one, two, three bottom of the 3rd. It's a process, and before you know it, it will be the 7th inning stretch. To put a general time frame on it, I would give it a 10 year period before the transformation is really complete.

Back in 2002, I took a long hard look at the area and what struck me right away was the huge potential the area had. It had the history, the century homes, close to downtown, a potential self sustaining business district, homes were affordable etc. Most importantly as it turned out, it had the people in it that wanted it to change, improve, and succeed. A couple of groups to mention are the Old East Village Community Association and Old East Village Business Improvement Area.

Through the efforts of the people in the community, many changes have already occurred. The entire neighbourhood has been named a heritage district - the largest in Ontario. There is a very noticeable improvement in the neighbourhood and is good place to live. The commerical corridor has seen some improvements with owners renovating their store fronts. It's a long process to convert a commerical district into a vibrant place to live and do business (This goes for any place or city ie, see Downtown London - it's a 20 year process which is currently working and is on pace to meet its goals)

But it's happening. The efforts are paying off and one of the biggest confirmations that it's working is future investment made by private business. It was recently announced that a 150 unit condo projectis going to happen at the corner of Dundas and English, in the process some old worn out buildings will be torn town. This is coming of the heels of Medallion Developments announcing that they are going to build a 600 unit residential complex, revitalizing an entire block spanning King, Lyle, Dundas, and Hewitt. (Interesting because back in 2003 I had the same idea about developing that piece of land - not that I was in any position to do anything at that time, it's just nice to see that other people/business have similar visions)

This is big news. This will bring 1,500 - 2,000 new people to the area. I shouldn't have to explain the effect this will have on Dundas Street corridor and its businesses.

So, if you were looking to purchase a home or an investment property, what neighbourhood do you think will have a very high rate of return over the next decade?

Homes Sales Update in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:33:21 -0600

Looking at the sales activity though the first half of February, it's not all doom and gloom - homes are selling. From what I can see, homes sales for the month are on pace to be around the 500 mark. This would be less then the previous 5 years for February - which would average in the 600's. Yes, sales numbers are down, put there is nothing to suggest the market is falling apart. Buyer's are taking advantage of historically low interest rates and great selection of homes to purchase. A buyers market it is, and talking to potential home purchasers they are going to be ready to purchase come spring.

If you would like a free list of Bank Foreclosed properties or other distressed homes, follow the link below:

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London Ontario Real Estate Statistics for January

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:19:41 -0600

The numbers are in for January and they are down from January 2008 - which everyone knew was coming considering the current economic environment and strong sales last year. The month isn't broken down, but from what I saw home sales were very slow in the first half of January and picked up in the last half. (Picked up meaning what would be considered normal sales numbers for a buyers market in January)

There were, and still are, a lot of buyers who are waiting a bit for things to settle out. The buyers are out there - particularly with historically low interest rates at 4.49% 5 year term mortgage - what will be buying. Once the weather warms up (don't discount this factor, it's not an excuse. Weather has always been a factor in any year and our very cold and snowy start the year effects home sales and holds back buyers a bit).

Like in my previous post, we are in a buyers market, and buyers have the leverage and will have an easier time finding a home and negotiating a good price. With the low interest rates, homebuyers will be able to take advantage of a good opportunity.

Here's the press release:

Last month, 305 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 245 detached homes (down 35% from January 2008) and 60 condos (down 31% from January 2008).

"The decline in home sales last month is directly attributable to two factors: a drop in consumer confidence due to the downturn in the stock market, not to mention a government in apparent crisis and whole heck of a lot of snow and cold weather," says Joe Hough, LSTAR President, "A bad month does not mean a bad year and our January 2008 numbers are only the third lowest for January in a decade where real estate sales broke record after record. When the dust on the global economic crisis settles . . . and the snow stops flying what we're going to see in London is a more balanced market, with more opportunities for buyers than here have been over the last several years."

"Moderating home prices in Canada should not be confused with the downturn in the U.S. housing market," says Canadian Real Estate Association President Calvin Lindberg. "But any local real estate market is not immune to global economic challenges, and that is what we face today. Low prices are not the concern as much as the perception of doom and gloom. Buyers are waiting to see if the real estate market has hit bottom, and that is a very complex thing to try and calculate. Most of us will only be affected by the market correction psychologically, because the majority of Canadians will not buy or sell property in the coming year."

"Average prices will remain under downward pressure during the Canadian economic recession," says CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. "Shaky financial market confidence is pulling down business and consumer confidence. The consensus economic forecast predicts the economy will rebound in the second half of 2009, so housing market trends should strengthen next year ...

There has been a fundamental shift in consumer confidence, with job insecurities prevailing in every region of Canada," he added. "That is unlikely to change until the worst of the recession is behind us."

No Money Down Real Estate in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:14:37 -0600

Are you currently renting in London, Ontario and would like to purchase a home but don't have the necessary down payment to make a purchase? Now is your chance. The City of London has extended and ammended it's no money down program for renters. Details can be found HERE

The major changes are the sale price of a home can be up to $140,000 and purchasers have to have an annual income of less then $55,000. $140,000 might not seem like a good price range to purchase, but there are homes available in that price range including townhouses, condo's and semi's which are of good value. The purchaser is still required to me able to qualify for a mortgage with a financial instituation, and the city will provide the 5% downpayment and 1% for closing costs.

For a list of homes that would qualify for this program, please contact me. This program expires March 31st.

Bank Foreclosures on the Increase in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:39:04 -0600

The London Free Press wrote an article on the increase of foreclosed homes in the area. It's not really that surprising, the main reason for the increase being the huge job losses in the manufacturing sector. St. Thomas in particular, as well as other small towns have been hit very hard. Job losses equal home owners not being able to pay their mortgage payments. London also hurts from this as some of the laid off manufacturing jobs were of people living in London and working in St. Thomas etc.

If you are looking to purchase a home in 2009, perhaps you would like a free list of all the foreclosed homes for sale and power of sales in the London area. Can be found HERE.

Here's the Free Press Article:

With the economy limping, London process servers have been racing to keep up with a slew of foreclosures, the likes of which they haven't seen since the early 1980s.

"It's unfortunate that when times are bad, we are busy," Doug Russell of London and Western Ontario Process Servers said yesterday.

Russell has served notices of foreclosure in London since 1983, first as a deputy sheriff and later for his own firm.

Back then, the culprit was interest rates that soared toward 20 per cent. But now foreclosures seem driven by an unemployment rate that's grown to 6.9 per cent, with thousands of manufacturing job losses in the region alone.

Another process server, Bill Armstrong, estimates the number of foreclosure notices he's delivered has more than tripled in the last year.

"I've never been this busy and I've been in the business 20 years," he said.

As busy as it's been in London, it's been even busier in neighbouring centres such as St. Thomas and Aylmer, he said.

"Some smaller communities are hurting more," he said.

While the number of foreclosure notices soared in November and December, this week and last have been slow, as lenders often don't proceed during the holidays.

But Armstrong fears it will get even worse this month because of a global recession whose effects have yet to be fully felt. "The economy is going to get much worse. I just don't see any signs of a turnaround," he said.

That risk was highlighted in a December report by the Bank of Canada

While central bank officials believe the housing sector is holding up so far, they warn foreclosures may increase this year, in part because household debt as a percentage of income is at an all-time high.

"With the economy expected to slow, conditions are already in place for an increase in default rates among highly leveraged households over the coming year. The risk is that the increase in default rates on household borrowing could prove more substantial if a more severe economic downturn (with significant increases in unemployment and weaker incomes) materialized," the bank wrote.

Also on the upswing among the local process servers are legal claims for unpaid loans and credit cards, Armstrong said.

And it's not just low-income earners who are struggling -- both Armstrong and Russell say they've delivered foreclosure notices to impressive homes.

"It can happen to anyone. It's really sad and I think it's going to get sadder and that's unfortunate," Armstrong said.

London Ontario Real Estate Sales For October

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:03:24 -0600

Results are in for October Real Estate sales for London and surrounding area. The number of home sales are down from last year in October. The information can be found HERE. Judging by the activity in November, it looks like the number of homes sales will be down when compared to November of 2007.

Some of the reasons for this are obvious. Some home buyers are sitting on the sidelines to see what happens after the turmoil in the world financial markets the previous month. Some are no longer in the market due to the economy. We had a record number of sales in September - some of this was because of people rushing to take advantage of the no money down program from federal government which expired in October, and nice weather helped too. So those people who might have normally purchased in October or November, already bought. And finally, the overall numbers have to be less then 2007 - 2007 represented a record number or real estate sales for the year. There was no way the market could duplicate it. Overall scope, the number of real estate sales have been very encouraging.

It's a great time to buy a house now. There is inventory for buyers to look at, and buyers are finally again able to negotiate - sometimes in very favourable terms. Once a few months past and we get into March and April of 2009, people are going to realize that the London economy is going to be OK, and 2009 should prove to be a good year for real estate. Low interest rates, good inventory, and affordable housing are very attractive things. I'm going to predict a 2009 which will include historically strong sales numbers and average sales price which will remain constant throughout the year. Considering the alternatives we've seen in other markets thoughout the world, we should consider ourselves lucky.

London Ontario's Economy and Real Estate Market

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:56:45 -0500

I haven't commented too much on the current state of the economy in Canada or London. The media and it's entourage have managed to blow things out of proportion again, which is normal. It's created a lot of unknown, uncertainly, and panic amongst the public. Most of it's needless, but you can't avoid it.

The United States' "give anybody who breathes a mortgage" financial problems have come back to haunt them (along with such things as poor fiscal responsibility of the government ie racking up huge debt over the past 5 years) and have thrown the world for a loop. I'll be the first to admit, I'm very glad I don't live in some of the US markets or sell real estate there. It must be tough.

The US economy definitely has an effect on Canada and the world. However, this doesn't mean Canada is going to fall down the same path as the US economy and blow up. We are not close to having the problems they have, our economy is on stable ground to weather any downturn and the banking system is in great shape (thank you Canadian government for your policies and not succumbing to US pressure of deregulating the bank system post 911).

I would be worried if inflation is high, governments were running debts, and the economy was poor prior to this fiasco. But it's not the case. Government is in a position to cut interest rates, which they are doing (hello mortgage rates!) and help the economy maneuver through things tough times. I'm not saying all is rosy, but the sky is not going to fall. The economy will slow down in the next 6 months or so......which is normal.

Which brings me to the dreaded word. Recession! People treat this word like the Ebola virus. I think it is because it's been over 15 years since our last recession started. A recession is defined to be a period of two quarters of negative GDP growth. It's not a depression, it's not a life changing event. It's a period of negative economic growth for the country. If it happens to Canada in 2009, we will get through it. In saying that, the outlook for the economy is not even that bad.

As per Bank of Canada article:

The United States may be sucking the global economy into recession, but Canada's economic strengths will keep us on safe ground, the Bank of Canada says.

In yesterday's monetary policy report, the bank predicted slow growth for Canada while its governor, Mark Carney, warned the media not to overstate the downturn.

"Newscasts overshoot just like markets overshoot and the sky is not falling, the sky is still there, the sun is still coming up every day and the Canadian economy is still functioning," Carney said. "Be careful on overshooting on the pessimism."

Carney's report said the American economy was already in recession and the global economy was headed toward a mild recession.

Canada, Carney says, would squeak through this mess with "sluggish growth."

That means annual economic growth of 0.6 per cent this year and next, before increasing to 3.4 per cent by 2010. Carney said the reasons we'll escape the downturn are Canada's strong banking system and the low debts loads, compared with other countries, carried by consumers and governments in Canada.

"We don't have the imbalances in our economy that other economies have going into this time of difficulty," Carney said. "It's very important to stress that unlike in a number of other countries, we have a financial system that is functioning."

Carney said the big taxpayer-funded banking bailouts we are seeing around the world are an effort by countries to bring their banks up to the safe level Canada currently enjoys.

For Canadian consumers, there were some positives. Inflation, specifically with respect to the cost of goods we buy, was expected to hit a new low by the middle of next year.

"In terms of pricing, in the near term, we are going to see some softening of prices," Carney said.
The other good news in the short term, says Carney, is the plunging loonie will help manufacturers and exporters deal with a U.S. downturn expected to hit that industry hard over the next year.

Carney also applauded the government for announcing the creation of the Canadian Lender Assurance Facility yesterday, which will provide loan insurance to banks.

"We think it's a sensible thing to have done," Carney said. "With all other jurisdictions introducing some form of guarantee -- it makes sense to ensure our institutions are not at a competitive disadvantage."

The insurance would allow Canada's banks the option of paying from 1.6 per cent to 2.1 per cent of the money they borrow to buy a government-backed guarantee that what they borrow will be repaid should the bank be unable to do so.

What does this mean for home sales in London Ontario? Things are going to remain decent over the next year. We won't see record sales, but a very healthy real estate market. The economy is decent - even with the terrible manufacturing sector suffering. Homes are affordable and interest rates will remain low. People are buying houses. There is more selection now (thanks to more available listings) then in the past 5 years. It's a great time to buy, buyers are now in a position to negotiate price and find the home they want (much easier then 3 years ago). And there is not going to be any bust in homes prices. Things will remain consistent.

And once the dust settles, in 6 months people will find that life in London is no different then it was 3 years ago.

Record Number of Real Estate Sales For London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:15:02 -0500

London Ontario's real estate market continues to produce strong numbers. September 2008 was the best September ever for the real estate board in terms of number of sales. See the News Release below.

For where the economy is, and where it is headed, London, Ontario is in a good position to withstand any major negative impact from the economy. It will be interesting to see how sales go for the next 6 months. Sales will likely slow down, but there is no bubble to burst so we shouldn't see any noticable decrease in prices. In fact, if interest rates are reduced as is predicted, I have a very optimistic view for real estate sales in 2009.

Last month, 769 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 625 detached homes (up 19.3% from September 2007) and 144 condos (up 14.3%). Year to date, 5,664 detached homes and 1,449 condos have been sold - down 6.7% and 8.3% respectively compared to the same period in 2007.

"This has been the best September ever for home sales in our area," says Bruce Sworik, LSTAR President. "The next-best September was in 2005, when 746 homes were sold. In September of 2007, 650 homes were sold. We are very pleased with these figures - so far, 2008 has been a great year." In 2008, the area has seen its third-best February, its second-best May (also its third-best month ever) and its second-best July on record.

"Year-to-date sales are at 7,113, which is just 7.1% below the same period for 2007, which was an outstanding year," says Sworik. Year-to-date sales are just below the five-year average of 7,269 but well above the 10-year average of 6,597.

"Also, St. Thomas had a great month, with a 10.6% increase in sales. The good news continues for St. Thomas because, year to date, the average price of a home there stands at $188,472, up from $171,990 in the same period last year," says Sworik.
The best-selling house style in LSTAR's jurisdiction for the month of September was the two-storey, followed by the bungalow, the ranch, and the townhouse condo:

Homes in LSTAR's jurisdiction continue to maintain their affordability compared to other major Ontario and Canadian centres. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association's Major Market Release for August 2008 (the most current available), the average price January 1, 2008 - August 31, 2008 year to date for:

􀂃 London and St. Thomas was $213,171;
􀂃 Calgary was $411,510;
􀂃 Durham Region was $274,116;
􀂃 Edmonton was $337,399;
􀂃 Hamilton-Burlington and District was $284,951;
􀂃 Kitchener-Waterloo was $273,185;
􀂃 Ottawa was $292,181;
􀂃 St. Catharines & District was $222,941;
􀂃 Toronto was $385,035; and
􀂃 Greater Vancouver was $606,088.

"The number of new listings of homes for sale was 1,448 in September 2008, an increase from 1,283 in August and 1,241 from last September," says Sworik. "And our active listings - the number of listings which were active at the end of the recording period, in this case, September 30, 2008 - currently stand at 3,669, up 24.6% over the same time last year, which means great selection and choices."

"While jurisdictions elsewhere may not report such positive numbers, it is important to keep in mind that the national housing market is made up of different communities. Every area is different in terms of trends and pricing, and in London we are seeing a great year," says Sworik. "It goes to show that local consumers feel very positive of our housing values here."

Building Boom Continues in London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:54:47 -0500

The London Free Press had an article detailing London's construction industry. It is a good read and is posted below. It touches on London's diverse economy weathering the economic uncertainly in Ontario and paints a good future for the construction industry and London's economy.

With the manufacturing industry really struggling and all the negative news we hear in the media, it's good to keep things in perspective and understand where London is now and where it will be in 5 years or 10 years down the road.

The value of construction in London is about to top $800 million for the first time, despite the region's economic slump.

"This is going to be the biggest year ever. We are at $640 million now with four months to go, we will top $800-million," Rocky Cerminara, the city's director of building controls, said yesterday.

That is startling, considering the city has an unemployment rate of 6.7 per cent, higher than the national and provincial average. In August, London had 244,600 people working compared to 247,000 in 2007, a decline of 2,400 workers.

The boom is buoyed by $100-million in construction at the London Health Sciences Centre.
"I believe it shows that we have a diverse economy," Cerminara said. "If one sector takes a hit, the other sides will hold us up."

Gerry Macartney, general manager of the London Chamber of Commerce, agreed London's diversity has kept it moving along.

"We do enjoy a balance and, frankly, we are able to weather these economic conditions better than most," he said. "We have steady, incremental growth."

As for the hospital construction that has lifted the building totals, expect much more to come, said Dave Crockett, vice-president of facilities management for LHSC and St. Joseph's Health Care London.

The $100 million issued this year is for the completion of the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion, the latest stage in what has been a $250-million project at both LHSC and St. Joseph's. But there will be another $300-million wave of building from 2009 to 2013, he said.

"This is important because of its scope and size and (because) it will bring more services, including 76 beds, to capacity. This will help a lot," Crockett said.

There are 300 construction workers at the Victoria Campus and 100 at St. Joseph's, which is also doing renovation work because some programs will shift there. The reconstruction of that hospital began in 1999. The first phase -- a $350-million project -- ended in 2006.

Brian Waltham, vice- president at EllisDon Construction, which is building the hospital tower, wasn't surprised by the boost in building, saying the industry has been steady and he doesn't anticipate a letdown.

"There is doom and gloom in the media, but the building that is going on will keep things going for a while. We are ecstatic."

According to building figures from January to August, not too many sectors appear to be taking a hit.

Institutional building this year stands at $224.8 million compared to $104 million over the same period in 2007. Surprisingly, industrial -- the sector that has been hit hardest by layoffs and plant closings -- is also up, with $59.6 million compared to $44.1 million last year, thanks to a new manufacturer, Hanwha, and the development of new industrial space that will be leased to tenants.

Residential building spending is up to $307 million over $285 million in 2007, driven largely by apartment building. Detached home building dropped 33 per cent.

Commercial building showed the largest decline, with $45 million in permits issued from January to August compared to $64 million last year.

TOP FIVE 2008 PERMITS

LHSC, $90 million. (It also has a second $10-million permit).
$18.5 million, Fanshawe College residence.
$18.3 million, seniors care facility.
$16.5 million for Hanwha, a Korean building supply company.
$16 million, seniors apartment building.

THE NUMBERS

Value of building permits
2008: $800 million+ (projected)
2007: $722 million.
2006: $773 million
2005: $622 million
2004: $648 million

Market Stats and Activity for London Ontario

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:38:32 -0500

London/St Thomas Association of Realtors has released stat information for the end of August. The market is still doing well. Homes are selling. We are in a much more balanced market now compared to past years. Below is the official news release. For a complete stat pack, click HERE.

I bolded two important parts - 1st showing the real estate market is having a very healthy year. And the second showing why we are in a balanced market (buyers having more selection making it easier to buy) with the continued large number of homes sales.

Last month, 762 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 607 detached homes (down 11.8% from August 2007) and 155 condos (down 15.3%). Year to date, 5,043 detached homes and 1,307 condos have been sold - down 9.2% and 10.2% respectively compared to the same period in 2007.

"It's important to keep these direct comparisons to last year's figures in perspective," advises Bruce Sworik, LSTAR President. "A total 9,378 homes were sold in 2007, making it far and away the best year for real estate sales since our Association began keeping records in 1978; the previous record of 8,916 sales was set in 2006. Between January and August 2007, a total 7,009 homes had already been sold - 442 units more than during the same period in 2004 (the next highest total). Sales so far this year may be down 9.4% compared to the same period in 2007, but 2008 has actually seen our third-best February, our second-best May (also our third best month ever) and our second-best July on record! Year to date sales are just 3.3% below the five-year sales average and currently stand 6.5% above the ten-year average."

Homes in LSTAR's jurisdiction continue to maintain their affordability compared to other major Ontario and Canadian centres. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association's Major Market Release for July 2008 (the most current available), the average price January 1, 2008 - July 31, 2008 year to date for:

􀂃 London and St. Thomas was $213,705;
􀂃 Calgary was $414,213;
􀂃 Durham Region was $274,525;
􀂃 Edmonton was $338,511;
􀂃 Hamilton-Burlington and District was $285,065;
􀂃 Kitchener-Waterloo was $273,473;
􀂃 Ottawa was $293,385;>􀂃 St. Catharines & District was $221,646;
􀂃 Toronto was $387,470; and
􀂃 Greater Vancouver was $610,306.

"The number of new listings of homes for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) eased in August 2008, down 18.2% from the 1,568 new listings taken in July. However, new listings are up 3.7% compared to August 2007," observes Sworik. "More significantly, our active listings - the number of listings which are active on the MLS® at the end of the recording period, in this case, August 31, 2008 - currently stand at 3,543, up 25.5% over the same time last year."
Sworik adds: "Compared to this time last year, listings are up, average prices are up, and sales are down by less than 10% from that record-breaking total of 7,009 unit sales ... we'll take it! There's certainly no real estate bubble bust taking place here in LSTAR's jurisdiction!"

Home Buying Process for London Ontario HomeBuyers

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:28:57 -0500

THE HOME BUYER PROCESS

You have made a decision to purchase a house, so let's talk about what to anticipate and how to be ready for the road ahead!

1. Make a decision to buy
2. Get organized
3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
4. Shop for a home
5. Make an offer
6. Get a loan/home inspection/finalize agreement
7. Close on the home
8. Prepare to move

Decide to Buy

You are ready to purchase a home. Identify what you want and why. Below are a couple of questions to answer, before you begin.

1. What are your future plans? Do you anticipate on having a family, growing as a family or maybe reducing the size of your family with kids moving out? These questions need to be answered, so you can identify the house of your desire and ensure it meets your needs.

2. Do you have enough cash for a down payment? Identify how much you can afford for a down payment.

3. Can you afford your desired home? This is a key question that only you can answer. Will your current spending habits allow you to live comfortably with a new mortgage, or will it cause you to struggle?

Get Organized

Now it's time to gather key information and educate yourself for the process. First, check your credit rating to ensure that nothing is outstanding, which would prevent you from obtaining a mortgage. This can be done by contacting a credit bureaus such as Equifax.

Next make sure that you have the loan capability for a mortgage. Contact a mortgage specialist and get pre-approved. This will help you identify your available loan size and provide you with your affordable target range. For pre-approval, you will need to know:

Cash available for a down payment
Cash available for closing costs
Current income
Job status
Estimated assets
Estimated debts

Shop For a Home

Decide how you want to proceed with this process. When purchasing a home, you often will not have to pay for an agent. The realtor will be paid from the proceeds of sale ie, the seller pays commission from the equity in their home. For your benefit, let an agent do the legwork for you. Do your homework when selecting an agent though, because you want to make sure you find the ideal home and not an overpriced lemon.

When evaluating a home that you like, have a list of questions ready to fire off. Your questions might include the name of the school district, what type of taxes are paid, why is the seller selling, what is the neighborhood like, and how are the neighbors. You might also want to know the condition of the house, the age of the mechanical systems (heat, plumbing, air conditioning), the amount of necessary house repairs or replacements, the builder, and date the house was built.

Next, research the neighborhood. Walk around and converse with the neighbors. Find out if the atmosphere fits your needs and family's desires. When you find the home you desire, prepare an offer.

It's also important that you are working with an agent knowledgable in different housing issues such as - type of wiring, type of insulation, zoning, building permits, possible grow houses, neighborhood changes or issues, types of plumbing, costly repairs, age of items in the house, among many other things.

The real estate agent you decide to work with will be able to help answer all these questions for you. They should be an expert in the area in which you are looking and will be able to provide you with a list of all the homes that match your criteria.

Preparing Your Offer

You want to place an offer on the home, but do not want to pay too much. An experienced agent will be able to help gage fair market value for the home and will negotiate with the seller and seller's agent for you. Before you prepare an offer, identify the maximum amount you can afford. This will prevent you from getting overly excited or making too high of an offer, which will then fail to satisfy you later.

Prepare your offer and ensure that it's within your price range. To add strength to your offer, include the letter of pre-approval from your lender. You will likely have contingencies or conditions attached to your offer. Your realtor will help you with this, including helping you get a home inspection/finalizing your mortgage/insurance etc. A condition in the offer means, for example, if the home inspection isn't satisfactory to the buyer, the buyer has the option to cancel the agreement or negotiate with the seller to address any problems.

Be ready to include a deposit with your offer, which will be part of the down payment if the deal goes through. The seller may accept, reject, or counter your offer within hours or days, depending on the quality of your offer and the seller's desire to sell. You can then accept the counter offer or "counter the counter."

Once the seller accepts, it's up to you, the buyer, to finalize the conditions in the offer with the help of your realtor, ie home inspection/mortgage. Once you do this, the transaction considered "firm" and you have bought a house.

Close the Deal

This is when you will have a lawyer help you. The lawyer will close the transaction for you. Be sure that you estimate all your closing costs to avoid any surprises. Costs range around 2 percent of the purchase price of the home.

Prepare a walk through with your realtor, to ensure the house is in the same condition as originally purchased or that the seller has completed any repairs specified in the purchase contract agreement and has completed any other contingencies found in the agreement.

It's now time to close the deal. It is closing day and the seller officially signs the house over to you. Before signing any paperwork have your lawyer discuss each detail. The lawyer will hand you the keys to your new house and you will begin a new chapter in your life.

London Ontario Real Estate Sales are Strong

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:03:57 -0500

Stats released by the London St. Thomas Association of Realtors show that area home sales are doing very well. July was the second best July ever on record and year to date is below last year's record year but is on pace for another tremendous year. The full stats package can be found HERE.

The reason for the number of sales is the same reasons I've already talked about in previous posts. Conditions are good for home buyers - good interest rates with affordable house prices. But the biggest factor is the number of available listings. There is more selection for buyers, making it easier for people to find homes to buy. It's a great time to be purchasing a home in London, Ontario.

For sellers, it's a good time sell but the market has become more balanced. With the increase in inventory, don't expect your home to fly off the market. Multiple offer situations are more rare now and it does take some work to sell the home as home buyers have more options. Your home will sell if it's priced correctly and marketed right, but don't be fooled into thinking this is like the 2004 sellers market just because home sales are mirroring that year's total.

"Despite reports to the contrary, local-area home sales continue to perform extremely well this year," comments Bruce Sworik, LSTAR President. "Not only was last month our second best July on record, but May 2008 was our third best month for real estate sales ever. A total 5,592 homes have exchanged hands so far this year and that's fantastic news for our local economy, given the economic spin-off generated by each housing transaction."

According to a study done by Clayton Research Associates for the Canadian Real Estate Association, an estimated $32,200 in ancillary spending (i.e. spending by purchasers on items other than the actual house and land) is generated by the average housing transaction in Canada.

This is great news for the local economy. As everyone knows, the manufacturing sector has taken a beating over the last 1-2 years. London's diverse economy, real estate market, and general economic outlook are going to get the area through these economic challenges.

Bank Foreclosures - Distressed Property

Ryan Hodgson (Coldwell Banker 1st London) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:33:29 -0500

These homes need work. Distress Sales, Estate Sales, Bank Sales available in London, Ontario. Receive a FREE list of weekly updates in London area:

LondonDistressedHomes.info

Ryan Hodgson
Coldwell Banker 1st London, Sales Representative
London, Ontario
Phone: 519-685-4190
FAX: 519-685-7497
Ryan@RyanHodgson.com
www.ryanhodgson.com