Seniors Retire on Cruise Ships - Really?

Should Seniors Retire on Cruise Ships?

Seniors Now Planning for Retirement on Cruise Ships - True or False?

The rumour started when a couple while on a cruise ship reportedly met a lady who, instead of booking in to an Assisted-Living Condo or Seniors Nursing Home, took cruises back to back. The story is true according to Snopes.com. Mrs. Muller was happy with her life aboard a ship but will you be? (Muller passed away in 2013) Here are seven pros and cons to consider before you bid Bon Voyage.

Not Much Difference in Cost

+ Dr. Lee Lindquist, an instructor at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, has compared the cost of 'Cruise-Ship' vs. 'Old-Age Home' living based over a 20-year life expectancy. She determined that there wasn't much of a difference, about $230,000 either way.

- The prices you see on cruise ship websites are only a portion of what you actually pay. Gratuities can be as high as $10 per day or more. Prices of cruise lines are quoted as per-person for double occupancy. Being single can incur a surcharge.

Fabulous Food

+ Dress for dinner? Why not? Have as many as 10 meals a day (fantastic food, not institutional food) in a variety of dining rooms. Why not order room service? Imagine breakfast in bed every day.

- On most cruise ships, you pay extra for alcoholic beverages and sodas. Eating rich food all the time may make you fat.

 Clean Sheets Every Day

+ Housekeeping is free and there are clean towels daily, even soap, shampoo and toothpaste. You may get full-time maid service and/or free washers and dryers. If the TV breaks or light bulb needs changing call for help and there's no charge.

- Most cruise ships charge for laundry service. Closets and bathrooms are compact. Bedrooms are very small and this limits, considerably, any personal possessions you may need in order to feel at home.

You will meet new people every week or two!

+ If you are a social butterfly this may appeal to you.

- However these new friends will only be on the ship for a short time, making it difficult to form long-lasting relationships. The ship's staff will get to know you but they are paid to be nice to you.

Broadway Shows, Comedians and Piano bars

+ Cruise ships offer a range of amenities. They have swimming pools, workout rooms, spas, beauty salons, nightly entertainment and cultural activities including dancing and bridge. They offer guided tours when they dock at an exotic port of call. A few cruise lines offer world cruises that take three to six months meaning that you can travel the world.

- Guided tours at ports are usually an added cost. They may lose their appeal after a time. This goes for the entertainment. You will probably get tired of that too.

A Doctor Aboard

+ Cruise ships have physicians on board, always, "[so] that they could actually be considered a floating assisted-living facility," says Lindquist.

- Doctors may not be 'senior' qualified and may not provide the level of care required. The Medical Center may be well-equipped but designed to deal with minor illnesses or injuries. Your travel insurance may not cover cruise ship medical care. You will likely need to purchase extra travel insurance. Updating refills of medications and availability for pick-up at the next port may be tricky or impossible.

Cruise the Internet

+ Most Cruise Ships have free computer centers. Keep up to date with family and friends.

- Although Internet service, a lifeline for most seniors, keeps them in touch with their land-based families and friends, Videos Chats like Skype can be very expensive. Cell phone roaming charges may mount up quickly.

Call Chris @ 403-680-4479

Oil Prices with Trump a Win!

Oil Prices Low but Trump Could be the Boost Alberta Needs

Most markets are back to normal after the shock of a Donald Trump win in the US election this week. Although losses and have bounced back, oil still faces pressure due to OPEC's cut in production (see OPEC in the News Again 10/06/16) But Trump is here!

Two Priorities for Trump – Do They Help Canada?

Yes! Alberta oil sands will benefit from trump being president. His goals are to prioritise tax cuts and cut deregulation. It was repeatedly mentioned during Trump's election campaign. He made no apologies for being fossil-fuel friendly and his top adviser on energy, Harold Hamm, expects him to roll back the Obama administration's heavy regulations on the oil and gas industry.

Clean Power Plan Scrapped – Oil Economy Bound to Rebound

Hamm recently told the Financial Times that he believes Mr. Trump will follow the two guiding principles of tax cuts and deregulation as ways to stimulate economic growth. He has also made assurances to reduce dependence on Middle East oil and he has said that he is in favour of the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to refineries in the U.S. gulf. That will help the Alberta economy immensely.

Oil Market is Still a Place to Invest

Tom Pickering, founder and chief investment officer of trading the firm Auspice Capital has said that a Donald Trump presidency could mean the return of a risk premium for oil prices.

A risk premium is the return in excess of the risk-free rate of return an investment is expected to yield; an asset's risk premium is a form of compensation for investors who tolerate the extra risk.

Is it all Talk - What Should Canada Do?

What are Trump's real plans? What we know for now, just days after the election is that things are looking up for the oil sands business. According to the Financial Post, TransCanada Corp is still fully committed to Keystone XL. It plans to engage with President Elect Donald Trump and his new administration in the near future.

Christopher Ashby
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
100, 5810 2 STREET S.W.
CALGARY, AB T2H 0H2
Mobile: 403-680-4479
Office: 403-253-5305
Fax: 403-775-5156
E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com
Website: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

 

Can't Sell Your Home - Rent it out for a Year?

Damage to 

Home

Can't Sell Your Home - Rent it out for a Year?

It's a Buyer's Market.

October saw the largest decline in housing prices so far this year, according to the latest data from the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). The average sale price for the month came in at $457,513 — down 6.1 per cent from October 2014.

Three Things to Consider as the Seller

Market economists predict that the economy in Alberta will once again bounce back but it might be as long a year. Prospective sellers are now considering three things. Lower the price. Rent out the property year by year until the economy picks up. Take it off the market and wait for awhile.

Rental vs. Dropping the Price

With total number of home sales significantly lower in October, down 33.3 % compared to 2014 some sellers want to pull out until the market improves. Can you afford to carry it or should you rent?

The Pros and Cons of Pull Out or Tough it Out?

No one likes to bite the bullet and sell at a lower price. If you can afford to carry two properties it might be a wise choice. Reality makes it a necessary option. Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage has commented, [that] "as the year plays out we’ll see continued softness in Calgary prices. The real question is how soft?"

Meet Your New Tenants – Maybe?

You may decide that a year of rental income is the better proposition but rental property managers know that the best situation for a rental is long-term. If you intend to rent on a year-by-year lease basis there are pros and cons to consider.

Best Practises for Renting out your House

Don't expect your home to be in the same condition after a year of rental i.e. tenants may not take care of your home as you would. Research your tenants and ask for a substantial deposit to cover damages. The rent may not be enough to cover your loss. If you have little or no experience with tenants, perhaps hire a property manager with years of knowledge in the business. Call Chris for more information. Mobile: 403-680-4479

Christopher Ashby
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
100, 5810 2 STREET S.W.
CALGARY, AB T2H 0H2
Office: 403-253-5305
Fax: 403-775-5156
E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com

http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

http://www.liveinokotoks.com

OPEC in the News Again

OPEC in the News Again – A Deal to Make a Deal

Algeria hosted a meeting last week of the OPEC producers. To the surprise of many they managed to reach a deal, that some are calling – A Deal-to-Make-a-Deal. The cartel agreed to cut production in the future by some 700,000 barrels per day to a production band of between 32.5 million bpd and 33 million bpd.

Oilpatch Desperately Needs a Boost Up

With a collective breath of relief the energy sector sighed as it needs a price improvement. Calgary's unemployment rate is near nine per cent. CEO Brian Schmidt, of Tamarack Valley Energy, a junior oil player, anticipates this time of year to be a time of reckoning for many in the industry. Companies who have been lucky or smart enough to have pre-sold or hedged their production will see those hedges run their term. 

But - More Cuts Could Come

According to local Ennahar TV News, Algerian Energy Minister, Nouredine Bouterfa, says, "OPEC members may find that the oil market needs more cuts. We will evaluate the market in Vienna by the end of November and if 700,000 barrels are not enough, we will go up."

OPEC’s Track Record Leaves Many Guessing

As reported by Reuters, now, OPEC is unified and speaks in one voice and this makes everything much easier. "If we need to cut by 1 percent, we will cut by 1 percent." Bouterfa told Ennahar TV. However, OPEC has a reputation for not sticking firmly to its decisions. Therefore, the market is still guessing whether a specific deal will be hammered out in November.

Service Sector Decimated

Mark Salkeld, the president of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, explains that before the crash two years ago, the association had 235 members representing 60,000 employees and it now has 165 companies with 30,000 workers. Since the sector drills and services wells, it is always the hardest hit in a downturn.

Salkeld said his industry's best hope is in new pipelines. He stated, "Our hope is to get pipelines built, because for the services sector, that's jobs well beyond the pipelines being built, it's the job needed to keep those full with oil and gas."

Christopher Ashby
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
100, 5810 2 STREET S.W.
CALGARY, AB T2H 0H2
Mobile: 403-680-4479
Office: 403-253-5305
Fax: 403-775-5156
E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com

Luxury Real Estate

Are Foreigners Buying Calgary?

Yes – the Luxury Real Estate

Mark Evernden a Premium real estate agent at Engel & Volkers and Associates which represents some of the province’s most expensive residential properties says, [that] "around seventy per cent of inquiries through our website and by phone are currently out of country buyers."

While much of the interest is multi-international he says, "The biggest chunk…is from Chinese buyers." His portfolio includes several homes located on Calgary’s prestigious Pump Hill, sometimes referred to as Millionaire’s Row.

Alberta - A Good Place to Raise a Family

The largest Chinese international property website, Juwai.com, also reports inquiries specifically on Alberta properties are up 70 per cent on last year, placing the province fourth after Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

Juwai.com's chief executive Charles Pittar (Hong Kong) says, "Chinese interest in Alberta is growing at a rapid pace." He continues, "Not every buyer from China wants a home in Vancouver or Toronto…In fact, many like the more laid-back environment in Alberta and consider it a good place to raise a family and sink roots."

Welcome with Open Arms? Not so Fast

Some say that Alberta is welcoming off-shore buyers with open arms but if it means a surge in real estate prices they complain that it makes it difficult for buyers like newly-weds to purchase their first-time home. Unlike the tidal wave of soaring real estate prices in Vancouver and Toronto, the ripple may be short-lived.

New Rules Announced this Morning

As part of a new measure to tackle speculation in Canada's housing market by foreign investors, Finance Minister Bill Morneau has just announced that foreign buyers who are not residents at the time of purchase will no longer be able to claim a principal residence exemption on their homes.

This new measure will now make the exemptions available only to home buyers who are residents at the time of purchase.

For more information and/or to book an appointment regarding your home give,

Chris a call 403-680-4479

E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com Website: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

Hey Calgary - Good News for the Economy

Alberta’s wildfires raged in May and oil exports dipped forcing a downturn in the overall country’s economic output. The good news is that the figures for June show growth. Real estate can start growing again.

Economy Weakened but on the Rebound

Statistics Canada reported that during the second quarter the real (i.e. inflation-adjusted) GDP fell at a rate of 1.6 per cent in the three months ending in June 30. That reflects the deep impact of the wildfires that shut down large portions of the Alberta’s oil sands production throughout May. Statistics Canada also stated that by the end of the quarter, June’s real GDP grew 0.6 per cent. That's the biggest monthly growth in nearly three years!

BMO's Research Proved Ugly, Bad and then Good

Referring to the second-quarter report, Bank of Montreal's Chief Economist wrote, "We knew for the past four months that GDP report was going to be ugly, and it delivered with a capital U." Douglas Porter stated, "The good news is that we have also known that there would be a considerable rebound in the third quarter, and June’s solid result reinforces that view."

A Boost in Consumer Spending Expected – the Biggest Driver of GDP

Most economic analysts agree that the third quarter will see a return to growth as June has proven. As well there will be the continuing rebound in oil production, the rebuilding of Fort McMurray, a strong manufacturing sector and the new federal benefit program. Many economy watchers, including the Bank of Canada, expect that starting in July the first payments of the new Canada Child Benefit will boost consumer spending.

What Does This Mean for Real Estate Prices? Houses? Condos? Apartments?

Recently stats on the number of sales for the same period last year dipped 21.6 percent according to Calgary Real Estate Board. Also prices fell while the number of days on the market grew to 57 from 47 last year on average according to CREB. What does it mean? What's next? For more information give Chris a call 403-6804479.

E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com

Website: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

Survey Says - Alberta Women Have More Sex

Survey Says - Alberta Women Have More Sex

The Rest of Canada Can Learn from Albertans

According to a survey, not only are women in Alberta more satisfied with their relationships but at least 66 percent of them say they have sex about once a week. The rest of Canada compares at 50 percent. Last year's survey results recently tabulated by Chatelaine Magazine show how women aged 35 were less concerned about money due to the last few years of a robust economy and therefore a subsequently reduced stress level.   

Prairie Provinces More Laid-back

Dr. Trina Read is a Calgary-based author, columnist and sex coach. She says that, “Those people who live in western provinces tend to be a lot more laid-back than people from the east. Without the heavy social pressures and responsibility, she surmises that there is more sex. “Responsibility and good sex just don’t mix.”

Matt Johnson, an assistant professor of family ecology at the University of Alberta says that, “Incomes in Alberta tend to be a bit higher than other provinces and having higher socioeconomic status is linked with having less stress. When couples experience less stress…then their relationships have a better chance of flourishing.” This could mean they have more time to devote to their relationship, and that quality time can spill into the bedroom.

Friendship Promotes Sexual Intimacy

A Calgary-based psychologist, Carolyn Clare, specializing in gender, relationships and sexuality says, “Seventy-one percent of Albertans said that companionship kept them in their relationships, and that was higher than the rest of Canada.” The research supports the idea that deep friendship is the foundation of intimacy and satisfying sex.

Sex is a Version of Adventure

Cheryl McMeeken is a Calgary-based sex and relationship therapist. She says that from her experience in Alberta, “There’s a big focus on making your life the best it can be or maximizing your pleasure.” Overall, the survey claimed that Albertan women yearned for more travel and adventure and sex is a version of adventure.

Ready for adventure? Do you want to live in Alberta too? Are you looking to buy a condo or a home? Give Chris a call #403-680-4479