Own Fort McMurray Blog
Spring is Here
Well, it's that time of year again. People are coming out of their winter hibernation, and they are ready to move! Some families are moving into a larger home to rent, some are thinking of buying, and some are renting-to-own with Own Fort McMurray!
Are you unhappy with your current living situation? If so, it's time to do something about it!
Happy Spring Everybody!
And The Winner Is....
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Sue Swanson, from Fort McMurray! Sue was overjoyed to hear that she's the winner of the $2500 Travel Voucher, from Own Fort McMurray and local Realtor Marshall Barbour, with Fast Track Real Estate.
Get some sun for the rest of us, Sue!
Win a $2500 Travel Voucher!
Last chance... If you "like us on facebook" you will be entered to win this $2500 travel voucher!
www.facebook.com/OwnFortMcMurray
The draw will take place January 31st.
New Developments in Fort McMurray!
Click on this link to watch a short clip on Stoney Creek Village!
Planning for Christmas
Well, it's that time of year again! As wonderful as this season is, sometimes between the parties, time off work, and gifts, Christmas can be a financial strain on families.
If you're watching your spending this year, keep these tips in mind:
1. Homemade Is From the Heart. Often people receive many purchased gifts. However, research shows that people enjoy receiving thoughtful homemade gifts! Some examples are: Scrap books, personalized calendars, baking, recipe books, or furniture. It all depends on how handy you are, but we can all make something!
2. Secret Santa Makes Things Fun. A family tradition of ours is to do secret santa each year. This turns into a fun and interactive game of "stealing" gifts based on a numbering system, plus it's easy on our wallets!
3. The Gift of Time. At the end of the day, our time is more valuable than our money. So be sure to spend some quality time with those you love this Christmas season. This will be more memorable than any other gift!
Goals
Setting Achievable Goals for 2013
First of all, it's important to look back and celebrate your success throughout 2012. Whether you got a new job, your child got an "A" in a class, or you exercised on a regular basis, don't forget to celebrate your successes!!
When it comes to setting goals for 2013, try using the following guidelines:
Measurable: Your goal needs to be measurable, so you can be accountable to it. For example, don't make a goal of "spending less money." Rather, make a specific goal, such as, "Pay off my $5000 credit card."
Be Invested: Unfortunately, many times people create goals for achievements that they don't even want to do. Their parents may want them to do something, or their spouse. Be sure you are the one who is 100% invested in your goals that you set. Otherwise, there's no hope in achieving them!
Well-Rounded: Often times it's easy to create goals regarding finances or fitness. However, remember to also think of goals for your family, your relationships, your marriage, your education, and your spiritual well being.
Happy goal setting everyone!!
Context vs Content - Teachings of Robert Kiyosaki
Context vs Content
Among many intelligent speakers who were at the Fast Track Super Conference this past weekend, we were able to hear from Robert Kiyosaki. For those of you who haven't read
his books, here are a few to start with: Rich Dad Poor Dad, Increasing Your Financial IQ, Cashflow Quadrant. Here's what we learned from Robert:
CONTENT: This is all the "stuff" in life. For example: each article we read can be
educational CONTENT.
CONTEXT: This is our "set of beliefs" or "how we interpre life". For example: a capitalist will have a different CONTEXT than a socialist.
Facts:
1. We nee to continually expand our CONTEXT in order to fit more CONTENT inside of it.
2. Our CONTEXT can be shaped by our parents, by society, or by the education system.
3. Naturally, we focus on CONTENT rather than CONTEXT, which is when we can get stuck.
Often, our CONTEXT can be based on where we are today. For example, if i am currrently renting today, and i have a goal of owning 2 houses one day, I will first need to expand my CONTEXT if I want to be sucessful in that venture. Naturally, my current CONTEXT will not support such a goal. As another example, if i want to write a book, and i have the instructions of how to do so, then I've got my CONTENT ready to go. However, I will need to expand my CONTEXT to believe that this is possible first.
Dream big and you will achieve big things!!
Why Invest in Your Future Here in Fort McMurray?
Immigration
With Fort McMurray expected to DOUBLE IN SIZE over the next twenty years, we will see a huge increase in immigration. This is a city on the move, growing, and poised for continued growth. With more than 100 babies born per month, we also have one of the highest birth rates in the entire Country.
Industry
We are about to experience the largest shortage in workers to date. Fort McMurray’s main industry – the oil sands – is headed for chaos. New plants are opening up – such as Voyageur and Kearl Lake. Existing plants - such as Suncor, Syncrude, and Shell - are planning large shutdowns and will require a huge increase in workforce. Most companies are already developing a strategic plan for onboarding foreign workers, because the Alberta workforce simply won’t be large enough to complete all the upcoming projects.
Appreciation
According to the Canadian Real Estate magazine, the average home sale price in Fort McMurray increased 11% in value from January 2011 to January 2012. Of course this is well above the national average.
Demographics
The average age in Fort McMurray is 31. These young families are not going to retire anytime soon. Instead, they are working hard to build a sustainable future for themselves and their families. Fort Mcmurray also has some of the largest and most impressive amenities in the country to support this demographic. Most importantly, the Municipality leaders recognize this demographic and work hard to help make the city feel like a home. Community gatherings, Summer concerts and Winter festivals are all reoccurring events for this region.
Infrastructure
One doesn’t have to drive far to see there is a lot of construction going on around town. Overpasses are replacing traffic lights, new bridges are being constructed, and roads are being maintained. The Municipality of Wood Buffalo is aware of the upcoming boom, and is preparing our city for it. Pressure is being put on the Alberta government to complete the twinning of Highway 63, as well as a brand new expanded airport slated to be complete for the summer of 2014.
Fort Mcmurray Fall Trade Show
We had a great weekend at the Fort Mcmurray Fall Trade Show promoting our business and giving away a chance to win a $2,500 travel voucher. There were lots of people who entered, good luck to all of you, and we were able to meet lots of people who were interested in our "alternative" home purchasing program. We are very thankful to Marshall Barbour from Fast Track Real Estate for sponsoring our contest and also thankful to everyone who came out to see us!Alberta poised for a big jump?
We just recently returned from the Calgary Investor Forum held in Calgary last weekend. The events primary focus was to align investors in Alberta with new and up to date information regarding the current economic condition in our Province. The information that was provided to us was very bright! In the opinion of several Real Estate groups and economists the outlook in our province is for growth. The province is poised very much like it was in 2005, however investors are approaching the Real Estate Market more cautiously. What does this mean for Home Buyers? Expect a sellers market over the next year or so but not a crazy buying frenzy. Think steady growth and sustainability.
