Ventures
Since then…
Despite recent concerns, the world is still not flat, but according to creator Berhhard Grill ‘the MP3 has died’.
Moody’s downgraded Canadian Banks in May due to a looming housing correction. Canadian cannabis market corrects after April’s enthusiasm for legalization in July 2018. Amazon shocked retail by buying Whole Foods, its costliest acquisition to date. Saudi Arabia has crowned Mohammed bin Salman (31) as Prince, a vibrant shake up to the traditional line of succession.
The world is indeed spherical, and patience remains a virtue.
Ø Tesla evaluation overtakes the Big 3, and Elon Musk overtakes Tony Stark as 2nd coolest Billionaire playboy (by offering Australia a 3 month plan to solve energy crisis, an ‘Alien Dreadnought’ machine boring in California, social awareness of AI dev., and plans to colonize Mars with 1M people).
Ø Uber – CEO Travis Kalanick resigned due to months of crisis, and growing competition from Lyft.
Ø Netflix – Has gone from disruptor to defining streaming service, stocks peaked at $165/stock.
Ø Gold peaked just under $1,300, but has settled around $1,250/t oz.
Ø Oil – drops to $5 to $45/barrel due to a glut in reserves, from less demand.
Ø Retail – Sears closes in Canada, and US is soon to follow, cracks reveal with aged retail models.
Ø Las Vegas – Real Estate is on a growth trajectory, with NHL ‘Golden Knights’ expansion team alongside an approval NFL quality stadium to be built near the strip – the city is booming.
Ø ‘Green’ Market - Ontario’s Cap and Trade auction was held March 22nd 2017, and the entities were presented in June 2017 and are now determined.
Forecast
*** Real Estate Special ***
Aug. 2nd ‘16, the provincial B.C. government surprised everyone with a 15% foreign buyer’s tax in Vancouver’s GVRD for all Real Estate purchases. Canada’s urban market grabbed the attention of the world as a strong investment. Government fears of a bubble, revised lending rules in Nov. ‘16 requiring buyers to pass a stress test at a 4.64% interest rate (2x the rate, for some). The test calmed the 2017 market, particularly for buyers, ensuring upcoming Interest rate rises can match US rates in future.
Buying Real Estate
Owning property is a great investment, particularly over a long period. Choosing the right time to buy, the right building and right location is what separates an okay investment from an exceptional one.
Securing a Mortgage
Unless you win the lottery, you will need to apply for a bank based mortgage to secure a home. Feb. 15 2016, 10% down is required for homes over 500K, (e.g. 51K on 510K purchase). To avoid the CMHC insurance penalty, one needs to place 20% down, thus saving money in the long run.
Fixed: If you suspect the interest rates will rise, fix the current interest rate for a set period.
Variable: Suggested by money lenders who like risk, and has historical evidence of best results.
Market
Nowadays everyone is talking about the Canadian housing market. This means everyone has an opinion, and not everyone is right. Employ an expert for regional support.
Sellers: Demand is higher. Purchase clauses are removed (e.g. home inspection), 1 day offers encourage bidding wars, larger down payments?
Buyers: Supply is higher. Buyers can secure furnishing, set the closing dates,
Real Estate Agent
As a buyer the cost of the Agent (1.5% of sale) is burdened by the seller, so find yourself a good Agent. They will present current market statistics, urban planning and find a home that fits your specific criteria.
As a seller the cost of the Agent is incurred, but the will also help present the features of your home and assist with support in staging, packaging and setting up brochures that other Agents and buyers want to see.
Building
Home staging presents modern furnishings and designs to sway your buying decisions. However, trendy fixtures and flooring many not age well 10 years. Instead, good bones (circuit breaker fuse box, copper pipes, new roof, central air, hardwood or steel beams) are key to a purchase.
If you are living in this space; consider washrooms, laundry facilities, parking accessibility, as real life factors often outshine a fancy chandelier in the dining room.
Location
Say it 3 times, and you have the most important factor in a smart investment.
Determine the time you are planning to own the home (5-30 years), and note regional plans to find a home that matches your lifestyle. Basic Real Estate search sites, will present variables like School performance, Walk scores and Transit accessibility, neighbourhood demographics (ethnicity mix, average salaries, renters v. home owners, etc.). Choosing the right neighbourhood could increase the value of your investment regardless of the overall market factors.
Even though the region may be a good investment, it may not be good for the buyer. If a couple is planning a large family then downtown ‘Clubland’ may not suit their needs and require them to sell and re-buy in 5 years.
Politics v. Religion
Qatar has been threatened with bold sanctions by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain, with 13 demands that need to be met by July 3rd 2017.
> Stop funding terrorist organizations as defined by US and creating regional instability
> Sever ties with the Muslim Brotherhood
> Refuse naturalized citizens from the 4 countries and expel those currently on its territory
> Align itself politically and economically with Gulf Co-operation Council
> Close Al Jazeera TV, Arab21 and Middle East Eye which is funded by the Qatari government.
> Pay unspecified sum in compensation
Iran and Turkey are increasing supplies of Food and other goods.
Belt and Road Forum
On May 15th 2017, China’s president Xi Jinping & Russia’s President Vladimir Putin were forces behind the win-win cooperation in the ‘Silk Road’ forum. With long term goals – parties are scaling up to finance 14.5B USD in initiatives. The Beijing forum comprised of 1,500 delegates from 130 nations, ended with 270 deliverables for economic globalization.
China signed…
> 30 Trade Agreements (including Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Indonesia).
> 11 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU’s) (including Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal and Croatia)
> 9 International Organizations
> A fund of 8.7B *USD to support developing countries within the B&R region.
As a Global Superpower, China was decisiveness on Green and Low Carbon development, also set up a Bank Fund of 36B USD for a members-only ‘Development Export-Import’ fund. In turn Russia and China place 14B for a ‘National Development and Reform Commission’ for border cooperation.
Sport & Combat
In the corners; we have The American Floyd ‘Pretty Boy Money’ Mayweather (40) v. The Irish Conor ‘The Notorious’ McGregor (28). The match of the year; the experienced and retired Mayweather boxing champ comes out to fight the southpaw MMA Star McGregor.
The fight is set for August 26th 2017 at the 20,000 seat T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ahead of the scheduled Canelo Alvarez – Gennady Golovkin scheduled for Sept. 16th. McGregor has worked with Dana White (UFC) to confirm he would return for a mixed martial art fight in December 2017.
McGregor is stepping into a new ring, with different rules and Mayweather knows these ropes well. However, if McGregor can use his attitude to undercut Mayweather’s emotions he may level the playing field to apply the power in both his right and left.
In this bout, I would bet on youth against experience.
But I am taking bets….!
Mixtapes
Top Five
1. Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Dandy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber (Universal / Republic)
2. Everything Now – Arcade Fire (Columbia)
3. Tiwàyyen – Tinariwen (Anti-)
4. Whippin’ – Kiiara ft. Felix Snow (Atlantic)
5. I’m the One – DJ Khaled ft. Justin Beiber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne (Epic)
Playlists
for shallow swimming, salad bbq’s, and playing croquet
> April 2017 tunes (curated by BK)
> Fuck the Label - the old and new for today
> History of Dance Music circa (2007)
Fadscape
Fidget Spinners are the new Bottle Flip
Although they were invented in the 1990s Fidget spinners became popular toys in 2017.
In 1993, Catherine Hettinger, a chemical engineer by training, wanted to develop a soothing toy that could help children release pent-up energy and "promote peace.
Hettinger applied for a patent for a one-piece round device made of "soft plastic" with a "dome" (center indentation for finger placement) and a "skirt" (circular outward extension). Hasbro declined to pursue a deal after market-testing it, and in 2005 Hettinger let her spinning toy patent lapse.
Twelve years later, 2014, Scott McCoskery invents a metal spinning device he calls the ‘Torqbar’ and he begins selling the device online. Shortly thereafter, others began making and selling their own versions, and in 2016 he partnered with a friend to file for a provisional patent.
Current Price for a Fidget Spinner is $3.00, and the most expensive ‘Steel Flame Ring’ selling on eBay for $1,500.00 USD
Top List of Poke-Mon Cards
I’ve heard everyone has a similar story, where their parents bought baseball cards in the 50’s to get the gum, but never kept the Mickey Mantle’s or Joe DiMaggio’s. Worse yet, a parent they threw out an entire rookie card NHL collection, complete with a Mark Messier during a spring clean.
Don’t be your parents, check the prices here
List of High Priced Poke-Mon Cards
…as of June 25th 2017
1. Espeon % - Pop Series 5 $512.95
2. Umbreon % - Pop Series 5 $318.00
3. Raichu ^ - Skyridge $199.00
4. Vaporeon * - Ex Power Keepers $145.00
5. Ultra Ball # – Plasma Freeze $134.97
6. Kyogre * – Ex Delta Species $122.65
7. Rayquaza – Ex Deoxys - $122.65
8. Torchic * – Ex Team Rocket Returns $112.07
9. Shining Charizard > - Neo Destiny $104.98
10. Celebi < - Skyridge $103.19
Coloration (different to what is usual for its species)
% ShinyRare
^ Rare Halo
* ShinyRare Halo
# Rare Secret
> Shining Holo
< Rare Holo