"Howard Manley" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs

May 3, 2009

“My Partner Howard!”

You all know that my business partner, Howard Manley, is a Saskatchewan native born and bred; He was born in a little town called Midale, just outside of Weyburn, in the South Eastern part of the province. Howard is a great guy- let me tell you how.

I always stress family and It is unbelievable to me that Pat, his wife and Howard are now married for 43 years!! That is a long time. He has three adult children and three grandchildren which he never stops talking about. The two older grand kids, are both boys, and Howard refers to them as his boys.

His little baby granddaughter, is referred to as “my little girl!” You could not have anyone as proud of his kids and grandkids as Grandpa Howard.

Howard and I go back since December 1976. That is a long time! He is my mentor and was my big brother that I never had. He was the most hardworking guy, yet full of fun and spirit in everyway. Leon, who works with us, another great guy, grew up with Howard in Midale. How small is this world. Leon would like to believe that he is retired, (no you are not Leon) and was another guy that worked hard all his life.

Want to learn more about how commercial real estate, or get information on some of the great deals that are available? Contact Howard Manley of Redev Properties today by phone at 1-866-668-7344 or via email at howardm@redevproperties.ca.

Thank you for reading,

Richard Crenian
www.redevgroup.com

"Instant Success!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
May 5, 2009

“Instant Success”

It is always unusual when people look at other people who are successful are call them Instant Successes! I am always amazed by this quick rush to judgment.

My definition of instant success is “Years of Hard Work and Tears of Experience!”
We know how hard it is for us and long it takes to be successful.

What is success….ahhh that is another definition.

To me a success is a person that is a good and kind human being. Nothing short of that.
Everyone that you read about always associates people with money as successful. They could be the biggest donkeys, but because they have what other people define as money they are great guys.

Not true. I would rather hang with guys that are black and white, and tell it like it is than jerks that think that their pooh poohs don’t stink even though they do! Who would you like to hang out with? Who would you like your kids to be friends with?
It is so great to see my friends that are salt of the earth, and good human beings. Their families are the same with good intent and based on loving, hardwork ethics that will survive them the test of time.

Want to learn more about how commercial real estate, or get information on some of the great deals that are available? Contact Howard Manley of Redev Properties today by phone at 1-866-668-7344 or via email at howardm@redevproperties.ca.

Thank you for reading,

Richard Crenian
www.redevgroup.com

"Garnet and Gordon Campbell" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
May 3, 2009

“Garnet and Gordon Campbell-Canadian Heroes”

Canadian Men’s Brier Curling Champions, 1955.

Lloyd Campbell (lead), Donald Campbell (third), Glen Campbell (second), Garnet Campbell, (skip).

Amazing story, it was famed that Garnet and his brothers, learned their trade in a barn frozen likened to an ice rink. We shall keep that folklore alive I am sure.

Garnet and Gordon farmed together in the Avonlea area, Saskatchewan and Brother Lloyd farmed just west of Regina.

Garnet’s and Gordon’s father started that farm just south of Avonlea, Gordon still lives on the same site.

Garnet’s wife Daverne and Garnet are both doing well.
Garnet may be close to 80 these days. He and young and only wife Daverne, are doing well these days with kids, Vern in Calgary, married with kids and their daughter Cassandra, is busy with her Hair Styling shop in California!

Garnet and Daverne spend six months in a suburb NW Phoenix, during the winter escaping the cold weather of Saskatchewan.

Lloyd I heard has had 2 hip replacements and still a good golfer.

I was always impressed with this family. Such hard working, soil of the earth people who were long on honesty, integrity and represented the spirit of Canada as it always should be. I have been blessed to have had them enter my life and bestow upon me their goodness and laughter.

Hardwork, good fun, good humor and a great family. Shouldn’t they be recognized as heroes?

Want to learn more about how commercial real estate, or get information on some of the great deals that are available? Contact Howard Manley of Redev Properties today by phone at 1-866-668-7344 or via email at howardm@redevproperties.ca.

Thank you for reading,

Richard Crenian
www.redevgroup.com

"Canadian Heroes!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
Apr. 30, 09

“A Canadian Hero!”

Too often we hear about heroes and what they accomplished in business.

We have heroes like Obama too, the most likely NOT to be President, and here he is 100 days later.

What about the Canadians?

Having going to high school in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, it would only seem fitting to call the Canadian Farmer Canadian Heroes.

Hardy, hardworking, honest and unwilling to call defeat, the Canadian Farmer has suffered much and only lately been given an opportunity to earn some monies.

Here is what they faced when they first came to Canada to toil the land:
“For many immigrants, life on the Prairies was more akin to a nightmare than a dream — a point underscored in the final section of the exhibition. When homesteaders first arrived, their "farms" usually consisted of virgin prairie, a survey stake and a swarm of mosquitoes. Once the land was broken, the bountiful crops promised in the advertisements were sometimes devoured by insects, ruined by frost or shrivelled by drought. Some immigrants faced discrimination and venomous insults; two newspapers quoted in the exhibition labelled immigrants as "the scum of other lands" or even "the refuse of civilization".
With the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, about 80,000 immigrants were declared "enemy aliens" under the War Measures Act and over 5,000 were sent to internment camps. The Golden Age of Prairie settlement had come to an end.
Chronologically, Acres of Dreams ends with the Great Depression — a supreme test of the settlers' mettle and ingenuity. Objects featured like a quilt fashioned from uniforms discarded by a baseball team in Moose Jaw or a violin made from packing crates and harness supplies illustrate the resourcefulness of settlers during this testing period of Canadian history.” http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/cmc/acres/acrese.shtml
At the end of the story their second and third generations made it. Families and farmland, the heartland of Canada. I am proud of those that I know, so many of them. Howard is a good farm boy from Midale (near Weyburn), Saskatchewan. He knows the value of a buck

Want to learn more about how commercial real estate, or get information on some of the great deals that are available? Contact Howard Manley of Redev Properties today by phone at 1-866-668-7344 or via email at howardm@redevproperties.ca.

Thank you for reading,

Richard Crenian
www.redevgroup.com

"The Smell of A New Car Interior!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs

April 28, 2009

“The Smell of the New Car Interior!”

If you have been lucky enough to buy or lease a new car, you know what I mean. There is never quite like the smell of a new car interior.

When I was a kid, Uncle Mike and I used to work on older cars, and I was lucky enough to have owned some pretty hot cars, but none more than $400.00.
I had to borrow the money for that first car, but that beautiful 1966 Olds Cutlass was a beaut!

Although it was written off, (only a fender), the motor and and interior still looked good. While all the kids were partying, Uncle Mike and I worked on that beast, and bought used body parts to bring it up to sniff! Then a $99 Maaco paint job made that car smoked (car terminology for looking good)!!
So proud was I that I sold the beast for $600 and couldn’t believe that I made a profit from all that hard work!! The profit was small, after all expenses, but I was making $1.75 an hour so fifty dollars was like a billion to me.

Too bad that the majors didn’t take a lesson from a young boy. Instead of making a billion they are losing billions.
It really is sad.

Chrysler and why just a few months ago Kirk Kerkorian was trying to buy Ford. (See my previous blog below.) I guess as we retire, we need to make sure we have safe and secure investments. We used to say “ as strong as GM.”
That is no longer. Howard and his family grew up in Saskatchewan. They have been through the dirty thirties, He believes in slow and steady wins the race.

Richard Crenian





Richard Crenian Blogs
January 8th -09

“Kirk what were ye thinking?”

I was reading about Kirk Kerkorian, the investor that made his billions in real estate in southern Nevada. His story is great and it’s always nice to read about someone that can overcome adversity and does it all himself. Not bad for a guy that didn’t speak English until he started school. Today he is rated at 41st richest man in the US although the new rankings haven’t come out yet.

http://www.1st100.com/part3/kerkorian.html

Today he is 91 years old and still has all the fire in the world to spirit him along.

So what has happened to Kirk as he is supposed to retire and enjoy all the fruits of his labor and his life? At 91 I hope to have his fire and drive but I would know better than to risk my money at 91.

Here is what happened.

Kirk decides he is going to buy shares of Ford. “Kerkorian's stake in Ford peaked in June, when he owned 6.49 percent after paying $1 billion at an average share price of $7.10. He began scaling back his ownership in October, selling shares at an average price of $2.43 each, according to regulatory filings. That marked a loss of about two-thirds of his investment, or roughly $650 million.” (from the Huffington Post).

Kirk when I am 91, I am going golfing with Howard and investing in cash flow real estate where you made your money first!! What’s the matter with you? What were ye thinking??

"The New Asian Thinking?" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
April 2-09
“The New Asian Thinking?”
Our Business Partner in Asia, Darwin Forer, who is from Avonlea, Saskatchewan (Home of the world famous 1955 curling champions, The Campbell Brothers), has been living in Asia in what seems to be forever.
He and his wife live in Hong Kong, with their two young ones. Mui, Darwin’s wife is from Thailand and the nicest lady you would want to meet.
Recently Darwin emailed me about what the South East Asians are investing in and what they invested in previously..........
“- Tree farming the buzz this quarter.
-Former "oil pods" manager (it collapsed as was a ponzi scheme) is now selling Vietnam property that appears to be cheap to S.E. Asians who seem to forget it is still communist there.
- Salespeople helping “friends" sell houses located in another country
I attended the SMART property expo today; of course Land Banking companies selling, but mostly resort property around Asia, also now Cayman Island land banking. And several motivational speakers, self help etc and several running around selling weight loss programs.”
It is amazing for me to see, when the S.E. Asians, one of the smartest and most intellectual people in the world, with such a keen sense of business acumen, can fall prey to greedy and unscrupulous promoters and hucksters. Their aggressive thinking and “the chase for big returns” may skew their thinking.
Yet, Asian Government Pensions Plans invest with a long view in mind.
Howard my Canadian partner lives right. He says to enjoy the investment he plays by these rules…….1. Does it provide cash flow? 2. Is it safe and stable? And 3. Is it operated by knowledgeable people? If the answer is yes he does it.
In his younger days did he go for riskier deals? Yes! Has he been burned? Yes.
He says he is too old to lose any money these days. Besides he says that it is for his kids and grandkids! He just needs a little money to eat and buy gas!
Call him in Tucson, he’s still golfing!! 4036304544.

Richard Crenian

"Turn Off that TV and Start Living! Updated...." by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian blogs
March 23, 2009

“Turn off that TV, and start living!!” Updated…..!!

Here is a blog I wrote on October 24-08……………and here is what I added since Oct 24th…….

What has happened since then:
1. Dow Jones close on that day (Oct 24th 2008) was 8378, (DJ was 7775 at today’s close Mar 23-09!)
2. Obama wasn’t President
3. We thought that 8378 DJ was the end of the world!!

So read up below!

Oct 24th, 2008
So you are listening to that doom and gloom and all that recessionary-speak has put you in a depression!

So what do you do?

Turn off that TV and start living!!

We live in a great country, where people care for each other, our social system is great, and guess what, every day above ground is a great day!

Ok so your land deals are going to take twenty years to get out of, (ok, so the kids will get to live it up!), your condo and apartment deals will take a while to get back to where it should be and your home price is probably still worth more than what you paid for it..!
Your cash flow investments will still be going well, the values of those investments haven’t gone down, and if you were lucky enough to have bought in Alberta your rents are still going up!

Look around there are many opportunities along the way. Open your eyes and look for them, they are there.

So like my partner Howard says, “Why so glum, chum?” Phone me and I will tell you a joke or two, 4036304544!!

Go for a walk, enjoy the fresh air and be glad we can walk, and breathe!

Have that TV turned to the sports channel or anything but the news! Stay tuned!!!

By Richard Crenian

"It's Vegas, Baby ! (Update!)' by Richard Crenian

It’s Vegas, Baby (Update)

By Richard Crenian
March 19, 2009


Richard Crenian writes the best of………written in September 08, confirming what we already know, that the stock market is a jungle of hucksters and promoters. In the end our boring and safe strategy went out the window with greed. Finally we speak about my partner Howard is believes still and then that slow and steady wins the race!
You can call Howard anytime in Tucson on his Calgary number at 4036304544.

Read on McDuff!! See below.


September 29, 2008

I have been to Las Vegas, but I don’t gamble. I tried. I lost a hundred dollars and it made me sick. That was about 25 years ago. I couldn’t stand that I had lost the money so foolishly and in about twenty minutes. I worked hard for that hundred dollars and wanted to stretch it to enjoy it. I didn’t. I have not gambled since.

When my friends were investing in the stock markets, and making money in mutuals, I was happy for them. Why they asked didn’t I invest in them?
For me it was easy……. “Vegas, Baby”.

My rule was not to gamble unless it was a sure thing. A sure thing is tangible and I have control. Logic and common sense is how I like to invest, not on emotion.

A hurricane happens, and the oil prices go up. The wind blows the wrong way and a stock goes down. Russia looks at China the wrong way and the stocks go down. The USA has a banking crisis and………….?

Gold up one day, down the next. Currency up one day, down the next.
What happens when you turn 65 and want to cash in your chips? Is something, somewhere in world affecting your ability to draw your hard earn money out? Then what?

If you have the stomach for this, I applaud you.
I don’t.
I refuse to gamble with my future.

Will I have to work till I am 80? It is worrisome.

Me? Stick with my cash flowing products, stay above inflation, worry less and enjoy life more. Let the winds blow from where they may as it doesn’t affect my investment decisions.

When you buddies lament about how their portfolios are not doing well, smile, nod and think, “It’s Vegas, Baby!” And be glad you aren’t there!

Richard Crenian

"Promises, Promises!" Richard Crenian Blogs

Richard Crenian Blogs

16-Mar-09

“Promises, Promises!”

The next time someone promises you a an offer of a “guaranteed rate of return” on your money, and it is more than 8 per cent, head for the hills!!

That is a scam…………Really who offers more than 8 per cent guaranteed these days?

1. scammers
2. ponzi artirts
3. and fraudsters!!

You would think we know this for a fact now. But if greed is good, today greed WAS good. Imagine that!

When has anyone ever thought you could make a big score with your money and that indeed you need not earn your money the old fashion way, by hard work? Who would have thunk (sic) it?

Government bailouts what a joke! How has it helped you? Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds and the Stock Markets are described best by Jimmy Buffet (of Margarita fame), “Can't you feel them circling, honey? Can't you feel them swimming around? You got fins to the left, fins to the right, And you're the only bait in town!”

How you would ever put your money in with those gamblers and hucksters ever? Till the day you die? God help you if you do……

Jon Stewart (of the Daily Show )interviewed, “Mad Money Kramer” of the CNBC show…….I love it! He asked Kramer (graduate of Harvard) where he ever thought he could have recommended Bears Sterns just before it hit the dust??
Someone has to be accountable!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/tagSearchResults.jhtml?term=Jim+Cramer

Be more like Howard, plan, don’t be greedy, start slow and secure and at the end the tortoise always wins the race. And Howard? He’s golfing having a nice time in Tucson. Phone him and ask him what he’s shooting these days? 403 630 4544!

Richard Crenian

"Condos-The New Reality!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs

Condo Projects-The New Reality

March 10, 2009

If you punch in Google News and go to a search of “The Donald” you will find that it has been bad for a year in condos.

I am not picking on him but just saying that he whole game plan is to sell off his name (that is smart) take all the credit (smart) and when the you know what hits the fan, he claims ignorance.

One thing he does is he promotes endlessly, claims to know all, and when the market is good he is the hero. What when it goes bad?

The Baja project that he sold the license fees for his name , investors have lost 32 million, his Chicago project he stands to lose 70 million or more, and his daughter who works for him is promoting Panama.

Panama, home of the overbuilding, empty suites that many unknown foreign speaking “out of towners” came to buy real estate with suitcases of cash.

I am not picking on him. Just saying that when the residential real estate market is going well, promoters make the money, and when the market falls, promoters fail.

Look at Howard my partner. Slow and steady, safe and secure are his mottos. He believes there aren’t get rich quick schemes without huge risk and if you invest slow but sure, with cash flow appreciating real estate, you would be ok and getting a nice return on your money.

The promoters promote. Howard invests slowly but surely and is steadfast that cash is King and cash flow lasts longer. Don’t try and sell him what’s “too go to be true!”
He doesn’t believe you. Phone him but don’t tell him he’s smart, you knows that, just bug him about his golf game. 403-630-4544. Donald, are you listening………?


Richard Crenian

Ps Below are some links and articles about the Donald you might find interesting.

http://www.realestatechannel.com/international-markets/vacation-leisure-real-estate/donald-trump-trump-ocean-resort-baja-baja-mexico-trump-international-hotel-tower-irongate-capital-partners-alex-finkelstein-527.php

“New York entrepreneur Donald J. Trump's planned 526-suit Trump Ocean Resort Baja - 30 minutes south of Downtown San Diego - is nothing but a deep hole in the ground today.

The condo-hotel project in North Baja, Mexico, could not obtain financing from a German bank to start construction.

Investors who had rushed to plunk down 30 percent deposits on suites priced from $300,000 to $3 million, are out their money.

Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., through a Mexican entity, PB Impulsores, informed investors there were no funds to refund deposits totaling $32.2 million.

Trump Entertainment Resorts maintains a clause in the buyers' contracts gave the developer a right to spend their deposits.

Several lawsuits have already been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Trump Baja condos went on sale in October 2006. S&P Destination Properties sold 188 units for a total $122 million on the first day of the sale. “

And from the Chicago Tribune…..

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed-trump-truce-0304-mar04,0,33484.story


“Trump and Deutsche filed suits against each other in November. Trump first sued Deutsche and other lenders in New York State Supreme Court in Queens, seeking to excuse a repayment of more than $330 million due Nov. 7 and extend the $640 million construction loan for an unspecified amount of time. In the suit, Trump claimed that the global economic crisis was a "once-in-a-lifetime credit tsunami" affecting his ability to sell units at the Tower and repay the loan. He also sought $3 billion in damages.

Deutsche then filed its lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, claiming Trump personally owed the bank $40 million after defaulting on the loan.

Several issues need to be resolved. Among them is Trump's assertion that the minimum selling prices of the units, set in 2005 during the market's zenith, are no longer realistic and Deutsche needs to agree to lower them. Some of the building's earliest buyers are marketing units for resale at prices substantially below the prices at which Trump can sell units.

Also to be negotiated is a maturity date on the $640 million construction loan and a price by which Trump could fulfill his desire to buy unsold hotel condo units in that portion of the project. In November, Trump offered $96.6 million for those units but he acknowledged Tuesday the market has changed dramatically since his initial offer last fall.”

Lastly from the
http://www.homesgofast.com/view_news/1354/

“Ivanka Trump, daughter of US real estate mogul Donald Trump and executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization, has good things to say about Panama. The 70-story Panama City Trump Ocean Club is scheduled to open in 2010 with a combination of condominiums, a hotel, restaurants, retail stores and a casino, and Miss Trump was promoting the project and the country in a recent interview with Latin Business Chronicle.

“I have projects all over the world [and] have a unique sense of the global real estate climate and submarkets,” she said in a recent interview. “With great conviction, Panama is one of the strongest, if not the strongest real estate market. Our biggest problem is not having enough inventory.”

Panama is a popular property destination for international investors for a number of reasons, and has been named by several leading publications and sources as a hotspot for 2009. It is predicted to be one of the better performing Latin American real estate markets in what is seen as a difficult year ahead. Panama offers tax incentives for developers and buyers, and Miss Trump notes that the government is very supportive of developers: “I’m impressed by their forward thinking in bringing in new potential investors,” she said.”

Comment from me……….not wanting to be cynical but. “Yeah, right! I am sure the new breed will line up ten people deep…….”

Richard Crenian

"The Real Genius!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
March 10th , 2009

“The Real Genius” by Richard Crenian

A lot of people ask my business partner, Howard Manley, why and how we pick our shopping centers to buy and operate.

It’s really a simple model, don’t overpay and buy the tenants.

So in a recessionary time what kind of tenants don’t you want, and what do you want?

Don’t want:
Anything associated with the downturn of housing. (It sounds simple doesn’t it?)

For example, Furniture stores is a big No-No, furniture suppliers and anyone associated with appliances, car dealers, manufacturers of large household goods, boat dealers, any association to boat dealer suppliers, pretty what anyone is not buying right now, you don’t want that industry as a tenant.

Wants:
Medical, Doctors, Professionals, Repair shops (cars, boats, furniture etc), movie theatres (escapism), Ma and Pa day to day daily needs. Stores promoting “green products” are hot these days, post offices, government agencies, in other words that people can make enough money to pay the rent.

Circuit City is now down the tubes, North American car dealers are shutting their doors, so common sense is always the best way to go. Doesn’t that make sense? That’s the real genius, keeping a handle on the market place, and adapting your tenancies to fit the times.

So the genius is to keep things simple and non complex. Life is easy, no. Work hard, invest in cash flow and relax in Arizona. Ask Howard, he’s planned his life that way for forty years to get to where he is. Call him; he will explain it to you. 4036304544. If you get the answering machine, you know he’s golfing!

Richard Crenian

"Land is Dirt, Cash is King!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
March 9, 2009

“Land Is Dirt, Cash is King!”

Old story with a new twist.

I ran into someone today that was talking about an accumulation of land “to be ready for development in 2-3 years” in Calgary. I laughed and said it would more than likely be five to seven years at least.

He wanted to know why? There is so much land in Calgary and area “ready for development” that even if his would come on, there would be no one to sell to.
Who would be buying land if the market for residential is not there.

There is a lot of infrastructure to put into place before the land is “ready” and there is also a cost to setting up the infrastructure. Who is going to finance it? How are you going to carry your financing and how are you going to pay for your financing?

Most people I know are keeping their lands as farming or agricultural so that the taxes are lower. Land deals do work so long as you have patience, very good patience and you can withstand the economies of time. However beware when you are not the first man in buying, if you are buying through a promoter then the land price is already inflated.

Howard and I have been in real estate for over 30 years each. What haven’t we seen? Here we are in the twilight of our careers, talking about cash flow, cash flow and cash flow.
Cash Flow is King, Land is Dirt, of course. There is no easy way to make money today, so be smart and go for the flowing of Cash. Howard is still in Tucson, he loves the hot weather and his golf game is looking good. Call him to say hi! 4036304544.

Richard Crenian

"Ohhh, Aren't You Glad.....!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs

March 5, 2009

“OHHH…Aren’t You Glad…….”

Yesterday I spoke about the robot Mutual Fund Sales People. They took their product and went forth and sold tons of it.

I wonder what is happening to our insurance companies.

Where did they invest the monies that we gave them?

Why can’t I find what they used the funds for on the internet?

Why isn’t it accessible? Biggest secret going………

Scary thought isn’t it? So we should bury our head in the sand?

Talking about sand, all those scammers that sold you a piece of the action of the land deals to be developed in three to five years are now looking at seven to fifteen years if they are lucky. Your land value……….like they say, Cash is King, Land is Dirt.
If you can’t find your Land Seller or your salesmen to explain what the value of your land is, it should be understandable. How do you say valueless?
Ohhh, those smooth talking sales guys, selling you the pie in the sky and where are they with the truth when you need it the most?

Have you heard this one, “Martha, we are buying into a land deal in Mexico!”
Right, bet it is close to the swamps in Florida. Seriously, have you heard about the travelers warnings to Mexico…….? Advised Not to Go!! (That Land deal in Mexico? Hrmphhh!)

Howard, well he advised all his clients to go into cash flowing product. Slow and Steady he says. Nothing glamorous, boring but safe. Hope you are listening, and you did listen. He was right. Not bad for a hard working boy from Midale, Saskatchewan. He beat all those so called experts, and yes he is still in Arizona soaking up the sun. Call him at 4036304544, and bug him! I do!


Richard Crenian

"To Market, to Market to Buy" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs

March 3, 2009

“To Market, to Market to Buy ……..!”


Mutual Funds, the fat pig, the one that everyone say to buy. Your friends, neighbors, financial advisors and even your spouse said buy, buy, buy.

Your banker told you to buy. Why, even transfer your retirement funds so you can “get ahead of the curve” and buy anti inflationary mutual funds. “Why,” he would say, it’s the thing to do and everyone is doing it!”

The Pressure was too much and you succumbed, and today you realize that there is no such free ride, and that the markets belong to the gamblers and the con men that have zero conscience.

When you go back to your banker and asks how your statement sits he says, “Are you sure you want to know?” What kinds of losers say that? If you live in the States, your banker may not even be there any longer. Golly, if you can’t even trust your banker whom can you trust?

The good news: BMO (Bank of Montreal) and Scotiabank-other Canadian banks made money. Again no Obama bailouts, no Canadian bailouts, good conservative Canadian banks. What does that say about government bailouts? Do they work?


http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_030209/content/01125107.guest.html

I am not a huge fan of listening to Rush Limbaugh nor do I enjoy the sound of his voice but when you read his transcripts, it makes sense, of what is happening today.

Howard? I like him. He’s been my mentor and partner for over 30 years……., he’s in Tucson enjoying the weather although he told me that the heat is getting to him. (Of course he would say that, it’s March the 2nd and the windchill feels like minus 30 here!!!)

CRAZY!!

Howard, bring that warm weather home. We need you to tell your story of how you have invested in cash flow deals even when it wasn’t cool, and that conservative investments were the way to go. PS Keep Cool!! You can reach Howard at 4036304544.

Richard Crenian

"Another Winner!" a blog by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 27, 2009

“Another Winner…..!”

It’s like the Oscars in Canada, winning banks, without Obama’s or interfering governments, and now the other big winner announced is the TD Bank with better than earnings results.

The fact that the TD Bank is still making money while allowing for writedowns says a lot for this Canadian Bank.

Sure beats our US counterparts and Citibank……..yikes, or do I call it Obamabank now?
Three cheers for Canada! If we believe that the US operates in a free economy why aren’t we letting the bad US banks go down and the non competing US Auto Industry go the way of the do-do bird? Throwing good money after bad……….? Bottom line, it’s all about the people (see votes) but you know that.

Remember old Bobby Rae, the former NDP Premier of Ontario, that everyone supposedly gave a big majority to, and decided to spend his way out of the economy?
Ohhh, that hurt us so bad, and no one, not one person admitted to voting for him after his mess. I try and stay apolitical, but could this be Obama in a few years?

Howard my partner doesn’t care, he says buy cash flowing good quality retail investments and sit back and watch everyone else shoot themselves in their foot.
He’s worked too long and too hard to watch governments come and go only to screw up a economy. He wants cash flow and the government can do whatever he wants!

We love Canada, and you thought America was the way to go? Never. Howard is golfing today. Ask him what he shot? 403 630 4544.

Richard Crenian

"And the Winners Are?" a blog by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 26, 2009

“And the Winners Are…”

How about those Canadian banks, eh?
CIBC, Royal Bank and National Bank all made a profit in Q1.
Wow!! All these without the help of the Canadian Government….WOW! WOW!
Hats off! (Stick that in you pipe USA!!)

Can you imagine all that hand out monies that went to the US banks and what did they do with that money?……Pay huge bonuses!!

So what do we do with GM and the 13.5 billion that they received?
IS that good money after bad? Maybe we should have spent that money on education, and educating the workers to get ready for other jobs? Let’s see what happens.

So Canada is good, and the USA? They are spending all their hopes on Government Bailouts and Government programs.

So what are we teaching our kids? Work, spend and if you blow it the Government will help you out? Is this right………..? Based on this our kids futures would all be blown by Government. I am sure glad I live in Canada. Thanks for setting that up, God!

And your Pensions, not good if you are an Auto Worker, or if you noticed the Caisse lost 25 per cent of their portfolio, and OMERS lost 8 Billion…….nice……….that’s your pension.

So take care of yourself, invest wisely, buy cash flow products and don’t be greedy, if it is too good to be true it is.

Call Howard and ask him what he does. He is having too much fun in Arizona. Phone is 403 630 4544.


Richard Crenian

PS A buddy of mine was talking to an arrogant US Citibank worker, and reminded the Citibank employee that his boss was OBAMA!! LOL!!!!

"Of Scammers and Funds!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 25, 2009

“Of Scammers and Funds” a Blog by Richard Crenian

Great article the other day in the Toronto Star. It stated that Investors want their money back.

They gave their Investment Advisors their retirement monies and those monies went inot mutual funds, and have lost a good portion of their retirement funds (30%) and are considering suing them.

So let me think, you gave your “Investment Advisor” money with the knowledge that it was going into a mutual fund (what I call lay your bet down and hope that you will win) and now since it has gone down you want your money back.
(I feel the same way as there was a lot of pressure to put money in mutual funds and those that have, have since suffered)

The problem is that we didn’t know that the stock market was filled with scammers, promoters who were there to grab your money without any conscience. It was hard to resist in those heady days. (What, only last year?) Then you find out about the Madoffs and the Stanfords (Allen Stanford who calls himself a Texas Billionaire) who ripped off the public for $50 Billion and $8 Billion respectively.

Oh well if you want high returns there are risks, risks that the guys you are dealing with are rip off artists……

Me and Howard, we sweat the small stuff, invest in cash flow proven real estate, and enjoy the slow and steady growth. At least those investments are safe.

I phoned Howard in Tucson yesterday and told him it was snowing in Calgary, and he laughed. Said he didn’t see any snow on the ground in Tucson. Phone him and bug him please, 403 630 4533. He likes to know that he is missed!

Richard Crenian

"How Credit Worked with the US Auto Makers!" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 20, 2009

“How Credit Worked with the US Auto Makers!” by Richard Crenian

So Saab just filed for bankruptcy protection and GM and Chrysler are thinking of doing the same. (GM owns Saab). Saab asked the Swedish Government for the same type of support, and US auto makers and in its wisdom, the Swedish Government said NO!

So how did things get so bad for the automakers?
In a paint by number way I will answer with my views.

1. GM (Put any Auto Maker in here if you like) builds a car, and thinks the market will be great, and builds on an assumption that the market is endless.
2. Auto Maker sells car to its own leasing company to lease guys. When you sell to your leasing company it’s a sale! Wow…magic, just like that! (So if I build a cabinet and sell it to my wife does that make me successful?)
3. Automaker reports sales are up, and profits are up. Stocks go up and everyone is happy. Meanwhile GMAC the buyer needs to lease the cars. If they don’t they are stuck.
4. GMAC runs out of money. It cannot afford to buy cars for lease.
5. GM sales drop naturally and now needs bankruptcy protection.
6. Government steps in to save their business model.

How great is that, when you as an individual screw up does the government bail you out?

Ok so stick with safe and sound investments. The stock market is a legal gambling den for sharks to bury you.

So Howard (my business partner and Mentor) does what? He buys cash producing properties, and makes sure they are in well located and well tenanted areas. Then he retires and golfs. Sounds good to me.

What are the GM auto executives doing? Not golfing for sure, and definitely selling their jets……..

Phone Howard and bug him. He is enjoying the beautiful weather in Tucson and here we are in the frozen north!! Good for him! 403-630-4544.

Richard Crenian

"Amazing, Yet True!"

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 18, 2009

Amazing Yet True!!

When it’s too good to be true it usually is. We had Madoff and his 50 BILLION dollar ponzi scam, now an Allen Stafford…….he looks like a lousy crook with only 8 Billion dollar ripoff compared to Madoff’s 50 Billion!

Amazing yet true!

You know folks, when the deals look too good to be true they usually are. When someone is offering you guaranteed rates higher than normal, usually that is baloney……so buyer beware!

There have been more guys out there mostly under $1 Billion. It fact there are three people involved in a scam, with investors money losing everything and the guy is in Costa Rica now. Monies were raised in Alberta and BC, by a Wayne Boyd, for the so called Christian based fund that guaranteed seven per cent per month. It was called the Legacy Fund, run by Hal Mcleod and Dianne Sharon Rosiek. (The BCSC has caught up with their scam but cannot do anything.) They were offering to pay you 5-7% interest per month!!)

Here were some of his other scams…..

http://www.fic.gov.bc.ca/pdf/enforcement/trust/20031128ts.pdf

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/securities/administrative_actions/2008/july/legacycapital_top.pdf


Where are they now? Where are the monies they raised? Who knows? One can only guess.

They worked and sold on the greed factor. Anyone who professes to be a Christian and then says “Trust me, I am a Man of God,” or “I work with religious Youths!” should ring alarm bells if they are asking for money. They are worse when they purport to be “Men or the Cloth!”

Madoff was no exception; he used his Jewish religion to rip off his friends including important Jewish Funds with tales of big returns. Scary!! Many of his friends have lost their life long savings to him because of their own greed.

Once religion enters an investment offering it is usually bound for failure. You let your guard down then boom! You get ripped off.

This is not new. Robert Vesco did this and ripped off over 220 million in 1970!!

Who do you think invented the name Ponzi? Yes, there was a real Mr. Ponzi!

Stay with something safe and secure that provides reasonable cash flow and normal type’s returns.

Greed should not apply here.

Ask my business partner Howard, he knows. He lives the life “da vida loca!!”
By the way he just shot a 75 in golf, and he just turned 65 years old.

Not bad, Howard.

Don’t forget to wish him a Happy Birthday; he’s in Tucson at 403-630-4544.

Richard Crenian

PS Did you hear what they call the Bank UBS now? (Used to Be Safe!) Ughh!

"True Value" by Richard Crenian

Richard Crenian Blogs
February 5, 2009

“True Value”

I read yesterday that Calgary home sales are off.

The Calgary Herald reported that “The average sale price was $413,049, down 9.28 per cent from $455,297 a year ago. The average days on the market to sell a home was 62, up 24 per cent from 50 days last year. And the month-end inventory increased by 1.1 per cent to 4,040 this year from 3,997 a year ago. New listings during the month were 31.6 per cent less than a year ago at 2,068 compared with 3,023.”

Ok let’s analyze this for a second.
An average sale price in Calgary costs what?? $413,000? Are you kidding me? Isn’t that a little expensive for a city with an average sale price of a home in the year 2000 at $176,500??? (http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/cns/homelessness/trends_affordable_home_ownership_calgary.pdf)

You have to wonder how the news comes at you. The fact is that since 2000, the average price of a home in Calgary has increased 2.3 times. How ridiculous is that?

You wonder why? Guys were buying homes and flipping homes for $25,000 to $50,000 more within ninety days with a short supply in Calgary. So now the house prices are easing and supply is growing as the speculators are forced to sell as they don’t have the funds to carry the houses.

So in all this bad news what’s the good news?

Good news is as the speculators get out and house prices ease, more real home owners will get back into the market place, but this will take a while. So, if you bought or invested in land to build those large track of houses, you are kinda (how should I say this kindly?) “in a pickle.”

Land prices will obviously drop substantially if there is no demand. The land sellers of old that sold you their land prior to the “highs” are laughing, and you if you did buy or invest in land are stuck.

Not everyone bought land or invested in land. In tougher times you can’t get cash flow from non farming land, so I am sure we will see banks take action and foreclose on the existing high purchased land owners and investors now. (Sorry for the bad news).

How did we stay recession proof? Simple. Don’t be greedy, be patient and buy cash flowing product. Ask Howard if he is worried? He is going to Tucson to relax. His cash flow from our product is paying his way. 4036304544.

Richard Crenian