It never ceases to amaze me the amount of times I’ve been approached to join a multilevel marketing (MLM) opportunity or what most pundits claim to be a pyramid scheme.  The promises of big income or the ability to work at home is a repetitive theme expressed throughout a sales pitch.

Evidently, I always pass on these advances due to the fact I already generate passive income with my own businesses by working only a couple hours a day.  Plus, most people (with any sort of a rationale) can see through the smoke and mirrors associated with MLM companies and their questionable tactics.

It shouldn’t come to a surprise that a majority of MLM companies rely on recruitment strategies or marketing tools to earn a majority of their revenues.  Simply look at their financial statements and you will find that a sizeable portion of their earnings continue to rely on the recruitment of new members, rather than the movement of their (supposedly) core products or services.

Overall, given the right market conditions, I believe a competent sales person can be successful with any opportunity.  With the right strategy, execution and follow through, a high level of success can be achieved.  And yes, this can also apply to MLM opportunities as well.  But if their meagre success rate, for most recruits, is an indicator of the future, I’m better off starting my own business by selling batteries or kinky lingerie.

Since I’m currently in the market for a new home, I’m always on the lookout for new real estate developments in Southwest, British Columbia.  From town homes to detached houses, the market remains piping hot as prices continue to rise beyond the reach of new home buyers.

Whew!  I’m sure glad I got in the market early!

What never cease to amaze me are the laughable advertising and marketing campaigns to promote a development.  You’ve probably heard of statements such as “quality view homes” or “live in the most desirable area”, only to find out later that your future home is located in a crime infested neighborhood full of drug addicts and homeless bums.  Even worse, the dream condo they’ve been talking about is only 480 square feet, which is a typical size of a loft in downtown Vancouver.

Condohype is a blog that looks at Vancouver Real Estate marketing with a critical point of view.  Whether you’re purchasing a home or not, their humorous insight is an entertaining read for anyone looking to learn about our distinct real estate market.  They go beyond the smoke and mirrors of buying property by giving you a cold, abeit, humorous jab with most new buildings up for sale.  Whether you agree with them or not, a fresh perspective is always good, especially when most people invest a sizeable amount of their savings into a new home.  To visit Condohype, click here.

If heaven really was on earth, I’d make sure I buy the penthouse on the 20th floor before all hell breaks loose.

Just imagine sitting at the infinity-edged pool with cabanas watching life go by as you chill after a long day of work, sipping margaritas and lying in the sun.

Afterwards, maybe go for a stroll around the condominium’s private marina, or perhaps have dinner at a restaurant on the water edges of Biscayne Bay.

MiamiCondoLifestyle.com has pre-construction prices listed for the Oasis on the Bay Condos - Uptown Miami Bayfront Luxury Condos between $310,000 to $660,000.  It comes with all the eye candy and whip cream - a large health club and spa, 4,200 square foot restaurant on Biscayne Bay, clubhouse and marina with twenty boat slips, 24-hour concierge and valet, lushly landscaped pool and sun terrace, private theater room with stadium style seating and surround sound.

I’m really not kidding when I say that *wow* this property is cheap.  I didn’t know that the housing market in the United States has reached this all time low!

The place I recently purchased in the burbs costed me somewhere in between, and unless you consider the flooding that’s been going around here because of the heavy rain, this is no beachfront property.  Real estate has skyrocketed in Vancouver into something quite unbelievable.  Downtown condominiums as cramped as 500 square feet are selling for $400,000 and ones over 1000 square feet are close to a million dollars, if not more.  Even residents in the Lower Mainland that have cash to burn are not setting their sights on purchasing a house in their lifetime.

Despite the fact our paint is barely drying, Imaginary Diva and I are planning to sell our place within a year.  This revelation comes to no surprise for us, especially when real estate prices in British Columbia, Canada are expected to rise at a rate of 10 to 12 percent this year.  Furthermore, we only purchased our home last July at a very good price; it was literally a steal when compared to similar offerings in the area.

We currently live in the City of Langley, where traffic literally disappears at 6 PM.  The peace and quiet, along with our very friendly neighbours will make it hard for us to move.  Neverthless, Imaginary Diva and I are looking to buy a new place in White Rock, BC.

We both enjoy the serene shore and different pace of lifestyle in White Rock.  Both of us hope to find a new house with a beautiful view of the water.

Who knows what may happen a year from now?  But with the right planning and preparation, I know everything will work out.

We’ll, I guess yours truly will start hovering around the real estate listings and touring homes whenever time allows.

Here we go again…