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» January 2010 Archives
How not to get taken in by real estate seminars
Friday, January 29, 2010, 8:35 PM    21
190_road_to_rich_dad.jpgFree homebuyer seminar! Real estate secrets revealed! You've no doubt seen the pitches in newspapers, transit ads or late night TV. They might leave you wondering: could a real estate seminar guru really have the secret to riches? If you are looking to attend a real estate investment seminar, here are some tips to help keep your foundation and finances sturdy.
Get-rich-quick schemes are too good to be true
Friday, January 29, 2010, 11:05 AM    24
Admit it -- at some time in your life, you've said to yourself, "I wish I was rich."

That desire is not a crime -- but it may be leading people to waste their money, and their time, at a popular weekend workshop we've been investigating.
Negative attention over 'unintended acceleration'
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 6:25 PM
floormatimageFINAL-c.jpgToyota must be so unused to this negative attention. The automaker has established itself as a leader in design and safety. Many people who buy Toyotas become true believers. We bought Sienna in May 2007 after baby No. 3 came along and were instantly inducted into the cult of Siennas. (Voluntarily I might add.)
 
However, an independent auto safety firm in Massachusetts would be the salt in the cult of Toyota's eye.
Canadians open their hearts, and wallets, for Haiti
Friday, January 22, 2010, 10:54 AM    6
I live in Vancouver, and sometimes take the bus to work through an area known as the Downtown Eastside -- what's called "the poorest postal code in North America." Not a lot of people with a lot of money ride that bus.

So imagine my surprise this week, hearing passengers talk about how they want to send money to Haiti, devastated by an earthquake Jan. 12. "I owe Visa a whack of money," said a middle-aged woman, dressed in a slightly dirty coat, missing a button. "But I'm gonna put a donation to Haiti on my credit card. They could use the money."
Want to tweet everytime you use your credit card?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 11:24 AM    4
mp_credit_cards_190.jpgA couple of weeks ago, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg raised eye brows by saying people don't want privacy anymore.
 
Privacy has become a currency of sorts. People seem quite willing to trade information about their purchasing habits for Air Miles points and other point-systems.
 
But I was wrong. Some people just want to give it all away.
Can you really run an online poll accurately?
Monday, January 18, 2010, 11:04 AM    1
onlinevoting.jpgI've always wondered about online polls. How accurate and honest can the voting process be?

Currently, Hasbro is running an online poll to vote for which one of 22 Canadian communities will be included in the new Canadian edition of Monopoly.
Taking a hard look at your GPS
Friday, January 15, 2010, 8:47 PM    15
This past Christmas, one of the hottest gadgets going was the global positioning system (GPS).

It's a handy device, which not only tells drivers how to get somewhere, but the best route, and how long it will take. But it turns out those great gadgets aren't always safe. At Marketplace, we've learned that programming a GPS on the road can be a dangerous distraction.
How to safely find your way with GPS
Friday, January 15, 2010, 8:30 PM    7
mp_gps_tipsheet_584.jpgWant to find an alternate route home to beat rush hour traffic? Are you travelling somewhere new and want to check out some hot spots - or worse, you're completely lost? GPS navigation systems can help you find the way without having to pull-over to ask for directions or unfurl a map.

Tonight on Marketplace: GPS Distraction
Friday, January 15, 2010, 12:30 PM    5
Convenience over safety? Marketplace conducts a first of its kind test in Erica Johnson's investigation into GPSs.

Does online privacy matter anymore?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 11:37 AM    7
mp_zuckerman_facebook.jpgOver the weekend, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg raised eyebrows by commenting that people don't want privacy anymore, and that the social networking website is simply reflecting, "what the current social norms are."
 
"People have really gotten comfortable not only sharing more information and different kinds, but more openly and with more people," Zuckerberg said at the Crunchie Awards in San Francisco, which recognizes technological achievement. "That social norm is just something that has evolved over time."
More about mould
Monday, January 11, 2010, 11:59 AM    0
mp_growop_mould.jpgMould can be a deal-breaker when it comes to buying a house, but it's even worse if you find mould after you've paid for an inspection and bought the property.
 
Mould can be difficult to detect and even more difficult to get rid of. And while many inspectors fail to detect mould, or are unable to because it's hidden by gyproc, they also sometimes "detect" mould that isn't there, and then recommend expensive cleaning options.
 
That was the case with one Toronto homeowner, Antony Anderson, who got worried when he saw what looked like a soft-white coat forming in his basement floor.
Video: An inside peek into Marketplace
Monday, January 11, 2010, 11:22 AM    1
mp_town_hall_jan07.jpg
Co-hosts Erica Johnson and Wendy Mesley, along with senior researcher Marlene McArdle, and special guest Mike Holmes were in Toronto last Thursday to talk Marketplace. If you weren't able to attend the event, moderated by CBC News Network's Anne-Marie Mediwake, the full video is online after the jump.
How to inspect your home inspector
Friday, January 8, 2010, 8:23 PM    26
mp_grow_op_cover_up.jpgThe truth is that no home is perfect, and if you're looking to buy one, it's wise to check it out thoroughly before striking a deal. To do this, you might consider hiring a home inspector to point out potential problems that a seller or agent might not disclose or be aware of. But before you do, keep in mind that almost anyone can call themselves a home inspector, as there are no current national or provincial requirements or standards (except in British Columbia).
Weeding out a bad home purchase
Friday, January 8, 2010, 3:19 PM    13
We all know Mike Holmes - the guy with biceps the size of tires, who rights wrongs when it comes to home renovations.  But at CBC News: Marketplace, we team up with Mike tonight to tackle a growing (no pun intended) problem in Canada - homes that are used for marijuana grow-ops, then sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Mike Holmes on home inspections
Thursday, January 7, 2010, 5:16 PM    60
The contractor talks with CBC News Network's Suhana Meharchand about the season premiere of Marketplace, which airs Friday, Jan. 8 at 8:30 p.m. (9 p.m. NL)
A behind the scenes look at Marketplace
Monday, January 4, 2010, 11:40 AM    2
mp_erica_wendy_event.jpg
The new season of Marketplace launches Friday, Jan. 8, at 8:30 p.m., on CBC Television! If you're in Toronto, a special event, hosted by the fifth estate's Hana Gartner, is being held on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 12 noon, in the Barbara Frum Atrium, with special guests Erica Johnson, Wendy Mesley, Marlene McArdle and, from this season's debut episode, Canada's most trusted contractor, Mike Holmes.
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