Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 27, 2008 Consumer protection common theme in 2008 When it comes to consumer issues, my goal in this column is to educate, protect, and occasionally, entertain. Over the past year, I emphasized how important it is to have a lawyer’s input in a purchase or sale transaction as early as possible […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 20, 2008 Court is an expensive way to deal with a noise complaint issue A decision of the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto earlier this year clarifies the huge financial risks a condominium owner assumes if he or she is found to be in breach of the rules of the […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 13, 2008 Star columnist appointed to Tarion board Long-time critic will serve three-year term Gail Swainson Real Estate Reporter Lawyer and Toronto Star columnist Bob Aaron has been appointed to the board of Tarion, Ontario’s new home warranty program. "I’ve personally known Bob for 30 years and he has a long […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 13, 2008 In litigation cases, often only the lawyers win In 1997, James and Barbara Dinsmore bought a new townhouse in Windsor for $177,000 from Masterpiece Homes. On taking possession, they noticed dampness on the basement floor, which raised concerns about potential drainage problems. After investigation, the builder acknowledged that the […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 6, 2008 Buyer gets frosty welcome A recent decision of the Small Claims Court in Winnipeg illustrates whether the buyer or seller is responsible for damage to a home, which is discovered on closing. Hazem Alzawawy was interested in buying a small house in Winnipeg. He found a tiny 612-square-foot, one-bedroom […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 29, 2008 Fraudster’s house ‘sale’ ends up costing bank The fallout from mortgage fraud cases in recent years continues to occupy the attention of lawyers, judges and the innocent parties involved. Back in 2006, Paul Reviczky rented out a house he owned on Sheppard Ave. W. to a person who turned […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 22, 2008 Lawyers may kill deals not in client’s best interest From time to time, lawyers get accused by real estate agents of being “deal killers.” I was reminded of this recently in an email from Paula Riopelle, a real estate lawyer in Orleans, Ont. She was responding to my Nov. […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 15, 2008 Tarion softens approach on vendors who sell newly built homes Tarion Warranty Corporation, which provides new home warranty coverage to most Ontario houses and condominiums, has amended its registration requirements for purchasers who resell (or “flip”) their homes without moving in. The issue was first publicized in April when […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 8, 2008 Known dangerous defects must be disclosed by vendor Does the doctrine of “buyer beware” allow a seller to conceal the mere possibility that there is a potentially dangerous condition in a house? That was the issue in a case heard earlier this year in Edmonton. In April 2005, George […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 1, 2008 Agents should never brush off the need for a survey Nathan Vlahos and his wife are about to become first-time homebuyers. They are looking for a home between Richmond Hill and Newmarket and have selected a local real estate agent to help in their search. Vlahos describes himself as […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 25, 2008 When it comes to property’s paranormal history, it’s buyer beware In the real estate field, when the value of a house is, or could be, affected by a history of murder, suicide, ghosts, hauntings or other unexplained happenings, it is said to be stigmatized. This may occur when the […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 18, 2008 Nail down right-of-access before purchase A decision of the Superior Court of Ontario last month was a powerful reminder that real estate disputes can become very costly if they ever reach a courtroom. Millstone Consulting Services Inc. is a corporation owned by Paula and Vico Von Stedingk. In 2002, […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 11, 2008 Health card acceptable for voting but not for mortgage Why is an Ontario photo health card not a valid form of identification for purposes of a real estate transaction, but it’s perfectly acceptable for the federal election next week? Whenever clients sign mortgage documents with their real estate […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 4, 2008 Always review purchase agreements with a lawyer A recent decision of the Superior Court of Justice highlights the risks of a buyer failing to close a transaction to buy a new home or condominium from a builder. Back in March 2003, Siavash Valizadeh signed an agreement to buy a […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca September 27, 2008 Brother messes up with email scam Back in 1998, brothers Faheem, Shaun and Narool Samad decided to purchase a house in Toronto for the three of them and their parents to occupy. At the time, they signed an agreement that set out the terms of the ownership, use, occupation […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca September 20, 2008 Not a good idea to interfere with right-of-way Grant and Lisa Hall were next-door neighbours to Loraine Wiltshire in north Toronto. The Hall property is west of the Wiltshire property, and both are registered under the Land Titles Act. There is a shared walkway two feet 10 inches wide […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca September 13, 2008 Oil storage tank leak a cautionary tale A scary tale of an oil leak in an Ottawa-area home provides a valuable lesson for homeowners whose homes are heated by oil. In early 2006, an exterior oil storage tank next to the residence released approximately 900 litres of fuel oil […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca September 6, 2008 Bylaw sinks pirate ship playhouse After architect Andrew Dewberry and author Jayne Seagrave bought their house in Vancouver three years ago, they decided to build a tree fort for their two young sons. In September 2006, the fort was constructed in a tree located a few feet inside the […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca August 30, 2008 Foreclosure tale is coyote ugly Ronald and Ann Bonnar owned a house in Cape Breton, N.S. The house had two mortgages registered against it a first to Royal Bank of Canada, and a second in favour of Canada Trust Company as trustees for the owners of various registered retirement […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca August 23, 2008 Presence of asbestos kills home purchase Carlos Lameiro fell in love with a three-bedroom bungalow, near Dixon Rd. and Kipling Ave. in Etobicoke. It has a finished basement with a separate entrance, air conditioning, two kitchens and a great location. Unfortunately, it came with a problem no one knew […]