Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca March 29, 2008 A little info, a lot of trouble Vendors often create problems for themselves by signing SPIS forms A Superior Court decision released last fall emphasizes once again how dangerous it is for Ontario vendors to sign Seller Property Information Statements, and how the use of the forms serves to […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca March 22, 2008 Power of attorney under scrutiny Real estate fraud continues to be a problem for industry stakeholders. The latest tale comes from a decision of the Superior Court of Justice in Brampton last month. Back in 1996, Lilianne and Donald O’Brien bought a residential condominium on Kimberley Cres. in Brampton. […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca March 15, 2008 Seek advice before making mortgage manoeuvre The pitch sounds very seductive. “Go ahead. Make your mortgage tax deductible. Yes. It can be done. Yes it’s legal.” The pitch is used to promote an investment technique called the Smith Manoeuvre. According to Smith Manoeuvre Financial Corporation (www.smithman.net), “the Smith Manoeuvre […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca March 8, 2008 Landlords can keep properties smoke-free A decision of the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board last month underscores the right of a landlord to insert a non-smoking clause in a residential lease, and that the clauses are enforceable in the event of breach by a tenant. The decision is relevant […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca March 1, 2008 When your lakeside lot starts to grow “Buy land,” wrote Mark Twain. “They’re not making it any more.” I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s quite possible that the famous author was wrong and that they are making more land. My guess is that Twain […]
CBC MARKETPLACE - THE CONDO CRUNCH - Wendy Mesley (with Bob Aaron)
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca February 23, 2008 New condo delayed-closing rules coming Would apply after July 1 if approved by province, but documents’ legalese is certain to baffle many Tarion Warranty Corporation is getting ready to implement changes to its new delayed closing regime for condominiums. Earlier this month, I wrote about the proposed changes to […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca February 16, 2008 Furnace in a closet voids condo sale Virtually no consumer protection against builders’ rights to make changes to house, condo In 2003, when John and Ranmalie Brooker signed an agreement to buy a new condominium from a builder, the floor plans for the unit showed there would be a […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca February 9, 2008 House must be completely empty when sale closes Seller’s belongings must be gone from moment keys are handed over It’s a question virtually every homebuyer asks: When do I get my keys? The answer usually is that the keys are released when the seller’s lawyer receives the money and […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca February 9, 2008 Direct Energy maintenance plan leaves me in the cold So you think you have a total parts and service maintenance contract on your furnace? Think again. In the last few weeks, I ve learned a great deal about my home heating protection plan, and the more I discovered, […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca February 2, 2008 Tarion proposals should help buyers in delayed closings Tarion Warranty Corp. has released details of its planned changes to the delayed closing warranty for freehold homes. The changes are subject to final government approval, and are slated to go into effect July 1. A new seven-page compulsory attachment to […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca January 26, 2008 Is secrecy a major structural defect in buyer protection? How will buyers of new homes in Ontario know the meaning of a "major structural defect" under the Tarion warranty if the corporation imposes a gag agreement on settlements of lawsuits against it? That’s the question after a secret resolution […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca January 19, 2008 Lack of contract invites heartbreak For Rick and Lori Bryden, the climax of a sad and costly tale is set for Jan. 29; that’s the day the local sheriff in Brockville is slated to auction off their dream home-turned-nightmare. They never even got to move in. The saga began […]
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca January 5, 2008 House fraud decision rocks industry Bank ‘did not take steps to scrutinize power of attorney,’ judge rules It took the better part of 18 months and more than $30,000 in legal fees, but Paul Reviczky has his property back in his own name, with the $337,500 mortgage in favour […]