Are you considering investing in real estate south of the border? Here’s a little backgrounder. It’s been concluded that borrowing related to real estate primarily fueled the credit bubble in the U.S. It is my understanding that as homeowners defaulted on their mortgage loans, the financial institutions then devolved many of their losses (and responsibilities) … Read more
Should you buy or sell first? Downsizing? Family growing? Relocating? These are some of the many reasons for wanting to move. The key to your decision on whether you should sell or buy first is planning ahead and we’d like to help you explore all of your options. For those that don’t have the financial … Read more
Buyer Beware – Buying Real Estate with Confidence A mortgage broker, a REALTOR®, a lawyer and a financial planner in the same room at the same time, offering a FREE workshop, and answering all of your questions about purchasing real estate. This unique real estate seminar will provide you with insights to avoid pitfalls and … Read more
The warranty insurance program in is basically worthless to homeowners, and allows corners to be cut in construction. “Buyer beware” remains a challenge, and even the best due diligence conducted by a buyer still presents unreasonable uncertainty.
Information savvy consumers have long expected a builder to provide specific maintenance and warranty details in a format that is easy to use and access. Besides, the warranty coverage itself will be dependent upon the homeowner being compliant and doing proper maintenance, which usually requires being able to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, and regardless … Read more
On December 17th Coquitlam and Port Moody were left scrambling to deal with a major mudslide that washed out the backyard of a home in the 1000 block of Corona Crescent in Coquitlam, pushing debris down the hill to Brookmount Road in Port Moody. A burst water main caused the mudslide which left a 50′ (approx. 15m) … Read more
Consumers seeking the services of a home inspector are reminded to ask before signing a home inspection contract to see the Consumer Protection BC wallet-sized licence issued to home inspectors. Effective March 31, 2009, British Columbia became the first province in Canada, through the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation, requiring the licensing of all those individuals … Read more
The sudden discontinuation on July 31, 2009, of the HPO Reconstruction Loan Program by Housing Minister, Rich Coleman and his government was unconscionable. They have now brought consumer protection to an all-time low in BC. In the Fall of 2007 the Homeowner Protection Office received an independent report from McClanaghan and Associates which clearly pointed … Read more
A Port Moody condominium apartment for sale which I was showing to a woman was advertised as a two (2) bedroom. I discovered upon showing that it was in fact a one (1) bedroom and den. Well it turns out that the developer originally sold these properties as two bedroom units to unsuspecting Buyers (hopefully … Read more
Leaky Condo reconstruction costs have soared past $3 billion so far, and that doesn’t include the indirect societal costs borne by British Columbians that nobody is tracking. Since only about 20 percent of leaky condo owners met the government imposed “means test” of the Homeowner Protection Office loan program, the $670 million in HPO victim … Read more