The Costliest Disaster in Canadian History In its zeal to torque stories about Fort Mac, the Canadian media has forgotten the actual largest disaster in Canada with headlines like this: “Fort McMurray wildfire estimated to be costliest disaster in Canada”. Dropping the word “natural” makes the headline of this article (and many others) inaccurate. The … Read more
Leaky Port Moody City Hall The citizens of Port Moody have just been served a special assessment, and they’ll need to pay “$3.8M to fix leaky city hall,” as reported in the Tri-City News of April 24, 2015. In rounded figures, if the approximately 13,000 residential households are contributing around two-thirds to the tax base, … Read more
BUYER BEWARE: Public Seminar 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 20th With a wealth of information available, it’s clear that today’s consumer is quite capable when it comes to buying a home. The irony is that smart people are still buying homes and having problems as a result of relying on much of the … Read more
Written Proof of the Depreciation Report As a client looking to buy in a strata apartment or townhouse, I want to have for you written proof of the depreciation report; at least being well underway. Lawyers will always remind a buyer that if you’re seeking peace of mind then, “Get it in writing”! No report, … Read more
Port Moody, BC: Realtor, John Grasty has teamed up with theV3H.com to bring a set of comprehensive guides to the neighbourhoods of Port Moody. It’s always been the goal of Jon Strocel and the team behind theV3H.com to create online resources that help us feel more connected as a community. When residents or potential residents … Read more
Buyer Beware: Real Estate Panel | Wednesday, March 7th. This unique real estate seminar will provide you with insights to avoid pitfalls as a buyer, and ways to protect yourself. Buying or selling real estate is a big decision and the more informed you are, the more successful the process. This is an opportunity to … Read more
With a wealth of information available, it’s clear that today’s consumer is quite capable when it comes to buying a home. The irony is that too many smart people are still buying homes and having problems. It’s common place to purchase a home and then discover that there’s something wrong with it after the fact. … Read more
Since there was no remaining meaningful consumer protection activities or responsibilities being conducted at the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), it is no surprise to learn that the HPO is quietly closing its doors. HOMEOWNER PROTECTION ACT RESPONSIBILITIES TRANSFERRED The announcement last summer that the HPO interest-free loan program (designed to keep Leaky Condo owners in … 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
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