Real Estate Evolved: Buyer Beware

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

Cutting corners in construction…

This is not the place to cut corners in construction When I read this today it reminded me of what became clear during the Barrett Commission hearings over a decade ago in British Columbia.  The many engineering assessments being conducted on leaky condos were turning up dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of building code violations. At one … Read more

Insurance companies not honouring warranties…

Insurance companies not honouring new leaky condo warranties: owners Insurers say lack of maintenance by owners is source of some problems CBC – Monday, June 22, 2009 | 9:38 AM PT Thousands of B.C. condominum owners have had to live behind walls of plastic while their leaky buildings were repaired. (CBC) Some owners of recently … Read more

Unproven 6-Storey Wood Frame Buildings Raise Serious Questions…

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008HSD0079-001459.pdf It is difficult to understand the motivation of our provincial government to throw so much of the housing ministry’s resources into another initiative (this time 6-storey wood frame buildings) that does nothing to improve homeowner protection in BC. How are the same people that can’t build a 4-storey building right, possibly going to achieve … Read more

How do I avoid buying a leaky condo?

One year ago the following article which I wrote was published in the “pros & condos” section of Western Living Condo. Since then I have made it available to the public and other Realtors through my website and seminars. From feedback received I know it has already helped buyers so I thought it would be … Read more

Is it a quirk of fate that the Sheraton Guildford Hotel leaks?

For many years the home builders association has been holding seminars for homebuyers at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel. Leaky Surrey hotel at centre of lawsuit -Ted Colley, Surrey Now – Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 As a co-founder of the Coalition of Leaky Condo Owners, I along with some of my concerned colleagues attended these … Read more

Buyer Beware; a public service seminar

With all the responsibilities of buying and selling real estate, the need for risk management is crucial. Whether pre-sale or resale, the onus for property evaluation is always on the buyer, although it is becoming more popular with sellers to have their own pre-sale inspection done to ensure that they are disclosing what needs to be … Read more

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