|
|
 |
Spring is coming!
Hi friends, clients! Here we are in the middle of February & have only received 50cm of our usual 150cm of annual snow. This dryer weather has certainly kept me on my toes in the real estate world. January was my busiest sales month over all months last year. With all the changes coming down the wire for mortgages, HST & home insurance, people have decided to buy/sell now before things change. I encourage all of you who may be thinking of buying or selling in 2010 to hop to it - well priced homes are going quickly! Curious what your home is worth? Call me... |
|
|
St. Catharines Lakeshore Road Condominium for $134,900
Lovely condo townhouse on Lakeshore Road in north St. Catharines. Great location near shopping, bus, Port Dalhousie. Sliding patio doors from living room lead to park space behind. Dining room with pass through to kitchen allows light to flow through the unit. All appliances included. 3 Bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms, recreation room down. No more shovelling and landscaping worries. - view virtual tour at www.SallyDollar.com
|
 |
| What does a Lawyer do in a Real Estate Purchase?
 You might wonder what a lawyer is supposed to do in a real estate deal? Part of my Buyer/Seller consultation would be explaining the list of professionals that a buyer or seller may need along the way in a real estate transaction. I always advise my clients, just as I do about hiring real estate agents, to call around and speak to a few different lawyers or other professionals and ask friends and family for references before deciding which professional they choose to work for them.
For Lawyers, according to the standards of practice, when undertaking the representation of a client in the purchase of a residential property, a solicitor must always:
1) Prior to the execution of an agreement of purchase and sale
· Advise with respect to the agreement, with reference to the title opinion available from the purchase
2) After execution of the agreement
· Review the agreement immediately
· Advise with respect to the need for a new survey or updating of the survey
· Arrange for the preparation of a new survey, if necessary
· Advise with respect to the manner of taking title
3) Commencement of the processing of a file
· review the title search and check details of size of lot, mortgages etc. against the terms in the agreement of purchase and sale
· consider the applicability of section 50 of the Planning Act, assist in any application for severance, if required, make any searches of adjoining properties that may be required
· check plan of survey for encroachment of buildings, fences and eaves, size of lot
4) letter of requisitions
· review draft requisitions
· incorporate any of the problems arising out of the search, the agreement of purchase and sale, the plan of survey and other inquiries
5) review documents and correspondence from vendor's solicitors
· review Undertakings
6) interview Clients to review file and sign documents
· review of search
· review plan of survey especially with respect to municipal by-laws, encroachments, agreement of purchase and sales, registered restrictions, boundaries, location of buildings and out-buildings and access to the property
· take instructions with respect to extensions and further undertakings
7) Report
· Preparation of Title Opinion
· Review of Fee to be charged
These are the seven areas in a transaction where the solicitor is expected to have specific and direct dealings with the matter. They cannot be delegated to a third party paralegal, no matter how experienced that person may be.
It is evident that this expectation is not always observed by all law offices. Nevertheless, this is intended to be the minimum practice standard. In some law offices a solicitor will have a greater involvement. These are simply the matters that should not be delegated. They are considered to be that important and that integral to the transaction.
In all circumstances, the law firm will be responsible for the work undertaken by its employees and those to whom it has delegated a portion of the work.
From the perspective of a real estate agent, you will notice that a review of the agreement, that is, prior to execution, is the personal responsibility of the lawyer acting for the purchaser in every case. The mere fact, that you don't send it, doesn't mean that the client doesn't get charged for this review. It's just too late for any worthwhile input.
You will notice the importance of the survey to the purchaser's solicitor. Title insurance is not an answer. It is simply a method of risk management. The answer whatever it may be, is still found in the survey. If there is one, get it to the purchaser's solicitor as soon as possible, and if there isn't one, let them know right away. Don't hold onto this information. The clock is ticking, and you're the one who set the time limit. So, be careful!
In any event, it's important to know the roles of various parties assisting your client in the transaction.
|
|
| Home Electrical Fires
 Dont take chances with your wiring. If there are any indicators of electrical issues that arise in our home inspection or prior, I advise my clients that they should have a licensed master electrician in to check or have an Electrical Safety Inspection prior to removing our conditions in a sale. I dont take chances with my family, and I advise my clients just the same. Read the article below and make sure that you have working smoke detectors and that any electrical work is done by a licensed contractor. Safety is the utmost importance in a home purchase/sale and our day to day living.
33% of residential fires link to electrical distribution equipment. Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) warns the public that 33% of residential fires reported by the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are associated with electrical distribution equipment. This includes: electrical circuit wiring, damaged or improperly rated extension cords or cable, panel and circuit boards, and receptacles and switches; and are prevalent in both copper and aluminum wiring systems. Investigations of these electrical fires identified that 34% are attributed to incorrect or improper installation and procedure.
Through recent research conducted with Ontario homeowners, ESA identified that 47% of residents living in homes 15 to 50 years old have modified or replaced electrical wiring and electrical components. This increased to 84% for homes greater than 50 years. Electrical wiring is complicated and presents safety hazards if not properly installed and maintained. Homeowners are encouraged to ensure their electrical installations meet the safety standards defined in the Ontario Electrical Safety Code by engaging a licensed electrical contractor to evaluate their electrical system if they have signs of potential electrical hazards, such as: circuit breakers that frequently trip or fuses that frequently blow, lights that flicker, and signs of wiring deterioration; or if they have concerns about the qualifications of individuals who previously worked on their electrical system. In response to concerns about unqualified individuals doing electrical work, Ontario regulation was introduced in January 2007 requiring any person operating an electrical contracting business to be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority. Homeowners should retain the services of a licensed electrical contractor to ensure their electrical installations are done correctly and safely. In addition, homeowners should confirm with their licensed electrical contractor that an application for inspection was filed with the Electrical Safety Authority for any electrical work done on their premises, and ask for a copy of the Certificate of Inspection - their record that the installation meets Ontario's safety standards.
When planning to do electrical work, think about the risks associated with unsafe electrical installations. Contact a licensed electrical contractor, and make sure they arrange for an electrical permit. Visit www.pluginsafely.ca for a list of licensed electrical contractors in Ontario.
|
|
| Sally's Recycling Challenge
 Recycling is a passion of mine that I would like to pass on to everyone. In our house, we dont have a garbage can - we have managed to put out a small wastebasket a month in our garbage. We recycle everything and I challenge you all to do the same. We sort our plastic, glass and paper to bins right in our kitchen. My daughter is collecting aluminum cans and tin cans from our home and the Royal Canadian Legion and friends and family for metal to fund her trip to Paris France this March Break. We compost our kitchen waste, dryer lint, swiffer sheets and dog poo! We also keep in mind when we are buying things that we want to encourage less waste by reducing the packaging as well. When we have larger or broken or old things, we choose to Free-cycle them instead of sending them to a landfill. (visit my website to find out more about Freecycling and get the links). Just because we are done using something does not mean that its life should be doomed to end up in landfill - old sheets/towels can go to the humane society, old elctronics can be refurbished or parted out for 3rd world countries, students and young people starting out would love to have your old tv or couch or coffee pot. GIVE IT A TRY! I challenge you to do without your garbage can for a month! Let me know how you do! Sally
Weekly Recycling Schedule
Where to Buy a Blue/Grey Box
Where to Take Used Items (Enviro Guide)
Liquor Bottle Returns Acceptable Items
Non Recyclable Items Apartment Recycling
Electronic Recycling Tire Recycling
Recyclable material is collected every week (alternating between Blue and Grey Box) on the same day as your garbage.
Set your Blue Box out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, but no sooner than 8 p.m. the evening before.
For more information on recycling in Niagara and schedules and acceptable things, check out this website:
http://www.niagararegion.ca/living/waste/Recycling.aspx
Tips for setting out your Blue and Grey Box
Flatten and Tie Cardboard
Large cardboard may be placed next to recycling containers, only if they are flattened and tied to be no larger than 90 cm x 90 cm x 90 cm (3' x 3' x 3').
Secure all Loose Items
Place materials inside box. Squeeze pop cans, large plastic bottles and beverage cartons to save space. Fill boxboard boxes with other boxboard materials. Stack your Blue/Grey Boxes on top of one another to prevent items from blowing away. Place heavier items on top of loose paper.
Avoid Plastic Bags
Do not place containers or paper products in plastic grocery bags.
When Windy, Place Boxes at Curb in Morning, instead of Night before
On windy days, place your recycling boxes out for collection on the morning of your collection day by 7 a.m. instead of the night before. This will help to prevent litter on the streets.
|
|
|
| If you are looking for information on real estate, give me a call or send me an email. I offer a free market evaluation as well as a free Buyer information session to take you through the forms and processes step by step. Email me today! |
|
|
| All offices are independently owned and operated, except those offices marked as "Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd." Not intended to solicit currently listed properties. The above information is from sources believed reliable, however, no responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of this information.
©2010 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund.
|
 |
|
|
Comments(0)