"Development is a tough game and United Properties has been at it for some time, so it is quite unique to have such a developer run into this kind of difficulty," said real estate lawyer Ron Usher.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/05/21/bc-the-anvil-in-trouble.html

What a frivolous review; who the heck is this guy (mis)representing anyway?

The Matsqui Group of Companies claimed to have "earned a sterling reputation in the building and development industry" prior to the Brio in Abbotsford collapsing 3 months ago.

The Bosa's, Polygons, etc., all built multiple leaky condos but paid only a fraction of the remediation costs, and then only with a "Gag Order".  They also passed on their ‘difficulties' to the owners, who paid the lion's share of the costs, and it appears things aren't likely to change soon; neither is the quality of construction by the way.

I believe that United Properties themselves developed and sold leaky condos before going into and coming out of insolvency to finish and begin new projects.

The fact is that doing research into the reputation of any builder in BC is impossible, and worse if relied upon.

If you saw Condo Crunch on CBC Marketplace you would have seen Jasmine Wong and Kenny Chang, from Burnaby publicly showing documents with what appears to be Rennie Marketing letterhead. They said in the show that their Vancouver condo didn't turn out to be what was portrayed in the floor plan they saw when purchasing the unit.

In a previous post I wrote, "With so many multifamily developments failing, ‘weasel word' warranties, and the legalized ‘bait & switch' tactics, the general business acumen and morality of builders and the home building industry leaves the consumer with an overall lack of confidence." 

Unfortunately, through the Anvil in New Westminster, and so many other miserable failures, the home building industry continues to prove it. 

Meanwhile the actions and words of senior governments are only superficial when it comes to protecting the public.  Do you really think politicians care?

There is no political will to cut off the hand that feeds them, and let's face it the developers have always owned the politicians.

Let the buyer beware prevails...

John in Port Moody, BC

Real Estate Evolved