Home > Blogs > Hope Designs > Hope Designs Blog-Turn "Just listed" into SOLD!

Buyer Beware

By Hope Designs

Home Stager with Hope Designs

May 28, 2008 02:39 PM

Buyer Beware......

Things to consider when searching for that dream home in paradise:

You have found the town. You have found the perfect home in a quaint neighbourhood, large trees, manicured lawns, huge lots, the perfect white picket fence scenario. Your family is so excited, this home is ideal, just where you have always wanted to live, on the water, close to shopping etc.

But BEWARE: there is an acute doctor shortage in all of Ontario, or all of Canada for that matter. Consider will you be able to access a family doctor or is there a hospital that has an emergency department in the town of your dreams?

Whose responsibility is it to find this information out? One suggestion, is to go to the Chamber of Commerce and inquire or search and search some more on the internet. Stop in at local restaurants and shops and ask around, whom better to ask than the people who live and work in that area. It is better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you have reached the retirement age it becomes more and more difficult to drive distances for the medical attention you may need. And / or you are a young couple with a growing family. That perfect house in that perfect town may not be the place for you.

Comments(6)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc. - College Station, TX

Texas Aggie Real Estate, College Station Bryan Texas Real Estate

Why is there such a doctor shortage in Canada?

May 28, 2008 02:49 PM

Hope Designs

Hope Designs - Bolton, ON

Hope Designs, Toronto’s Award Winning Home Staging

Hi Susan: The real reason is because in Ontario (not sure about all of Canada) Dr's have a cap on their salary i.e. here in Canada Dr's are only allowed to make approx. 2,000 K. Although they may work long hours they can only bill for up to that amount. Therefore many of them opt to relocate to the US or Europe where they can be paid relative to the # of hours they work, usually doubling their salary. Although Dr's from all over the world are educated and trained here, they do not choose to practice here for long (unfortunately)...

P.S. this is just my opinion (a lay persons response)

May 28, 2008 03:01 PM

Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging

2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

One main reason, in Ontario is that the province reduced the number of graduate schools for doctors as well as capping the number of students allowed to enrol.

Another reason is that in Canada we only recognize Doctor's medical degrees from a small number of countries. For example, a Doctor in England (UK) can NOT come to Canada and open a practice. They would have to go to one of our medical colleges and 'upgrade'. If they can get admitted. Only a handful of immigrant doctors are allowed in to our medical colleges to earn a Canadian Degree each year...something rediculous like 200/year!

May 30, 2008 06:14 AM

Hi Dane: Thanks so much for your comments and for contributing to this topic, your points are extremely valid and truthful. Unfortunately this is a huge problem in Ontario, one that is not often discussed. Thanks again and good luck with your new home!

Jun 02, 2008 03:16 AM

Susan Emo

Kingston, ON

Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

We're fortunate here in the 1000 Islands. Several of our 'seasoned' Drs retired finally and we now have 5 new family doctors who have just set up practice. We have access to a fabulous teaching hospital, Kingston General, associated with Queen's University. We also have Brockville General to the east of us.

Many communities have fund raising events to secure enough funds to 'convince' a young doctor to set up practice. I hear it costs a community approx $200K to entice a Dr to move in. Times are a changin

Jun 08, 2008 05:16 AM

Hi Susan: Thanks for reading my blog and for your comments. The "times sure are a changin", lol.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Jun 08, 2008 10:58 AM

Buyer Beware

Comments(6)

Hope Designs

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information