Historic house turns into ‘renovation from hell’

by admin | Aug 29, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca When Amos Hertzman and Caitlin Pencarrick bought their small frame house in Vancouver’s historical Strathcona neighbourhood five years ago, they never imagined it would turn into the “renovation from hell.” Nor could they have...

Insist on fireplace inspection when purchasing home

by admin | Aug 22, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca I was reviewing an offer to purchase a Toronto house last week and was surprised to see a condition that I had never seen before in an offer on a city home. The clause made the agreement conditional on the buyer obtaining a satisfactory Wood...

Sellers statement often results in expensive court proceedings

by admin | Aug 15, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Back in the spring of 2004, Timothy and Cherese Scherbak signed a listing agreement to sell their property on Boland Ave. in Sudbury, using the services of Wendy Weddell and Re/Max Sudbury Inc. The Sellers Property Information Statement (SPIS), which they signed at...

Privacy and personal photos at heart of case

by admin | Aug 8, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

A decision released by the Supreme Court of Canada last month raises the interesting question of how much privacy an individual may expect with respect to personal photographs taken inside his or her own home. The story began in June 2001. Agnieska Wojtanowska (Agnes)...

A street by any other name is just as sweet

by admin | Aug 1, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Some roads named in a person’s honour are well thought out; other choices come into question Searching title to a local condominium townhouse last month, I was surprised and pleased to discover a Toronto street name that was completely new to...