Is it right for agents to turn a blind eye to signs of grow-op?

by admin | Nov 10, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 10,2007 Is it right for agents to turn a blind eye to signs of grow-op? Fred and Ginger (not their real names, of course) are looking for a Toronto home within their budget. They thought they had found the ideal house in the Kennedy...

Buyer beware if you want that GST rebate

by admin | Nov 3, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 3,2007 Buyer beware if you want that GST rebate With the GST falling again from 6 per cent to 5 per cent buyers of new homes should be warned about a practice some builders have employed to scoop the purchasers’ transitional rebates....

Federal tax cut already in effect

by admin | Nov 3, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 3, 2007 Federal tax cut already in effect New homes bought since Oct. 30, 2007 eligible for 5 per cent GST rate While the GST officially won’t drop from 6 per cent to 5 per cent until Jan. 1, 2008, the new rate is already in effect for...

New home worthless, assessor rules

by admin | Oct 27, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 27,2007 New home worthless, assessor rules An interesting decision of the Assessment Review Board last year may be the first Ontario case in which the value of a new home was assessed at zero dollars for tax purposes. As well, it could...

‘Effluent society’ can’t afford to flush ‘n’ forget

by admin | Oct 20, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 20,2007 ‘Effluent society’ can’t afford to flush ‘n’ forget When we flush the toilets in our homes, few of us ever give any thought to the process. It’s a routine motion that banishes waste and ensures cleanliness. Routine, that is,...

The worth of an emailed signature lost in legislation

by admin | Oct 13, 2007 | 2007 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca October 13,2007 The worth of an emailed signature lost in legislation Why is it possible to buy and sell real estate by faxing agreements, but not by email? That’s the question asked by Hamilton real estate lawyer Larry Bremner of Gowling...