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...

Have mortgage financing in place prior to closing

by admin | Jul 18, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Back in November 2005, Nahid Eskandapour signed an agreement with Lebovic Enterprises Ltd. to buy a new home on Colony Rd. in Richmond Hill. The closing was originally scheduled for Feb. 14, 2006, but was extended several times until the final...

Buying inducements must be disclosed

by admin | Jul 11, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Lenders need to have all pertinent information to prevent mortgage fraud allegations An Alberta court has ruled that the contents of a lawyer’s file in a real estate transaction may be disclosed to the police when no legal advice was...

Straw homebuyer scheme is illegal

by admin | Jul 4, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Melanie came to her lawyer’s office in tears. Two years earlier she had received $5,000 from a “friend” to allow her name to be used on the purchase of a property by someone who could not qualify for bank financing. She signed...