Electronic signatures legal in real estate deals staring July 1, 2015

by admin | Jun 26, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Need for written contracts dated back to a 1677 English law Next week marks a sea change in Ontario real property law when it becomes legal to electronically sign agreements of purchase and sale, as well as deeds and mortgages creating or...

Hidden purchase fees can cost you thousands

by admin | Jun 12, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Real estate agents and builders don’t always tell you about the thousands of dollars in hidden fees Two areas involving builder agreements of purchase and sale that cry out for action by the new homes provincial watchdog are disclosure of...

Mom helping son with down payment ends miserably

by admin | May 29, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca When parents assist with a down payment, it’s important to clarify in writing whether it is a gift or a loan before families fall apart. With the high price of housing these days, more buyers are turning to the Bank of Mom and Dad for help in...

Condo Act reform may cause more trouble than it solves

by admin | May 15, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca New tax to cover the cost part of proposal for Condo Office “If Shakespeare was alive today and owned a condo in Ontario (let’s say Stratford), he would have ample material for a new play about disagreements in condo projects.”...

Only buyer, specific relatives can be on title for HST rebate

by admin | May 1, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Having her uncle on title to get financing disqualifed an Oakville woman for federal rebate. Back in June 2011, Angela Maria Henao and her aunt signed an agreement to buy a new house on Quetico Cres. in Oakville. With the June 2012, closing date...

Honouring the end of real-estate racism in Canada

by admin | Apr 17, 2015 | 2015 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Plaque unveiled in London, Ont. marks Supreme Court ruling to ban property sale discrimination A precedent-setting court decision, marked this week with a plaque, was based on a denied land sale on the Lake Huron shore. Across Canada there are...