Developer truly was a ‘giant’ in the building trade

by admin | Dec 17, 2005 | 2005, 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 17, 2005 Developer truly was a ‘giant’ in the building trade In a touching tribute to the late Marco Muzzo in last Saturday’s New in Homes section, writer Pat Brennan described an incident in which the developer was standing at the...

Mortgage fraud persists with cash-back schemes

by admin | Dec 10, 2005 | 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 10, 2005 Mortgage fraud persists with cash-back schemes Despite the concerted efforts of every stakeholder in the real estate industry, the message that real estate fraud doesn’t pay is apparently not getting through to everyone in the...

Truly innocent people may lose homes to fraud

by admin | Dec 3, 2005 | 2005, 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca December 3, 2005 Truly innocent people may lose homes to fraud The Ontario Court of Appeal recently wrote what may be the final chapter in the case of two mortgages, signed using a forged power of attorney. Unless it is appealed and overturned...

Check to see if home is under warranty

by admin | Nov 26, 2005 | 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 26, 2005 Check to see if home is under warranty New construction must be covered Yet some builders try to sneak by The first question for a prospective homebuyer to ask at the builder’s sales office should always be: “Are you registered...

Survey can thwart real estate fraud

by admin | Nov 19, 2005 | 2005, 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 19, 2005 Survey can thwart real estate fraud I’ve often said a land survey is the most important document in a real estate transaction. Without one, the buyer of a new or resale home cannot accurately determine the exact dimensions and...

Check sealed areas during home inspection

by admin | Nov 12, 2005 | 2005, 2005 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca November 12, 2005 Check sealed areas during home inspection When conducting an inspection, is a home inspector required to gain access to sealed areas like an attic or crawl space to conduct a complete inspection? If those areas aren’t viewed,...