The two estate agents in this story know their industry, know how things done, and apparently don’t like it when someone steps out of line. I regularly receive complaints from clients who tell me that they have been bullied or otherwise harassed by estate agents for asking too many questions, wanting to remove onerous special conditions from a contract or even adding a “subject to finance” clause to a contract. But if you really want...
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Haunted house? Seven years’ bad luck? Poor feng shi? What matters to home buyers can vary, but does it get to a point where vendors have an obligation to disclose such issues as though they are defects? Within the industry, such dwellings are known as ‘stigmatised properties’ because they are judged to carry baggage that makes them less desirable. Stigmatised properties include homes where murders and deaths — or other crimes or misfortunes —...
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The Victorian State Government has bent over backwards to assist real estate agents whose own professional body has contributed to this debacle. But it appears that there is a long way to go before the matter is resolved. “To put the allegation at its simplest, whomever approved the form on behalf of the director (CAV) did not properly read the Estate Agent Act. Further, whomever at the REIV had responsibility for preparing the pro...
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It’s not just in Australia that young people are relying on the “Bank of Mum & Dad” or and inheritance. A new report from Sanlam UK has revealed 34% of 25-45-year-olds would use inheritance to purchase property – the second most commonly cited use. Whilst saving or investing came top at 38%, alarmingly, almost a quarter (24%) will be relying on inheritance to pay off debt. Today, parents are handing out an average of £18,000...
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The new financial year brings a fresh opportunity for first home buyers. If you have kids or grand-kids who will be looking to buy their first home sometime in the next decade, or you are still hoping to achieve that goal yourself, the Government’s new First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) is an absolute no-brainer. http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/paul-rickard/a-no-brainer-for-first-home-owners20181904/ Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B – Australian Legal Practitioner, Consumer Advocate and Principal of Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd...
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