OPINIONby Tim O’Dwyer M.A., LL.BSolicitorConsumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au What if sellers don’t ‘fess up if there’s no record of council inspections? They can sell regardless! What if a seller’s carport, garage or deck was built illegally? No selling worries! What if a home is termite-riddled? Don’t tell! And if sellers obtain a pre-sale building report showing heaps of problems? Don’t mention the report! This is why “buyer beware” is the first unwritten rule of real...
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by Tim O’Dwyer M.A., LL.BSolicitorConsumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au When consumer advocate Neil Jenman sent me a clipping of The Courier-Mail’s report on the 2007 winner of the Office of Fair Trading’s TradeSmart Award, he added a frank warning. “Make sure you have a bucket ready,” he said, “because this’ll make you want to spew.” I was more dismayed than sickened to read how Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech (in one of her most outrageous acts...
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