Conditions exist to safeguard interests of purchasers
A booming real estate market last year caused an uptick in offers with no conditions, a phenomenon which can harm buyers, writes Toronto real estate lawyer Lisa Laredo in The…
New legislation proposes to increase protection for new homebuyers
Although the Ontario new home warranties plan has been in effect for more than 40 years, it has given rise to persistent complaints of an appearance of conflict of interest…
Speculation tax more political than practical
The Ontario government's recently announced policy changes won’t have a significant impact on the real estate market. Non-resident speculation tax The government’s 15 per cent tax on the purchase price…
Check with condo board before decking halls
Toronto real estate lawyer Lisa Laredo advises condo owners to check with their boards on the guidelines for holiday adornments before stringing up lights and holiday decorations. Toronto has hundreds…
Buying a freehold or condo checklist
Here is a list of things that should be included in your contract of services to be performed by your lawyer when you make condominium or freehold home purchases: Review…
The need for standardization, regulation of home inspectors
A person who purchases a used home in Ontario accepts it as is without any warranty as to its condition or fitness as a home. There are two exceptions to…
Controversial ruling in Spence unlikely to apply to many other estates cases
The court decision in Spence v. BMO Trust Company, 2015 ONSC 615 (CanLII) has led to concerns about court interference and uncertainty in estate planning. An Ontario court judge held…
Pros and cons of purchasing a new or resale condo
A recent Toronto Star article reports that more than 20,000 new condominium units were completed in Toronto in 2014, and that by the end of October, almost 19,000 new units…
Airbnb can leave hosts open to legal action
Airbnb is a fairly new company, founded in 2008, that uses a social networking model to connect travellers with hosts willing to sublet space to them for a short period…
In cases of dual agency, disclosure is key
If a real estate agent intends to act for both the buyer and the seller in a transaction, they must fully disclose the arrangement to all parties – or risk jeopardizing…
