Ever wonder if the guy down the street from you is really allowed to keep a pet elephant? What about the lady who just opened a butcher shop in her garage or the religious group which has its place of worship in the community park? The use of land in a community can be a…
Real estate has long been a much sought after type of investment due to its income earning potential and its historical trend of increasing in value over time. In fact, many believe they will “cash in” by holding real estate in their asset portfolio and eventually selling it for significant profits. However, there are tax…
The City or Town you choose to live in should be beautiful and a source of pride for not only you, but all of its residents. Although beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, municipalities impose a set of rules as to how owners are to maintain their homes and properties so that our…
Having a will is undoubtedly an essential part of proper estate planning, yet many individuals do not make this a priority. With so many on-line gimmicks proposing quick and easy do-it-yourself will kits, it is not surprising the vast majority of people who use them do not realize the difficulties their loved ones will face…
Recently, dozens of home and business owners in Goderich suffered tremendous losses as a result of one of the most severe tornadoes to hit Ontario in 15 years. If you know you would not have the right insurance coverage to rebuild and cover your financial loss after a tornado, fire, flood or other natural disaster…
Despite the obvious benefits of owning a cottage or investment property, there are numerous issues that can arise when they are transferred. For example: Which children, if any, are interested in future ownership? Which one(s) do you want to transfer it to? What are the tax and probate fee implications to transferring the property now…
A survey is a two-part report prepared by a qualified Ontario Land Surveyor pursuant to the Surveys Act (Ontario) bearing the seal of the surveyor. It consists of a plan showing the features of the land, such as buildings, fences, and natural features, and a written report (often endorsed on the plan) indicating any encroachments…
A mortgage pre-approval is a document from a lender stating that a prospective buyer may have the income, assets and credit to carry the mortgage required to purchase a house of some assumed value. Some of its uses are briefly described here: The initial review of your financial profile indicates the maximum loan amount a…
After taking possession of a new home, there are some maintenance and safety issues that should be addressed immediately. The following checklist should help you undertake these improvements: -Change the locks on all exterior entrances, for improved security. -Check that all windows and doors are secure. Improve window hardware as necessary. Security rods can be…
Purchasers of newly constructed homes are often surprised to receive after closing omitted or supplementary property tax bills. They are issued because between annual assessments of property values, properties continue to change. For example, new homes are constructed, owners renovate, additions are built and the uses of properties change. The change in the current value…
