What To Expect From Your Lawyer When Buying A Condo?

What Does A Condo Lawyer Do?

First Published Date: Nov 14, 2010

When you are buying a condo, you need to have a lawyer because they will help you get through all the complicated parts of the condo purchasing process, helping you make sure you get exactly what you want when you buy a home.

The lawyer is going to talk to you about several things that will be of interest to you, many of which you may not know about. Knowing these things will help ensure you get what you want out of your purchase.

HST is something that many people do not understand, nor like. It is also something to consider when you are buying a condo. There is an HST Rebate that is meant to give you money back on large purchases like a house, but if you don’t know how to file for this rebate, you could lose out big time. A condo lawyer can help you get the rebate, which will help you pay for that new condo of yours.

The contract can be very complicated and you may feel as though it is written in a different language. A condo lawyer is going to be able to go over that contract with you and give you help in understanding what is being said in the contract. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they are buying a house or a condo is they just buy the condo and sign the contract without reading it. However, did you know about things like caps? Just like a salary cap in the NHL, a cap on fees keeps you from paying too much. Cap costs have gone up by nine times in ten years, but if you just sign a condo contract without having a lawyer look at it first, you could end up paying as much as $10,000 more than what you needed to, just in closing cap costs like gas hook ups.

There are going to be several fees associated with your purchase and developers love these fees because it is essentially free money for them. As a result, if you don’t read the condo contract properly, you could end up paying thousands in useless and unwanted fees. A condo lawyer knows what developers try to do and they know how to keep you from paying for fees. Everything from purchase fees to fees on utility hookups are going to be charged, and you don’t want that to happen. Have the lawyer look over the contract carefully because the savings you get from not paying too much for your condo will offset the amount you pay for a lawyer immensely.

Here are a few things you can expect from a lawyer:

– Explain, prepare and register all related legal documents, such as purchase contract, title, HST rebate etc.
– Scrutinize that there are no liens, easements, covenants, unpaid taxes, unpaid utilities etc against the condo.
– Arrange title insurance protection, review all the closing papers you need to sign, and ensure your registered
ownership does not make you liable for more than what you have accepted.
-  Explain and advice you on your rights, obligations and protect your interests in case of a dispute.
– Assist you to close the transaction through province’s electronic registration system.

Before you hire a condo lawyer, you should talk with friends and families to find out any lawyers they have used and whether or not you should need one. You can also talk to your realtor but it is better to get a lawyer who is not affiliated with a realty agency. Finding a good condo lawyer will ensure you do not pay too much and you get exactly what you paid for.

Is The American Express Gold Rewards Credit Card A Good Hybrid Card? .

How Good Are Hybrid Cards?

First Published Date: May 28, 2016

A common question everyone asks is how the American Express Gold Rewards Card holds up when compared to other hybrid credit cards. Today, I will look at a few points you should consider before pledging your allegiance to any hybrid credit cards.

Because of many big rewards sites and TV ads promoting the Amex Gold Rewards Card (I wrote more on this here: What Rewards Canada Is Not Telling You About Its Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards), many of us think that it’s the best hybrid credit card out there because it offers 2 points on maximum categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. However, the problem with this is that you should not purchase big-ticket travel items such as flights, hotels, cruises, etc. with your Amex Gold Rewards Card because it does not offer Trip Cancellation Insurance. Keep in mind it charges a hefty $150 annual fee.

Also, Amex rewards transfer partners are very limited. For example, 6 frequent flyer programs (British Airways Executive Club, Aeroplan, Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, Alitalia, Etihad Airways) and 2 hotel programs (Hilton HHonors and Starwood Preferred Guest).

A better option can be the Amex Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card, which lets you transfer Starpoints to frequent flyer miles with more than 30 airlines or redeem Starpoints for free nights at over 1200 Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 100 countries. However, keep in mind that this card does not offer Trip Cancellation Insurance either.

Another hybrid card, the RBC Visa Infinite Avion ($120 annual fee), offers full suite insurance coverage and offers transfer partners such as WestJet, Asia Miles, Avios points, AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE miles, Esso Extra points or Shoppers Optimum points, etc. So for many, the appeal of this card may be higher due to its insurance coverage.

So picking the best hybrid card depends on what you are looking for from your credit cards, whether it’s the most points, the most transfer partners, or the most insurance coverage.

Get More by Asking

Ask to Save Money

First Published Date: January 20, 2016

Whether you are buying something or renewing a service, credit card, or anything for that matter, it does not hurt to explore opportunities to save money simply by asking. Yes, it may not work all the time, but you will never know the outcome if you don’t ask.

I will discuss two examples that I went through in the last few weeks in which I was able to save more and get more just by asking. The first incident was related to renewal of my hosting package that occurs every three years. I received an automated bill from my hosting company stating my credit card will be charged $360 in two weeks to renew my hosting for the next few years. Instead of just letting it happen, I called my web hosting company to see if they can provide me any discounts. After being on the phone with them for an hour and getting transferred from one department to another three times, the final rep was able to gave me deal with a 45% discount. So I saved $162 and ended up paying $198 – not bad for being on the phone for an hour.

The other example is related to renewing one of my annual fee credit cards. Just before the anniversary date, I called my credit card company and asked them if they could provide me a deal, stating that if not I would cancel my credit card. Sure enough, the rep came up with an offer that rewards me 15,000 points just for keeping the card. Yes, I have to pay a $120 annual fee, but the rewards points are worth more than $500 if I transfer them to airline points on promotion and use them for a flight.

It can definitely pay off to ask for more or discounts whenever opportunities exist.

Real Estate Buying Process In Canada

Canadian Real Estate Purchasing Process Explained

First Published Date: March 26, 2010

Real Estate 101 buying knowledge is very important to sellers and buyers of properties. Learning its basics can facilitate the process of buying. Property buying will always require a client to select his or her realtor, also called an agent. It is very easy to make a mistake at this point by selecting the wrong agency. When trying to purchase a Canadian house, avoid working with a dual agency because of some decision-making limitations. Certainly it has its advantages but as it represents both buyers and sellers, every decision is made after consulting each other.

Selecting a seller agency is not safe too because, as the name suggests, a buyer enjoys no representation at all. A buyer agency is the answer when a person wants to get more information about a real estate ad. Avoid choosing just about any Canadian buyer agency available. There is a realtor available to professionally handle the exact interests any client desires. These agents work on commission basis. Money should only be paid to them if a property is bought.

How does Real Estate 101 purchase process work?

The very first step to fulfill in the property buying process is seeking a mortgage pre-approval. This is a very positive progress that impresses any seller. It involves Mortgage form filling and forwarding all the required documents for approval. This can amazingly boost a buyer’s negotiation position because pre-approval shows his or her seriousness. This makes an agent’s job much easier and swift. He or she won’t continue searching for other properties that might interest the buyer.

Another very important document involved in the process is called a Property Condition Disclosure. A buyer must read it to know about the current property condition, its appliances, heating and water systems and so on. Failure to disclose any crucial detail about the property by the seller is not acceptable legally. An agent’s work is to help a buyer report and solve such a problem legally even after closing the sale.

Do you know what earnest money is in real estate 101 buying? A buyer is required to set a side a predetermined percentage of property cost in a Trust account. This money will be locked in the account until the parties reach an agreement and actually finalize the sale. Any realtor knows about this requirement anywhere in Canada and can provide help. If the first offer made by the buyer is good, a seller might accept it right away. If not a seller will reject this offer and propose another.

A buyer is free to accept, meaning he or she does not have a problem with any changes a seller proposes. Rejecting an offer means that a buyer is done and want to sign a Terminate Contract document. He or she wants to have his or her earnest money back. This gets buyer and the agent in the first step of finding a different property. A counter offer can be disappointing if no agreement is reached. However, if both the seller and buyer negotiate fairly, a final solution can be found. After this the parties are ready to close the sale and the buyer will own the property henceforth.

Declining Canadian Dollar Has Positives Too

Canadian Dollar Slides

First Published Date: January 24, 2016

The Canadian dollar is in a declining mode and hit a 13-year low recently by hitting below 69 cents. This happened last in 2003. There is no sign of moving into positive territory in the short run, as the oil price is staying around or below $30 US.

As a wide array of global issues are unfolding, it’s hard to see anything positive enough to push up the Canadian dollar any time soon. China’s sluggish economy, Iran’s stepping into the global market, and the Syrian crisis are only a few to mention.

However, it can’t be all bad for a dollar that’s at its decade low. Yes, a low dollar means paying more at the groceries, travelling abroad less, and shopping less online and outside Canada, but it has some good sides too.

The film industry, Hollywood North, has experienced an accelerated incoming flow from Hollywood to make more movies due to the low dollar.

The tourism industry is also going through a boost as more visitors are coming in from the USA and across the globe. From hotels to dining, and everything else, the Canadian dollar makes much more sense now than before.

Shopping malls across Canada are experiencing more foreign buyers than ever before. In the past, Canadians are the one to cross the border for bargains, but the picture has reversed, as Americans are finding things a lot cheaper with currency conversions and shopping in Canada makes sense.

Industries such as animal agriculture, mining, goods and services, automotive, and anything related to manufacturing industries will be able to export more as foreign buyers will find cheaper prices more attractive due to the dollar’s nosedive.

As the Canadian dollar goes through its cycle, just like everything else, Canadians are embracing and adjusting to deal with the dollar’s peak and dips.