Saturday, September 20, 2014

Maria Mak.Burnaby Realtor-B.C. to tighten standards for home inspectors


VANCOUVER — By the end of next year, home inspectors will have to meet a standard set of professional criteria to be licensed in British Columbia.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman said Friday the improved requirements will help safeguard home buyers who rely on the inspections for making what is likely the largest investment of their lives.

Consumer Protection B.C. will set the education and training requirements and be responsible for testing and licensing home inspectors.

“At the end of the day, buying a home is one of the biggest purchases somebody ever makes, and we’ve always been very supportive of any move toward consumer protection in this area,” said Tayt Winnitoy, vice-president of operations for Consumer Protection B.C.

In 2009, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to require licences and insurance for home inspectors, and there are now about 440 licensed in the province.

A few months later, a North Vancouver couple won an unprecedented award in the civil lawsuit they brought against their home inspector.

Three years earlier, Manuel Salgado and Nora Calcaneo bought a home for $1.095 million.

They paid $450 for an inspection, which found a number of structural deficiencies. The inspector, Imre Toth, estimated the repairs would cost them $15,000 to $20,000.

They closed the deal.

When the bill came in, it totalled $213,000.

They filed suit against Toth, the sellers and the real estate agents, but settled with the previous owners and dropped their claim against the agents.

Justice Grant Burnyeat said Toth’s estimate was “woefully inadequate.”

The purpose of the inspection is to provide a homebuyer with expert advice about any significant deficiencies, the judge wrote.

“I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the plaintiffs relied upon the report received by Mr. Toth to decide whether they would purchase the property,” he wrote.

“Plainly, if prospective home purchasers did not believe that they could secure meaningful and reliable advice about the home they were considering purchasing, there would be no reason for them to retain an inspector to inspect that home.”

Currently, inspectors must pass regular examinations to obtain and keep their licence but there are four different associations that can licence, each with its own evaluation process.

In a survey by the provincial Office of Housing and Construction Standards, 78 per cent of home inspectors felt the requirements for a licence are too lax.

“It is clear ... that action is needed to increase consumer protection and to address the challenges in the current model,” the report said.

The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors — one of the four groups that license inspectors — said non-existent standards improved with the 2009 regulations, but loopholes remain.

Winnitoy said home buyers can rest assured that the inspectors they’re dealing with now have met minimum training and education requirements.

“What we see now and what we’re looking forward to is a deepening and an improving of the framework to help ensure that there’s a level playing field for all home inspectors and a clear set of expectations for consumers to have.”

© Copyright (c) CP

Contact Maria Mak @ 604-839-6368 or visit her website @ www.mariamak.com for all your premium real estate services.

Maria has been serving her clients in Metro Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile, most importantly with passion. Thank you.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Serving her clients in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - 

Serving her clients in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile. 


Contact Maria and her elite team for all your premium real estate services , you'll be smiling too.


www.mariamak.com



Maria Mak - Sutton Centre Realty

3010 Boundaey Road 
Burnaby BC V5M4A1

Mobile: 604-839-6368
Office: 604-435-9477

Friday, September 5, 2014

An honour from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver that I am officially a member of Quarter Century Club.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor - An honour from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver that I am officially a member of Quarter Century Club. Thank you.



Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - $165,000 renovated top floor condo near Highgate Mall in Burnaby

 
 






$165,000 - Best priced for this fully renovated N/S/E facing one bdrm top floor corner end unit in well managed Chateau Lyon. 

Newly painted throughout, laminate flooring, custom countertops and hardwood cabinets, slate tiles flooring in kitchen, stainless steel appliances. 

Bright spacious open layout with a large balcony facing NE to the quiet courtyard. 2 blocks to Highgate Mall. 4 blocks to Edmonds Skytrain.

Monthly low maintainence fee $205 includes heat, hot water and management fee. Healthy contingency fund. Storage on 2nd level plus insuite storage. One parking stall in secured underground garage. No rentals and No pets.

Recent updates includes newer roof in 2008.Sidings painting and boiler in 2009. Elevator updated in 2013. Balcony railings painting in 2014.

Why rent when you can own this beautiful condo. Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty 604.839.6368 and arrange for private viewing.