Help! Just moved in, and something is broken?!

You just got the keys and started moving in to your new place, when you realize that something is broken or missing. What do you do?

Keep in mind that there are a number of possible problems that could occur, such as; broken appliances, missing chattels, holes in the wall from the seller moving, scratches on floor that were not there, things that were supposed to be fixed and were not. Use the contact button for help with your particular problem.

Right Away

Take photos and notes as soon as possible. The earlier the issue is found then the better for you. If it takes three weeks, and then you contact someone about the stove that is missing, its harder for us to go back to the previous seller. Contact your agent, and let them know. They can get stated on solving the problem. Your agent will then contact the other agent, and possibly your lawyer. Depending on the issue and how easy it is to prove the seller is at fault.

Involve My Lawyer?

Most likely there is not much at this point that the lawyer is going to be able to do. They will let you know and tell you if it is worth moving forward. The thing to ask yourself, is it worth your time? Is it worth getting the lawyer to chase the previous buyer for a $100 cleaning bill because they didn't clean the floors?

Don't Panic

The key here is communication among all the involved parties. You need to communicate everything to your agent and lawyer. They need to communicate the issues to the other agent and lawyer. And it might just be a simple fix or simple answer, or maybe something more detailed. They will have a better idea for each different scenario.

Next Time

The BEST thing you can do, is be proactive. Do a final walk through the day before closing to ensure all the appliances still work, and there are no large holes in the walls. If you find a problem before closing, your lawyer can hold back closing (depending on the issue). Many times there is no way you could have known it was going to happen. Many times we can avoid any issues before they begin.

Have a question or thinking about buying your first Ottawa home or condo? I would love to help. Click the button below.

Click Here to Contact Matt Richling for Information

Info

---

Written by Matt Richling

Matt is a licensed salesperson at RE/MAX Metro City Realty in Ottawa, Canada. Matt loves helping sellers and buyers find the perfect home that fits their lifestyle. 

Quoted - “No Condo Crisis Here…. Says Ottawa” Canadian Real Estate Magazine online - October 24th

Had a number of people contact me regarding the recent CBC Ottawa article, “Ottawa Condo Surplus Causing Price to Drop”. Was also contacted by Canadian Real Estate Magazine to offer up some more realistic facts about what our local market is facing. Canadian Real Estate is Canada’s only monthly publication dedicated to Canadian real estate investors. Read the whole article here:http://bit.ly/1igtAYd (and below)

More Facts not in article (and a few that are):
- Tega is a low-rise developer, they sold the lot to a developer more “versed” in high rise. 
- Claridge Icon was struggling with sales due to floor plans, they went back and have redesigned them. About to relaunch this Saturday.
- The Bowery, is a completely new re-design (formally the edge) which launches Nov 7th. At this point you can then judge how it is going. I already have buyers waiting to purchase in this building, so we will see how it does. Both examples above are builders adapting to the market, smaller more cost effective units, with lower prices.
- “1,700 number or active condos for sale”, actual number is 1,672… is for the greater city of Ottawa. This includes condos of all types (apartment style, 2 storey, 3 storey, bungalow, townhouse etc), all locations (Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Nepean etc), and all price points. CBC just released another article with 5 condos priced well over a million dollars trying to show how overpriced our market is.
- Yes inventory is up, 563 new condo listings in sept 2013 compared to 540 during the same period in 2012, again spread across Ottawa and all condominium types.
- Inventory ALWAYS raises in the fall, just as it does in the spring. These are our two hottest times to sell. Over October and November the ratio of New Listings to Solds will reverse as the numbers even out (as they always do)
- We had 245 condos sell during the month of September, of which almost half (124) are apartment style one level condos (which the CBC storey targets). This difference alone should show you how easy the numbers can appear to look.
- We have seen a 2.2% decrease in price for condos (in sales YTD) compared to 2012. Compare that to the last 17 years of gradual price increases (in all property types). 
Lower prices are better for real buyers and investors who are in the market to buy and hold. Looking for a long term (OVER 3 years - not 6 months) property, not a short “get rich quick” type scheme. 

Oh and please, do NOT get me started on that specific “investor” and his bad choices/mindset.

Overall: YES there is an increase. NO we are not in some insane downward spiral. This is healthy for our market and will allow prices to deflate slightly, returning them to normal levels. During this time, it will allow buyers to be more picky and even out the market.

Any questions feel free to email me directly Matt@MattRichling.com. 

------------

Thursday, 24 October 2013 03:08
No condo crisis here….says Ottawa
Written by Grainne Burns

Condo crisis? What condo crisis? This is the reaction of many in Ottawa who are playing down reports that the city’s condo market is about to crash and burn.

With increases in monthly MLS listings and developers ‘desperately’ offering freebies, including parking, word on the street is that Ottawa’s condo market is at crisis level.

“We are not at a crisis point. Yes, we are seeing price decreases and we do have more stock on the market that we have had, just like other markets,” says Matt Richling from RE/MAX Metro City Realty Ltd. “There is no huge difference between this and last year’s figures so I think these stories are more for scaremongering than anything else.”

Richling says there were 563 new condo listings in September, compared to 540 during the same period in 2012. 

“Of course, the market has changed and developers are changing their offering to reflect that, such as smaller sized units,” Richling tells CREW. “With prices decreasing, many are holding off on buying as they wait to see if it will drop more. That is the nature of the industry, but we have had one of the busiest years yet so that says it all as well.”

Richling says he is aware of one development that has a low investor rate, around the 40 per cent rate, but says this is due to less demand for buy-and-hold properties.

“Most of the negative media coverage has focused on those who bought and renovated and now can’t sell. That is just not reflective of the local economy,” he says. “We always tell investors that the best returns are three to five, or longer, terms. This is the new norm.”

211 Carleton Ave - SOLD

Congrats to the new owner of this beautiful new home in Westboro. Looking for a change? Contact me!