Tarion to create new ombudsman position to handle customer complaints

Tarion, the province's new home warranty program, is creating a new post to deal with customer complaints: Home Buyer Ombuds- person.

"We certainly came to the conclusion that Tarion has to be more open to consumers and has to have someone for them to reach out to," said Tarion's president and CEO Howard Bogach.

Tarion is an independent corporation that administers Ontario's New Home Warranty Plan, which offers protection to new homebuyers who pay a fee.

Bogach, who was appointed by the Tarion board earlier this year, has made it clear he was hired to make the program more open and accountable to warranty holders.

In an interview with the Toronto Star just after his appointment, Bogach said he was considering bringing in an ombudsperson to broker homeowner complaints.

"It is an opportunity for consumers to have a second avenue of assistance," Bogach said in an interview this week.

The ombudsperson will not only mediate homeowner's complaints, but will be asked to suggest any changes in policy or practice that may be needed, Bogach said.

News of the job posting comes just weeks after a stinging 16-page report from provincial Ombudsperson André Marin.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Marin said the public sees Tarion as a "puppet" of the home building industry and that it is a "chronic underperformer.

...When Marin issued his report last month, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and Minister Ted McMeekin were responsible for Tarion. Oversight for Tarion has now been shifted to the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services under Minister Jim Watson.

In his report, Marin said consumers are confused about just how Tarion and the province interact and called on the ministry to "clarify" its role in Tarion's affairs.

"I have concluded that the ministry's failure to clearly set out the nature of its role with respect to new home ownership needs to be remedied immediately," Marin said in his report.

There were 52,332 new homes enrolled in the warranty program in 2007, with some $9 million paid out under the plan. As of last year, a total of 465,116 homes were under warranty.

With files from The Canadian Press

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PMI Canada calls for review of CMHC

PMI Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (PMI Canada) says it would like to see the government examine how competition could be increased in the Canadian mortgage insurance market and consider how Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s mortgage insurance business could be restructured “to best ensure an active and competitive mortgage insurance market”.

The company says it commends the Competition Policy Panel for its recent recommendations for instituting regulatory reforms, increased transparency, and reduction of overlap and duplication in the regulatory arena.

“PMI Canada has advocated for a consistent and transparent system of regulatory review,” says Janet Martin, CEO, PMI Canada, in a news release. “We are encouraged by the panel’s recommendations that a more broad system of regulatory reform be undertaken with the goal of maintaining and increasing competition within the marketplace.”

In January, PMI Canada submitted its recommendations to the panel that called for separating CMHC’s various businesses, including mortgage insurance, into separate entities, privatizing CMHC’s mortgage insurance business, and recommending a public mandate review of CMHC.

“Implementation of the proposed recommendations would help to increase long overdue mortgage insurance competition, resulting in more choice for Canadians looking to achieve the dream of home ownership,” says Martin.

"Establishing a level playing field in Canada will benefit not only potential home buyers but lenders as well, the company says. “Fostering increased mortgage insurance competition will allow PMI Canada to bring innovative risk solutions to lenders that will assist them with their business strategies, particularly when it comes to market expansion and risk mitigation,” says the company. “Most financial Crown corporations are required to have public mandate reviews every 10 years; however, no independent mandate review of CMHC has been conducted for more than 20 years.”

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New PERKS- Client Appreciation Program

Here we grow again! I'm happy to announce my new PERKS- Client Appreciation Program, a complimentary service that I'll be providing to my valued clients.

This program features a whole range of informational booklets and brochures, a referral business directory of professional trades and services, an annual home evaluation, and a whole host of other helpful information sent out on a monthly basis.

Here at the Dream Home System, we're constantly looking for ways to improve our services. I invite you to visit my website to learn more about the PERKS- Client Appreciation Program.

Also, check out our online referral business directory. My clients, friends, family members or I have used many of these businesses personally, and believe that they can provide you with the quality services that you deserve.


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Ontario, Ottawa to spend billions on infrastructure

KAREN HOWLETT

Globe and Mail

The federal government announced Thursday that it has inked a deal with Ontario to spend $9.3-billion over seven years in the province on public transit, roads and bridges as part of its plan to maintain and expand the country's infrastructure systems.

The Ontario government has signed on to Ottawa's infrastructure plan, called Building Canada, which will see the Harper government spend $33-billion over seven years on projects across the country.

“That is a historic commitment,” Lawrence Cannon, Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, said at a news conference in London, Ont. “Substantial infrastructure funding was long overdue in this country.”

Mr. Cannon said Ontario will receive $6.2-billion from the federal government, including $3.1-billion from the Building Canada fund itself, to help the province repair its aging roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The Ontario government will match the Building Canada funding, raising the total investment to about $9.3-billion.

Ontario's share of the overall federal infrastructure pie will total $7.8-billion, including $4.4-billion from the gas tax. The funding arrangement will run until 2014.

Initial priorities include improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway in northwestern Ontario, rural broadband coverage in southern and eastern Ontario and rapid transit in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region.

Ontario is the latest province to reach a so-called framework agreement with Ottawa, which will set out how it will use its share of the funding.

British Columbia was the first province to reach an accord last November. Only three provinces – Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec – have yet to sign deals.

“This deal has been a long time coming, and it further represents a product of long and detailed discussions with our federal counterparts,” said George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Energy. “Today, we are celebrating the coming together of two levels of government to produce results for the people of Ontario.”

Mr. Smitherman was also on hand at the news conference, along with Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and his provincial counterpart, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.

It was the first time Mr. Flaherty has shared the stage with Mr. Duncan since the federal minister began waging a highly public fight with the McGuinty government earlier this year over its management of the Ontario economy.

Mr. Smitherman announced that the province will use $50-million of the federal funding to build a new reservoir and pumping station in London that will provide surrounding communities with a stable supply of clean drinking water. The province is kicking in $50-million for the project.

However, Mr. Smitherman said it will take a little while longer for the province to sign a framework agreement with the federal government for the multimillion-dollar plan to extend the Spadina subway line into the Toronto area's rapidly growing York Region. Ottawa's $697-million contribution to the long-awaited subway extension will come from the Building Canada fund.

Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory applauded his federal cousins today for helping Ontario improve its infrastructure. But he criticized Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty for taking so long, compared with many other provinces, to reach a deal with the federal government that will allow the province to get access to the funding and get the projects under way.

“I would rather see Mr. McGuinty spending his time and his energy getting an agreement like that as opposed to launching broadsides at the federal government,” he said. “So far, he seems more interested in the broadsides.”

With a file by The Canadian Press

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New real estate software helps buyers track trends before buying

Have you ever wished you could track real estate trends for a specific neighbourhood? If so, identical twin brothers Sam and Andy Prochazka may have just granted your wish come true with the launch of their new Internet-based real estate trends program, RealPageMaker3.

"We thought what the public needed was trending tools," said Sam, CEO of RealPageMaker, an Edmonton-based real estate software company. "They need to get an intuitive feel of what's happening in the market."

RealPageMaker3 gives prospective buyers a bird's-eye view of listings plotted on a Google map of a city block or neighbourhood.

While the program is currently available in Calgary and Vancouver, its unknown if it will be available in Ontario anytime soon.

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Sales rep wins $27 million

An Ontario real estate agent recently won $27 million in the Lotto Super 7 Jackpot. In an interview with CTV News he said that he will continue to sell real estate.

“I love real estate, especially Muskoka real estate, lakefront properties, getting out in the boat in the sunshine, it’s pretty good you know,” he told CTV.

He and his wife, purchased a Quick Pick ticket at Dixon Milk, a variety store in Etobicoke, Ont. where they live. They also have a cottage in Muskoka. Media reports say they have purchased a new car and plan a family vacation, but other than that have no immediate plans for the money.

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Summertime fun!

With summer weather finally here, it's a great time to go outside and enjoy your front lawn while sipping some homemade lemonade. If you have kids, nieces, nephews ,or if you're just a kid at heart, why not build a lemonade stand and mix and mingle with your neighbours?

Having a nice home is more than just a great kitchen countertop and hardwood floors. It's about creating lasting memories with your friends and family that will bring a smile to your face in the years to come.

For a video on how to build a lemonade stand click here.

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Real estate heavyweight leaves $8 billion to dogs

By The Associated Press

Animal welfare groups must be panting.

Leona Helmsley reportedly directed that her fortune - up to $8 billion - be used for the care and welfare of dogs.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the bequest was included in a so-called mission statement for the estate of the real estate magnate, who died last August.

It's not certain that all the money will go to the dogs, however. The mission statement wasn't formally incorporated into Helmsley's will or trust documents.

Two people who saw the statement told the Times the document also says the estate trustees may use their discretion in distributing the money.

They could, for instance, decide to spend the money for animal rescue groups, veterinary schools or research on canine diseases.

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FINTRAC's new consumer publication- What you need to know

Changes to Canada's anti-money laundering legislation, will come into effect on June 23, 2008.

These changes include new requirements for real estate brokers and salespersons, one of which is to obtain identification from clients during financial transactions.

FINTRAC has published a consumer publication- What you need to know- to help consumers understand why you are now required to show identification.

The publication answers the following questions:

• Why do I have to show ID when I've been a customer here all my life?
• What type of ID do I have to provide?
• What other information may I be asked to provide?
• Where can I get more information?

If you'd like to get printed copies of this publication you can send a request to publications@fintrac.gc.ca


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Forest Hill mansion sells for $2 million over asking price!

By Jenny Wagler, National Post

A Forest Hill mansion has been sold for more than $2-million over the asking price, even as the city’s real estate market otherwise continues to lose a little of its heat.

Melinda Rogers, Rogers Communications’ senior vice-president of strategy and development, paid $11.126-million to buy 8 Old Forest Hill Rd.

The home, which had a $9-million asking price, is down the road from family patriarch Ted Rogers.

The property behind the “sold” sign stretches 159 by 360 feet, and the stately stone house has 15 rooms, including six bedrooms and six bathrooms. It comes with a pool, a circular driveway, coach house and famous neighbours.

Grammy Award-winner Nelly Furtado lives down the block. So does gold baron and philanthropist Peter Munk, founder of Barrick Gold Corporation.

The home belonged to philanthropist Helen Phelan. Ms. Sversky calls it a “landmark estate,” adding “these houses do not come up.”

This, she said, made the property difficult to appraise, a possible factor in the final selling price.
Maureen O’Neill, president of the Toronto Real Estate Board, said the Forest Hill sale is ‘‘right up there’’ among the highest ever above-asking home sales.“It was a beautiful house ... renovated to the hilt,” she said. ‘‘It’s just one great big estate, a generous lot in the heart of Old Forest Hill.’’

Ms. O’Neill said fewer houses are going over asking than during last year’s record-setting spree.
The Old Forest Hill Road house — and a Riverdale home that sold last month for $929,000, $150,000 over asking — are anomalies, she said. In the current real estate climate, bidding wars remain the exception and not the rule.

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