Author Archives for Peter Mericka

Queensland Lawyers Warned About Trust Account Scam

August 3, 2009 7:20 pm Published by Comments Off on Queensland Lawyers Warned About Trust Account Scam The Queensland Law Society has warned its solicitor members of an attempted trust account scam that had been brought to the Society’s attention.

Enzo Raimondo – Auction System’s Fair, You Can Quote Me

July 31, 2009 7:28 pm Published by Comments Off on Enzo Raimondo – Auction System’s Fair, You Can Quote Me Enzo Raimondo, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is a master of the partial-truth. In a recent article in the Herald Sun newspaper Raimondo purports to advise consumers on forming an accurate view about the value of a property but deliberately avoids informing consumers of the easiest and most accurate method of all - the professional valuer.

Enzo Raimondo – Valuation Misinformation From REIV

July 29, 2009 7:37 pm Published by Comments Off on Enzo Raimondo – Valuation Misinformation From REIV Enzo Raimondo, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is a master of the partial-truth. In a recent article in the Herald Sun newspaper Raimondo purports to advise consumers on forming an accurate view about the value of a property but deliberately avoids informing consumers of the easiest and most accurate method of all - the professional valuer.

The SLOD! Best Price Negotiation Strategy

July 10, 2009 8:04 pm Published by Comments Off on The SLOD! Best Price Negotiation Strategy As readers know, I have been very critical over the years of the schemes and scams used by real estate agents. Obviously, it is unfair to criticise the methods used by real estate agents without suggesting some alternative, and so I am presenting what I have called the “SLOD! Best Price Negotiation Strategy”.

REIV Confusion On Estate Agent Role As “Go-Between”

July 7, 2009 8:06 pm Published by Comments Off on REIV Confusion On Estate Agent Role As “Go-Between” Is it any wonder that the REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) misleads, misguides and misinforms its members when its own CEO Enzo Raimondo fails to understand the role of the real estate agent in a sale transaction?

Licensed Conveyancing – Deader Than Dead!

July 6, 2009 8:15 pm Published by Comments Off on Licensed Conveyancing – Deader Than Dead! Licensed conveyancers have always relied on the perception of being 'cheaper' to win market share from qualified lawyers, but the overheads associated with operating a licensed conveyancing business makes the licensed conveyancer a more expensive, risky option for consumers. Industry observers are now advising consumers to avoid licensed conveyancers and to use qualified lawyers instead.

Tough Going for Northern Territory Tenants

July 5, 2009 8:23 pm Published by Comments Off on Tough Going for Northern Territory Tenants Real estate agents seem to be particularly nasty in the Northern Territory, according to a residential tenant who complains on ongoing harassment over rent that never fell into arrears.

REIV Votes Against Corruption Remedy

June 30, 2009 8:29 pm Published by Comments Off on REIV Votes Against Corruption Remedy The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has voted down a proposal to stamp out deliberate under-quoting on real estate sales.

Licensed Conveyancers – Client Dumping

May 31, 2009 3:35 pm Published by Comments Off on Licensed Conveyancers – Client Dumping Some licensed conveyancers will simply dump a conveyancing client if the conveyancing transaction becomes a little too difficult for the conveyancer to handle. Conveyancing client dumping is now illegal under the Conveyancers Act.