Author Archives for Peter Mericka

One Real Estate Agent Blows the Whistle on Another

May 25, 2009 3:52 pm Published by Comments Off on One Real Estate Agent Blows the Whistle on Another Some agents seem to delight in making it difficult for novice home-buyers, as the story below reveals. The whistle-blowing agent here was not known to me and his detailed account arrived completely unsolicited. I subsequently phoned him and suggested that, for what it might be worth, he should personally report the whole matter to the Office of Fair Trading. But don’t hold your breath, I added.

First Home Owner Boost Extended

May 19, 2009 4:07 pm Published by Comments Off on First Home Owner Boost Extended The Budget has good news for first home buyers: the cut-off date for the First Home Owner Boost (FHOB) will be extended by six months.

Retired Estate Agent’s “Meeting With the Past”

May 19, 2009 4:03 pm Published by Comments Off on Retired Estate Agent’s “Meeting With the Past” Vic Murphy was a former real estate agent and – scout’s honour - one of the nicest, most decent blokes I have ever known. Many years ago my wife and I bought a holiday unit on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast through his agency, Vic Murphy Real Estate.

Do What I Say, Not What I Do

May 7, 2009 4:12 pm Published by Comments Off on Do What I Say, Not What I Do Call me old-fashioned, but part of my personal property investment strategy has always been never sell! At the same time within my law practice over many years my advice to conveyancing clients, intending to sell properties, has always been: Try to find a buyer yourself without the expense of a real estate agents commission .

Real Estate Agents & Privacy (or is it Secrecy?)

April 22, 2009 4:23 pm Published by Comments Off on Real Estate Agents & Privacy (or is it Secrecy?) What do you do when your property has been listed for sale and your agent refuses, on the basis of the Privacy Act, to give you the names of prospective buyers introduced to your property? Well, you stick it right up your agent as clients of mine recently did.

Investing In Queensland Real Estate

April 3, 2009 4:40 pm Published by Comments Off on Investing In Queensland Real Estate Within an hour of reading this article another investor will almost certainly have been ripped off in another dud Queensland property deal. That's how often it happens.

Goodman Group Conveyancing Bribe Payments

April 3, 2009 4:30 pm Published by Comments Off on Goodman Group Conveyancing Bribe Payments Last year Scott Goodman, a licensed conveyancer and owner of Goodman Group Conveyancing, launched what he called the Goodman Group Conveyancing Referral Program - a scheme whereby a bribe of $150 is paid to a real estate agent each time a client is referred by that real estate agent to Goodman Group Conveyancing for conveyancing services.

Estate Agents Kicked Out of Negotiations

March 12, 2009 4:59 pm Published by Comments Off on Estate Agents Kicked Out of Negotiations Real estate agents have been parading about in their “negotiator” suits like the naked emporer in his invisible new clothes, trying to convince consumers of their competence in real estate negotiations. I have had enough of incompetent real estate agents’ stupid mistakes, deceptive practices and consumer indifference.

Developers Beware… of your Marketing Agent’s Advertising!

March 2, 2009 5:02 pm Published by Comments Off on Developers Beware… of your Marketing Agent’s Advertising! The Supreme Court of New South Wales recently ruled that the buyers of an off-the-plan property were entitled to a rescission of their contract and a deposit refund because the estate agent for the developer had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.