Author Archives for Peter Mericka

Solicitors Can Make Conveyancing Mistakes

December 22, 2008 10:13 am Published by Comments Off on Solicitors Can Make Conveyancing Mistakes An Appeal Court has ruled that a father and his daughter validly escaped a developer’s option to buy their property because of a solicitor’s slackness over the Christmas-New Year holiday period.

David Falk – An Example of Estate Agent Power

December 10, 2008 10:10 pm Published by Comments Off on David Falk – An Example of Estate Agent Power David Falk is a real estate agent in Victoria's west. Unfortunately for Falk, his quick temper got the better of him and, in a fit of anger, he blurted out the following statement: Listen, your client had better get another solicitor, or I'll be selling this property to someone else.

REIV Caught Cheating – Again

December 8, 2008 10:48 am Published by Comments Off on REIV Caught Cheating – Again For many years, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has misled and deceived real estate consumers.

AICVIC “Strongly Recommends” Against Corruption?

December 7, 2008 10:57 am Published by Comments Off on AICVIC “Strongly Recommends” Against Corruption? If the head of a police force or a government department were to attack entrenched corruption by telling its members that it 'strongly recommends' that they refrain from involvement, one would question whether the organisation was serious.

Licensed Conveyancer Corruption Must Be Stopped!

November 24, 2008 11:14 am Published by Comments Off on Licensed Conveyancer Corruption Must Be Stopped! The Australian Institute of Conveyancers (Victorian Division) Inc. (AICVIC) regards itself as the peak body representing licensed conveyancers in the state of Victoria, and it appears to have some influence over the way in which Victoria's licensed conveyancers conduct themselves.

Conveyancing Corruption – Lawyers Too!

November 24, 2008 11:04 am Published by Comments Off on Conveyancing Corruption – Lawyers Too! After the principal of a small suburban law firm sent an email touting his services to several real estate agents, one agent passed it on to a solicitor friend with a caustic comment. That solicitor sent both the email and the comment onto another solicitor who, in turn and disgust, flicked both on to me.

Licensed Conveyancers – A Risk For Consumers

November 18, 2008 10:35 am Published by Comments Off on Licensed Conveyancers – A Risk For Consumers Licensed conveyancers are a huge risk for consumers. The licensed conveyancer is a transitory phenomenon. Licensing of conveyancers was introduced as a measure to prevent theft of trust funds and to remove unqualified charlatans from the real estate conveyancing industry.

Open For Inspection – Open For Theft!

November 10, 2008 11:42 am Published by Comments Off on Open For Inspection – Open For Theft! Some estate agents include clauses in their sale agreements with vendors that indemnify the estate agent against theft or damage during a property inspection

Open For Inspection? Open For Exploitation!

November 5, 2008 11:52 am Published by Comments Off on Open For Inspection? Open For Exploitation! A vendor should always be present during house inspections. Whenever an estate agent shows a prospective purchaser through the property, and particularly when the property is 'open for inspection', the vendor should always be on hand to protect not only personal property, but also personal privacy.

How to Read the Contract of Sale of Real Estate

October 29, 2008 12:05 pm Published by Comments Off on How to Read the Contract of Sale of Real Estate Consumers are becoming more aware of the need to understand what they are signing, and how the contract determines the progress of the sale.