Author Archives for Peter Mericka

The Gospel According To Nigel

April 28, 2007 6:05 am Published by Comments Off on The Gospel According To Nigel A New South Wales client of mine was interested in investing in New Zealand property through a buyers’ advocate. He sought my advice on the appointment form of a company he had come across.

Why Queensland Estate Agents Don’t Give Discounts

April 3, 2007 6:10 am Published by Comments Off on Why Queensland Estate Agents Don’t Give Discounts Will the apparent upturn in Queensland housing prices mean discounted real estate commission rates? Will agents charge sellers less as homes are reportedly sold within days, if not hours, of going on the market?

Winning Auction Bidders Beware

March 27, 2007 6:16 am Published by Comments Off on Winning Auction Bidders Beware My learned colleague and fellow real estate cage-rattler was also correct, as far as Victoria (and the Australian Capital Territory) is concerned, when he agreed with the reported remarks of the Real estate Institute of Victoria that little could be done legally by the vendor if a winning bidder did not sign a sale contract after an auction.

Auctions Exposed As Non-Binding!

March 23, 2007 6:28 am Published by Comments Off on Auctions Exposed As Non-Binding! When is an auction not an auction? When it's a real estate auction. This was demonstrated recently when the highest bidder for a $2.7 million property refused to buy it.

Bidding Wars Between Would-Be Tenants

March 17, 2007 6:52 am Published by Comments Off on Bidding Wars Between Would-Be Tenants Queensland’s Courier Mail newspaper has reported that tenancy advocacy groups are warning that bidding wars between desparate tenants are causing havoc in the Queensland rental market.

Enlightenment On Illegal Structures

March 8, 2007 7:07 am Published by Comments Off on Enlightenment On Illegal Structures One enlightened local government authority has produced a brochure to alert residential sellers and buyers alike to the problems of illegal garages, carports, roofed pergolas and patios, decks, garage conversions, downstairs toilets, spas and pools.

Auctioneer Booed!

March 5, 2007 7:12 am Published by Comments Off on Auctioneer Booed! Consumers are starting to wake up! Finally the market has turned on an auctioneer, and refused to be manipulated.

Counterfeit Certificates of Title

February 19, 2007 7:17 am Published by Comments Off on Counterfeit Certificates of Title The Law Society of New South Wales has received advice from the Registrar General that LPI Sydney has again intercepted counterfeit Certificates of Title lodged with mortgage documentation.

Witnesses Beware!

February 15, 2007 7:21 am Published by Comments Off on Witnesses Beware! Witnesses Beware! The law is familiar, the Court of Appeal judge remarked, with cases where someone forges a property owner’s signature on a mortgage, induces someone else to witness the forgery then borrows money on that security.