Author Archives for Peter Mericka

Consumer Affairs Victoria – Protecting Estate Agents

October 12, 2006 4:33 am Published by Comments Off on Consumer Affairs Victoria – Protecting Estate Agents Who do the estate agents of Victoria turn to when their lucrative monopoloy is threatened? None other than their monopoly maintenance partner, Consumer Affairs Victoria.

But Wait, There’s More Burlesque In Queensland!

October 4, 2006 4:39 am Published by Comments Off on But Wait, There’s More Burlesque In Queensland! Queensland’s Auctioneering Practice Code of Conduct is flawed - not only because of its failure to require identification of phone-bidders absent from auction sites and proof of the authority given their representatives, but also because auctioneers have to keep registered bidders’ identities secret.

Auction Tales From The Deep North

October 3, 2006 4:45 am Published by Comments Off on Auction Tales From The Deep North Auctioneers must now properly identify bidders, confidentially register their names and addresses then give numbered cards or paddles to show during the auction.

Conveyancers – Consumer Safety Is Still A Long Way Off In Victoria

September 29, 2006 4:57 am Published by Comments Off on Conveyancers – Consumer Safety Is Still A Long Way Off In Victoria Every adult in the State of Victoria is a Conveyancer. That's right, no qualifications or experience is needed for anyone to call themselves a conveyancer and to charge clients for conveyancing services.

Estate Agents Wanted – Conflict Of Interests?

September 28, 2006 5:05 am Published by Comments Off on Estate Agents Wanted – Conflict Of Interests? We noticed this advertisement from a mortgage broker, and wanted to know why the mortgage broker would be advertising to estate agents, rather than to consumers.

More Free Cheese In The Mouse Trap!

September 19, 2006 5:39 am Published by Comments Off on More Free Cheese In The Mouse Trap! Promotional material from MyHouseValue.com.au tells estate agents how to increase their "list to sell ratio" and increase their income without increasing their hours worked.

Consumer Guide for Building & Renovating

September 17, 2006 5:49 am Published by Comments Off on Consumer Guide for Building & Renovating Being an owner-builder-vendor is no longer a simple matter doing your best and then selling. There are now strict rules and regulations governing owner-builders!

Crikey – What A Sequel!

September 11, 2006 5:56 am Published by Comments Off on Crikey – What A Sequel! As a rule, real estate agents are not to be trifled with. So it was always going to be risky for property commentator Louis Christopher when he decided to publicly attack the all-powerful membership body Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).