Estate agent jargon
 

I know it's a bit early to be looking at houses, but can't help browsing the websites. Some wonderful places out there, but I keep running up against unfamiliar terms:

As is, where is - I assume 'as is' means it needs some work, but what about 'where is'?

No property disclosure - this one sounds scary: 'we know there's something dreadfully wrong with the house but we're not going to tell you about it'!

What does it all mean?

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Here is Deloitte's Glossary of Real Estate Terminology.

I don't recall seeing "where is," and it doesn't appear to be in the above mentioned glossary either. They do sometimes load houses onto trailers and move them to other locations. It may sound bizarre but, since houses are constructed of wood, it's more feasible than you might think. I wonder if the term refers to a house that is to be moved from its present position, but the "where is" stipulation indicates that removal will be the buyer's responsibility.

If you buy property, I strongly recommend that you hire an independent property inspector to go over it with a fine tooth-comb and give you a report on it. It's quite a common conditional clause in offers to purchase around here. The wording would be something like, "Subject to satisfactory report by property inspector."

Well you'd need to check on that wording, and may need to tweak it, but the point I'm making is that you should not buy real estate without including that step.

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Thanks very much for the glossary Judy - very helpful indeed, and your guess about the house needing to be moved sounds a reasonable one. It's mostly the cheaper ones I've seen it on, so that would be explained if the prices doesn't include the land.

As for the survey, that's standard practice over here and I wouldn't dream of buying any house without one, but particularly a Canadian house because the construction is so different. I know roughly what to look for in bricks and mortar, but wouldn't have a clue where to start with timber cladding. Good to know the term to use for the person who does the checks.

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

My brother-in-law does this. Some of the 'photos are :scared: . He says they have to close roads in order to take down power lines, traffic lights etc. I'd be asking - is it really worth the hassle? but he makes money from it.

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

I'm not sure what part of Canada you're interested in, but here's three sites worth bookmarking, the second and third are a must bookmark of Ottawa.
http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx
http://www.grapevine.ca/ <<< This one is my personal favorite.
http://orebweb1.oreb.ca/index.shtml

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Also...

Spacious - average
Charming - small
Comfortable - very small
Cozy - very, very small
Low maintenance - no lawn
Walk to stores - nowhere to park your car
Prestgious - expensive
Bright and sunny - venetian blinds not included
Townhouse - former tenement
Modern - 30 to 40 years old
Contemporary - at least 15 years old
Sprawling ranch - inefficient floor plan
Natural setting - forget about planting, the deer will eat everything
Secluded setting - far away
Executive neighbourhood - high taxes
Near houses of worship - fanatical denomination next door
Park-like setting - a tree on the block
Unaffected charm - needs painting
Starter home - run down
Hurry! Won't last - about to collapse
And much, much more - nothing else comes to mind

:D

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

LOL. So true. :)

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Starter home - run down and/or very, very small
Mature lot - impenetrable undergrowth
Treed - no sunlight, anywhere
Many upgrades - full of hastily done patch-ups by incompetent DIY'er
Close to schools - front yard full of litter
Close to transport links - within driving distance of a bus stop
Ideal for commuters - next to train station or backing on to 401
Easy access to highway - no sleep, ever
Condo - your front door is, and always will be, bile green
Fixer-upper - knocker-downer
Investment opportunity - see fixer-upper
Partially finished basement - sheets of gyprock stacked in corner
No photo available - or indeed desirable
Recent upgrades - since the place was built, anyway
Owners relocating - anywhere but here
Estate sale - owner electrocuted himself changing a lightbulb
Unique - hideous
Close to civic amenities - downwind from the city dump
Up and coming area - streets littered with needles
Appliances included - appliances knackered
Window treatments included - purple
Sump pump - basement leaks
Contemporary decoration - black and stainless steel
Classical decoration - flowery wallpaper, gold and purple
Peaceful neighbourhood - nothing to do
Ravine lot - backs onto storm drain

This is fun!

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

lol @ hwp! So true!

Agree about the survey (don't call it a survey here though, that apparently is a drawing of the land and boundaries)...but in the hot market here you'd never get a house if you put that as a clause. Although we did, managed to find a house that only held showings for 2days and found out we were only bidder so a home inspection a condition.

It's unbelievably cheap compared with a UK survey - our UK buyer paid 550 GBP for a 3min walkthrough (I was there), supposedly a full schedule II survey. We were here for the Canadian home inspection, the guy was here for almost 3.5hrs, showed us how to use stuff, inspected roof/attic/crawlspace, went through everything, tested everything right down to the doorbell!! You wouldn't get a suit in Scotland getting dirty. It cost 400 CAD. Fantastic value. He even said we can call him months down the line at 9 o'clock at night if we can't figure out the furnace or such. Lovely guy.

Biiiiink

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

That's impressive!

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Sounds like my experience with inspectors. Well worth the money. Did you get the manual with the inspection report?

We picked up loads of tips from the inspector we used in Oakville and were able to put them into action when we were looking to buy up here. Things like checking the date stamp on the inside of window frames; checking the age of furnaces and AC's; looking for evidence that furnaces, in particular, have been serviced within living memory.

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Indeed we did, in fact you've just reminded me to dig it out and look into this energy efficiency grant thingy he mentioned (see other post). It was raining and our guy even gave us an umbrella each with his logo on. Just a gimmick, but added to our perception of the excellent value!

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

Morning all

I`ve seen a few houses with -
" schedule `A` must accompany all offers "

What does this mean ?

Anyone ?
Phil

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

I had never heard of "Schedule A." An Internet search brought up two instances in which "Schedule A" was mentioned in connection with real estate, both in Nova Scotia. There were many other instances, e.g., regulations regarding signage for the sale of tobacco, etc., that appeared to be irrelevant to your query.

One of the seemingly relevant references had something to do with a detailed description of the property that was lodged with the Registry of Deeds. I gathered that this document included a listing of encumbrances, if any, against the property, for example, mortgages, rights-of-way, etc.

The other mention of "Schedule A" was in connection with an application for a licence as a real estate broker in Nova Scotia.

Many aspects of everyday life in Canada (schooling, health care, driver's licences, etc., etc.) vary from province to province. For that reason it's helpful, when you pose a question here, to include the province in which you're interested. It was only by following your signature and checking your past posts that I came across a question you had asked about Nova Scotia, which in turn gave me some comfort that the information my Google search was bringing up might be relevant to you.

Hope that helps.

Re: Estate agent jargon
 

We had to have a schedule A thingy, not sure what it means in those cases but in ours, the house was actually owned by a relocation company in MN...the "owners" being subject to a relocation deal by their American employers. We had to sign something and submit it as Schedule A with our offer. It was about lead paint and various other things, our agent crossed much of it out. Can't seem to find a copy now to double check.