Re: Hamilton???
 

ALL OF YOUR OPINIONS ARE WRONG. Mine is the only one that is correct.















See how stupid that sounds? Cant you just agree to disagree:rolleyes:

Re: Hamilton???
 

Leave them be. This is one of the best punch-ups we've had in ages.

Re: Hamilton???
 

As a Torontonian I would stay away from Hamilton, it's always been a hole, my Aussie hubby calls it a shithole, he used to work there! But I have a few friends that live there, but it wasn't a place I would live in.

We just moved from Milton, absolutely loved it there!

As others have pointed out Burlington is a nice area, I would live there with no hesitation. I used to work there. I would also look at Stoney Creek and Waterdown and Dundas.

Re: Hamilton???
 

But disagreeing is often part of the fun. It's mostly harmless banter.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Steady on now Iain, you'll come a cropper with an attitude like that. Peace, tolerance and acceptance are the way forward into an inclusive, integrated future. Together, we can make things better.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Mostly, but the mysterious BC15 posting personal details of others isnt on Im afraid.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I like you more and more, you sarky little bitch.

Re: Hamilton???
 

....for the children ;)

Re: Hamilton???
 

I wonder if BC15 is a proxy for a regular more well known user? A sudonym used to protect their normal on-line identity?

Re: Hamilton???
 

How dare you speak of integration, you resident of the mean streets, you chooser of a neighbourhood where the rats have rickets and one is offered sex acts while picking through the grapes for one unnibbled by the homeless? How can you conceive of a future integrated enough to accomodate yourself, the hutch peddlar's victims, each the owner of a people mover, and the hermit, out in the wasteland with only the ghosts of equines for comfort on these brutal nights of September?

Re: Hamilton???
 

A "sock puppet" in webspeak.

Re: Hamilton???
 

No evidence of that. Just someone who pays attention is my guess.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Oh, I assume someone who took the "Where's the Best Place to live in Oakville?" thread to heart. Understandable really, it's hell when people don't properly honour your deep ogee baseboards.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Actually, I wasn't being totally sarcastic. I was wheeling out some well worn phrases from the ol' country. You know, Tony Blair-isms which are even funnier when the people they are directed at loathe him, and each other. Still, we all have to work together for a combined future of prosperity and peace.

F*** them, I need things to be better now....for me. The bloody children can work things out for themselves. It wasn't like this in my day you know, they have it all handed to them on a plate.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Ogee baseboards? I think not. Try crown moulding (OP, not you).

Re: Hamilton???
 

If you or he worked in one of the steel production areas, I would agree.. however, to generalise Hamilton as a hole is to do it a disservice.

Comments like that from someone who has never lived in Hamilton are not particularly useful to the OP.

:thumbdown:

Re: Hamilton???
 

I cannot conceive of it, perhaps the grape nibbling folk have the right idea. It's not a supermarket...it's a free buffet. I just wish they wouldn't devour all the cherries and then spit the stones back into the bag.

This probably doesn't happen somewhere like Hamilton. The homeless people in the burbs would have to walk for miles through the industrial estates to get to the nearest supermarket.

Edited to add: I jest, I've been to Hamilton. It's alright, wouldn't choose to live there though.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Its more civilised than just spitting them on the floor I think:confused:

Re: Hamilton???
 

D'ya think?

Stuff on the floor is often the result of a domestic dispute. I once reached for a packet of havarti cheese only to have to take evasive action to avoid a cantelope being flung at some wronger-doer.

Then there's the queue jumpers. The best way to deal with one of those is to grab items from their trolley and fling them along the nearest aisle. Needless to say there will be much shouting and the family of 12 will then shuffle off to retrieve their goods in shame.

Really, it's worth going along just for the entertainment.

Re: Hamilton???
 

You've cut me to the quick Mister. How dare you diss my base boards. They're a full 8 inches I'll have you know.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Yeah, yeah, and when the pants are off you'll say they're metric inches.

Re: Hamilton???
 

OK. 203.2mm then.

0.2032M in SI units.

Re: Hamilton???
 

With Hamilton you have to be very selective about where you choose to live. There are many undesirable areas and some terrific areas. Hamilton is quite diverse and covers a large geographic area. Make sure you hire a "real estate agent" that is familiar with the area and understands your needs.

There are a lot of older homes (by American standards - new for us however) that offer great value. Hire a top RE agent, lawyer and "home inspector". The Canadian system is different to ours, but if you surround yourself with honest, competent professionals, you'll be fine.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Finding them is the trick! Dont get me started on home inspectors again!

Re: Hamilton???
 

Yes, I agree. I've heard horror stories from several people. We have been incredibly fortunate with out home inspector. We've used him several times and referred him to many friends. We wouldn't dream of using anyone else. in fact, we delayed our last purchase 2 weeks awaiting his return from vacation, and at the risk of loosing the property, mind you.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I've been mulling this of late and have come to the view that unless there is some specific risk you want investigated; the degree of lean in the house, the proximity to a termite area, the feasibility of some improvement to the property, a home inspector is probably not worth the money. They are as likely to miss problems as to find them and their fee might be enough to fix the problem anyway.

Re: Hamilton???
 

At least out your way you can call on Mike holmes when the inspector has f***d up.

You'll even be on telly :thumbup:

Re: Hamilton???
 

It think, as usual, the answer is "it depends"

As a property virgin it was usefull for us to hire someone, but I think knowing the little I do now I would cast a far more critical eye over any prospective properties and if anything looked a bit odd then it would be worth a second opinion. The right inspector in the right curcumstances could certainly save you making an expensive mistake.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I should probably mention my home inspector's name. Marco Ganassini of Frontline Home inspections. He is based out of Oakville, but he has gone to Markham and Toronto for colleagues of mine. So, not quite sure how far he will travel. I know that he is always quite busy.

I might add that he has saved us (and our friends) thousands of dollars over the years and is of impeccable character.

Re: Hamilton???
 

But Holmes is completed unrealistic. Misaligned plate over an electrical socket?
Take the wall down, put up a new one with new wires, new boxes and a new plate. OK on the TV company's dollar but no help at all in the real world.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Problem being?

All you have to do is send a photo of you pointing at a non gold plated tap looking ripped off and you're in.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Granted but, for example, now that my daughter is selling her house, the estate agent has observed features such as "no vents in the roof" and "inadequate clearances around the furnace" that the home inspector missed at the time of purchase. She's doing what most vendors in Toronto do, having a series of inspections so she can present the most favourable one on sale day. (It's typically the vendor that gets the inspection done as, currently in that market segment, the sales cycle is usually: open house on Saturday, offers on Monday night, deal done on Wednesday, there's no time for a purchaser to have an inspection). Given this reversal of the typical home inspection relationship, the most lax inspector with a reputable name is the desirable one.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I see Mike Holmes is getting on the Home Inspection Bandwagon!

Unlike the UK where if you have a home-buyers survey / structural survey you have legal redress against the inspector should anything not be discovered and later found faulty, here in Canada about the only thing you can get back is the fee you paid. BC is the only province I could find that actually licenced home inspectors... and even there the inspection contracts carry a clause that states "The Inspector’s total liability to the Client for mistakes, errors or omissions in the Inspection and Inspection Report shall be limited to the amount of the fee paid for the Inspection"

I am very suprised that Canada doesn't have a similar system (house inspection wise) to the UK and many other places.

Basically, you are paying someone to tell you if there is something obvious wrong with the property - but if you move in and find wet rot or asbestos... tough luck.

The first property I was going to buy here I had an inspection on (costing nearly $500 - it was a big property) and he came up with 2 things wrong, which were patently obvious even to a layman.

Hmmmmmmm

I do know of a great RE agent though!

Re: Hamilton???
 

Realistic contractor.

'I've moved your ceiling light, like you wanted. Code won't let me block up the hole and I have to put a nasty plastic cover over it. I don't have one with me. I can go get one, or you can do it;)'

Re: Hamilton???
 

So an offer subject to inspection would not be the norm then due to the fact that there's already been one. Albeit by the seller.

mmm buyer beware then. Only themselves to blame for not getting someone on their side.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Offers are usually conditional only on financing, 48 hours allowed for that. In the country it's a whole other thing.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Very odd for a buyer to accept the sellers report. I am surprised the market in Toronto really that loaded in the sellers favour. As MMC say, buyer beware.

Given the legal situation though its all a bit of a farce anyway.

Anyway, buying in the right bit of Hamilton could be just as much of a minefield (he said trying to get the thread back on topic)

Re: Hamilton???
 

I have extensive experience back home, in the U.S. as well as here in Canada purchasing properties (in addition to elsewhere abroad). I would agree with the premise that many home inspectors are a bloody waste of money. Having said that, it would be improper to paint all professionals with the same brush stroke.

I've experienced horrid RE agents, lawyers, dentists, financial advisors and home inspectors, etc. Having said that, I can assure you that Marco Ganassini has been a tremendous asset in our real estate endeavours. I will save everyone the details, but unequivocally, I would not purchase anything without his input.

Re: Hamilton???
 

In the cheap house (<$350,000) segment it is. If a house makes it to mls, and I think there's a case that the better ones never do, then only a buyer who can see it and make a decision the same day is in with a chance. That leaves no time for inspection, though plenty for regret.

Different in Hamilton, I imagine.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Originally Posted by dbd33
Granted but, for example, now that my daughter is selling her house, the estate agent has observed features such as "no vents in the roof" and "inadequate clearances around the furnace" that the home inspector missed at the time of purchase. She's doing what most vendors in Toronto do, having a series of inspections so she can present the most favourable one on sale day. (It's typically the vendor that gets the inspection done as, currently in that market segment, the sales cycle is usually: open house on Saturday, offers on Monday night, deal done on Wednesday, there's no time for a purchaser to have an inspection). Given this reversal of the typical home inspection relationship, the most lax inspector with a reputable name is the desirable one.

There is no reversal. A buyer can choose whether or not to accept a sellers Home Inspection report or have his own. However, Ms DBD may very well regret getting four home inspections and showing buyers only the one which showed the property as having small inconsequential problems. Especially when the other three showed major deficits requiring large amounts of money to correct (it cost a seller of a house I bought $17,000 to get rid of asbestos bound loft insulation which was found by my inspector). There was a court case where the seller who did this not only paid tens of thousands of dollars for the buyers's court costs and thousands of dollars as a punitive fine but was also ordered to pay all the costs of correcting the deficits found by the other inspectors and subsequently discovered by the buyer (tens of thousands of dollars again). Home Inspections leave paper trails, much favoured by counsel for the prosecution.
The situation being discussed is where 'multiple offers' are encouraged or just come about. As such, you put your best offer in and include as many conditions as you like (as ever). It's up to you, the buyer. If there is no time for a property inspector and you feel strongly that one is necessary, walk away from it. Personally I would never base my decision to buy on a seller's home inspection report. Happily multiple offers have died down in recent months, but normally good time is given for buyers to get inspections prior to submitting an offer.
In 23 house purchases I 'saved' $77,000-ish by using an inspector.