Ian Reid Takes Aim At Fellow Estate Agents

by Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B Real Estate Lawyer Qualified Practising Conveyancer Victoria Director Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd High-profile Melbourne real estate agent Ian Reid has copped some heavy criticism in the past over his Gazumping Clause and his Finance Clause. However, it seems that Ian Reid can be a straight-shooter when it comes to exposing his fellow estate agents. Ian Reid of Ian Reid Vendor Advocacy has become well-known to Melbournians through his radio and television advertising,...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

Shane Lowe of Methven Real Estate - Switching of Contracts and Conditions

by Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B Real Estate Lawyer Qualified Practising Conveyancer Victoria Director Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd Shane Lowe is the Director of Methvens Professionals Real Estate in Mooroolbark, Victoria. A case of "contract switching" resulted in some startling revalations from Mr. Lowe. It seems that Mr. Lowe and the great P.T. Barnum have much in common when it comes to business ethics. P.T. Barnum is credited with the saying, "Never give a sucker and even break and never wise up a...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

Fair Trading Nabs False Solicitor

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au Gold Coast conveyancing clerk Anne Mullins and her company Simply Conveyancing Australia Pty Ltd have pleaded guilty to Office of Fair Trading charges that they falsely held themselves out as legal practitioners in breach of Sections 573A and 573C of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act (PAMDA). Fair Trading may have made legal history when it laid these marketeering charges, in circumstances of apparent illegal...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

Deep North Agents "Re-licensed" to Practise Real Estate Law

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au From July 1st last year the role of Queensland real estate agents in preparing contracts was severely limited by law. Sit back, dear readers, as I now blow the whistle on an extraordinary government back-flip. Remember when the Beattie government back-stabbed real estate consumers who had been ripped-off by over-priced property marketeers? In December 2002 amendments to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act (PAMDA)...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

David Falk - An Example of Estate Agent Power

by Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B Real Estate Lawyer Qualified Practising Conveyancer Victoria Director Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd Continuing our theme on estate agents and their control over the contract stage of the sale transaction, the following is an extreme example of the way estate agents are empwered by their access to the contract, and how some will use that power to the detriment of all parties involved. David Falk is a real estate agent in Victoria's west. David Falk knows the power an estate...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

Gold Coast Law Association Slams Agents And Calls For Contract Reforms

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au Solicitors, not estate agents, should prepare sales contracts. This is the view of the Gold Coast District Law Association which has called for Queensland to be brought into line with the long-established New South Wales practice whereby agents do not prepare or exchange contracts. Queensland Law Society president Megan Mahon agrees that real estate consumers should be guided by professional legal advice at every...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]

Catch 32 On Solicitors' Independence

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au Queenslands Office of Fair Trading has lost, and lost badly, a landmark case mounted in the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal against Gold Coast solicitor Donald Dickie. The implications of this decision, which Fair Trading decided not to appeal, are likely to significantly affect residential property sales and conveyancing practices across Queensland. Attorney-General Kerry Shine, the Bligh Governments minister...(read more)

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[Source: Australian Real Estate Blog]