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If Governments Trust Estate Agents, Why Shouldn't Consumers?
19 May 11 09:48 AM | Peter Mericka | 23 Comments   

OPINION by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au To my mind agents particularly should be prohibited from giving buyers so much as a bus timetable, and from recommending even the local Chinese restaurant. Needless Read More...

Filed under: Estate agent, Deception, Contract, property fund

Beware of Agents' Pet Building Inspectors!
09 September 08 08:54 AM | Peter Mericka | 10 Comments   

OPINION by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au When will governments put in place stronger legislative measures to protect real estate consumers not only from self-serving real estate agents, but also from Read More...

Filed under: Conveyancing, Estate agent, Contract, real estate, pest inspection, building inspection, termites, major structural defect, inspector

Preventing Estate Agents From Preparing Contracts
13 March 08 05:21 AM | Peter Mericka | 11 Comments   

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au After firing more than a few verbal bullets over recent months at Queensland’s Attorney-General (and Fair Trading Minister) Kerry Shine in The Courier Mail and Gold Coast Read More...

Filed under: Conveyancing, Estate agent, Agent, Contract, ethics, queensland, kerry shine, conflict of interests, contract of sale, contract note

Real Estate Agents Preying On Battlers
28 January 08 06:42 PM | Peter Mericka | 3 Comments   

by Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B Real Estate Lawyer Qualified Practising Conveyancer Victoria Director Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd " Real Estate Agents Preying On Battlers " is the title of an article appearing on the ABC news website. I invite visitors to Read More...

Filed under: Conveyancing, Estate agent, Conveyancer, Lawyer, Contract, Consumer Affairs, conflict of interests

The "Oh", "Really?" and "I Wish I Had Known That!" of Making an Offer and Organising Finance
24 January 08 09:55 AM | Shannyn Hunter | 7 Comments   

by Shannyn Hunter Conveyancer shannyn@lawyersconveyancing.com.au Lawyers Conveyancing On Monday morning purchasers can experience a real estate hangover. After a weekend of elation at finding their dream house and pressure from the agent to make an offer, Read More...

Filed under: Conveyancing, Estate agent, Deposit, Conveyancer, Purchase, Lawyer, Deception, Finance, Sale, Agent, Residential, Valuation, Contract, finance condition, real estate, special condition, solicitor, legal advice

David Falk - An Example of Estate Agent Power
10 December 07 08:00 PM | Peter Mericka | 7 Comments   

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 Read More...

Filed under: Estate agent, Contract, ethics, conflict of interests

Catch 24 On Agents' Contracts
22 October 07 10:59 PM | Peter Mericka | 7 Comments   

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au Since 1st July 2007, Queensland estate agents and their employees have been breaking a law with a maximum penalty for breach of $22,500 or two years imprisonment. On that Read More...

Filed under: Estate agent, Contract, reiq, Office of Fair Trading: QLS

Agent Shafted by Deputy Watchdog
05 October 07 09:36 AM | Peter Mericka | 1 Comments   

by Tim O'Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au The following tale was sent to me by a legal colleague. He described it as “a little anecdote” that he was sure I would enjoy. "My client owned a rental property that Read More...

Filed under: Estate agent, Agent, Contract, Consumer Affairs, ethics