Facts for buyers


Disclosure


The purchase of a home is a major event in the lives of buyers and may be the most important financial investment they make. Buyers, therefore, must determine if the property meets their needs and expectations. This philosophy is supported in law by the principle caveat emptor, a Latin expression meaning “let the buyer beware”.


It is the responsibility of buyers to take the necessary steps to satisfy themselves about such matters as:


• the condition of a property;

• its suitability for their particular needs;

• ensuring their particular concerns are reflected in the terms of the offer they make.


The law imposes certain disclosure obligations on sellers. They cannot actively conceal defects or deliberately mislead buyers about the condition or other attributes of their properties. They are not obligated to answer questions they may be asked about their properties but any answer given must be honest. In addition, sellers have a legal obligation to disclose to buyers any known material latent defects that affect their properties.


A latent defect is one that is not visible or discoverable through a reasonable inspection of a property. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of latent defects that qualify as material latent defects, but it includes broad categories of defects that render the property:


• dangerous or potentially dangerous to the occupants;

• unfit for habitation;

• unfit for the purpose for which the buyer is acquiring it, at least where the buyer has made this purpose known to the seller or seller’s brokerage;

and may include:

• defects that would involve great expense to remedy;

• local authority and similar notices received by the seller that prejudicially affect the property;

• the lack of appropriate municipal building and other permits.


In clause 6.1(h) of the Purchase Contract the seller represents and warrants to the buyer that “except as otherwise disclosed, the Seller is not aware of any defects that are not visible and that may render the Property dangerous or potentially dangerous to occupants or unfit for habitation”. If the seller has not disclosed any material latent defects but you have concerns that some may exist, you or your REALTOR® should make specific enquiries of the seller to address your concerns. You can also discuss with your REALTOR® the addition of specific warranties to the Purchase Contract to protect your interests.


Because sellers are not required to reveal every problem known by them to affect their property and yet are required to respond honestly to any questions they choose to answer, prudent buyers should ask questions about the property. Here are some examples of lines of inquiry you may wish to consider:


• Ask specific questions about the structure, the roof, any water seepage, the condition of mechanical systems and other equipment; • Ask about the existence of any notices from a local or municipal authority and permits for any renovations or additions;

• Verify the condition of any suspect component of the property;

• Enlist the services of professional inspectors to assist in determining the condition of the property – especially if you have any special issues or concerns (for example, allergies or health concerns).


If information disclosed to you by the seller or the seller’s REALTOR®, whether through the listing data, answers to direct questions or otherwise, is critical to your decision to make an offer, you must make that information part of the Purchase Contract. That is because the Purchase Contract provides that there are no representations, warranties or collateral agreements except as described in the Purchase Contract. Except in the case of fraud, buyers cannot later rely on oral or written representations by the seller or their agents that are not embodied in the Purchase Contract. You should discuss with your REALTOR® whether any information is critical to you and how your offer can be written to allow you to rely on that information if it turns out to be inaccurate.


Measurement


The above paragraph applies to measurements as well as to defects in the property. Standards for the exact measurement of a property are problematic because of the wide variation in styles and uses of space. Recognizing the difficulty in obtaining precise measurements and the fact that buyers most often want only a general idea of the size of a property, the real estate industry has moved towards the practice of providing approximate measurements. If exact size/measurements are important to you, it is your responsibility to verify the information provided. In this case, you might want to make your offer to purchase conditional on the confirmation of measurements.


Inspection Reports


Hiring a qualified property inspector to check the overall condition of the property is recommended to all home buyers. The inspector will report on: the structural components, including the foundation; exterior features, including attached decks, steps, eaves, grading, drainage and driveways; the roof; the plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems; interior features; insulation and ventilation; and fireplaces. However, home inspections do not cover all aspects of the property and are subject to disclaimers made by the inspection company. Be aware of the limitations on the scope of the inspection.


If the home inspection indicates there is a concern or if you and your REALTOR® suspect there might be a problem, additional professional inspections may be advisable:


Electrical Inspection: an inspection of the electrical system and components of a property that will identify any deficiencies.

Engineering Report: provides information on the structural integrity of any buildings.

Environmental Report (e.g., a Phase one audit): assists in determining if there are any environmental problems related to the property.

Furnace and Chimney Inspection: assists in determining if the furnace and the chimney meet current safety and insurance standards.

Gas Line Inspection: the natural gas utility determines the integrity of gas lines and if any improvements to the property require relocation if they have been built over gas service lines.

Moisture Inspection: checks for signs of mould and other problems caused by moisture; finds reasons for moisture and recommends appropriate action.

Plumbing Inspection: outlines any deficiencies in the plumbing and drainage components of a property.

Septic/Sewer Inspection: determines the condition of the sewer/septic system.

Water Quality/Quantity Test: determines the quantity and quality of the water supply.

Wood Stove/Fireplace Inspection: determines if the wood stove or fireplace meets insurance requirements.


This is not an exhaustive list. If particular problems are identified with the furnace or the roof, for example, you may request other inspections/reports from experts in these areas. It is common practice to ask your REALTOR® to make an offer that is conditional on receiving satisfactory inspections/reports and allowing for a reasonable length of time to make an informed decision based on all of the information available to you. You should be aware that despite the advisability of seeking expert inspections in certain circumstances, the desired inspections may not be available in your area.


Title Search


Part of the due diligence process undertaken by you and your REALTOR® should include a title search of a property you are interested in buying. Once your REALTOR® has the information to identify the legal description, title is something that can be verified online through the provincial government’s website, www.spin.gov.ab.ca. The title search confirms the ownership of the land and whether there are any easements, restrictive covenants, leases, mortgages and encumbrances or charges registered against the land.


Municipal Compliance and Encroachments


Sellers are expected to provide buyers with a real property report (an RPR) that shows property boundaries and the location of buildings and other immovable structures on the land. It should also show proof that the location of all structures complies with municipal bylaws. If the seller does not intend to provide this documentation, then the Warranties and Representations section of the Purchase Contract becomes a negotiating point in your transaction and you should seek the advice of your lawyer.


The cost of the RPR may be a factor in the seller’s decision, or it may be compliance that causes the problem. Some municipalities make it a costly and lengthy process. More importantly, however, the seller may know or suspect that there is a problem, such as a fence on the neighbour’s property or a roof overhanging city land, that would be expensive to fix. You will have to decide with the help of your lawyer whether or not you want to take on this risk. Some buyers are using title insurance to help mitigate the risk under these circumstances. Like any other insurance policy, title insurance has certain stipulations and exclusions so it is important to be well informed before opting for this alternative. Your lawyer is best qualified to assist you in this regard.


The Torrens System and Land Titles


In Alberta, we are fortunate to have certainty of title, thanks to the Torrens Land Title system, widely acknowledged as “one of the most efficient, accurate and reliable land registry systems in the world”. This impacts the transfer of land in two ways. First, the Torrens system guarantees owners and prospective buyers that what they see on title is accurate and complete as far as ownership of the property is concerned. If mistakes have been made, or title fraud has been perpetrated, there is a Land Titles Assurance Fund to compensate injured parties.


Second, in order to protect the system, Land Titles offices conduct careful examinations of all registrations, a practice which leads to delays in transferring title in peak periods of the year. In order to expedite the conveyancing process and allow residential real estate transactions to close on time, the Law Societies of the western provinces created the Western Provinces Conveyancing Protocol. It allows lenders to advance mortgage funds in the absence of a real property report. Clause 4.12 of the Purchase Contract gives the seller’s and buyer’s consent to their lawyers to use the Protocol if it is appropriate in the lawyers’ opinion. As the Protocol has not yet been accepted by all lending institutions, title insurance is a common tool used by lawyers to cover delays in transferring title.


It is important for buyers to realize that only the lenders are protected by the Western Provinces Conveyancing Protocol and that buyers still require a real property report to confirm that there are no survey defects that could impact their decision to buy the property.


Grow Ops and Meth Labs


The proliferation of marijuana grow operations and methamphetamine labs in homes or other buildings on properties for sale is causing increasing concern for REALTORS® and their clients. Buyers, with the help of their REALTOR®, should be on the lookout for any signs that such activity has taken place. Your REALTOR® may be able to assist you in identifying signs that a home has been used for drug operations. Some of the more obvious clues are:


• Vents have replaced windows;

• There is extra ventilation and/or the fireplace chimney has been rerouted;

• Windows show signs of having been covered;

• There are signs of heavy condensation and/or mould;

• The electrical panel and wiring are unusual;

• Lighting is brighter than normal;

• There is a skunky smell (marijuana) or the odour of ammonia or acetone (methamphetamine).


In conjunction with one or more of these red flags, you should be suspicious if the home is a vacated rental property or the owners have moved out, and if there is an attached double garage that allows access to the home to be hidden from the neighbours.


Sellers are not required by law to reveal the historical use of their property unless the past activity has created a material latent defect. If asked directly, they are required to answer truthfully, but it may not be prudent to rely on a reassuring response if you have any suspicions whatsoever. A professional property inspection is recommended as the next step and a warranty by the seller should be added to the terms in the Purchase Contract stating that, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, the property has never been used to grow marijuana or to manufacture drugs.


If a property has been used as a grow op or meth lab, the seller may advise that the property has been remediated to the standards of the health authorities. In this case, further inspections are justified and it will be your decision as to whether you wish to purchase the property in spite of its history.


Condominium Property


Much, but not all, of the advice in this guide applies to the purchase of a resale condominium. The type of condo — apartment style, townhouse, bareland — will affect the usefulness of the advice as well. If you are considering the purchase of a condominium property, you need to be aware of the provisions in the Condominium Property Act that are intended to protect you before you make an offer on a particular unit.


Several organizations have produced information sheets or brochures that can help you make informed decisions. Start with Alberta Government Services (www.governmentservices.gov.ab.ca). The website has a quick link to consumer tipsheets. Click on Buying and Owning a Condominium. CMHC is another source. Go to www.cmhc.gc.ca and in the Consumer section, you will find “Condominium Buyer’s Guide” as a subset of Buying a Home. The publication is free but there is a process to go through to download it.


AREA’s Purchase Contract cannot be used for the purchase of new condominiums (new construction and conversions from rental property) because different provisions exist in the Act for this type of sale. Further information on buying from a developer is available from the Alberta New Home Warranty Program. The direct link to their award-winning booklet “The Way Home” Condominium Guide is www.intheknowcondo.com.


Due Diligence


The “Buyer Beware” principle requires buyers and their REALTORS® to undertake active investigation of any property the buyer is serious about purchasing. Your due diligence involves knowing what you want and what you want to avoid, asking questions to gather the information you need to make a fully informed decision and relying on a team of professionals — including a REALTOR® , a lawyer and trained inspectors — to provide expertise in specialized areas. By exercising due diligence, you have the ability to ensure that your home purchase is a satisfactory experience for you.


 
Information provided by the Calgary Real Estate Board

Thomas Krause
Cell: 403-678-7653
RE/MAX Alpine Realty
PO Box 8823
104 - 709 MAIN STREET
Canmore AB T1W 2B2 CA