Messages

1

Announcements / Re: Sheriffs Sale of Lands - Owen Sound

« on: June 29, 2016, 06:30:54 PM »

Unless I am mistaken, the answer is no -- what is up for auction is the equity, if any, the person has in the property.  As the Conditions of sale state:

"The purchaser to assume responsibility for all mortgages, charges, liens, outstanding taxes, and other encumbrances."

Parenthetically speaking, I'm not smart enough to understand the appeal of a Sherriff's sale.

2

General / Re: City of Toronto - Anyone know what this clause says

« on: June 20, 2016, 03:54:17 PM »

Without looking it up, I'd bet a donut that it restricts the sale of a parking unit to only those who own a residential unit within the building.  I.E., you can't sell parking spots or lockers on their own and they need to be 'merged' with a living space.

I have a unit in a building that made this a requirement not long ago.

3

General / Re: Grimsby

« on: October 24, 2014, 06:39:11 PM »

If you can't trust Wikipedia, what can you trust?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photography

Suggests that perhaps the existence of such a photo and the date don't quite align.  Though perhaps it just took them a long time to clean up....

Truly a tragedy.  The loss of life and beer, that is, not the illegitimate photo.

4

General / Re: North Frontenac 200acres

« on: September 30, 2014, 04:24:49 PM »

Good luck on your bid -- that does appear to be an amazing piece.  Start stocking up on solar panels if you're successful.  And yes, I'd be curious to know what it goes for.

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Announcements / Re: Property Information

« on: September 16, 2014, 08:27:39 PM »

On the upside, they aren't under water, like the Sunfish Lake ones in Wilmot -- those I definitely don't get.

That much land could be a useful hunt camp, etc, IF there is legal access to it.  But in this particular region, if there's isn't defined access, it may get much harder to get to in the years ahead what with the large lands claim settlement making its way though the paperwork process. 

Back to Ruok's original thread, I'd be inclined to lay blame at the municipality for any incorrect details.  For properties that aren't 'featured' on OTS, I always assumed they just picked up the details from the Gazette and reposted them along with links to the property searches, etc.  The only time I'd anticipate OTS or TT doing any extra work would be for the featured listings, which they'd be making revenue on.

If anyone has any clever thoughts on what you'd do with the Wilmot lots though I'd love to hear them.

6

General / Re: Has anyone spotted the possible little gem?

« on: September 16, 2014, 02:45:50 PM »

That depends -- is it cancelled now?  I was praying that it wouldn't be, but alas just a couple days before the sale...

7

General / Re: Revenue Lien

« on: May 09, 2014, 08:52:47 PM »

Debts to the Crown always survive tax sales.  No escaping taxes.

Though it'd be interesting to hear if anyone has ever tried negotiating a payment plan with the CRA.  I suspect that they wouldn't negotiate down, but you might be able to work something out payments wise. 

If not, could be an expensive lesson as the CRA would probably pounce quickly on your other assets (wages, bank accounts, liens against other real assets, etc) if you did become the winner, once they smell fresh meat...

8

General / Re: South Bruce

« on: May 07, 2014, 04:38:50 PM »

Rob Ford?  His whereabouts are currently unknown.

I believe the only tell-tale signs from the outside would be a sagging roof (moisture/condensation typically accumulates and destroys it) or 'odd' electrical work, i.e., meters bypassed, additional wiring, etc.

The RCMP actually has a page on this at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fio-ofi/grow-ops-culture-eng.htm. 

Switching gears to Kinmount, I thought maybe it was a grow-up when I did a drive-by.  But turns out it's just an abandoned gas station that the town wants to burn.  The morale of the story is, do a Google first before a drive-by I guess.  Though it's always nice to visit Kawartha Dairy, so the trip wasn't a complete loss:

http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/3716450-who-can-act-to-remove-kinmount-s-blue-eyesore-/

9

General / Re: Ontario Government Renovation Grants??

« on: April 07, 2014, 05:10:21 PM »

Hey Matt (and anyone else doing renos) -- if you're an Enbridge customer, they have a program running right now for energy efficient upgrades made before the end of 2014:

http://knowyourenergyscore.ca/community-energy-conservation/

There is also a geographic requirement, so you have to live in the 'right neighbourhood' to qualify, which you'll see on the link above.  I.E., I'm an Enbridge customer but my neighbourhood doesn't make the list.  Grant value is up to $2K.

Cheers,

10

Questions and Answers / OTS/Tri-Target Services/Sway

« on: February 22, 2014, 05:30:55 PM »

Well, according to marriage counselor theory (not mine, a friend's) after the honeymoon phase is over the 'Reality Phase' begins where you see what you've really got on your hands after the fog of the thrill of the chase has lifted.  But in that case, the sign of the end of one phase and the beginning of another is usually marked by the arrival of frigid temperatures...

I could also be answering the wrong question, which if that's the case I'll claim Newbie status. 

And while I have that, I'll ask a potentially naive question -- you're suggesting that OTS & Tri-Target control, or at least have some sway, over when the tax sales take place.  Wouldn't it be more at the discretion of the municipalities, and then they just hand the advertising and dispersal of the info-paks to one or the other (or, in some cases, neither, and remain the manager)?

In the event that I owe you a beer (though if I do, I'm going to refer back to our Maritimes discussion and zero-it-out), I'm out in the west end of the GTA, in the Kingdom of Hazel (a city which uses neither OTS or Tri-Target), though I do know the east end quite well and travel there from time to time.  But right now I'm heading south for a week to avoid those back-to-freezing temperatures you mentioned 

11

Announcements / BUMP: Ontario Tax Sales EBook

« on: February 22, 2014, 01:38:45 PM »

[I probably shouldn't be bumping such an old thread but some of it is an interesting psychological study.]

I echo ErnestBidder's thoughts below on sending a thank you to Rob.  I've been enjoying some of dialogue on the site lately and it's aided in creating a few new thoughts as well.  I acquired the eBook a while back -- if you haven't downloaded it, check it out on Amazon at the link at the top of the thread -- not only for access to the material but also to show my support & appreciation for the Taxsaleproperty.org site.

Rob, is there anything else we could be doing, i.e., clicking on a link a day before we log off, etc?  Getting friends and family members to register (the ones we like, anyways)?

Thanks again Rob for making this resource available, and thanks to those who engage!

For those who are lurking, if you ever read a thread/post that references a picture, and you wonder what the heck the person is talking about, the only way to see the picture is to register and log in.  You might still wonder what the relevance is, but at least you can see the picture.    

Best,
NDR

12

Questions and Answers / Re: Does anyone want to share costs of parcel searches?

« on: February 22, 2014, 01:07:37 PM »

This discussion has morphed into something much different so I will deal with first things first. 

I worried as I hit 'Post' on my last note that someone might rap my knuckles, or suggest that I was off on a small-engines-esqe tangent (though that discussion was educational as well).  But I think we've arrived back at the original theme, albeit in a circuitous manner -- that being the larger costs beyond the initial search, and the value of knowing/researching the local area to better manage those costs.

And I suspect that Dave2's answer fits the theme.  Selling, also a cost depending on your exit strategy, is a cost and factor and the best way to control/manage that is knowing the local environment and with and through any existing network.

On the topic of tangential lines of thought I have another question, but rather then contaminate this thread further I'll find a more appropriate discussion thread to pose it in.  As soon as I find time to dig for it.

Best, NDR

P.S. 

the road is closed by the police and all sorts of heavy equipment is trying to clear a drain to prevent it being washed out.  More on the relevance of that later.

If you are, in fact, in Port Hope, it's the cemetery, isn't it?  They're worried about the buried nuclear waste hitting the cemetery and triggering the zombie apocalypse, right? 

13

Questions and Answers / Re: Does anyone want to share costs of parcel searches?

« on: February 22, 2014, 02:18:23 AM »

Not specifically talking about Port Hope, but generally about any property with a large 'collection' of equipment:

Well, one could do a quick search on the Net, see the current value of a ton of scrap metal, and think as they survey an assortment of old cars, construction and farm equipment -- and perhaps an old railcar, just for good measure -- "There must be at least 60 tons or so, which would be at least $18k, so this is actually potential upside." and then proceed to close the deal.

But then, once you're the proud owner of all that you survey, you start to realize upon closer inspection that it won't be as easy as pulling these things onto a flatbed.  And some items are of such size that they'll have to be taken out in pieces, likely when load restrictions on the local roads have passed.  At around this point a helpful local might drop by, and advise that if the equipment isn't 'dry' -- ie gas, oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, even flooded batteries -- then there is an environmental concern and you'll need to enlist the aid of a licensed salvage professional, registered with the MoE and carrying the proper insurance.  And you know, based on the helpful local's disposition, that they'll likely stop by to make sure you remembered their advice when the work starts.

So as the work begins and the barrels are filling up and the torches are cutting (and burning their not inexpensive fuel), you realize that it's not just the vehicles getting cut to pieces.

Just like, if there's an old abandoned building on the property standing in the way of your plans, getting rid of it may not be as easy as walking into the local fire hall and saying 'hey, I've got a great way for you guys to get some practice!'

But that, as Hammy's friend would say, is another story.

14

Questions and Answers / Eldorado/AECL Status Letters

« on: February 21, 2014, 09:39:14 PM »

Here's a link that's an educational read:

http://thewalrus.ca/nuclear-reaction/

I typically avoid 'government conspiracy' stories but there's so much documentation on the challenges of Port Hope I think this transcends that.

Though I suspect this would be more relevant to the house within the boundaries of Port Hope.  Though the 75 acre parcel seems to have it's own unique environmental issues.

Sensitive to people who may call Port Hope home, it is a beautiful area and I encourage all to support the local establishments if you happen to drive through.

15

Questions and Answers / Re: Does anyone want to share costs of parcel searches?

« on: February 19, 2014, 09:32:53 PM »

The other piece/side of 'mailing it in' is the fad variable.  Using G2020's OTS example, if you go there (as I just did, looking to see that century home) I see a parcel of land in Wasaga that sold for $971,000 below assessed value.  Wow!  With bargains like that to be had, who wouldn't want to get involved with Tax Sales?  I'd be stupid NOT to get involved in this!

Plus every now and then you have a writer or journalist do a story on tax sales and that attracts a new flock of people into the field.  I'll admit that's what got me into it years ago, and I jumped in with both feet, driving around the province, dragging whatever family member I could, along for the investigation.  I took a hiatus when one particular outing we ran into the same car at every property we went to (if you recall being stalked by a blue Saab 93, 'Hi!  Nice to meet you again!').  But what prompted the hiatus wasn't the potential competition, but each property of interest that trip had either a dump on the grounds or a building that had been taken over by wildlife/nature and couldn't possibly be anywhere close to the assessed value in the info package.

But the lure is there hence my own renewed interest.  As already mentioned, the search isn't the real cost -- it's the investment in time to do the research (whatever way you do it).  G2020's accounting is a very valuable insight.

Though I'm still curious to know if we hit on the reason Dave2 sticks to his marked territory.