CAUTION!! NIGHTMARE TENANT!!

Dr. Lorin D. Card, Department of Critical Studies, University of B.C. Okanagan ( UBC Kelowna) bounced two rent cheques and caused $4,850 damage to my town home.

I always believed that, people who subscribe to the theory that all renters are dishonorable, actually harbor a certain bias against those who can’t purchase their own homes. My theory is that, if owners do due diligence on prospective tenants, they will enjoy good working relationships with renters. However, Dr. Lorin Card UBC Kelowna proved to be an exception to my theory.

In the case of this nightmare tenant, I wonder if I did some profiling when I researched his application. He is, after all, a Professor at the University! He touted his profession throughout the interview process. In fact, he went so far as to identify his job at the University on his personal cheques. Perhaps I was unduly influenced when I made the assumption that University educators live within a sound code of ethics.

Construction of my new town home was completed in late spring of 2008. Initially, I planned to use this unit as my personal residence. I worked with the designers to create a unique and beautiful home. Detailed attention was given to the choice of high quality hardwood floors, plush carpets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. When my personal circumstances changed, I decided to rent out my home for the time being. I was confident that I would find tenants who would treat my home with respect.

To that end, I set the rent amount consistent with the high-end upgrades and advertised my town home. My representative started the interview process. We thought we had found the perfect family. Dr. Card’s income, alone, was ample enough to cover the rent for his partner, children and cat. They appeared to appreciate the quality of my home and were excited to be considered. In fact, they required an exception to my general policy of month-to-month rental agreements. They wanted more security and requested a one-year lease agreement. After due consideration, I agreed to sign a lease for not less than one year starting August 1, 2008.

Dr. Card provided us with twelve post-dated rent cheques entitled “Lorin D. Card, Dept. of Critical Studies, UBC-O, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, B.C. V1V1V7”. Other than one NSF cheque (which appeared to be an accounting error and was rectified immediately), there was no reason to suspect that his cheques were not sound. Further, we had no reason to suspect that Lorin Card’s family was so negligent that they were causing more than $5,000 worth of damage to my home. It wasn’t until he bounced his June 1, 2009 cheque that I realized that a nightmare was about to start. He was about to flee the premises, refusing to leave a forwarding address. He was about to take no responsibility for the damage he caused.

Just prior to the NSF cheque, my representative received an email from Dr. Card’s partner. She was sharing the fact that she and Lorin were planning to separate. She gave her sincerest apology and assured us that they would work with us to find new tenants. Just hours later, she sent another email advising that; indeed, they each found new homes and would be leaving soon. “Good news”, she said. Of course, this correspondence wouldn’t even meet the LRB notice required if they had a month-month agreement. However, they were aware that they had a lease and were contractually obligated for the balance of the twelve months.

I was sorry to hear about their personal issues and naively set out to re-rent my home quickly so that I could release them from their lease. The first step in that process was to meet with the tenants to do a walkthrough and compare the existing condition to the signed August 1, 2008 condition document. Lorin’s partner did attempt to meet with my representative. Clearly, it took courage for her to face us, given the deplorable state of my home. However, Lorin Card was not so courageous. He left.

Although the attached pictures show the damage, they don’t do justice to the appalling state of my home. It would take weeks to set appointments with service people and get $4,850 dollars worth of repairs done, which didn’t deal with all of the damages they caused.

The damage was caused by sheer negligence. The house was filthy. At some point during their 10-month stay, the dryer hose disengaged. Instead of hooking it up again, they simply used the dryer while all the lint flew throughout the house. The walls were thick with lint. There were holes in the walls throughout the home. In most cases, the painters were unable to patch marks and had to fill the holes and repaint the entire wall. My beautiful hardwood floors were gouged. They didn’t bother with putting felt under the legs of their furniture. They continually scraped their furniture across the floors, creating scratches and actual gouges in many of the floors.

It is noted that, initially, I couldn’t believe that the buckled floorboards in the kitchen could be caused by negligence. I hired a fridge repairer to fix the faulty, leaking fridge. But, the fridge was in perfect working condition. The tenants continually spilled water each time they used the fridge water dispenser. They just left the water to puddle on the floor. The floorboards eventually buckled. I hired a hardwood specialist. We replaced the boards that were completely ruined but had to leave the scratched floorboards. I hired two carpet cleaners in an attempt to remove the peculiar stains in my carpets. The stains couldn’t be removed and I couldn’t replace the carpet.

All attempts to work with Lorin, through emails, to recover some of my losses have been fruitless. To add insult to injury, Lorin Card is attempting to blame me for his negligence. He says that the damage was “normal wear and tear”. His response to the issue of the ruined hardwood floors was that they were “pint size scuffs and can be fixed with a little paint”. His actually threatens to “call CHBC or better to expose me as a rip-off landlord who is making them pay for new floors”. The fact that my floors were new before he damaged them seems to escape him.

Dr. Card attempts to justify his bounced cheques. He broke the lease because he was sleeping on the sofa AND the driveway was too small. He fails to mention that they didn’t use their storage cupboard. Instead they strew their junk and garbage across the garage floor so that they couldn’t park there. One of his classic excuses is that he broke the lease because the owners of the town home next to mine had a no pet policy. He writes, “the place next to us won’t let (sic) her have a cat and yet we have a cat. How can that be?”

He advised me that the $1,000 damage deposit along with money to ‘steam clean the carpet” is more than enough to pay for the $4850 damage plus the two months’ rent. In fact, he wrote, “you will get an IOU which we cannot pay, that is should you be flukey enough to win this case”.

I will continue the legal battle. But, in the meantime, it is my responsibility to share my nightmare experience through the complaints board. When owners do their due diligence, they will see my posting. They will be cautioned not to make an assumption that because of the nature of Lorin Card’s profession, he will be a reliable honorable tenant. At the very least, any one reading my complaint may want to consider researching further before signing any contract with this particular professor.

Lorin Card writes that this complaint is “your stupid idea” and that “only crazies do such idiocies”. Further he writes that my posting will only get me “derisory” stares. He advised me that his “colleague can dismantle it in less than 5 mins”.

Despite my experience with this tenant, I still believe that some renters are reliable and responsible. Now, when owners do their due diligence, they will be cautioned that one renter, Dr. Lorin Card, Assoc. Professor Dept. of Critical Studies, UBC-O caused over $5,000 damage to my new home and bounced two rent cheques for $1750 each. He shows no remorse and accepts no responsibility.

For more information and pictures please see www.lorincard.com

Tags: renting, tenant, landlord, Dr. Lorin D. Card, Department of Critical Studies, University of B.C.-Okanagan, prospective tenants, UBC.CA, Lorin Card, UBC Kelowna

Discover Negotiating Tips for Okanagan Real Estate Property

You spent time searching through Okanagan real estate listings for the perfect home. Now it’s time to negotiate on the price. However, this is where many people have difficulties. For instance, the seller can say yes to your offer, return with a counteroffer, or simply reject your offer. So how do you successfully negotiate Okanagan real estate property? In this article, you will learn the basics of negotiating offers for Okanagan homes for sale.

Knowing how Much to Offer for Okanagan Real Estate

When you are looking through Okanagan real estate listings, you generally see an asking price for the property. However, there are many factors to keep in mind. For instance, you must decide for yourself if the asking price is fair for you and the seller. Some factors to consider include:

• The trends of similar Okanagan homes for sale


• The seller’s reason for selling the home


• How much are you willing to spend


• Does the proposed home have everything you want

After you consider all the factors that will play a part, the next step is to meet with Okanagan Royal Lepage realtors who’ll help shape your offer to suit both the seller and buyer needs. You may decide that the offer is a bit high and needs to be lower.

Dealing with Okanagan Real Estate Contingencies

Let’s face it, almost all Okanagan homes for sale offers contain some form of contingencies or events that must occur with a certain period, or the deal won’t be finalized. This period usually is within 30 days. For example, a buyer may ask that the Okanagan real estate property pass a home inspection within the 30-day period. If the property does not pass the inspection, the whole deal is off. Check with your Okanagan home finders for more information about Okanagan real estate contingencies.

Making Counteroffers for Okanagan Real Estate Homes

A seller does not have to accept an offer in an Okanagan Royal Lepage negotiation session. Even if your offer is the only one the seller receives, they still have the right to reject it. For instance, if a bid on a Okanagan real estate property is too low, the seller can refuse it immediately. Keep in mind that many sellers will respond with a counteroffer of their own. In this case, you do not have to accept it either. Some reasons for counteroffers include:

• The price – the seller may want more money than offered or does not want to pay for certain fees (home inspection, closing, down payment, etc)


• Closing date – The seller may need more time to move out


• Contract – The seller may not want to wait for the sale of your present home to happen.

Choosing the Right Okanagan Royal Lepage Realtors

Rob Dion and Lee Ivans are your best source for Okanagan homes for sale. Striving to ensure peace of mind, Rob and Lee can help you in your quest to purchase a home. Whether you need assistance with negotiating with sellers or you simply have questions concerning Okanagan real estate listings, they are the team you can trust. Rob Dion and Lee Ivans experiences as Okanagan home finders will serve as your tool to locating Okanagan real estate homes for sale. Come visit our website today for more information.

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Four Steps to Buying Kelowna Homes for Sale

When purchasing a home from a Kelowna Royal Lepage realtor, there are a few steps to keep in mind. One good search through Kelowna real estate listings can offer plenty of possibilities. The key however, is buying a home that you can live in comfortably. In this article, you will discover steps that will enhance your search for Kelowna homes for sale.

STEP 1: Decide Where and What Type of Home to Purchase

When purchasing a Kelowna home for sale, the first step is to decide what you and your family need. The questions to keep in mind are where you would want to live and in what type of home you desire to live. A badly chosen location can cause headaches that are hard to deal with. It is best to ask the expertise of Kelowna Royal Lepage realtors who are familiar with the area. Some factors to consider when searching through Kelowna real estate listings include:

• The quality of local schools


• The location of the nearest hospitals, shopping centers, and main public roads


• Trends in the neighborhoods’ resale values


• Proximity to local Kelowna attractions and events

The type of home is also an important decision for future buyers. Single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses are just some of the different pieces of property you will find in Kelowna real estate listings. Some key factors to consider when searching for Kelowna homes for sale include cost, location, and maintenance of property. Knowing what type of house you and your family need will play a huge part in purchasing a home.

STEP 2: Securing Financing for Kelowna Homes for Sale

Most Kelowna Royal Lepage realtors are knowledgeable when it comes to financing Kelowna homes for sale. Traditionally, many people purchase their home with a combination of a sizable down payment (usually 20%) and a loan from a lender. Generally, the more you put for your down payment, the lower the loan. It is best to shop around with lenders for the best possible deal on mortgage options and payment schedules. Check with your Kelowna Royal Lepage realtor as they can advise you where to go for financing.

STEP 3: Protecting your Kelowna Home

Protecting your investment starts before you purchase a Kelowna home for sale. The property will need to be checked by a quality home inspector prior to purchasing. This will help you in case an unforeseen issue arises. Inspectors check everything from the roof to the foundation and all points in between. It is recommended that you also purchase title insurance. This can also help you if there are debt claims or other problems that arise after you purchase a home from Kelowna real estate listings. You may also be required to carry hazard insurance to protect property against theft, fire, or flood damage.

STEP 4: Choosing the Right Kelowna Royal Lepage Realtors

Rob Dion and Lee Ivans of Kelowna home finders are your best source for Kelowna homes for sale. Striving to ensure peace of mind, Rob and Lee can help you in your quest to purchase a home. Whether you need assistance with finding lenders or you simply have questions concerning Kelowna real estate listings, they are the team you can trust. Rob Dion and Lee Ivans experiences as Kelowna Royal Lepage realtors will serve as your tool to locating Kelowna homes for sale. Come visit our website today for more information.

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West Kelowna Real Estate

Many Canadians have fallen in love with all the amenities the Okanagan has to offer and are not allowing the recent fires impact their decision to invest in Kelowna Real Estate. The Globe and Mail reported recently that “Canadians have fallen in love with the Kelowna region, and they aren’t about to let a little smoke and fire dissuade them from buying homes and condos and vineyards in record numbers.” Jemma Cowin your Kelowna Realtor!

West Kelowna Real Estate Boom

Much of the Kelowna Real Estate boom is taking place on the west side of Lake Okanagan in what is now named the District of West Kelowna. West Kelowna Real Estate has been flourishing recently as West Kelowna has had the fastest population growth in Canada between the years 2001 and 2006; whereas Kelowna’s population has grown to 110,000, almost doubling in 20 years. Overall there has been a 16.8% increase in Central Okanagan’s population between 2001 and 2008. It has been projected that the Central Okanagan will grow to 264,196 people by 2036. Kelowna Realtors have been promoting the West Kelowna Real Estate market a great deal recently and focusing on West Kelowna Lakefront properties. A wide selection of lakefront properties located in West Kelowna are located at a higher elevation making the most of the unsurpassed mountain, lake and city views. The taxes are known to be lower on the west side of the lake and many opportunities to own acreages on the water.

West Kelowna Real Estate International Coverage

West Kelowna Real Estate has been receiving a large amount of attention recently. It has been announced that the legendary golf professional Greg Norman and Norm Porter CEO of Treegroup Developments unveiled a $1- billion golf, winery and housing development for Peachland. They plan to use the 425 acres on the south-eastern slopes of Pincushion Mountain to develop a 7,100- yard championship golf course, winery, hotel, golf academy, tennis courts, amphitheatre, trail system and 2,200 housing units ranging from 10% affordable single-family homes, townhomes, condos and villas.

Treegroup Developments Corp. bought the Ponderosa Golf Course in 2007, but received a stalled development application. With a few additional purchases the company bought surrounding property and added 138 acres through a joint venture with Westbank First Nation. The signature golf course will be capable of hosting world-class golf tournaments and other major events, said Treegroup CEO Porter.

When Norman‘s team inspected the property, VP Jason McCoy told Porter: “We‘ve designed and developed 60 to 70 golf courses around the world, and this is one of the most spectacular properties we‘ve been on.”

West Kelowna- “Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe come together”

Norman, stated it‘s “I completely concur with what Jason said. This is a magnificent piece of property; the Okanagan is like when Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe comes together.” Greg Norman aka The Shark continued to say “It really is, when you think about the wineries you‘ve got here, the Okanagan lakes, the beautiful vistas and the Ponderosa pines. It‘s just a combination of everything. Very rarely do you get that anywhere in the world and you have it right here in the Okanagan,” “From our perspective, we‘re very, very fortunate to be involved here because this will turn out to be a gem, no question about it. We look where the growth corridor is going. If you look where Kelowna is now and West Kelowna, it‘s a very fast growing part of Canada.”

The goal is to open the golf course in the late spring of 2011 and have the first residents move in early in 2011.

**Information taken from Stats Canada, Globe and Mail and Economic Division of Kelowna Websites**


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Real Estate Companies Directory

The Real Estate Companies Directory is the premier directory for listing and promoting your Real Estate Company on the internet both locally and internationally. The directory provides many types of property related categories so that all companies working in the real estate industry can submit their web site listing and include up to 5 internal links to their site along with complete descriptions of the products or services provided. Also listing companies may include a live rss feed to their web site if they have one which gives greater coverage of the listing.

The Real Estate Companies Directory is running the latest software that has undergone extensive customization to give listing sites the maximum benefits for their internet advertising campaign. Listing sites will have several direct links to their site along with a private details page that can include a secure private contact form so users can contact them easily for information. Only real estate related websites can be listed and must be of high quality. Review fees are accepted via PayPal though the directory’s verified account and the review fees are fully refundable if the site is not accepted. Among the many categories in the directory are the Finance Companies section and a section for Property Insurance Companies to list their web sites. Just compare the Real Estate Companies Directory to other directories and you will see the difference and know that you will receive the finest listing possible for your company with the maximum benefits.


Tags: Real Estate Companies Directory, submit your link, Real Estate Company listings, international real estate companies