Clinton News-Record, 1984-01-25, Page 14149p,13, •
,.•
Forty Toronto -bas
investigated, in Mai 04°
thrgi 0
Ontario vacation properties
Pr. RobeFt•Pgig,'_OitariO Minister of PO-
suMet anctcpaltilare
icesDivMetro 'bomb)! L'r1,0 ;Ott And
ibiaistrft
•gigging
numerous complaints fraM, pap* *ho say
they were bilked by land ageeiStara in the
purchase of cottage and retreat land located
throughout Ontario, -
The complaints range from the loss of ;Pp
to $10,000 downpayments to gross
misrepresentationa.of lots for sale.
In some cases, the ,.complaints are
reminiscent of the infamegrorida swamp
land deals of an earlier•Vragfeoplware be
ug shown one lot ,andSien sold another in,
ferior property. Sometimes** property is a
swamp.
"Although I can't release details that will
jeopardize the investigations, 1 ea,a, wara
people to use extreme caution when buying
Ontario vacation properties today," says;
Dr. Elgie.
------- -Air -evidence -so- far you to aern
serious and growing--pr-oblem in.boliday -lot
All buyers who complained to the ministry
had responded to classified advertisements
in Toronto newspapers for single properties
for sale. Most buyers assumed the land was
being sold privately by individual owners
until they visited a company office where
they were shown photographs and maps of
several las fel- sae: •
Some of ,the buyers say the company
pressured them into buying land unseen.
Others complained the companies had sold
them land before the companies owned it (at
inflated prices) and invented or exag-
gerated features that enhanced the proper-
ty: •
In one case, a man inspected a $32,000 pro-
perty near Toronto and immediately
tendered a $3,500 downpayment. When tak-
ing possession Of the land, he learned his
property was a swamp, 570 metres west of
the land he thought he bought.
The man, who claims he can't walk on the
property without wearing wading .boots,
faces monthly property payments of $300 for
the next eight years. The company refuses
to return his money or buy back the proper-
ty. •
In. anOthaie a fifth -it)/ cashed their
savings bonds to buy what they thought was
a, once-in-a-lifetime deal - a 25 -acre lot with
two lakes selling for $29,000. The company,
which claimed to ownthe land, said it was
repossessing it from the current occupants
who had defaulted on mortgage payments.
The company said it -merely wanted back•its
initial investment. •
The couple paid an initial deposit of $500
and later a good faithdeposit of $9,500. They
agreed to pay the remaining $19,000 on clos-
ing. However, months have passed and the
-Cotyle-irare-neither-reeeiVed-the-prOpertY;%,
deed nor a refund of their deposits.
. Dr. Elgie advises. people who feel they,
have been bilked in the purehasekol-Kopostyt
• to Contact their local polite or gtrie•rn'
ment police investigators at ( 416 )63-03O2.
•
. .
•
ankrupt
"One learns a tremendous amount by get- .
ting your nose bloodied sometimes. It's a
very fast way of learning; one never
forgets," says businessman Frank Hess.
A Question of 'Confidence, premieringon
.TNIOntariotattes viewers to a firm in North
Bay for a closeup of the drainatic effects oh ,
the -owner and employees of a Small corn-
pany faced with bankruptcy.
For Frank and Jola Hesss,, Terra Steel -
their prefabricated steel building company' •
- was a dream Come true. The first few
years of operation were' successful and pro-
mised a future of steady business growth.
.The Hesses had no way 'of foreseeing (nor
magic for averting) the economic disaster
they would face_ along with countleSs. other
small businesses hard hit by recession. ,
A Question ,of Confidence records the •
crucial months of their business's decline
and documents how they and their
employees accept the possibility of loss of
company and jobs with remarkalikn- -
courage, tenacity, and humor. •
"A Question of Confidence" premiers
Thursday, 23 February at 8:30 p.tn. EST.
Produced by TVOntario ( Babs Church) in
cooperation With Allen Rogers Productions.
Prices effective thru Saturday. January 28th, 1963.
"Savings listed in this ad based on current regular retail prices."
A&P reserves the right to limit quantities to normal family requirements!
CARTON OF 20'S OR 25'S
2S
I1)A CIWIrettes
MaceK )(IAA
1984
HURON COUNTY
AT LAS
This is a project to commemorate
Bicentennial Year in Ontario and to
update the original 1879 Huron County
Atlas. 0,-
All businesses, organizations, groups
and Individuals within the county of
Huron are invited to submit articles for
the 1984 Atlas.
Forma and guidelines may be obtained
at your local library or municipal office.
For further information call:
Cathy Vanderberg'524-2950
or It no answer cal( the County Clerk's •
Office 524-094.
Steering Committee
1984 Huron County Atlas
,5riskht
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