Outing Ottawa Grow-Ops

A really good thing is happening in Ottawa.  We finally have a police registry for grow-up locations.  You want to be happy with your new home and be a savvy buyer.  The following article is not to scare you but to caution you so that you can “smoke out” grow-op homes and use that information in your decision-making process. 

50 A Year.  There are marijuana grow operations and clandestine crystal meth labs being run in Ottawa homes.  Each year, the Ottawa Police Service uncovers approximately 50 of these operations.  Later these homes are sold, sometimes without the purchaser knowing the house’s history.

The Registry.  On February 1, 2008, the Ottawa Police Department began publishing a registry of addresses of former grow-ops and labs.  Three locations were cited on its first day.  Two of these locations were linked to Google maps so that the reader more accurately could determine the locations.

The Damage.  As a buyer, you need to be apprehensive about the former use of a house or condo as a grow-op or crystal meth lab.  Concerns fall into two categories - air quality and structural integrity.  For example, while the house is being used for the hydroponic growth of plants, the possibility of mould increases substantially.  Off-gas from a crytal meth lab may have long term implications for air quality as the chemicals saturate the building.  To access electricity illegally and extensively, the operator may have drilled through the foundation to access hydro and may also have rewired the house.  One assumes, of course, that that rewiring occurred without permits. 

See for yourself.  If you are interested in seeing what kind of damage can occur, Mike Holmes did an episode called Gone to Pot.  The photos from the house in question are available on Mike’s site.    

Assess the damage. Damages can be repaired.  What you, the buyer will want to know is the extent of the damage and the cost to remedy the situation.  If you continue to want to buy, your offer should reflect what you, your real estate sale professional and your contractor have determined as risks and costs. 

Where to see the list.  The Ottawa Police Service have a website with the registry and additional information and photos of grow-ups and crystal meth labs. 

Valerie Zinger

Ottawa Real Estate Today

Phone:  613-723-5300

Email:  vzinger@royallepage.ca

Get Moving: Appliances

Ottawa appliances. In some cities, it is almost expected that the seller will leave the appliances as part of the sale. In Ottawa, it is something that the seller and his or her real estate agent discuss in advance. If the listing does not include mention of specific appliances as included, then the buyer will be in a position of either negotiating to have the appliances included in the Purchase Agreement or buying new appliances - fridge, stove, washer, dryer - and possibly a dish washer and a microwave oven.

Fridge and a Painted WallFridge. What would you absolutely have to buy in order to survive and what should you have ready on the first day or two that you have possession? Unlike furniture, where buying in advance can be a problem, I think you must have a fridge. Food goes bad and people can get sick so keeping your food safe is important. You can wait a bit for the delivery of other appliances as there are work-arounds such a laundromats, barbeques, restaurants and toaster ovens.

Size matters. Oops, one caveat on buying appliances before house possession. Did you know that there are many sizes of fridges and stoves? You need to find out how much space is available before you go on a buying spree. Get your real estate agent to find this out for you.

Clunking along. Sometimes the appliances left by the previous owners are not what you would want but they are “perfectly good”, meaning they do the job but have no redeeming features. We bought a house in the Glebe that had a dishwasher that was held together by duct tape - inside the unit. Thinking that it would not be long before that little beauty died, we decided to wait it out. More than five years later the dishwasher stilled worked and the duct tape, while an eye sore when loading the machine, held it together. However, with the almost simultaneous death of the fridge and stove, we decided to get all three of these appliances at the same time. Happily it was years after we had gone through the rather steep costs of moving.

Sales, fit, and budget. There are lots of places to shop for appliances in both Ottawa and Gatineau. Appliances are expensive, watch for sales. Be sure to get what you want, what fits your space and what fits your budget.

Photo Credit:  Fridge and a Painted Wall by:  http://flickr.com/photos/jimwinstead/214649613/

Valerie Zinger  ~ Ph.  613-723-5300 ~ email:  vzinger@royallepage.ca

 

← Previous Page