Joel Nash's Blog
Posted by Joel Nash
The Nicholas St. Gaol in Ottawa, Ontario Canada and it was otherwise known as the Carleton County Gaol. The building was constructed in the 1862 and was via tunnel to the Arts Courthouse. At times 150 men, women and children crammed into the 60 cells as they were held as prisoners within the structure.
The crimes committed varied greatly amongst the prisoner population from misdemeanors to murder. Prisoners were never allowed to see daylight. If the prisoner was sent to solitary confinement they where kept chained to the wall. The only time they were permitted out of their cells was to eat.
During the prison basement was used to quarantine immigrants who where thought to have scarlet fever. In addition to the deaths of immigrants, prisoners there were also three official hangings at the Gaol. The dead were buried in unmarked graves.
The jail finally closed its doors in 1972 and was reopened in 1973 as a youth hostel. It continues in this capacity to this very day. Hostel staff as well as guests report eerie occurrences throughout the hostel.
With all the atrocities it is not a surprise that this location is considered one of the most haunted locations in North America. Apparitions such as Patrick James Whelan, was hung February 11, 1869 and may have been wrongly accused of the murder of Thomas D’Arcy Mcgee. His body was buried in an unmarked grave on the premises.
So if you’re looking for a vacation destination that can produce thrills and chills in a unique environment call 613-235-2595 to book your room.
Posted by Joel Nash
Weird and unusual clientele are all a part of the Real Estate business. Dealing with them can be an art unto itself, as we have to navigate the murky waters of the awkward telephone conversation is part of the daily grind.
Most calls are typical House buying questions such as; what is the price of that house on Any Street? What is your fee for a house listing? Can you show me your listing? The questions are often repeated to the point of being monotonous.
In most instances these oddball calls inject a mild dose of humor into our daily routine. However this comedic relief can quickly turn offensive. A good example of the offensiveness that I have referred to here is a called fielded by a female agent in our office.
While taking calls the agent accepted a call from a gentleman asking about homes in the area. His only criterion was that the homes needed a large bedroom so he could work. This was a little odd but she continued her qualifying questions. “How many bedrooms are important? One big room is all I need.” “What features are important to you in a home? I just need a large bedroom for work.”
This line of questioning went on for a while and then the questions actually turned to what the gentleman did for a living. His response was, “I want to be a porn star that is why I need a large bedroom.” This is the point in the conversation when the agent hung up the phone.
The call may have been legitimate but it was more likely a prank. The call became a humorous tale but it had crossed the line into the realm of offensiveness.
Posted by Joel Nash
One of the most difficult things a landlord ever deals with is the eviction of a tenant. Regardless of how cold hearted or callus the landlord may seem about the issue of eviction, it is a very difficult decision to make. The overall need to maintain the revenue stream and the protection of their investment of the property versus the displacement of the tenants living there.
Often however the decision to evict is most often mediated by the tenant’s actions. Excessive noise, property damage, failure to pay the rent are just a few of the reasons that a landlord may choose to terminate a tenancy relationship. Eviction is used as a last resort by the landlord to safeguard their investment and income in a rental property.
Landlords often seek other alternatives to prevent eviction, as it can be costly. Once the eviction process has begun the tenant has little invested in the upkeep of the property. Therefore there tends to be a greater potential for property damage and disruption to the other tenants in the complex. If the tenant refuses to leave then there is the costly process navigating the legal channels available to you as a landlord.
The best way to protect against eviction and problem tenants is to do your homework. Make sure that you check new tenants credit and rental histories thoroughly. Also use your own judgment by interviewing the potential tenants. If you take precautions the need to evict tenants should be rare.
Posted by Joel Nash
There are a lot of instances in the day-to-day operation as a sales representative that are discouraging. Dealing with rejection and overcoming adversity is a daily staple for a Real Estate Sales Person. Each person that decides to pursue Real Estate as a career choice must be ready to deal with the highs and lows of the business.
Offers that are written don’t always get accepted. Offers that are accepted don’t always close. Clients are not always honest and upfront. It can be difficult to travel through the mire of agents, clients, lawyers, inspectors and sales people.
Staying positive in light of this adversity can be the most difficult part about being an agent. I find that personally by focusing on success is the best way to keep moving forward. There is occasionally days when my success was getting out of bed and getting to the office to get that deal killing paperwork signed but it is a success non-the-less.
Even with the slightest feeling of success in my day I find it easier to stay positive. The sunshines brighter, the sky is bluer and I just keep on smiling. I am confidant that I will have success each and everyday regardless of the grandeur of that success. You have success daily, you just have to open to recognize the successes of each day.
Posted by Joel Nash
Offer negotiation can be difficult and I tend not to be as focused on price as I am on the conditions in the offer. This was the case with the first offer on my Charles St. property. The price was fine the conditions left a lot to be done without enough time to do it.
When purchasing an investment property if you want vacant possession of the property you need to take the time constraints of the process into consideration. There are guidelines as to how much notice is required to legally vacate the property. In my case the minimum amount of notice required for tenant eviction is 60 days.
The tenant also has the right to contest the eviction, which can extend this period even longer as we wait for a hearing in front of the Rental Tribunal. Once there, that is no guarantee that they will rule in favour of the landlord. Essentially this could stall the sale of the home preventing the property from closing.
In the event you decide to buy an investment property with a condition ensuring vacant possession ensure that there is adequate time to fulfill the condition. Be ready to expect delays. Finally as you are made aware of issues be decisive about the direction you wish to go with the deal.
