Muskoka – the place to be with Mattamy’s billions.

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Well, I hope you all had a good long weekend and got to relax and enjoy the time off (for the lucky ones) and saw some fabulous Victoria Day fireworks.  I know some went to their cottages (don’t tell me you spent the time cutting grass) while others explored their area and, at least around here, enjoyed the weather.

I just hope not too many spent their whole time doing some house hunting.  Speaking of house hunting, I found this particular blog and found out where Mattamy’s owner puts his feet up and relaxes.  Muskoka of course and I understand it is on the land that once had a place called “Ferndale House” and later the Canadian Keswick Conference Centre, which burned down in 1946.  Yeah, I know, old property burned down. Developers dream but, I won’t say more in case Peter gets the wrong idea.   It is situated on Lake Rosseau and, as you can see by the picture, quite gargantuan.  But of course, so was his old shack on Lake Ontario.  (Edgemere -32,000 sq ft. ?)

What I find interesting are the comments I found on this blog.

“you can not get that size of cottage anymore with the restrictions.  I do believe that this particular place is zoned resort, which is how the size got to be there and the boathouse size.”

The question that comes to mind is, can a person build a structure on land zoned as “resort” but use it as a private cottage?  Are you using loopholes in the law to benefit yourself and not the community?  But then, I guess it is better to have one humongous cottage there than a bunch of smaller condos – kind of like what Edgemere became.  Watch out Muskoka when he sells.  You might just get a bunch of condo shacks there.

“Yes it is registered as a resort so peter gilgan can bring his friends up!

There are always wild parties in the boathouse making noise around the lake.  Oh well, big money partys big.”

Wild parties with Gilgan?  Doesn’t sound like the billionaire that donates millions to various charities, wins a plethora of ego stroking awards and, puts children’s lives at risk with illegal wiring.  Sounds more like trailer trash from old Regent Park but, we know Muskoka wouldn’t let that kind in.  But then, as we know, money talks.  Right Wellspring?

For those who enjoyed the weekend with a cold beer and weenies on the BBQ while sitting on your postage stamp Mattamy lot wondering what else will go wrong in your home, you can rest assured that the hard working Mattamy owner was able to relax up in Muskoka using the money he made on your house.  Some maybe even from shortcuts that I know I suffered from.

I’ll wave at you Peter next time I paddle by your cottage (resort?).  That is, if the Muskoka police will let me in.

I like the name on your cottage Peter – “Ferndale”.  I’m putting up a plaque calling mine “Gilgan’s Folly”.

P.S.  I had some pints of Guinness at the pub with some boys from Ireland (Belfast) and I had to apologize for my last blog.  Seems that they were offended that I dare compare the quality of the Titanic with a Mattamy Home and, they are in the trades.  Sorry guys.

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Titanic was built to code. Just like a Mattamy!!!

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Shit happens.

We go through life and we find out very quickly (hopefully after an enjoyable childhood) that life is not perfect. There are people out there that make a living on someone else’s suffering and dime. Conrad Black comes to mind. There are companies who make a living ripping you off. Fancy advertising, flashy products and, issues that will turn your life into a pile of shit.

Blackberry – a respected name in communications. Through Bell Telephone and other phone companies, they sell you a variety of products and make all sorts of promises, up to and including a better sex life. I don’t think the Blackberry 9800 gives anyone an increased libido but, it did do well as a smartphone until a certain upgrade came along. This upgrade stripped it of the ability to PIN (for those non-BB crackberrys here is a link that explains the PIN – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry#BlackBerry_PIN ) and the solution: either downgrade and thus make it crippleware or, upgrade to a new phone ($$$$).  Nice solution Bell and Blackberry. Here is a link that shows the issue (http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/BlackBerry-Style/6-0-bundle-3049-bug-Lost-PIN-option-on-compose-menu/td-p/1477913)

Take the Ford F150 – please.  Nice truck and a good seller.  Unfortunately, some have a tendency to either blow their spark plugs, leak through the back window or, leak through the front window and fry your electronics ($$).  Ford’s solution:  Don’t do anything, fix at the consumers cost and, feel proud they didn’t have to ask for a bailout – due to the fact they limited their recalls (??).

Both examples of good corporate citizens?  Hitler would be proud of both their policies (actually Hitler was a friend of Henry Ford – http://reformed-theology.org/html/books/wall_street/chapter_06.htm.

It appears that companies look at their bottom line and if it hits their profit and exorbitant executive bonuses, those of you who have issues, will receive little or no support.  Those who have no issues or receive the donations will shun you as troublemakers and say you are wrong.  Especially those who will make a profit living the lie.

In the building industry they are proud of the fact that they build by the oft quoted BUILDING CODE.  The people of Belfast point out that the Titanic was perfectly alright when it left Ireland.  It too was built to CODE.  A code that stated it had the right number of lifeboats.  I think historical fact kind of blows that out of the water.

On the Mike Holmes show, he continually points out the difference between CODE and QUALITY.  A difference some builders seem to miss.  In my case, Peter Gilgan and Mattamy seemed to think that a house sold to me without electricity and an illegally wired furnace was up to code.  The Town of Oakville building inspector even agreed with him and put a sticker on the furnace.  But, his boss states they would not issue an Occupancy Permit to a home that was in the condition mine was.  Who is right, Peter Gilgan the billionaire and donator to various causes or some old bureaucratic boss in the building department?  Ex-mayor of Oakville, Anne Mulvale sided with the Billionaire who donated money to Wellspring at her request.  What can I say?  Guess my United Way donation didn’t cut it.

I promote house inspectors and I promote them being allowed to inspect a new build for you, the potential owner and large investor.  They are not perfect but, when you are only allowed to inspect a premise once the walls are up, it is hard to make an objective inspection unless symptoms show up early.  Mike Holmes, in some cases, has evidence that there are problems behind the walls and thus can enjoy a good teardown.  On a new house – fresh paint, etc covers up the ills of that house.  And, as in my case, a municipal building inspector, who had the opportunity to look at the place prior to the cosmetics being put on, still allowed the issues.  (i.e. no insulation behind bay window).

One small thing – not all homes are inspected by the municipality.  Tract homes have a sampling.  Only YOUR house inspector can guarantee a full inspection prior to the wallboard, etc being put on and covering up the poor quality.  Quality that will eventually show up down the road – usually after the warranty is finished.  For those buying from speculators – keep this in mind.  Did the speculator actually do what is required to protect your interest in the future – i.e. follow timelines, and reporting guidelines.  If not, get ready to suck it up and pay the freight down the road.  And, if you are aware of the issue and try to dump the shack – you will be held responsible.

Sometimes I feel I bought the Titanic but, even though I did not have enough lifeboats (competent building inspector, ethical mayor, etc), I was able to, over time, patch the ship and am now sailing on smooth waters.  No thanks to Peter and Mattamy, who appear to have caused issues in various places which I have documented in other blogs.

Too bad the passengers who died on the Titanic didn’t have a say regarding the CODE.  Maybe more would have lived with the proper number of lifeboats determined by ethics, quality and demand, not the wishes of the builder.

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Do onto others what Mattamy doesn’t want done to them. Mattamy creed?

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If you have been following the tales of Mattamy, you will have seen they have finally started to sell lots in the Fairwinds (Ottawa) area – the one where they sold lots to unsuspecting souls who believed the Saturday ads in the local paper and bought a lot only to find out that Mattamy did not have permission to build.  Couple of years later, those who had bought were given some choices, one of which was to buzz off.  Now, they did get their deposits, sans any interest but, by then prices for houses had risen.  Well, so sad, too bad for those people – and Mattamy moves on and is now selling those lots.

Myself, considering the flood concerns in that area which were brought up by qualified engineers (not accountants) and, the history of Mattamy in the Bracebridge area in terms of flood lands, I’d be double checking with everybody before I bought.  Either that, or see about buying a lifeboat for the backyard.  I think Fairwinds should be called “Titanic“. based on its maiden voyage into sales.

What I find interesting is that Mattamy wanted all concerned in the original Fairwinds to be understanding and allow them time to work out things (what – make donations somewhere) and they strung these people along for a couple of years.  Those people really gave Mattamy a fair chance to come across.  You’d think Mattamy would have learned a little more compassion from this but no.

Seems the world is expected to turn around “Mattamy Land” and dance to their tune.  It’s all or nothing for that bunch.  Yes, they’ve been caught a few times ruining the environment, putting children’s lives at risk but, they seem to get away with a lot (except for those charges in Ottawa for environmental damage) and, they run their business with little thought for those buying and their issues.  I’ve told the horror stories on these pages in the past and they reflect what I believe is the true character of this company.  Do other builders perform the same?  Glitzy ads that promise the world but you still get shafted.  I’ve heard some do and that is why weak-kneed Tarion was formed.

Well, what you are about to read is off the Complaint Board and reflects one side of a Mattamy horror story.  Mattamy is more than welcome to comment on this and give their side of the story.  Hopefully it won’t be some mouthpieces interpretation designed to protect all and any of Mattamy’s ills but actually a believable tale we might give credence to.  Given the breaks Mattamy has been given (like trying to kill my children with illegal wiring), you’d think they would help this guy out instead of crushing his dream.  You won’t see this in the Saturday ads in the Toronto Star.  Actually, as an advertiser, I doubt you will read much bad stuff about Mattamy in the Toronto Star.

Again Mattamy, I say if anything I have said isn’t true, just let me know and I’ll check it out.  I’m not afraid of the truth like those I dealt with in my case.  Remember the crap answer you gave to the Town of Oakville – fortunately the Building Director knew it was crap, unlike the Mayor.

Here is the story of one Mattamy buyer in Ottawa.

Posted by “ripped off badly” June 23, 2011
1- Mattamy Homes Ottawa started the sales for a new site in Orleans (Summerside) in late September 2010.

2- Given that I have been saving for the down payment for a new house and waiting for Mattamy’s new site in Orleans, I was the second customer in line when they
opened the doors to their sales office in Orleans on Saturday at 07:00 AM.

3- On the first day of the commencement of sales, I purchased and signed a sales agreement for lot number 30 for closing on May 2012.

4- The required down payment was $25, 000.00. I paid the first two cheques to a total of $15, 000.00 (copies of cashed cheques are available)

5- Before the cashing of the third (final) cheque dated for December 2010, I communicated with Mattamy to explain a difficult situation I was going through
and I ensured their understanding and acceptance to hold off the remaining payment until March 2011. I also ensured Mattamy’s customer services
understanding that I will not be available/accessible until March 2011. -Copies of communication with Mattamy’s customer services representative are
available and will be presented to Court.

6- Later, when I contacted Mattamy again, a different customer services representative indicated to me that Mattamy decided to re-sell my lot after
Mattamy’s lawyer decision to annul my purchase agreement – contrary to my last communication and agreement with Mattamy’s customer services – and forfeit my life savings money ($15, 000.00) which I have already paid to Mattamy.

7- Then I was informed that Mattamy has resold the same lot to another buyer at a higher price within weeks after annulling my agreement.

8- I am now left empty-handed, I lost my life savings and lost the house I intended to purchase. I lost $15, 000.00 to this big corporation (Mattamy) because Mattamy seized my $15, 000.00, did not honour their customer services’ agreement with me to hold off the last payment and furthermore, they are refusing to return my
$15, 000.00 down payment.

9- I ask Mattamy Homes to return my $15, 000.00 life savings down payment.

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* The above is intended to show the reader examples of how to obtain a house inspector, no matter which builder you buy from. Remember, awards and advertising are designed to make you buy, not ensure you quality. We’ve shown that awards are not the standard on which to base your decision on. My use of my experiences are not made to embarass Mattamy Homes or Peter Gilgan but, are used because they are based on fact and show the larger picture that a house inspector is a requirement when buying a house, new or old from any builder. My experience only shows that in fact it can happen and is a fact of life. Your experiences with Mattamy may have differed.

Mattamy Homes don’t flood – just like Titanic!!!!

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Like, anyone would be surprised to hear this?

 

Council wants proof on Mattamy drainage

 

That was the headline on the article in CottageCountryNow.ca .  “Last week, the town’s general committee turned down a recommendation by its own public works department that would have seen the town return nearly $1 million in securities to Clearbrook Building Corp., a subsidiary of Mattamy.”

Things are getting so bad in terms of quality, Mattamy Homes is building homes using an “alias” maybe.  In an earlier blog, I told the story of those misfortunate people who bought Mattamy homes in the Bracebridge area, some admitting to relying on past building performance by Mattamy to ensure them a well-built home. 

Guess they didn’t read my blog before buying.

Seems that quite a few people ended up with flooded lots and basements and had to organize themselves in order to get the town and Mattamy to respond.  Well, the town decided to hold Mattamy responsible and, as you see, demanded and got $1million in securities put up to guarantee that the homebuyers and taxpayer were not being left to hold the bag.  Or in this case – the sponge.

“Flooding troubles in the Mattamy Homes subdivision are a thing of the past, according to the developer, but the Town of Bracebridge isn’t prepared to pay up until they see the proof.”

A very wise decision, although the mayor, Graydon Smith and the public works department are not recommending this. 

“The system has already been inspected by engineers and found to be in working order, said Smith, and he questioned how council could properly determine whether the system works or not.”

Yes, the former Mayor of Oakville and her building department felt it wasn’t wrong when Mattamy sold me my house with the illegal (code) wiring.  Deja vu!!!  Did Mattamy donate anything to any special project I wonder?

Well, here we have a company who has a past history of illegal land transformation in Ottawa and building on contaminated soil in Milton so, I am glad to see the Bracebridge council telling them that they will wait until the spring thaw arrives before deciding.  Then, the proof will be in the pudding. 

I think the Mayor, Mr. Smith is thinking like Captain Smith and owners of the Titanic when they decided not to put on the proper number of lifeboats and took a chance.  Yes, all the engineers then told them the Titanic was unsinkable.  Are the engineers now telling them that Mattamy land in Bracebridge cannot flood?

I can see it now.  Instead of busing hundreds of workers to Halton council to try to persuade (?) politicians not to charge them fair development fees, we might see hoards of Mattamy workers streaming north on Highway 400 with buckets to ensure the basements don’t flood.

Kudos to the Bracebridge Council who are going to let nature take her course and see if Mattamy can withstand the spring thaw or, be washed down the drain – alias and all.

And, I’m glad to see they are supporting the owners of these properties as well who bought in good faith.  Nice to see a Town Council look after the taxpayer instead of a billionaire and his money.

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