Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jan 2010 Source: Cochrane Eagle (CN AB) Copyright: 2010 Cochrane Eagle Contact: http://www.cochraneeagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3992 Author: Cori Lee Miller Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) FORMER GROW-OPS "A BIG CONCERN" FOR REALTORS AND BUYERS For years illegal marijuana grow operations have been springing up across Alberta, and while some go undetected, many are found and dismantled by police. Often times these homes have been modified to create a more hospitable environment for the plants. Because of the dangers resulting from these activities, including structural problems, electrical tampering, contamination from chemicals, high levels of combustible gases and the growth of hidden and visible moulds, the houses are often deemed unhabitable until proper remediation can take place. Damages depend on the size of the operation. Larger numbers of plants require more energy and water. According to RCMP Sergeant Stephen Scott, the non-commission officer in charge of Calgary's integrated proceeds of crime unit and the civil asset forfeiture gate-keeper, it can cost upwards of $50,000 to remediate a significantly damaged home. Eventually the homes are put up for sale. Ron Esch, CEO of the Calgary Real Estate Board, said buyers need to be aware that former grow operations are on the market. "It's a big concern of ours," said Esch. While some sellers remediate a home before selling, others will sell a property as is and leave the remediation up to the buyer. Esch said it's crucial buyers do their homework and ask questions if they have any suspicions regarding a property. Once a property has been remediated the seller isn't required to disclose its past, although Esch said realtors working to sell the houses have an obligation to ask the seller to disclose the information. "We think there should be a moral obligation for sellers to disclose," he said, adding if they refuse, realtors are free to say, "I won't take that property if you won't disclose it." Most sellers agree to disclose the information to the buyer. Esch said buyers should "make sure they ask for all documentation that would prove to the buyer that the house was completely remediated to health standards." Esch said if a buyer sees something "like water damage, mould, holes in the closet, you got to ask what caused this." "They have to give you an honest answer. If they don't give you an answer that's not disclosing." Failing to disclose information can lead to some serious consequences, like the sale of the home being cancelled or even a date in court. For example, failing to disclose a problem not obvious to the naked eye, which then causes serious issues thatcan later cause the buyer to go back on a seller, ask the seller to pay to fix it, or seek even damages in court. Buyers shouldn't be lulled into a sense of security when house hunting in a swanky neighbourhood either, said Esch. "They are all over the place, in million dollar homes in some places." Cochrane's GlenEagles neighbourhood, with it's million dollar homes and carefully manicured lawns, was home to a grow operation in 2009, as was the Glenbow area. In GlenEagles, 292 plants were seized and in Glenbow 381. Combined, the plants had an estimated street value of $840,000. Esch said often sellers are leery of disclosing a homes past because of the stigma that exists for properties used as illegal drug operations. "Sellers are always concerned that there will be a stigma attracted to the property," he said, adding when some buyers find out about the home's past they walk away from the property. Esch said realtors will continue to sell these former drug operations with ethics and responsibility in mind. In 2009, three houses - two in Cochrane and one in Rocky View County - were found and dismantled by police. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D