Ontario family loses dream home after $38K deposit falls through
It's a dream for many Canadians, trying to save up enough money for a down payment on their very first home. That was also the dream for the Esmeralda family, a family of five with two dogs who currently live in a Scarborough apartment building.
"It was my biggest dream to have a home for my family," Alma Esmeralda told CTV News Toronto.
Esmeralda said she was ecstatic to find a house in Peterborough, Ont. for sale that was within her budget and had a huge backyard for the family’s dogs.
"When we went to visit the house there was space for the backyard for the dogs and we were very excited," said Esmeralda.
A friend told Esmeralda she knew someone who could help. Though he failed to show up for the showing of the home – saying he was sick – Esmeralda said he claimed he could help close the sale and arrange a financing plan.
Esmeralda said she gave him $38,000 for the deposit and they thought they would get possession of the house in May, but there were delays.
"They kept telling us funds are not ready and the lender is backing out," said Esmeralda.
After months went by, she discovered the man she was dealing with wasn't a real estate agent after all and was given bad news about her deposit.
"I don't know it's gone. When I asked him, 'Oh no, why is the house for sale again?' I said, 'Our deal is not even done yet.' But then he is no longer answering me," said Esmeralda.
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) said buyers and sellers can check to make sure a real estate agent is licensed by checking the Real Estate Council of Ontario’s (RECO) website.
"It will give you a realtor or if you want to check a specific brokerage you are looking for you can do that as well," said OREA President Rick Kedzior. "That would give you confidence the person is licensed to sell in Ontario."
The website also shows if the agent has had any issues in the last five years, including enforcement actions, disciplinary decisions, charges or convictions, or other disciplinary measures..
Esmerelda said the man she gave the money to is now no longer in contact with her.
When CTV News contacted the man, he said he never purported to be a real estate agent.
"I never said I was a real estate agent from the beginning," the statement reads.
"My intention is to return her funds, I apologize for the delay and all the stress it has caused. I just really want to get it back to her we can put this all behind us."
Esmeralda is still hopeful that her dream on owning a home will one day come true.
"Right now I'm depressed, (I'm) frustrated. My hard-earned money is gone and some of the money I owe my friend. But I do hold out hope I will get my money back," said Esmeralda.
A real estate agent must have their licence with them at all times when they're conducting business, which homebuyers can ask to see. It may be in the form of a physical licence or a digital copy on an electronic device such as a phone.
Correction
A previous version of this story misidentified Rick Kedzior as the president of Real Estate Council of Ontario.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
New rules clarify when travellers are compensated for flight disruptions
The federal government is proposing new rules surrounding airlines' obligations to travellers whose flights are disrupted, even when delays or cancellations are caused by an "exceptional circumstance" outside of carriers' control.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy and wonder.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
London Ont. Liberal MPs say that Trudeau is taking time to reflect on his future
Both of London’s Liberal MPs are choosing their words carefully when it comes to their party's leadership future. They were asked about the situation in Ottawa at Friday's housing announcement in London.
Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children
Albania's prime minister said Saturday the government will shut down the video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.