Your properties without hidden defects

There is no shortage of stories of hidden defects, scams and unpleasant surprises in real estate. But positive and surprising experiences also exist. Responding to the call from The Pressin order to collect anecdotes contrary to the hidden defects, the readers filled the inbox of our collaborator.

Samuel Larochelle
special cooperation

When Estelle Simon visited the Mont-Saint-Grégoire property that would become her home, no one warned her that she would live for years under the hot air balloon route. “All summer we could enjoy this beautiful addition in the sky,” she wrote in her email.

It is in the ground that Eveline Leblanc unearthed surprises, decades after buying land in Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard. “I was aware that there had been a farm in the 1930s. Having been retired for two years, I had time to clear the land of the domestic landfills that were there, such as this was the norm in those years. »

In addition to rusty metal objects (tin cans, barbed wire fences, kitchen implement), she came across amazing treasures. “I dug up bottles of medicine that cures everything [foie-reins-vessie] and a potion of D^r SN Thomas which bears the name of Eclectric Oil, for internal and external use! In short, for me, it’s a real treasure hunt that teaches me a lot about the mores of the time. »

Invaluable help

Many readers compare their neighbors to a well-hidden gold mine. The Lasarroise Marie Dessureault finds her winters less harsh thanks to hers.

She and her lover try to return the favor. “When my boyfriend is on vacation and it’s snowing, I force him to shovel the neighbors’ snow bank before ours. »

Luc Labelle seems to have a rare pearl as a neighbour. “Marie-Josée organizes street parties so that new neighbors meet established neighbours. When she plans a shopping trip, she notifies us, so that we can submit a short list. Better still, she will drive them back and pick them up at the airport. “It’s more than an hour’s drive away and she refuses to pay for the gas! »

For his part, Erwan Miry bought his first condo from Monique, who then became his neighbor and a reassuring presence. “One evening, I fell from a chair on which I had climbed to hang up a curtain rod. I didn’t hurt myself, got up and counted to five before I got a call asking if everything was okay. Knowing that I had more than one neighbor was precious. »

After Monique’s death, her husband continued this warm relationship. “He hosted me for three weeks during work at my house and he lent me his backyard so that I could organize a party, remembers Erwan Miry. I have immense gratitude for them. »

The benefits of nature

Several months after buying a house in Longueuil, Émilie Rousseau realized that she was benefiting from natural air conditioning, thanks to the mature trees on her property.

“Without being shaded, our house is always very cool, despite the long hot days. We can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that the small air conditioning has been activated upstairs since we became owners. »

Bruno Parent has been savoring summers differently since he discovered a beach less than 900 m from his country house in Knowlton. “Sand, water up to your shoulders 75 m from the shore, ducks, kayaks and, above all, the superb Brome Lake. It’s fantastic. I wish everyone! »

The beautiful surprises related to nature also arise in large cities. Talk to Élodie Petit, whose condo near Beaudry metro in Montreal came with an oasis of greenery, trees and a tastefully landscaped garden.

Same impression of delight for Amélie Swijani-Préfontaine and Vincent Olivier Perreault in the Rosemont district. A few weeks after their purchase, they discovered that their yard was filled with medicinal plants, perennials and fruit trees that the previous owners had planted.

“We moved in the winter, when everything was asleep. It was a huge surprise to see everything grow and bloom over the last few seasons. It is a great joy for us to have such a large green space in the city, not far from the center. »

A bad story that ends well

Marie-Pier Richard and his family initially regretted the purchase of their house in the Ville-Émard neighborhood in Montreal: major police intervention at the corner of the street shortly after their move, ill-intentioned contractor who was doing major work in their crawl space, legal action, etc.

Then, in the summer of 2017, the tide turned. “Without knowing it, we had taken up residence in a green alley in the making, explains M^me Richard. Our great neighbours, whom we did not yet know, had already taken steps with the eco-district to transform our concrete and asphalt alley into a green space. »

Little by little, they saw the appearance of plants, games traced in colored paint, bicycle circuits, hopscotch games and a basketball court. “Activities between neighbors have been organized on many occasions and we have been able to create strong friendly bonds. The children took possession of the alley and since then there are more than a dozen of them running and pedaling carefree behind the house. »