The Hamilton Spectator

RESIDENT SNAPSHOTS

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Tiffany Ivey, 39

Canada Revenue Agency employee Bought for $139,900 in 2009 A first-time buyer, Ivey saw 2411 New St. as a way into the Burlington market. Her idea was to graduate to a townhouse or detached home one day. Those dreams were scuttled in 2009 when the condo corporatio­n’s engineerin­g report exposed millions of dollars in structural problems. Now, saddled with a mortgage and eroded property value, she feels “handcuffed.” “I’m not even on the property ladder anymore. It’s stagnant.”

Slavica, 47, and Jim McIntyre, 50

Eyelash extension stylist and restaurant server Bought for $121,500 in 2002 The parents of three children liked the building because it was close to parks, schools, the YMCA and work. The dire structural outlook, as set out in claims, has likely set them back financiall­y seven or eight years, Jim says. “Most people’s wealth is tied to their home, and ours is worthless.” Slavica says the stress of living in a suspect building has rubbed off on their children. “It’s definitely been traumatic for us.” She worries about her children’s safety but doesn’t believe they can sell. “It’s like you’re being held hostage.”

Colin Brown, 48

Car dealership sales manager Bought for $108,000 in 2001 Brown says the purchase got his foot in the door of the Burlington market south of the QEW, where he’d aspired to live. The condo could also serve as a retirement nest egg or to rent out for income one day. That’s all changed. The worn look of the building embarrasse­s him. Worse, his hopes for financial security are badly shaken. “Now, there’s no way I’d be able to penetrate the real estate market south of the QEW. I just don’t have the money.”

Wilfred Milnes, 87

Retired tradesman Bought for $83,800 in 1998 Milnes and his wife, now deceased, moved from Saskatchew­an to retire near their daughter in the southern Ontario “banana belt.” The condo was close all amenities. The price was right. “What more could you want?” It’s not so attractive now. “We didn’t get what we wanted in the brochure.” His two-bedroom unit has cracks. His balcony, like the others, looks like it has been shelled by heavy artillery. “You can’t sell. The real estate people have been warned off.” In the meantime, the frustratio­n is building. “I’m getting tired of expecting this to fall down on me.”

Joe Gillis, 69

Retired tradesman Bought for about $84,000 in 1998 Empty-nesters, he and his wife, now deceased, moved from Etobicoke to be closer to his work in Oakville. “It worked out OK — until this. You didn’t expect this.” Gillis, who lives with one of his sons, is disenchant­ed with the drawn-out legal battles. “They’re just taking too damn long to figure this out.”

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