BUYERS BEWARE OF GROW-OP LOTS

A flourishing home-grown marijuana industry has realtors warning buyers to
take care their new purchase hasn't already gone to pot. "The number of
houses discovered to have grow operations in them seems to be doubling
every year," said Don Dickson, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board
(CREB). "One of the biggest concerns is the toxic mould associated with
them -- no one really knows how sick someone can get from it."

It's no secret grow operations are big business in Calgary; it's a
low-risk, high-profit venture that's expanding and slowly overwhelming
police resources.

While cops have problems dealing with the grow-ops, home buyers are
increasingly at risk of moving in to a place that was used to cultivate
weed, Dickson said.

"Realtors are concerned about this."

So concerned, in fact, that CREB is looking at the possibility of making it
mandatory for vendors to reveal if the house has been home to a grow operation.

"We would like to see that because there is nothing under Canadian law to
say they have to report it," Dickson said.

Grow-ops produce moisture, which can affect ceilings and walls and those
conditions make a fine climate for the mould that causes serious sickness,
such as respiratory ailments and brain damage.

In addition to the health risks associated with grow-ops, innocent buyers
can be on the hook for thousands of dollars to get the mess cleaned up.

"The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates the average cost to repair a home
that had a grow op in it at between $60,000 and $80,000," Dickson said.

Dickson said potential buyers must ask the right questions before they
purchase.

"You have to ask the realtor if the home was ever a grow-op," he said. "At
that point (the realtor) must find out for you and if they don't, that's
out-and-out negligence."

If you're looking at a home to buy, here are a few tell-tale signs that
indicate the house has been used for pot growing:

* A skunky smell, especially in the basement.

* An electricity meter that appears to have been moved or altered.

* Rotted window frames.