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In a super-heated housing market, taking the time to do thorough research is difficult when homes sell almost as fast as they are listed.

Patti Simoneau and her family recently learned that lesson the hard way.

She and her husband Vic live in 5 Sierra Drive and bought the house in the town's northeast last November.

They were told at the time that high-end duplexes would eventually be built across the street from them.

Simoneau said she had no reason to believe otherwise but was shocked to discover that four-plex units were planned to be built there by Deer Valley Homes, who purchased the lots from the previous developer, Stevenson Homes.

"It's disappointing. You go into a situation and there were no ifs, ands, or buts or so it would seem, at the time that there would be nothing other than high-end duplexes and we had no reason to believe that," Simoneau said.

"And it's very hard to buy in this market where the sign is on the lawn one day and there is (conditional signing) on it the next," Simoneau added.

Even though Simoneau was reassured by Rick Cowling, who is selling the four-plexes on behalf of Deer Valley, that the multi-unit condominiums wouldn't be "dumps", after having lived next to renters for years who were disrespectful, she still had her reservations.

Simoneau said she didn't sleep or eat for five days because of the fear of what more four-plexes, albeit new, would bring with being across the street from her once again.

She said had she and her husband known that four-plexes were in the works, they might have purchased their house elsewhere.

The new homeowner even took her concerns and those of about half a dozen neighbours who were also unaware of the four-plexes to town council last Monday hoping to convince council to suspend any proposed development in the area until an investigation is done on the matter.

However, there is little council can do because the property in question has been zoned R3 since 1995 and under such zoning apartments, duplexes, row houses and four-plexes are allowed.

Darren Hycha, Olds development officer, said there is no legal obligation under the town's bylaw for developers to inform new homeowners about future development other than land signs that depict the zoning.

However, the signs have been taken down and are currently being investigated by administration.

"If the developer wants to lie, you can't control that," said Hycha.

"But I think it's a little bit of both. Yes, the developer does have to disclose that information, but if they get it wrong or say it wrong, it's definitely up to the homeowner to basically verify their information. That's pretty much plain and simple," he said.

Andy Weiss, planning and development manager for Stevenson Homes, said he was unaware of Simoneau's complaint, but said there were never any plans "set in stone" for the area while they owned the land.

"Rumours and plans tend to be abundant when there is potential development across the road from you but until such time concrete plans are formalized, it's just exactly that," Weiss said.

"And as with all homeowners, you have the right to appeal anything that is not a permitted use, but when it is a permitted use, land developers have the right to develop their land as they see fit."

To help with the situation, Councillor Harvey Walsh volunteered to help facilitate any meetings between homeowners who wished to sit down with Cowling.

"We've got to get the parties together and maybe there is some middle ground here that can be reached and is everybody going to be 100 per cent happy? No, it's middle ground. It usually doesn't end up with everyone happy but at least it's something everyone can live with," said Dale Withage, Olds chief administrative officer.

Cowling agreed that the hot market makes time scarce for buyers to get all the information, but said it is necessary to avoid situations such as this.

"It's our job to let people know in an area if there is future development but it's also up to the homeowners as well that they check into things."

"But it's a hot market and people don't have as much time," he said.

If she ever finds herself buying a home again, Simoneau said she will definitely take the time to research because she never wants to go through this problem again.

"It's unfortunate it happened this way but if anything it serves as a lesson for all new home buyers.

"And I am sure it's going to work out fine it's just that you feel you've gone through a lot of emotional upheaval for no good reason."