Buying a Home
Strategic legal support for homebuyers, including offer drafting, title review, mortgage documentation, and closing assistance.
Buying a Home
For many first-time buyers, purchasing a home can feel overwhelming. A real estate lawyer makes sure you understand each step and protects your rights.
Our Role in Supporting Buyers
- Pre-Offer Review: We review the APS before you sign to confirm that conditions such as financing and inspections are included.
- Title Search: We confirm the seller actually owns the property and check for liens, easements, or other restrictions.
- Mortgage and Lender Coordination: We prepare and register your mortgage documents and ensure your lender’s requirements are met.
- Closing Adjustments: We calculate and explain adjustments for property taxes, utilities, and other costs.
- Final Registration: We register your ownership and provide your title documents once the transaction closes.
Tip for first-time buyers
Always review your agreement with a lawyer before waiving any conditions — it can save you from unexpected legal or financial surprises.
How a Home Purchase Works in Ontario
Most purchases follow the same path. You sign an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) that sets the price, deposit, closing date and any conditions, such as financing or a home inspection. Conditions have deadlines, and missing one can affect your rights, so it helps to have the APS reviewed before you sign or waive anything.
After the conditions are satisfied, your lawyer searches title, reviews the seller's documents, arranges title insurance if you want it, and works with your lender on the mortgage. On closing day, funds move through the lawyers' trust accounts, the transfer and mortgage are registered electronically, and you receive the keys once registration is complete.
Costs to Plan For
Besides the purchase price, buyers should budget for legal fees, Ontario land transfer tax (and an additional municipal tax in Toronto), title insurance, adjustments for property taxes and utilities, and the cost of any inspection or appraisal. First-time buyers may qualify for a land transfer tax refund, and the rules and amounts change, so check the current rules on the Ontario government website or ask us.
Buying a Condominium
If you are buying a condo, ask for the status certificate. It describes the condominium corporation's finances, rules and any special assessments or legal disputes, which can affect what you will pay after you move in. Your lawyer can review it with you before you decide.