Reviewing the agreement of purchase and sale
Your lawyer reviews the full contract to check for issues, confirm closing conditions have been met, and flag anything unusual before it becomes a problem on closing day.
Conducting the title search
This step confirms the seller actually has legal authority to sell the property and checks for any liens, judgments, or easements registered against the title that need to be resolved before closing.
- Confirms clear and marketable title
- Identifies any liens or encumbrances to clear
- Checks zoning and property tax status
Coordinating with your lender
Your lawyer receives mortgage instructions from your lender, prepares the necessary documents, and makes sure your down payment and mortgage funds are ready to be combined for the closing transaction.
Handling the funds and registration
On closing day, your lawyer transfers funds to the seller's lawyer, registers the transfer of ownership and the new mortgage on title, and confirms the deal has officially closed before releasing your keys.
Providing your final statement
After closing, you'll receive a statement of adjustments showing exactly how your money was allocated, including land transfer tax, legal fees, and any prorated property tax or utility adjustments with the seller.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I hire a real estate lawyer?
- As soon as you have an accepted offer, so they have enough time to complete title searches and coordinate with your lender before closing.
- Can the same lawyer represent both buyer and seller?
- No, in Ontario a lawyer cannot represent both parties in the same transaction due to conflict of interest rules.
- How much are typical legal fees for closing?
- Legal fees vary by lawyer and complexity of the deal, so it's worth getting a quote that includes disbursements upfront rather than just the flat fee.