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Real estate law
Close on your dream home with total peace of mind
Buying, selling or refinancing? We protect what is likely your biggest investment by making sure you get clear title, with no hidden debts or claims.
At a glance
- Residential and commercial properties
- Purchases, sales and refinancing
- Title, tax, utility and execution searches
- Title insurance arranged
- Clear fees quoted upfront
How we help
A smooth, safe closing from offer to keys
Real estate deals move quickly, and small details can cost you a lot. As your real estate lawyer, we review your agreement, complete every search, coordinate with your lender and realtor, and walk you through every document before you sign.
We act for first-time buyers, sellers, investors and homeowners on residential, commercial, recreational and rural properties across Ontario.
This page is for you if:
- Your offer has been accepted and closing is coming up
- You're selling a home and need it closed correctly
- You're refinancing or taking out a second mortgage
- You're buying a condo and want the status certificate reviewed
- You're adding or removing someone from title
What we do
Real estate services for buyers, sellers and owners
From your first offer to the day you get your keys.
Home purchases
Complete legal work for your purchase, including searches, title insurance and mortgage documents.
Home sales
We prepare closing documents, pay out your mortgage and make sure your sale closes on time.
Refinancing and second mortgages
Independent advice and closing services when you refinance or borrow against your home.
Condo status certificate review
We review the condo’s finances, rules and reserve fund so you know what you’re buying.
Agreement of purchase and sale review
Have your agreement checked before you sign, so risks are flagged early.
Title transfers
Adding a spouse, removing a name or transferring property within a family, done correctly.
Commercial real estate
Purchases, sales and leases of commercial and investment properties.
Recreational and rural properties
Cottages and rural land, including wells, septic systems and access rights.
Title insurance
We arrange title insurance to protect you from defects that searches alone can’t reveal.
Protecting your purchase
The four searches we complete before you close
These checks happen quietly in the background, and they’re one of the most important ways we protect your investment.
Title search
Confirms the seller owns the property and that you’ll receive it free and clear of any claims.
Utility search
Checks that the previous owners paid water, hydro and gas bills up to the day you take possession.
Execution search
Checks for court judgments against anyone with an interest in the property, right up to closing day.
Tax search
Unpaid property taxes rank ahead of almost everything on title. We make sure they don’t become your bill.
Protecting your title
Lawyer's opinion vs. title insurance: which protects you more?
There are three ways to assure title on your home: traditional title insurance, TitlePLUS®, or a lawyer’s opinion on title. Here’s how the two main approaches compare.
What’s covered
Lawyer’s opinion on title
Title insurance
Based on government records and surveys
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Protects you if records or surveys are out of date or wrong
✗ No Limited to the accuracy of the records
✓ Yes
Title defects, liens, charges or encumbrances
✗ No Only those that can be found
✓ Yes
Unmarketable title
✗ No
✓ Yes
Lack of legal access to and from the land
✗ No
✓ Yes
One-time cost at closing
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Coverage varies by policy. We’ll walk you through the options and recommend the right protection for your purchase.
What to expect
How your real estate closing works
Contact us as soon as your offer is accepted, so there’s time to do everything properly.
Send us your agreement
Share your accepted offer and lender details. We confirm our fee and what we need from you.
Searches and title review
We complete title, tax, utility and execution searches and arrange title insurance.
Sign your documents
We meet in person or by video to explain and sign your mortgage and closing documents.
Closing day
We handle the funds and registration, and you get your keys.
Common questions
Real estate questions, answered
When should I contact a real estate lawyer?
Ideally before you sign an agreement of purchase and sale. At the latest, contact us as soon as your offer is accepted so there’s time to complete searches before closing.
What do I need to bring to my signing appointment?
Two pieces of government ID, your agreement of purchase and sale, mortgage details from your lender, and proof of home insurance for a purchase.
Do I really need title insurance?
Most lenders require it, and it protects you from risks such as title defects, liens and fraud that searches and surveys may not reveal. We’ll explain your options.
How much will my closing cost?
We quote a clear legal fee upfront. Disbursements and land transfer tax are extra, and we’ll explain each one before closing so there are no surprises.
Related services
Other ways we can help you and your family
Buying, selling or refinancing soon?
Send us your agreement and we’ll take it from there.