Lawyer for Your Home Purchase
Buying a home is the largest purchase most people ever make, and closing day comes with a lot of moving parts: the mortgage, the land transfer tax, title insurance, the funds you need to bring, and the keys. Our job is to make sure that, on closing day, you own the property you paid for, free of anyone else's debts or claims, with no surprises.
Ellahi Law closes several real estate transactions a month for buyers, sellers and lenders across Toronto and the GTA. You'll always be able to reach a lawyer before you close.
Get a written quote within hours
Send us your Agreement of Purchase and Sale through the quote form, and we'll send you a written quote, usually within a few hours during business days. It lists our legal fee, each disbursement, title insurance, and the land transfer tax payable, so you can plan exactly what you'll need on closing.
What we do for you
- Review your Agreement of Purchase and Sale, including conditions, deposit terms, chattels and fixtures, and the closing date.
- Search title to confirm the seller owns the property and to find mortgages, liens, easements or other registrations that must be dealt with.
- Review your mortgage instructions and make sure the lender's conditions are met in time.
- Arrange title insurance to protect you against title defects and certain other risks.
- Calculate land transfer tax and apply any first-time buyer refund you're entitled to. If the home is in Toronto, the municipal land transfer tax applies as well.
- Review the statement of adjustments, which credits or charges you for property taxes, utilities and other items paid by the seller.
- Sign with you in person at our office or by video, in English, Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi.
- Close the deal: we receive the mortgage funds, pay the seller's lawyer, register your ownership and arrange the keys.
- Report to you after closing, with your registered title and final accounting.
Resale homes, condos and new builds
Resale homes: we check that the seller's mortgages will be paid off and discharged, and that nothing registered on title will follow the property to you.
Condominiums: we review the status certificate, which shows the condo corporation's finances, any special assessments and any legal issues. It's best reviewed before your agreement becomes firm.
New builds and pre-construction: builder agreements are long and favour the builder. We review the agreement, the closing adjustments the builder will charge, and the occupancy and final closing stages. See our page on pre-construction agreement review.
How it works
- Send your signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale and receive your written quote.
- Retain us and send your mortgage details and ID.
- We search title, review the documents and confirm the funds you'll need.
- Sign your closing documents in person or by video, usually a few days before closing.
- On closing day we register your ownership and let you know when the keys are released.
Frequently asked questions
When should I contact a lawyer?
Ideally before your offer becomes firm, so we can review the agreement and status certificate (if applicable). At the latest, as soon as it's firm.
How much money will I need on closing?
The balance of the price after your deposit and mortgage, plus land transfer tax, legal fees, disbursements, title insurance and adjustments. Your written quote and our pre-closing statement set out the exact figure.
Do I need to come to your office?
Not always. Many clients sign by video. If you prefer to sign in person, or if your lender or the lawyer requires it, you will need to attend our office at Suite 405, 1585 Markham Road in Scarborough.
What if my closing is delayed?
Delays usually come from lender funding or the other side. If a delay looks likely, we'll tell you right away and work with the other lawyer to extend or close as agreed.
What is title insurance, and do I need it?
Title insurance is a one-time premium paid on closing. It protects you against certain title problems, such as fraud, unpaid work orders or survey issues, that might not show up in a search. Most lenders require it, and we recommend it for almost every purchase.
I'm buying with my spouse or a family member. How should we hold title?
We'll explain the difference between joint tenancy and tenancy in common before closing, so you choose the right one.
Next step
Send us your agreement through the quote form, or call 416-551-1155.