When should I involve a lawyer in my purchase?

Ideally before you sign the agreement of purchase and sale — especially for pre-construction, rural, commercial or tenanted properties. At minimum, retain a lawyer as soon as your offer is accepted so conditions and timelines are managed properly.

How much is land transfer tax in Ontario?

Ontario land transfer tax is calculated on a sliding scale from 0.5% to 2.5% of the purchase price. Toronto purchases attract an additional municipal land transfer tax of roughly equal amount. First-time buyers may qualify for rebates of up to $4,000 provincially and $4,475 in Toronto. Use our Land Transfer Tax Calculator for an instant estimate.

Do I need title insurance?

It is not legally mandatory, but virtually every lender requires it, and we strongly recommend an owner's policy. For a modest one-time premium, it protects against title fraud, survey issues, zoning problems and defects that even a perfect search cannot reveal.

Can I close remotely?

Yes. Ontario permits virtual signing of most closing documents through secure video identification. Our digital closing process lets you complete your transaction from anywhere.

Practice Area

Real Estate Law. Seamless closings. Protected interests.

Name: Waliani Law
Telephone: 647-970-5686
Price range: $$

Complete residential and commercial real estate services — purchases, sales, refinancing, title insurance and closing services across Ontario.

Overview

A real estate transaction is usually the largest financial commitment our clients ever make. It deserves more than a checklist — it deserves counsel who reads every requisition, catches every title issue and closes on time, every time.

Waliani Law acts for buyers, sellers, borrowers and lenders in residential and commercial transactions throughout Ontario. We combine modern, technology-driven closing processes with the judgment of experienced counsel, so your transaction moves quickly without sacrificing diligence.

From your first offer to final closing — and for the refinancings, sales and investments that follow — we are the real estate counsel you keep.

Common Legal Issues

You've signed an agreement of purchase and sale and need a closing lawyer
Your lender requires independent legal advice before advancing funds
You are refinancing and need a new mortgage registered and old ones discharged
A title search has revealed liens, executions or easements on the property
You are buying a pre-construction condominium and need the agreement reviewed
A closing date is approaching and the other side is not ready

How We Help

Transparent Fixed Fees

Clear, all-in quotes for residential closings. No surprises on the statement of adjustments.

Rigorous Title Review

Every search, every requisition, every registered instrument reviewed by a lawyer — not just software.

Digital-First Closings

Secure e-signing, encrypted document exchange and virtual meetings, so you can close from anywhere in Ontario.

Lender-Grade Diligence

We act for major banks and private lenders daily, which means your financing conditions are handled with precision.

Get a Fixed-Fee Closing Quote

Helpful Tools & Guides

What We Do

Real Estate services, end to end.

Residential Purchases

Full representation for home, condominium and new-build purchases — offer review, title search, status certificate review, mortgage registration and closing.

Residential Sales

Discharge of existing mortgages, preparation of closing documents, responding to requisitions and prompt release of sale proceeds.

Commercial Purchases & Sales

Acquisitions and dispositions of commercial, industrial and multi-residential property, including due diligence, HST planning and tenancy review.

Refinancing

Registration of new institutional or private financing, payout and discharge of existing encumbrances and title insurance for the new lender.

Private Mortgages

Documentation and registration of private first, second and third mortgages for both lenders and borrowers.

Independent Legal Advice

Efficient, thorough ILA for mortgages, guarantees and domestic contracts — often required by lenders before funds advance.

Title Insurance

Policy procurement and advice on coverage for owners and lenders through Canada's leading title insurers.

Closing Services

End-to-end conveyancing through Teraview, Ontario's electronic land registration system, with funds handled in trust to Law Society standards.

In Plain Language

Closing Costs & the Closing Process in Ontario

If you are searching for a real estate closing lawyer in Toronto or anywhere in Ontario, two questions usually come first: what will closing cost, and what actually happens between signing and getting the keys. Here are straight answers.

What does a closing lawyer do?

In Ontario, a lawyer is legally required to close a real estate purchase. Your closing lawyer searches and guarantees title, reviews the agreement of purchase and sale, answers and makes requisitions, arranges title insurance, prepares and registers the transfer and mortgage in Ontario's electronic land registration system, calculates land transfer tax and adjustments, and moves the purchase funds through a regulated trust account. On a sale, we discharge your mortgage, respond to the buyer's requisitions and deliver your net proceeds.

Typical closing costs in Ontario

Beyond your down payment, budget for: land transfer tax (0.5%–2.5% provincially, effectively doubled for purchases within the City of Toronto, less first-time buyer rebates of up to $8,475 combined); legal fees (we quote fixed, all-in fees so there are no surprises); title insurance (a one-time premium, typically a few hundred dollars); title and off-title searches, registration fees and disbursements; and closing adjustments for property taxes or fees the seller has prepaid. On most Ontario purchases, total closing costs run roughly 1.5%–4% of the purchase price — land transfer tax being by far the largest item.

The closing process, step by step

Once your offer is accepted: (1) retain your closing lawyer and send us the signed agreement; (2) we search title and order off-title searches while your financing is finalized; (3) we review the status certificate on condominium purchases; (4) about a week before closing, you sign electronically or by video — our closings are fully remote-capable anywhere in Ontario; (5) you deliver the balance of your funds to our trust account; (6) on closing day we exchange funds and documents with the other side, register the transfer and charge, and release the keys. You receive a full reporting package after closing.

When should you retain your lawyer?

The moment your offer is accepted — earlier if you are buying pre-construction, rural, tenanted or commercial property, where the agreement itself deserves legal review before you sign. Early retention costs nothing extra and gives your lawyer time to resolve title issues before they threaten your closing date.

Estimate your land transfer tax and closing costs

Client Experiences

Results our clients talk about.

From the first call, I knew we were in capable hands. Our closing was flawless — every document explained, every deadline met, every question answered the same day. This is what modern legal service should look like.

S. Mehta

Home Buyer, Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers, in plain language.

We search and guarantee title, review the agreement and status certificate (for condos), answer and make requisitions, prepare and register the transfer and mortgage, calculate land transfer tax and adjustments, receive and disburse funds in trust, and ensure you receive clean title on closing. In Ontario, a lawyer is mandatory to register a transfer.

The right time to get advice is now.

Deadlines, evidence and leverage all favour the party who acts first. Book a confidential consultation and know exactly where you stand.

Get a Fixed-Fee Closing Quote 647-970-5686