Purchase of a home by a non-resident of Canada
Closing for a buyer living outside Canada, including the non-resident speculation tax and federal foreign-buyer rules.
What is included
- Reviews the agreement of purchase and sale and its conditions
- Searches title, executions, property taxes and work orders, and deals with title problems
- Arranges title insurance where appropriate
- Prepares the transfer, mortgage, closing documents and statement of adjustments
- Registers the documents electronically and handles the closing funds through the lawyer's trust account
- Reports to you after closing with the registered documents
What is not included
- Land transfer tax, registration fees, title insurance premiums and other disbursements
- Home inspections, surveys and appraisals
- Disputes or lawsuits arising from the deal, unless the lawyer agrees to act
- Work by NEO Legal Services: NEO is a paralegal firm and only makes the referral
Who this service is for
- Buyers and sellers of homes, condos, cottages and land
- Owners refinancing or transferring property
- Investors buying rental or mixed-use property
Information to have ready
- 1The signed agreement of purchase and sale and any amendments
- 2Government photo ID for each buyer or seller
- 3Lender and mortgage details, and home insurance for buyers
- 4Existing mortgage and property tax information for sellers
- 5Any status certificate, survey or warranty documents
How a referral works
- 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
- 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
- 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
- 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights
Frequently asked questions
What does the lawyer charge?
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $2,000–$3,800, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
When should I contact a lawyer?
Ideally before you sign an offer, so the lawyer can review the conditions. At the latest, as soon as the agreement is signed.
What is title insurance?
It is a policy that protects against certain title problems, such as fraud or some survey issues. The lawyer can explain what it covers and whether it suits your deal.
Can the same lawyer act for the buyer and the seller?
Usually not. The Law Society's rules generally prevent one lawyer from acting for both sides of a property sale, with limited exceptions.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No closing can be guaranteed if the other side or a lender does not perform
- Problems found late, such as title or survey issues, may delay closing
- The work is limited to the scope the lawyer confirms in writing
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