Category: Buying Property

Pre-Construction Home Buying in Toronto

Looking for a new home? Take advantage of the fierce housing market by making a pre-construction home purchase. A pre-construction home can save you money with the incredible incentives builders offer early investors.

But before you jump at the opportunity, it is important to understand what you are agreeing to. A pre-construction home purchase is similar to that of an existing home sale in terms of legalities within the sales contract. To protect your investment, however, make sure to hire a home-buying lawyer in Toronto first.

... Pre-Construction Home Buying in Toronto

Real Estate Transactions Guide for Toronto

Financial transactions between two parties can be complex, especially in the real estate world. Since buying or selling a property involves legally binding contracts, it’s always best to have a professional who will advocate for your best interests. This is why it’s crucial to work with a real estate lawyer when engaging in any type of real estate transaction.

... Real Estate Transactions Guide for Toronto

John Zinati on Builder Delays in Toronto

If your closing date has been delayed by a building corporation, you’re likely feeling frustration and anxiety. While there are many viable reasons for builders to push back closing dates, there are also several “unacceptable” reasons.

Regardless of the cause of the delay, this situation can have major impacts on the local housing market and on a homebuyer’s financial future.

... John Zinati on Builder Delays in Toronto

Handling Hidden Home Buying Costs

Real estate lawyers are legal experts in the home-buying process. They can be your guide to protecting one of life’s biggest investments while ensuring your legal responsibilities are safeguarded.

The cost of buying a home is much more than just the asking price on the real estate sign. There are various municipal, provincial, and federal fees and hidden costs that can stretch your house budget to the sky.

... Handling Hidden Home Buying Costs

Guide to Toronto’s Real Estate Landscape

Navigating the Toronto real estate market might seem like it takes several science degrees and a law degree to ensure all your investments are protected. Buying a home is an exciting time but it can quickly become overwhelming and uncover challenges such as bidding wars, hidden defects, title issues, and expensive closing costs.

This is why it is imperative to enlist the help of a reputable lawyer to act as a Toronto real estate guide. To understand the potential pitfalls that can be seen in Toronto’s 2023 real estate market, this article looks at the foundation of the local landscape.

... Guide to Toronto’s Real Estate Landscape

How Zinati Kay Addresses Buyer Closing Challenges

Potential home buyers excited about the future may be facing challenges during the closing process thanks to recent economic changes.

John Zinati of Zinati Kay – Real Estate Lawyers has been helping home buyers and sellers navigate the closing process across the GTA for 25 years. As a leading real estate contributor to CTV and CFRB, Zinati has been offering sound legal advice through his Toronto real estate office and his newsletter Title Tips.

Recently, he spoke to the Toronto Star about the challenges buyers may be facing with the closing process in the current housing market.

... How Zinati Kay Addresses Buyer Closing Challenges

8 Advantages of Buying a House in a Buyer’s Market of Toronto

Buying a house in a buyer’s market offers a wide range of benefits for buyers. In Toronto, while we might not be there quite yet because of tight supply, now may be the perfect time to begin the search for your dream home in a prime location that suits your unique needs.

A buyer’s market occurs when there are more homes on the market compared to the number of buyers, thus giving a variety of advantages to buyers who are looking for a place to call home. We now mostly have a shortage of inventory but spring is often at times when people start to list. If this occurs things will get better for buyers. Maybe then we’ll have a Buyer’s Market. Below we list some of the top benefits of buying a house in a buyer’s market.

... 8 Advantages of Buying a House in a Buyer’s Market of Toronto

10 Signs You are Ready to Buy Your First House

If you have been dreaming of buying your first house, there are a few significant factors that can determine if now is the right time to buy.

With the fluctuating housing market in Toronto and surrounding areas, many people may be wondering whether to buy now or wait. Before taking the next step and meeting with a real estate lawyer, take stock of these factors.  

... 10 Signs You are Ready to Buy Your First House

Identifying Market Trends in Real Estate

Closing costs, escrow, purchase agreement, and listing agent—there are a lot of real estate terms to understand when it comes to buying or selling a home. While all these terms are important to know, understanding what determines a buyer’s market vs. seller’s market, however, is probably one of the best ways to ensure you are making the best decision in the current housing market.

... Identifying Market Trends in Real Estate

Market Effects on Toronto Real Estate

Whether you are searching for your dream home or planning to sell your own home, it is important to understand the conditions of a buyer’s market vs. a seller’s market.

The housing market is an interesting world once you have an understanding of the terms and conditions that are associated with buying and selling properties. Knowing when to sell or buy is only half the battle in the competitive world of real estate.

... Market Effects on Toronto Real Estate

What Is an Agreement of Purchase and Sale in Real Estate?

Thinking or buying or selling a house? Before you dive in, you should consult a real estate lawyer in Scarborough to draft up a real estate agreement such as the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Of all legal documents and contracts that come with the sale of a property, this agreement outlines the physical and financial aspects of the sale.

Both the buyer and the seller need to understand and acknowledge the details of the document as it is a legally binding contract. A real estate lawyer can help the party they are representing better understand what they are agreeing to.

... What Is an Agreement of Purchase and Sale in Real Estate?

Importance of Lawyers in Home Buying

Buying a home is a momentous occasion, especially for first-time homebuyers! Before you get caught up in the excitement, hire a home-buying lawyer in Scarborough to help you navigate through the legal documentation.

Through no fault of their own, many homebuyers have lost thousands of dollars due to discrepancies in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale or through fraudulent means. To prevent buyer’s remorse or legal actions, consider hiring a real estate lawyer with experience in protecting the buyer during real estate transactions.

... Importance of Lawyers in Home Buying

Real Estate Market Slowdown: Zinati’s Insights

As a leading real estate lawyer in Toronto, John Zinati has been closely watching the housing market. The latest numbers across the country show that home sales dropped 32% in September in comparison to last year.

Why the huge difference? Low mortgage rates, a drop in new construction, a surge in first-time homeowners, and a desire for relocation saw the housing market at an all-time high a couple of years ago. Today, there are several factors that have caused a sudden shift in all of these market influencers.

... Real Estate Market Slowdown: Zinati’s Insights

Why Hire Both a Real Estate Lawyer and a Real Estate Agent?

Buying or selling a home or property can be a complex transaction between two parties with legalities requiring proper documentation. In that case, should you hire a real estate agent or a real estate lawyer? Which one is better?

You actually need both. The roles of the real estate lawyer vs. a real estate agent are very different when it comes to their responsibilities. Buyers and sellers require someone familiar with the local properties as well as someone who can help protect their investment.

That’s why understanding the difference between a real estate lawyer and a real estate agent can help make your real estate transaction as seamless as possible.

... Why Hire Both a Real Estate Lawyer and a Real Estate Agent?

Choosing a Real Estate Lawyer in Scarborough

Whether you are buying or selling your home, it’s important to ensure you have a reputable real estate lawyer in Scarborough to assist you in the sale. Real estate transactions can be overwhelming and complex with legal documentation, checklists, communications, and most importantly, exchanges of monies. Ensuring the right person is in control of the legal responsibilities can help the buying or selling process be less stressful.

Before choosing a real estate lawyer to facilitate one of the largest investments you will make, consider the following tips.

... Choosing a Real Estate Lawyer in Scarborough

What Are the Traits of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Toronto?

Buying a home is considered one of the largest investments you can make in your lifetime. That’s why hiring the best real estate lawyer in Toronto is the first step in realizing your dreams of owning a house.

A real estate lawyer specializes in reviewing legal documentation pertaining to the buying and closing processes of property.

The Agreement of Purchase and Sale is a complex document that protects both the buyer and the seller. Having a real estate lawyer assist in drafting the legal documentation can save you potential heartache and thousands of dollars down the line.

Real estate lawyers also investigate if there are any unknown claims against the property.

Below, we have compiled a list of some of the must-have traits to look for when hiring the best real estate lawyer in Toronto.

... What Are the Traits of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Toronto?

7 Points to Consider when Buying a Property in Toronto

If you are considering investing in real estate, talk to a home buying lawyer in Toronto first. Don’t let this exciting time become overwhelming. Instead, keep these tips in mind.

... 7 Points to Consider when Buying a Property in Toronto

Common Real Estate Transaction Problems

With all the excitement of purchasing a home, it’s easy to overlook some of the important details within the transaction. That’s why a residential real estate lawyer in Toronto should be consulted when drafting the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. As it becomes a legally binding document once both parties have signed, it is crucial to ensure the details are clear and concise.

In addition, a real estate lawyer in Toronto can help you decipher the legal implications of when a real estate transaction goes wrong.

Below, we will now look at four common problems to be aware of with a real estate transaction.

... Common Real Estate Transaction Problems

Why Hire a Lawyer for Purchase Agreements?

Protecting your legal rights when purchasing a home begins with an Agreement of Purchase and Sale. 

The Agreement of Purchase and Sale is a written legal document between the buyer and the seller of a property. It is established to protect the rights of both parties. It contains details such as the offer and closing dates, legal names of both parties, offer price and deposit amount, chattels and fixtures, and other conditions relating to the sale of the property. 

... Why Hire a Lawyer for Purchase Agreements?

How Can a Real Estate Lawyer Help Protect Your Investment?

The real estate market can be tricky to negotiate, even for the most veteran property seekers. A real estate lawyer in Toronto should be your first call, particularly when it comes to prepayment for a pre-constructed home.

Recently, John Zinati was featured in a CBC News article focused on two failed townhouse projects that are predicted to cost the homebuyers close to $150K in unprotected deposits. In the article, John warns potential homebuyers to protect their investment by following a few key guidelines. Below, we go over some of his tips.

... How Can a Real Estate Lawyer Help Protect Your Investment?