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Category: Buying Property

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?

New Home Contract – 2022

Hi, 

I hope you are well. 

As of May 17, 2022,all Assignments will be subject to HST and extra care is required when drafting Assignment Agreements.I am pleased to enclose our latest issue of Title Tips which goes over what you need to know about this. I hope you find this helpful. If so, I would ask that you forward this to other Agents and Brokers or anyone who you think may find it of interest. Thank you!

... New Home Contract – 2022

Types of Real Estate Fraud in Toronto and How to Prevent Them

Real estate fraud in Canada is on the rise, particularly with mortgage payments being deferred in recent years due to the economy. Real estate lawyers in Toronto have been helping Canadians deal with the surge of fraudsters now more than ever. 

... Types of Real Estate Fraud in Toronto and How to Prevent Them

Actions to Take between Offer Acceptance and House Closing

Buying a new home is definitely an exciting venture. It’s a new chapter in your life that’s worth celebrating. Whether you’re moving to be closer to family and friends or to start a new job, the process of buying a home can be arduous and involves numerous logistical and clerical steps that need to be followed to make it official. If you’re moving out on your own for the first time or simply lack real estate experience, then you need to hire a house closing lawyer in Toronto who can help you navigate the ins and outs of the process. 

... Actions to Take between Offer Acceptance and House Closing

Actions When a Buyer Misses Closing

Buying and selling a property involves many different moving parts that must align in order for the transaction to go through. Unfortunately, things don’t always go exactly as planned, but that’s why every sales transaction includes a purchase agreement to fall back on. Closing dates are part of the purchase agreement and must be agreed upon in writing by both the buyer and the seller. But what happens if the buyer defaults on the closing date? According to a top closing lawyer in Toronto, there are a few different options to consider. 

... Actions When a Buyer Misses Closing

Key Points to Know if You’re Buying a Home in 2022 

Over the course of the pandemic, purchasing residential real estate has become a rat race of sorts. With the majority of the workforce working from home, the competition for better quality real estate has become fierce. Naturally, the increased demand has driven up the prices. Homebuyers are facing a lot of unique challenges in the current red-hot real estate market. Working with an experienced home buying lawyer in Toronto can help you overcome some of those challenges. But first, here are a few important things you should know if you’re planning on buying a home in 2022.

... Key Points to Know if You’re Buying a Home in 2022 

Challenges in Ontario’s Real Estate in 2022

Throughout the pandemic—particularly during the past year—the Ontario housing market experienced a massive economic boom that tipped the scale in favour of sellers. This left a lot of buyers and renters in the dark. Financial experts and residential real estate lawyers in Toronto predict that the housing market will eventually balance itself out and the housing bubble will pop. But the situation will continue to get worse before it gets better. Here are some of the top challenges that even the best real estate lawyers in Toronto are currently facing along with possible solutions. 

... Challenges in Ontario’s Real Estate in 2022

Risks of Life Leases for Seniors

After recent events regarding the Trinity Ravine Towers construction, many elderly real estate buyers are reconsidering investing in life leases in Toronto and the GTA—and with good reason. Keep reading to learn what life leases are, how they work, and determine if they’re a good option for you. 

... Risks of Life Leases for Seniors

6 Reasons Why Winter Is the Best Time to Buy a Home

Buying a home when the market is hot like it is now can be nerve-wracking for a lot of people. A good real estate lawyer will work hard to put their clients at ease and help build their trust and confidence that they’re making the right choice for their personal and professional lifestyles—especially now that more people are working from home.

Spring and summer are traditionally considered the ideal times of year to go home shopping because the weather is mild, and people are just generally in a better mood. But that also means that the competition for top-quality homes in desirable neighbourhoods is a lot fiercer. Sellers price their homes under market value to incite bidding wars amongst buyers and this can end up driving up the cost of the home well above the asking price.

... 6 Reasons Why Winter Is the Best Time to Buy a Home

Cancellation of Preconstruction Condominiums

What to do when a project is cancelled?

The experience of purchasing a condominium can be one that is both exciting, particularly for first time home buyers, and emotionally and financially draining. Purchasers would have gone through the process of assessing their finances with their banks, expending considerable effort in looking at different condominiums, plans and locations, speaking to lawyers about the contracts, and completing the other strenuous tasks that goes into deciding to buy a condominium. While many people are purchasing these condominiums as investments, the majority are looking to make a home in the building. As such, this is made all the more frustrating when a developer/ builder seemingly cancels the agreement on a whim, leaving the purchaser without much recourse. 

... Cancellation of Preconstruction Condominiums

Role of Toronto’s Closing Lawyers

Buying and selling a commercial or residential property can be a stressful experience, especially if the market is hot like it’s been during the pandemic. Not only is there a lot of competition to contend with, but there’s also a lot of crossing of T’s and dotting of I’s to make sure that everything goes according to plan.

Working with a reputable and experienced real estate closing lawyer in Toronto can help make the transition a lot easier. Their job is to draw up contracts and tend to all of the legalities involved in real estate transactions to protect you from potential fraud and any other issues that may come up.

... Role of Toronto’s Closing Lawyers

Why Is It Better to Buy a House in the Fall?

Spring and summer are usually peak season for homebuyers to start their search for a number of reasons. Prompted by the warm weather and the fact that kids are out of school for a few months, this is the perfect time of year for families to start the search for their (hopefully) forever home. While there is something called a fall market when people get back into the market after their summer holidays, typically the fall is slower than spring or summer.

The milder temperatures and lack of snow on the ground also make it easier to stage the exterior of properties as beautifully and strategically as the interior, making them more appealing to homebuyers. Putting all of that aside, however, there are also a lot of great reasons to consider purchasing a new home in the fall. With the help of a good real estate lawyer and agent, you can find your dream house during any time of the year.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of conducting the search for your perfect home in the fall.

... Why Is It Better to Buy a House in the Fall?

How to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approved to Buy a House

Shopping for a new home can be stressful, especially in an extremely competitive market with skyrocketing prices. One way to alleviate some of the stress is to work with an experienced home buying mortgage lawyer in Toronto. They can walk you through the process of getting a mortgage pre-approval, which essentially lets you know how much you can afford to spend on a new home. You’re not obligated to spend the exact amount that you get pre-approved for, but it’s always good to know what your options are and this will give you a good idea of where to start.

... How to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approved to Buy a House

7 Foolproof Signs You May Be Ready to Buy Your First House

The current housing market has many Toronto residents completely rethinking their living situations. If you’re a renter, is it worth transitioning into buying a home? The answer to that question depends on your current circumstances and where you foresee your life trajectory going in the future. Is homeownership something you’ve always dreamed of, but never thought was financially attainable? Are you the type of person that wants to lay down roots in a specific area, but don’t know where to start?

Weighing the pros and cons of homeownership vs. renting a place can help you decide which one is the right choice for you and your lifestyle. There’s also probably a lot that you have to learn about how the housing market in Toronto works. A good real estate lawyer in Toronto can advise you regarding your options so that you can move forward confidently with a decision.

According to some of the top house closing real estate lawyers in Toronto, here are some guaranteed signs that you may be ready to buy your first home.

... 7 Foolproof Signs You May Be Ready to Buy Your First House