Real Estate Lawyers

Yes. In British Columbia a property transfer has to be completed by a lawyer or notary. A lawyer can also give you legal advice, sort out title problems, and step in if the deal becomes disputed, which a notary cannot do.

Once your subjects are removed, completing the conveyancing usually takes about 7 to 10 business days, though it can vary with your lender's turnaround. We start our work as soon as we have the contract so everything is ready for your completion date.

It is a tax you pay when property is registered in your name: 1% on the first $200,000, 2% up to $2,000,000, and 3% above that. First time buyers and some newly built homes may qualify for an exemption. We confirm where you stand before closing so the number is not a surprise.

Common causes are late lender payout statements, funds on hold, missing property insurance, and title issues. We check for these early, line up the paperwork ahead of time, and stay in contact with your lender and the other side so problems get caught before completion day.

Ideally before you remove subjects, and certainly well before completion. Early involvement means the contract, title, and any concerns can be reviewed while you still have room to act. At minimum, a lawyer handles the conveyance, transferring title and funds properly so the purchase completes smoothly.

Completion is when ownership legally changes hands. Generally, your lawyer registers the transfer, funds move between the parties' legal representatives, and once everything is confirmed, the sale completes. Possession, when you receive the keys, usually follows shortly after. Most buyers do not need to attend anything on the day itself.

Strata documents reveal the health of the building and the community you are buying into, including finances, planned repairs, rules, and past problems. Reviewing them carefully before you commit can surface issues that are far cheaper to discover now than after you own the property.

They serve different purposes and are not substitutes for each other. A lawyer's review examines title and the transaction before you buy, while title insurance protects against certain defined risks afterward. Many purchases involve both. What makes sense for you depends on the property and your comfort level.

Yes, document it properly. Lenders typically require a signed gift letter confirming the money is a true gift, and clear documentation also avoids confusion later about whether the funds were a gift or a loan. It is a simple step that prevents real problems, and we can help you handle it correctly.