Real Estate
Residential Real Estate Lawyer in BC
Buying or selling a home, condo, or townhouse in the Lower Mainland. We handle the legal side so your closing goes smoothly and the keys change hands on time.
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest moves you will make, and the legal part is where small mistakes get expensive. In British Columbia every property transfer has to be completed by a lawyer or notary, and you want it done by someone who catches the issues before they reach your completion date.
Once your Contract of Purchase and Sale is firm and your subjects are removed, the deal moves to our office. Our real estate team searches the title, reviews the terms you agreed to, prepares the transfer and mortgage documents, works out the Property Transfer Tax, and registers everything at the Land Title Office. If you are buying a condo or townhouse, we also read the strata documents so you know what you are stepping into before the money moves.
You get plain answers about what each date means, what your closing costs will be, and what we need from you. We coordinate with your realtor, your lender, and the lawyer or notary on the other side so the funds flow correctly and your title is registered the right way.
How we can help
Buying your home
We search the title, review your contract, calculate your Property Transfer Tax, prepare the transfer and mortgage documents, and register you as the owner so you take clean title.
Selling your home
We prepare your transfer documents, order the payout for your existing mortgage, clear it off title, and make sure the sale proceeds reach you correctly and on time.
Condos and townhouses
We review the strata documents, including the Form B information certificate, bylaws, and any special levies or depreciation report, so surprises show up before completion, not after.
Statement of adjustments
We work out the credits and charges between you and the other party for property taxes, strata fees, and the deposit, so the final figure on completion day is right.
Property Transfer Tax and exemptions
We calculate your Property Transfer Tax and check whether the first-time buyer or newly built home exemption applies to you before you close.
Your mortgage
We review your lender's instructions, register the new mortgage against title, and confirm the funds are in place so nothing holds up your completion.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a home in BC?
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. If your purchase involves a joint ownership question, a family transfer, or a title issue, that legal advice matters.
How much is the Property Transfer Tax on a home, and might I be exempt?
You pay it when the property is registered in your name. The rate is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on the portion up to $2,000,000, and 3% on the portion above that, with a further 2% on the value of residential property over $3,000,000. First-time buyers and some newly built homes may qualify for an exemption if they meet the conditions. We confirm the amount, and whether an exemption applies, before you close so the number is not a surprise.
I am buying a condo. What do you check in the strata documents?
We review the Form B information certificate, the bylaws and rules, the strata's finances, minutes, and any depreciation report, and we look for special levies, upcoming repairs, rental or pet restrictions, and any charges owing on the unit. The goal is to make sure what you are buying matches what you were told, while you still have time to act on it.
When does my money go, and when do I get the keys?
There are usually three dates in your contract. Completion is when the transfer registers and funds are released. Adjustment is the date used to divide ongoing costs like property taxes and strata fees. Possession is when you get the keys. We line up your funds and documents ahead of completion so these dates hold. Once your subjects are removed, the conveyancing usually takes about 7 to 10 business days, though it can vary with your lender.
Book your free residential real estate case evaluation
No pressure and no obligation. Just a clear conversation about where you stand and what comes next.