Buying or Selling Residential Property

Whether you are the buyer, seller, or lender, you need the protection of a carefully prepared agreement of purchase and sale. Lawrences has been servicing our clients’ personal real estate needs within Peel, the Greater Toronto Area, Halton, Simcoe, Dufferin, Durham and the rest of Southern Ontario for over 90 years. We help our clients avoid surprises by reviewing their intentions for the property, ensuring that they understand their legal obligations, and drafting agreements that lessen risk. Our experience becomes your protection.

Our services include:

Completion of purchase and sale transactions for urban and rural residential properties, including resales and new home purchases
Review, negotiation and drafting of agreements of purchase and sale and amendments
Financing/mortgages
Family conveyancing
Occupancy and cotenancy agreements
Property tax assessments
Easements and rights of way
Residential leases

When are homebuyers eligible for the HST rebate? What is title insurance and is it mandatory when buying a house? What concerns should I have in buying a new home from a builder? What is the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common? How is land transfer tax calculated and when does it have to be paid? My movers are coming early on the closing day. When can I get the keys? Do I need a building location survey if I am purchasing a residential property? What are the HST implications associated with buying or selling residential property? If I am selling my property and the deal falls through, do I automatically get to keep the deposit? What are the requirements to qualify for the refund of land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers? I am selling my house and the kitchen appliances to a buyer. If my fridge breaks down before closing, do I have to repair or replace it? I have a listing agreement with a realtor but I want to sell my property privately to a friend. Can I sell to him without paying commission? My next door neighbour and I have a shared driveway but we never cross over to each other’s side. Can I put up a privacy fence within my lot limit? My partner and I are buying a home together. I have owned a home, but he has not. Does he qualify for the First-time Homebuyers Refund of land transfer tax? My spouse and I are buying our first home together. I have owned a home before, but sold it before we became spouses. My spouse has never owned a home. Does she qualify for the First-time Homebuyers Refund of land transfer tax?

Oct 01, 2014 | Article

Buying a Home From a Builder

Buying a new house, condominium or townhouse directly from the builder can be confusing, especially for a first-time purchaser. The builder will usually require you to sign the builder’s form of agreement of purchase and sale (the “Agreement”). Because these Agreements are lengthy and drafted strongly in the builder’s favour, it is very important to have a real estate lawyer review the Agreement before you sign it. You can make your purchase conditional on your solicitor’s review of the Agreement. This article outlines some of the issues with builder’s Agreements.

Apr 01, 2010 | Article

Are You Ready for the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)? Part One and Part Two

In Ontario, the 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the 8% Provincial Retail Sales Tax (PST) will be combined into a single 13% tax, effective July 1, 2010. The new tax will be known as the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Sales tax currently does not apply to many goods and services; however, that will change on July 1, when they will be subject to 13% HST. Some examples are electronic goods, internet service, haircuts, gym memberships, automobile fuel, lawyers’ fees, home renovations, real estate commissions, and commercial rents.

Oct 01, 2008 | Article

Investing in Real Estate: Look Before You Leap

Many people thinking about purchasing a residential real estate property consider the possibility of renting out a basement apartment as ...

Dec 01, 2007 | Article

Have you sold or mortgaged your home without knowing it? Part Two

Take these simple steps to help prevent identity theft and title fraud.

Dec 01, 2007 | Article

Have you sold or mortgaged your home without knowing it? Part One

Susan Lawrence of North York has owned her home for the past 30 years. Last summer she found that her identity had been stolen: the thief had transferred the title to her property to a third party and remortgaged her home for almost $300,000. When the mortgage went unpaid, the mortgage company sued Lawrence for possession of her home and won, although the decision is under appeal.

Key Contacts

Edwin Upenieks (Partner)

Michael Prsa (Partner)

William Sirdevan (Partner)

Heather Picken (Partner)

Michael Luchenski (Partner)

Louis Vouloukos (Associate)

Manpreet Kaur Uppal (Associate)

Julia Chumak (Associate)

Frank Pinizzotto (Associate)

Karen Forhan (Associate)