Once an offer is firm, much of the work of getting to closing day moves to a real estate lawyer, or a notary in Quebec. They review the title, register the mortgage, receive and pay out funds and explain the documents you sign. This guide is for buyers, especially first-time buyers, who want to know what to ask before and during that process. Rules and practices differ by province, so the questions are a starting point, not a checklist that fits every file.
Legal fees are only one part of the cost. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) suggests budgeting 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price for closing costs, including home inspection fees, legal fees, property tax adjustments and title insurance.
Before you hire: fees and scope
- Is your quote a flat fee or hourly, and which disbursements (searches, registration, courier, software fees) are extra?
- Does the quote include acting for your lender as well as for you?
- Who on the team handles the file day to day, and how should you reach them close to closing?
- When do you need the signed agreement, the lender's mortgage instructions and your identification?
About the title and the property
- What did the title search show? FCAC notes that a land title search with the provincial or territorial registry shows the registered owner and any mortgages or liens.
- Are there easements, rights of way, work orders or unpaid taxes that stay with the property?
- Do you recommend title insurance for this purchase, and what would it cover? FCAC suggests considering title insurance to protect against losses from title fraud.
- For a condo, have the condo corporation documents been reviewed, and is anything in them unusual?
About money and timing
- How much will you need on closing, and when will you see the statement of adjustments for property taxes, utilities or condo fees?
- How should the funds be sent, and how will the office confirm payment instructions? Ask for a way to verify any change to banking details by phone, since instructions sent by email can be faked.
- What land transfer tax or registration fees apply where you are buying, and are you eligible for any first-time buyer rebate? These vary by province and, in some places, by municipality.
- What proof of home insurance does your lender need before it releases the mortgage funds?
About the mortgage documents
- Is the mortgage registered as a standard charge or a collateral charge? FCAC says a lawyer or notary can tell you, and it affects the cost of switching lenders later.
- What do the prepayment and penalty clauses in the mortgage say in plain language?
- How will you hold title with a co-buyer, and what does that mean if one owner dies or you separate? The terms used differ by province, and Quebec uses civil-law forms of co-ownership.
Coordinating with your real estate agent
Your agent and your lawyer or notary work on different parts of the same deal. Make sure both have the same closing date, know whether any conditions remain and agree on how and when keys are released. If the agreement allows a final visit before closing, ask your agent to book it early enough to raise any problem with your lawyer before funds move.
Next steps
Estimate your costs with the closing costs calculator and the land transfer tax calculator, then take your questions to your first meeting. To learn the warning signs of title and payment scams, read mortgage fraud red flags. If you are still choosing an agent, you can compare realtors listed by city.
Sources
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Buying a home, 2025-10-15. Accessed 2026-11-10.
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Real estate fraud, 2025-12-01. Accessed 2026-11-10.
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Renewing your mortgage, 2025-10-15. Accessed 2026-11-10.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Closing practices, fees and taxes differ by province and change over time; confirm them with your own lawyer or notary. Mortgage Directory does not verify or endorse listed professionals.
