Resources
The legal side
What a real estate lawyer actually does between an accepted offer and closing day, and why title insurance exists. General information, not legal advice.
What a real estate lawyer does
A real estate lawyer plays an important part in buying and selling a home. Their job is to make sure the transaction completes legally, accurately and on time, and most of that work happens quietly in the background.
A lawyer is typically involved after an offer has been accepted, and then throughout the closing process. They work behind the scenes so that everything is properly completed before ownership transfers.
How a lawyer helps
- Reviews the purchase and sale agreement
- Conducts title searches to confirm ownership
- Identifies liens, easements or other legal issues
- Prepares and reviews the closing documents
- Arranges the transfer of funds
- Registers the property in the buyer's name
- Calculates closing costs and adjustments
Taken together, that work protects your interests: it confirms the property has clear title, that all legal requirements are met, that funds move correctly, and that the transaction closes without avoidable problems.
Understanding title insurance
Title insurance is a one-time policy that helps protect homeowners and lenders against certain problems with a property's ownership or title. It is usually arranged by your real estate lawyer during closing.
It is paid once, at closing, and stays in effect for as long as you own the property. Most lenders require it, and many homeowners choose it regardless, because a thorough title search cannot uncover everything.
What title insurance may cover
Even after a careful title search, some issues only come to light after a purchase completes. Title insurance provides financial protection if a covered problem appears.
Title fraud and identity theft
Protection where someone has fraudulently dealt with the property or your identity.
Errors in public records
Mistakes in the registered record that affect what you thought you were buying.
Unknown liens
Claims registered against the property that were not discovered before closing.
Ownership disputes
Competing claims to ownership of the property or part of it.
Survey and boundary issues
Where the actual boundaries differ from what the documents describe.
Previous owners' permits
Work done by an earlier owner without the permits it required.
What happens on the legal side
In outline, between an accepted offer and closing day your lawyer will:
- Review the legal documents
- Conduct a title search
- Arrange title insurance
- Calculate the closing adjustments
- Transfer the funds
- Complete the property registration
A note on this page
This page is general information to help you understand the process, and it is not legal advice. Every transaction has its own facts. To discuss your own situation, speak to Gurpreet directly.
Go deeper on closing
This page is the short version. Gurpreet keeps three longer guides in the Realty Law section, including printable checklists you can work through before your closing.
Questions about closing?
Gurpreet can explain how the legal side applies to your own transaction, and what he needs from you to keep it on schedule.
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