Tools & Resources for Ottawa Real Estate Closings

When you buy or sell a home in Ottawa, Westboro, or Nepean, you will typically need a signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale, identification, mortgage instructions (if applicable), property tax information, and any existing surveys or condominium documents. Dimitrov Law reviews these materials, explains your obligations, and helps confirm that key conditions are addressed before closing.

In many transactions in Ottawa, Kanata, and Barrhaven, the closing timeline is often around 30 to 60 days from the time the offer is accepted. The timeline can be shorter or longer depending on financing, inspections, title issues, or negotiated terms. We coordinate with your realtor, lender, and the other lawyer to help keep your closing aligned with the agreed schedule.

A title search is the lawyer’s investigation of the property’s history to confirm the seller’s ownership and identify registered issues such as mortgages, liens, easements, or restrictions. Title insurance is an insurance policy that can protect you against certain title-related risks, including some problems that may not appear in the search. For buyers in Ottawa and the surrounding communities, these tools are often used together.

It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as you are serious about making an offer on a property in Kanata, Stittsville, Nepean, or elsewhere in Ottawa. We can review your Agreement of Purchase and Sale before you sign, explain important clauses, and suggest changes that better protect your interests.

Legal fees for a purchase or sale in Ottawa or Barrhaven depend on the type of property, whether there is financing, and the complexity of the transaction. We provide clear quotes that identify the legal fee, expected disbursements, title search costs, and anticipated title insurance premiums so you can budget accurately.

Yes. If you are separating or divorcing in Ottawa or Westboro and one spouse is keeping the home, we can assist with preparing and registering the transfer, addressing mortgage changes where required, and coordinating with your family law counsel. Our goal is to ensure that the transfer reflects your agreement and is properly recorded on title.

If a title issue appears during our search—such as an outstanding mortgage, lien, or registered restriction—we will explain the risk and work to resolve it before closing where possible. Depending on the issue, the seller may correct the problem or title insurance may be used to address certain risks. This step helps reduce the chance of surprises after closing.

After you move within Ottawa, Kanata, or Stittsville, you should update your address with ServiceOntario, the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, your bank, your insurer, your employer, and benefit providers. It can also be a good time to review your estate planning documents to confirm that your contact details remain current.

Land Transfer Tax is a provincial tax payable when you purchase real estate in Ontario, including Ottawa and Nepean. The amount depends on the purchase price, and qualifying first-time homebuyers may be eligible for a rebate. If you are purchasing in Toronto, a separate municipal land transfer tax may also apply in addition to the provincial tax. We calculate the applicable land transfer tax and include it in your closing estimate.

Most lenders require a lawyer to register the new mortgage and, if necessary, discharge the existing one. When you refinance in Ottawa or Barrhaven, we review your lender’s instructions, confirm that the registration is completed properly, and explain the documents before you sign.

Yes. Dimitrov Law assists with residential purchases, sales, and refinances, as well as commercial transactions and small business properties in Ottawa, Westboro, and nearby communities. We tailor our approach to the property type, financing, and the transaction’s risk profile.

New-build agreements in Kanata and Stittsville are often lengthy and drafted primarily for the builder. We review the agreement, explain key clauses such as closing adjustments, delay provisions, and warranty coverage, and identify issues that may be negotiated or clarified so you can understand the financial and timing risks before you commit.

If you are buying with family, friends, or partners in Ottawa or Nepean, a co-ownership agreement should address contributions, ownership shares, expense allocation, use of the property, decision-making, and exit options if someone wants to sell or move out. We draft customized agreements to reduce future conflict.

Relocation is a practical time to create or review Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care. We help clients in Ottawa, Westboro, and Barrhaven choose appropriate attorneys, explain their duties, and prepare documents that meet Ontario requirements.

After moving to a new home in Ottawa or Kanata, you may wish to review your Will to confirm your executors, beneficiaries, guardianship planning, and asset descriptions remain current. We can prepare an updated Will or an appropriate amendment depending on your circumstances.

Yes. We work with homeowners in Ottawa, Nepean, and Stittsville to create coordinated estate plans that address real estate, investments, and family goals. This often includes Wills, Powers of Attorney, and guidance around probate planning.

A Will takes effect after death and directs the distribution of your estate and appointment of an executor. A “Living Will” is commonly used to describe advance care wishes. In Ontario, those wishes are usually expressed through a Power of Attorney for Personal Care and related guidance. We help clients in Ottawa and Barrhaven prepare a complete set of documents.

Protection for spouses and children often involves a carefully drafted Will, appropriate beneficiary designations, and trusts for minors where appropriate. We work with clients in Ottawa and Kanata to align estate planning with family needs, tax considerations, and long-term security goals.

Before signing a lease in Ottawa or Westboro, it can be helpful to review key terms such as rent, permitted use, repair obligations, assignment or subletting rules, and termination rights. If it is a commercial lease, additional schedules and indemnities should also be carefully reviewed.

Yes. We offer phone and video consultations for clients across Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Barrhaven, and Stittsville. Virtual meetings can be an efficient way to review documents and keep your matter moving during busy periods.

You can book a consultation through our website contact options or by reaching out to our office directly. Whether you are in Ottawa, Westboro, Stittsville, or another nearby community, we will discuss your goals, outline next steps, and explain how we can assist.

Closing adjustments are calculations that allocate certain costs between the buyer and seller as of the closing date. These often include property taxes, condominium common expenses, fuel or rental items where applicable, and other prepaid or outstanding amounts tied to the property. Your lawyer will prepare a statement of adjustments to help ensure that each party pays only the portion that corresponds to their period of ownership.

A Status Certificate provides key information about a condominium corporation, including its financial position, reserve fund details, common expenses for the unit, and certain rules and ongoing issues. Reviewing it helps you assess the financial and governance risks associated with the building before closing. Your lawyer can review this document and explain any red flags that may affect your decision, your budget, or your ability to obtain financing.

Some properties in rural Ottawa and surrounding communities rely on private wells and septic systems instead of municipal services. Buyers should consider obtaining appropriate inspections and available water-quality information, and confirm any maintenance history where possible. Your lawyer can assist with reviewing relevant documentation provided through the transaction and advise on common legal due diligence steps for these property types.