NEGOTIATING THE OFFER
After signing the offer, your Sales Representative will register it with the listing broker. A time will be set for the listing Sales Representative and your Sales Representative to meet and present the offer to the Seller. The Seller has a number of options available: Reject the offer; Accept the offer exactly as presented, making no changes; Make a counter-offer back to you with whatever changes the Seller wants, such as price, closing or conditions. You then have the option of accepting the Seller’s counter-offer or making your own changes and signing the newly amended offer back to them. This is where your Sales Representative’s negotiation skills come into play.
REGISTERING THE MORTGAGE
The lawyer receives instructions from the mortgage company, prepares the draft mortgage document, forwards the draft to the lender, makes amendments if required and arranges for you to sign the documents. The mortgage company then releases the funds to your lawyer. Some lenders prefer to pay the property taxes on your behalf to ensure the taxes are never in arrears. In this case, the mortgagee will hold back a certain amount from the advance on closing to start a tax account. Your payment will include the taxes in addition to the regular principal in interest. Check with your mortgage representative to see how your taxes will be handled.
THE ROLE OF YOUR LAWYER
Your lawyer’s job is to certify good and marketable title to the property, free of encumbrances, liens and judgments. Your Sales Representative will deliver all documentation related to the sale to your lawyer.
INSURANCE
You are required to place fire insurance on the property. The coverage should be for at least the amount of the mortgage to be acceptable to the mortgagee. A guaranteed replacement clause is usually acceptable and must take effect on the closing date.
LAND TRANSFER TAX
Payable by the Buyer on closing, the tax is based on the purchase price.
LEGAL FEES
A lawyer will usually charge between $750 and $1,000, plus disbursements, for a straightforward real estate transaction. This is payable prior to closing.
STATEMENT OF ADJUSTMENTS
The closing balance to be paid by the Buyer is “subject to the usual adjustments.” The statement of adjustments is a system of credits and debits whereby amounts are added to or subtracted from the balance to be paid by the Buyer, depending on whether or not the Seller has paid certain items in advance. The day of closing is assigned to the Buyer, who is responsible for taxes and utilities from 12:01am of that day. For example, taxes might have to be paid up to the date after the scheduled closing, so the Buyer will credit the Seller for the exact number of days “overpaid.” The same applies to water rates and fuel. Utility companies are notified of the change of ownership by your lawyer and final meter readings are arranged for the date of closing.
CLOSING DAY
The lawyers or clerks exchange documents and funds to close the transaction. You can expect to get access to your new home by late afternoon on that day, but check with your lawyer. Changing locks is recommended after closing as a safety precaution. If you have any dead-bolt locks on your doors, it is a simple matter to remove the cylinder and replace it with a new one.