Barbarian Law, Aurora, ON

Barbarian Law is an Aurora-based firm handling residential and commercial real estate closings, along with corporate, commercial, wills and estates, and fractional general counsel work. The firm has closed over 1,000 client transactions and quotes fees up front before a purchase, sale, or refinance closes.

From the Firm

What Your Real Estate Lawyer Actually Does on Closing (and What It Costs)

Between an accepted offer and moving day, most buyers hire a lawyer and never quite learn what happens next. Here is what actually goes on behind the scenes — and where the real costs show up.

Before closing: the searches

The lawyer runs a title search to confirm the seller actually owns the property free of undisclosed mortgages, liens, or easements, and raises any problems with the seller's lawyer by an agreed deadline. For condos, this includes reviewing the status certificate: the reserve fund, any upcoming special assessments, and rules on pets or rentals. Nearly every Ontario purchase now closes with a title insurance policy — a one-time premium that covers issues a search cannot catch, including fraud or errors in prior registrations.

Closing week: the money and the documents

In the final week, the lender sends mortgage instructions, the lawyer prepares a statement of adjustments crediting or charging each side for prepaid taxes, rent, and similar items, and all the money — down payment, mortgage funds, adjustments — moves through the lawyer's trust account until everything is ready to close at once. On closing day, documents are exchanged electronically, funds are released, the transfer is registered, and the buyer gets the keys.

The costs nobody mentions at the open house

The purchase price is rarely the full cost. Ontario's land transfer tax is the largest add-on (Toronto adds a second, municipal tax), though first-time buyers can claim a provincial refund of up to $4,000 if they qualify. On top of that: the one-time title insurance premium, legal fees and disbursements, and whatever the statement of adjustments says is owed to the seller.

When to actually call the lawyer

Buyers often hire a lawyer only after signing the purchase agreement — but that document already locks in the conditions, closing date, and included fixtures. On anything unusual, such as private sales, assignments, or rural properties, having a lawyer review the agreement before signing can save real money later.

Closing a purchase is really a long list of small verifications protecting a large amount of money, ending in one coordinated exchange. It is worth choosing a lawyer who quotes fees up front and flags the real costs early, so closing day holds no surprises.

This article is general information, not legal advice. First-time buyer refund details are set by the Ontario Ministry of Finance; every situation is different, so speak with a lawyer about yours.

Read the full article on Barbarian Law's site

Before you call about buying or selling a home

General guidance for this kind of matter, not advice about your situation and not specific to this firm.

Questions worth asking

What is your all-in closing fee, including disbursements and title insurance?

How far before closing do you need the signed agreement?

Will you review the status certificate if this is a condo?

Who do I reach on closing day if something goes wrong?

How this work is usually billed

Residential closings are almost always a flat fee, and it is entirely reasonable to ask for the all-in number in writing before you retain anyone. Ask specifically whether disbursements and title insurance are inside or outside that figure.

What to have ready

The signed agreement of purchase and sale, your mortgage commitment letter, and your lender's contact.

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