Real Estate Law

Our real estate lawyers are professionally trained and have extensive expertise in preparing detailed legal documents for real estate transactions and mortgage transactions in Ottawa. We work on real estate transactions daily, not occasionally, and this is how we keep up with the ever-changing nature of the real estate industry.

One of our lawyers is always available to provide legal advice before and after the closing of your transaction. 

Contact us anytime. Our telephone system gives you access to our after-hours pager service. Our clients tell us all the time that this service eliminates the stress of real estate transactions and we are happy to provide our services at all hours of the day.

Our first priority and our legal duty is to look out for the interests of our clients. We report to our clients and no one else. We are not associated with or employed by anyone, other than our clients. Our commitment is to provide sensible and unbiased legal advice and to serve our clients to their complete satisfaction.

Our lawyers are all members in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada and are fully insured by the Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company.

We know that you are busy and that your time is valuable. You can depend on us to look after your interests. Peace of mind permits you to do the things you want to do while we act as your lawyer. 

We complete real estate transactions and mortgage transactions almost every business day of the year. This is what we do best. We know the law and are licensed under Teranet, the electronic registry system of the Province of Ontario which is now mandatory. 

In addition we have a long standing working relationship with the realtors of Ottawa and the Ottawa Real Estate Board, the banks, the mortgage brokers, all new home builders and all title insurance companies. Our commitment is to work with the various parties involved in your transaction and to complete the transaction to your complete satisfaction.

Our clients tell us time and time again that they need a clear, concise and complete budget for our legal services, and we provide it. 

Today, many clients who have entered into standard real estate transactions are requesting fixed closing costs to assist them with their budgeting. We can provide a fixed closing costs budget upon your request. There is absolutely no obligation. Contact us anytime.

Use our land transfer tax calculator here to calculate the amount of land transfer tax you may need to pay on your next purchase.

Our clients tell us time and time again that they need a clear, concise and complete budget for our legal services, and we provide it. 

Today, many clients who have entered into standard real estate transactions are requesting fixed closing costs to assist them with their budgeting. We can provide a fixed closing costs budget upon your request. There is absolutely no obligation. Contact us anytime.

Today in Ontario, Title Insurance is purchased by almost everyone who is buying a home because of the after-closing protection it provides.

Title Insurance is an insurance policy that provides Homebuyers (and their mortgage lender, if any) with broad coverage for many of the risks associated with buying a home. The insurance allows the Homebuyer to make a claim directly with the Title Insurance Company, much as they would do with a fire or automobile insurance. If the claim is covered under the Title Insurance policy, the Title Insurance Company either pays to rectify the problem (e.g. moving a garage off a neighbour’s property line) or to compensate the appropriate parties to the full value of their Title Insurance policy. In addition, the Title Insurance Company will pay the cost of legally defending the Homebuyer’s title if he or she, after closing, faces a challenge to the title of their property.

Savings in Legal Costs

Our experience has proven that using Title Insurance in a typical home purchase in the Ottawa area saves the Homebuyer over $700.00. Using Title Insurance reduces legal disbursements and legal fees.



No More Survey Problems

Banks and other mortgage lenders traditionally required Homebuyers to obtain a building location survey. In the past, the Homebuyers had to pay between $1000.00 and $2000.00 if an updated building location survey was not available. Today, Title Insurance is accepted in lieu of a survey. Of course if a homebuyer would like a buyer’s location survey, we are pleased to make the necessary arrangements.

Fast Streamlined Real Estate Closings

Title Insurance makes it possible to complete a transaction for a Homebuyer faster than ever before. Today, a fast closing does not put the Homebuyer at an unreasonable risk because Title Insurance is available.

No More Last Minute Complications

Title Insurance can guarantee the closing of the transaction because last minute complications will not delay or scuttle the deal.

Home Seller’s Problem Solver

Home Sellers are frequently required to solve technical problems which affect their ownership of the property being sold. The problem is that often a fast-approaching closing date does not provide sufficient time to the Home Seller and the solicitor. Title Insurance, in most cases, is the best solution and permits the Home Seller’s transaction to close without undue expense or delay.

McGuinty Law Offices Makes All The Arrangements

We will take all the necessary steps to put the Title Insurance policy in place. There is no demand on the Homebuyer’s or Seller’s time. There are no additional legal fees for this service, just the one time premium payable to the Title Insurance Company. The premium is approximately $278 for a property with a sale price of up to $500,000.00.

In an attempt to bring some order to the legal system, the legislators have imposed deadlines on individuals who wish to enforce their legal rights and seek their legal remedies.

There are such deadlines in Real Estate transactions and if missed, you risk losing your legal rights and you may be barred from making your legal claim. Judges are not generally in favour of extending a deadline that has been imposed by provincial or federal legislators. This may seem harsh or unfair, however you must protect yourself and take the necessary steps to enforce your legal rights.

We know time is valuable to Homebuyers and Sellers. Our aim is to reduce the hassles and worries associated with the purchase or sale of a home.

One of our experienced lawyers is always available to take your call and assist you.