Seek expert legal advice

By Laurent Fontaine

May 27 2008

Seek out the advice of a lawyer or notary before making an offer to purchase. Only legal experts are licensed to draft the deed.

The legal professional will:

•Ensure that the seller’s mortgage is discharged.

•Check whether the surveyor’s certificate (certificate of location in Quebec) on the tile is up-to-date. This certificate provides a comprehensive assessment of the home and property and is conducted by a land survey.

•Search the title to ensure there are no statutory liens, charges, work or clean-up orders and protect your interests during each step of the home buying process.

•Ensure that taxes and other charges have been fairly distributed between the vendor and the buyer.

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Choosing the right location
Start by making a list of all the features you want in your new home, then use the list to target your search.
Exploring the neighbourhood
Once you have started narrowing down your choices, explore every nook and cranny of the neighbourhood. Take the time to visit the area at different times during the week, and ask yourself the following questions.
Your credit rating is your best ally
Unless you’re independently wealthy and can pay for your home in cash, you’ll need to take out a mortgage. Before granting you a loan, your financial institution will conduct a credit check to determine your creditworthiness, which is reflected by your borrowing and repayment history.