Land Transfer Tax Calculator
Estimate Ontario and Toronto land transfer tax, including first-time homebuyer refunds.
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Real Estate Lawyer in Mississauga
Buying or selling property is one of the largest financial decisions most people make. We guide homeowners, first-time buyers, investors and business owners through each step of the transaction, from reviewing the agreement to registering the deed and handing over the keys.
Our goal is a closing that is on time, correctly documented and free of surprises. We explain each document before you sign it and keep you informed as your file moves forward.
How we help
Real Estate services
Purchases
Title searches, mortgage documents, title insurance, statement of adjustments and registration of the transfer in your name.
Sales
Discharging your existing mortgage, preparing closing documents, and receiving and distributing the sale proceeds.
Refinancing
Registering a new mortgage or line of credit, paying out the existing lender and reporting to you and your lender.
First-time buyers
Patient explanations of each step, closing costs and any land transfer tax refunds you may be eligible to claim.
Pre-construction
Reviewing builder agreements and disclosure, advising on deposits, adjustments and occupancy, and closing the final purchase.
Title transfers
Adding or removing a spouse or family member from title, and transfers between related parties.
Commercial real estate
Purchases and sales of commercial and mixed-use property, including due diligence, financing and HST matters.
What a real estate lawyer does on your transaction
When you sign an Agreement of Purchase and Sale, the legal work is only beginning. On a purchase, we search the title to confirm the seller can convey the property and that there are no unexpected mortgages, liens or easements. We check for outstanding property taxes, review your lender's mortgage instructions, arrange title insurance and prepare a statement of adjustments so you know exactly how much is required to close.
In Ontario, ownership is transferred by electronic registration in the land registration system. On closing day we exchange documents and funds with the other side's lawyer through our trust account, register the transfer and your mortgage, and pay the land transfer tax on your behalf.
After closing, you receive a reporting letter that summarizes the transaction and includes copies of your registered documents.
Land transfer tax and first-time buyers
Ontario charges land transfer tax on most property purchases, and properties in the City of Toronto are also subject to a municipal land transfer tax. Eligible first-time homebuyers may qualify for a refund of some or all of the provincial tax and, in Toronto, a rebate of the municipal tax.
Eligibility depends on your circumstances, including your ownership history and your spouse's. Our free land transfer tax calculator gives you an estimate, and we confirm the exact figure before closing.
Pre-construction homes and condominiums
Builder agreements are long and are drafted by the builder's lawyer. For new condominium units, the Condominium Act, 1998 generally gives the buyer a 10-day period to rescind the agreement after receiving the signed agreement and the disclosure statement. That window is the ideal time to have the documents reviewed.
We explain deposit schedules, closing adjustments, interim occupancy for condominiums, HST and new-home rebates, and new-home warranty coverage administered by Tarion, so you understand the full cost before you are committed.
Refinancing, title transfers and commercial property
When you refinance or change who is on title, the documents must be registered correctly and land transfer tax considered. Some transfers between spouses or family members may qualify for exemptions, while others are taxable on the value transferred.
Commercial transactions add further due diligence, such as zoning, existing leases, environmental history and the HST treatment of the purchase. We coordinate with your lender, accountant and realtor so the deal closes as planned.
What to expect
How your matter will proceed
Step 1: Review the agreement
Ideally before you sign, or as soon as possible after. We flag conditions, deadlines and terms that need attention.
Step 2: Title search and due diligence
We search title, review lender instructions and order title insurance, and confirm the funds required to close.
Step 3: Signing appointment
You meet with us a few days before closing to review and sign documents and provide closing funds.
Step 4: Closing and reporting
We register the transaction, release keys or funds, and send a final reporting letter with your registered documents.
What to bring to your real estate appointment
- Two pieces of valid government-issued identification, one with a photo
- The signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale, with all amendments and waivers
- Your lender's mortgage commitment and the contact details of your mortgage representative
- A home insurance binder for the property (purchases)
- Information about the source of your down payment (for identity and funds verification)
- Your existing mortgage details, property tax bill and keys (sales)
Questions
Real Estate FAQ
When should I contact a real estate lawyer?
As early as possible, ideally before you sign an offer. If you have already signed, contact us right away so we can review conditions and deadlines while there is still time to act on them.
What is title insurance and do I need it?
Title insurance protects you and your lender against certain defects in title, such as fraud, survey issues or unknown work orders. Most lenders require it. We explain what the policy covers and arrange it as part of your purchase.
What closing costs should I budget for?
Besides the down payment, expect land transfer tax, legal fees and disbursements, title insurance, and adjustments for property taxes or condominium fees the seller has prepaid. We provide a fee quote at the outset and a full statement of funds required before closing.
Do I qualify as a first-time homebuyer?
For the Ontario refund, you generally must be at least 18, occupy the home as your principal residence within nine months, and never have owned a home or an interest in a home anywhere in the world. If your spouse owned a home while they were your spouse, you may not qualify.
How long does a closing take?
The closing date is set in your agreement. Our work begins as soon as we receive the agreement and usually takes several weeks of preparation. Contact us early so there is time to resolve any issue that comes up.
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Related resources
Real Estate
First-Time Homebuyer Closing Checklist for Ontario
A step-by-step checklist for first-time buyers in Ontario, from accepted offer to keys in hand, including closing costs, land transfer tax and what to bring.
4 min read
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Other ways we can help
Talk to a lawyer about your real estate matter
Book a consultation with Baljit Singh Sandhu at our Mississauga office. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and discuss fees before any work begins.