Overview

It's a day filled with nervous anticipation. This is the day on which all of the legal and financial promises in the offer are met. It's the day when you get the keys and begin a new phase in your life. Your RE/MAX agent and your lawyer will give you all of the details on steps and timings. All of the small details will be taken care of ahead of time, so in most cases it will be just a day of waiting by the phone.

Also, remember that this is a hectic day for the seller, too! Very often it's moving day and they're trying to gather all of their belongings to leave as the purchaser is trying to move in.

In brief, here's what takes place before the actual closing day:

1. A copy of the offer will have been forwarded to the office of your lawyer. Your lawyer will have reviewed the conditions of the sale. You will have made your lawyer aware of how you, and any co-buyers, will be registered on the title of the property.

2. All of the conditions in the offer to purchase must be satisfied by the closing date. If one of the conditions in your offer was a house inspection, it should have been completed by the closing date, and you should be satisfied with the report.

3. All of your financing details will have been finalized and ready to fall into place on the closing date.

4. If the vendor did not have an up-to-date land survey, you'll have had one done. Your lender will insist on it.

5. Your lawyer will search the title of the property to ensure that you can purchase the home without any legal problems. Your lawyer will also make sure that tax payments have all been made and there are no liens on the home or the personal property the vendor has agreed to sell you as part of the deal.

6. You'll want to make sure that you've contacted all of the utility, cable, and phone companies to ensure an easy transition of service and billing.

7. Your lawyer will prepare a statement of adjustment. This confirms the selling price, adjustments, and the balance (less the deposit you provided with the offer). Your lending institution will draw up a certified cheque for your lawyer to hold in trust.

8. Additional settlement charges will have to be paid:

Your lawyer's fee and disbursements

Condo and co-op fees (Remember to ensure there is an adequate Reserve fund in place and that the condominium has a proper Technical Audit and Reserve Fund Study completed by competent professionals.)

Tax and utility adjustments; if they have been pre-paid, you'll have to pay the vendor for the portion of the service you assume

Land transfer tax; based on the price of the home, this fee ranges from 0.5% to 4% of the selling price

9. You'll want to make sure your homeowner's insurance policy will be in place to cover your new home and property once the deal is closed. Your lawyer will need a copy of the policy before closing.