Purchase of Residential Property

We provide the following services for the purchase of residential properties:

  • Review of agreement of purchase and sale
  • Investigate legal title, checking description, making requisitions on title and on other matters in the agreement
  • Search for arrears of realty taxes and all other taxes and rates constituting statutory liens
  • Search of executions (judgments against current owners)
  • Review of transfer of land
  • Review of statement of adjustments and examining survey (if available)
  • Attend on execution of documents
  • Attend to the closing
  • Give opinion on title
  • Obtain and issue Title Insurance policy of your choice

Information you will need to provide Cohen & Chasse when closing a purchase of a house or condominium:

  • Copy of your Agreement of Purchase and Sale including all waivers;
  • Two Original forms of identification: (1) Photo ID such as passport, driver's license, citizenship card (2) non photo ID such as a credit card. Please note that Provincial law does not allow us to accept Ontario health cards.
  • Complete legal name (or names) of the person(s) who is to appear on the title, including date of birth, current mailing address, telephone numbers and email
  • Clarification whether you will take title on the new property as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common
    • Joint Tenants: Where title is held as Joint Tenants and one of the owner's dies, the surviving Joint Tenant automatically becomes the property owner and no probate tax is payable – this is most commonly used by spouses.
    • Tenants in Common: When title is held as Tenants in Common and one of the owners dies, the deceased owner's interest passes to a beneficiary according to any last will & testament made by the deceased – in this case probate tax will be applied
  • Forward Cohen & Chasse's contact details to your real estate agent and mortgage broker or mortgage lender (where applicable) as they will be sending solicitor instructions to our office
  • If you are purchasing a non-condominium property, we require a fire insurance binder for the property (if you are purchasing a condominium property, we do not need a fire insurance binder from you) This will be issued by your insurance agent.
  • Closing funds – your certified cheque represents the funds needed and must be made payable to Cohen & Chasse in Trust. You will be required to present your certified cheque (or money order) when you attend our office to sign your closing documentation.
  • Meter Reading – You will have to contact the utilities
  • Confirmation that you have contacted hydro and gas companies to arrange the final readings and change of account. (We advise that you also contact your hot water tank and/or security company to update their records) If you rent your hot water tank you should advise us. If your house is heated with oil you should advise us.
  • Prior to closing you must obtain fire insurance for your new property and include your mortgage lender as an "insured party". The amount of insurance that your obtain must be sufficient to cover at least the value of the mortgage on the property. Many lenders require replacement value coverage. The mortgage company must fax us an insurance binder letter noting the mortgage company as an insured party before closing of your transaction.
  • Advise us of swimming pools or any special features of property;
  • Advise us of tenants in property;
  • Advise us if first time home buyer as you will be entitled to reduction of Ontario Land Transfer Tax and if you are buying in city of Toronto, Toronto Land Transfer Tax
  • If you are purchasing a cottage, please advise us if city water or well water, advise if sewers or septic system, advise if on a river or lake, advise if road access issues

Sale of Residential Property

We provide the following services for the sale of residential properties:

  • Review of executed agreement of purchase and sale
  • Preparation of transfer
  • Answer requisitions on title
  • Prepare and advise on statement of adjustments
  • Attending on execution of documentation
  • Attend to the closing and completing the sale
  • Contact your mortgage company for a payout statement

Information you will need to provide Cohen & Chasse when closing a sale of a house or condominium:

  • Copy of your Agreement of Purchase and Sale - a copy is usually faxed to our office by your Real Estate Agent
  • Two Original forms of identification: (1) Photo ID such as passport, driver's license, citizenship card (2) non photo ID such as a credit card. Please note that Provincial law does not allow us to accept Ontario health cards.
  • Confirmation that you have contacted hydro and gas companies to arrange the final reading of your meter. (We advise that you also contact your hot water tank and/or security company to update their records) If you rent your hot water tank you should advise us. If your house is heated with oil you should advise us.
  • We will need details of any existing mortgages or lines of credit against the property (name of lender, address & phone number, loan reference number)
  • Current realty tax bill, including any existing property tax bill and any future bill received prior to closing as well as details of payments being made by you prior to closing
  • Your forwarding address and future telephone number
  • At least one key to the property - provided when you attend our office to sign all closing documents
  • If you are selling a cottage, please advise if city water or well water, advise if sewers or septic system, advise if on a river or lake, advise if road access issues