Real Estate Law

Our team of experienced Real Estate Lawyers advises on the various aspects of mortgage financing and refinancing as it relates to single family residential, multi-family residential, condominium and other residential and commercial or mixed use properties. We assist homeowners when financing their purchase of a property and in refinancing their mortgage. We act on behalf of buyers and homeowners to review financing arrangements and ensure the protection of their interests.

In Nova Scotia, the Land Registration Act requires a property owner to convert their property from the former Registry System into the Land Registration System when they sell, mortgage or subdivide the property, for the first time since the coming into effect of the Land Registration Act. This one time conversion must be completed prior to the closing date. It is important to contact a lawyer well before your scheduled closing date if you think this may apply to you, the conversion process often reveals issues in the title which can cause delays in your closing if there is insufficient time to deal with them. Because of this, lenders, realtors, assessors, developers, lawyers, and surveyors are advised to engage a law firm that is experienced with land registration conversions. Our team has received special training and completed a substantial number of conversions since the requirement was first enacted. In conjunction with the property conversion, a real estate lawyer will perform a title search and advise on who has legal ownership to the property, any burdens or benefits which affect the property and any outstanding encumbrances. We ensure that purchasers of both new and resale homes are aware of and understand any easements over the property prior to purchasing. Easements can sometimes restrict an owners ability or make it impossible to make changes and improvements to the property. It is important to consult with a lawyer as they will bring these important details to your attention.

Purchasing a home or condominium is an exciting experience.  In addition, selling a home or condo comes with its own unique challenges. While you will face many decisions, you should not be intimidated by any of them. It is important that you are aware of all the factors associated with purchasing and/or selling and we can guide you through each stage of the process.

It is important to do your due diligence during the purchase and sale of vacant land. Although many people think that purchasing vacant land is a simple process, there are areas of concern which may not be immediately obvious as the land is vacant. Some factors to consider are zoning regulations, environmental concerns and property usage restrictions. A real estate lawyer will advise on all aspects of the purchase and sale including negotiation, drafting agreements, registration of the deed and transfer of land.

We are experienced in providing advice on a wide range of legal issues pertaining to subdivision and development projects of all sizes and scope. We have experience acting on behalf of developers with respect to residential subdivisions and residential, commercial and bare land condominium developments. We advise on all aspects of the development process including, but not limited to, project financing, approvals, drafting agreements, environmental issues, land acquisition and registration of plans and necessary agreements.

Every property owner has the right to transfer their interest in real property to a third party, commonly referred to as transferring title. There are a variety of reasons to complete a transfer of title, including adding or removing a spouse or partner, separation of spouses, a gift of property, or any aging parent may wish to add their children on title to their property for estate planning purposes. If there is an outstanding mortgage, the bank must approve any transfer before it can be completed. A real estate lawyer will prepare and file the deed and transfer affidavits. Completing a transfer of title is a straightforward process and can be finalized within a week or two depending on your availability.

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