Tax Sale Guide Home
Do I Need A Property Lawyer?
Chapter: GENERAL QUESTIONS
Ion
just made an offer for a piece of land in Kawartha Lakes from MLS. I found that the lawyer wants over $1000 (exactly $1200). After doing some research on net I realize that some layers do not care about the title search and name search or even if they do that search is not done on the closing day. A lawyer make sure you get the title insurance, the deed transfer and of course your money. In my case I do not apply for a mortgage.
Is really worth a lawyer?
Frank
You need a lawyer to protect your interest, whether it is $4,000 or $4,000,000.
Driver
A lawyer is there to do what you ask of him/her, nothing more, nothing less. They will do that and then advise you of anything else that should be done, and if you want them to do it. If you feel confident about doing title/execution searches, by all means, do it yourself. In my township, I can walk up to the counter and pay the $38 to each department (zoning, health, building,etc.) and get hard copies of all the information and take it to the lawyer for his review, or review it myself. The choice is yours. You don't need to pay a lawyer $300 / hr. to do that for you. You can get the same information verbally, for free, but get the hard copies!!
$1200 is a bit much. $500 plus disbursements is a good number for the average property. It doesn't matter if it is a vacant lot for $4000, or your dream home for $400,000. The searches need to be done. You could be buying the hidden tire dump under the $4000 lot that will cost you $400,000 to clean up.
Banks will insist on a lawyer if you get a mortgage. Title insurance is a good idea, but again, it is up to you.