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Costly legal issues to watch when buying or selling

When you buy or sell a home, there are many small but important legal details that are easy to miss and costly to get wrong. A little care up front protects you.

Where sellers and buyers get caught

  • Vague or missing conditions in the agreement of purchase and sale.
  • Title issues, liens, or survey/boundary surprises discovered late.
  • Misrepresenting (or failing to disclose) a known defect.
  • Closing-date and possession mix-ups, and unmet conditions.
  • Mortgage discharge and prepayment penalties when selling.

How to protect yourself

Work with a real estate lawyer early, read every clause, and lean on an experienced agent who knows where deals go sideways. See our Partners page for trusted local lawyers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell in Ontario?

Yes — a real estate lawyer closes the transaction, handles title and the mortgage discharge, and disburses funds. Budget about $1,000–$2,500 + HST.

Who should I use?

We can introduce you to trusted local lawyers — see the Partners page.

Want your real number?

We'll look at your home and your neighbourhood and give you a clear, no-obligation estimate before you make a move. Talk to Team Beckett.

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New listings and the occasional Woodstock & Oxford County, Ontario market note. Unsubscribe anytime.

Sutton Group Preferred Realty Inc., Brokerage — Independently Owned & Operated. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. MLS® is a trademark of CREA.

© 2026 Team Beckett

Local landmark photos via Wikimedia Commons — Tillsonburg Station Arts Centre (JFVoll) and Ingersoll Museum (Elgaard), CC BY-SA; Woodstock City Hall, public domain. Listing & team photos are samples/representative.