Real Estate Lawyer in Surrey, BC
At Pacific Point Law, we understand the gravity of purchasing property, especially for the first time in a new place. Our resourceful team works to ensure a seamless transition, free from hassle, with real peace of mind. We deliver services including buying and selling property, preparing and reviewing contracts, tenant agreements, and residential and commercial transactions.
Areas of Mastery
Buying & Selling Property
Ensuring a seamless transition, free from hassle, with real peace of mind for first-time or experienced buyers.
Contract Preparation
Resourceful team working to prepare and carefully review residential and commercial property contracts.
Tenant Agreements
Drafting and reviewing tenant agreements for residential and commercial transactions.
Commercial Transactions
Understanding the gravity of high-value commercial real estate purchases and transactions.
The BC Real Estate Closing Process
Offer and subject removal
Most BC purchase contracts are conditional on "subjects" — commonly financing approval, a satisfactory home inspection, and review of strata documents for a condo or townhouse. The buyer has a negotiated window, often 5 to 14 days, to remove these conditions in writing. Once subjects are removed, the contract becomes firm and legally binding.
Legal review and title search
Your lawyer conducts a title search at the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) to confirm ownership, check for existing charges or encumbrances, and prepare the Form A Transfer required under BC's Land Title Act. This is also when non-standard terms — a vendor take-back mortgage, an unusual closing condition, or a dispute between parties — get identified and addressed.
Mortgage coordination
If you're financing the purchase, your lawyer receives instructions directly from your lender, confirms the mortgage terms, and arranges for funds to be in place before completion day.
Adjustment date
Ongoing costs like property taxes and strata fees are prorated between buyer and seller as of the adjustment date, which is usually the same day as completion.
Completion day
Funds are released to the seller and the Form A Transfer is registered with the Land Title and Survey Authority, which officially updates the public record to reflect the new ownership.
Possession day
You receive the keys and can move in — typically the day after completion, though this is negotiated as part of the contract and can vary.
Understanding the Numbers.
Legal fees
Typical legal fees for a BC purchase with a mortgage run roughly $1,300 to $2,100; a straightforward sale is usually $1,000 to $1,600. More complex files — bespoke contract terms, title issues, or a dispute — cost more than a standard closing.
Property transfer tax
BC's property transfer tax is 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price, 2% on the portion between $200,000 and $2,000,000, and 3% above that (with a further 2% on the residential portion of properties over $3,000,000).
First-time buyer and newly built home exemptions
Qualifying first-time buyers get a full property transfer tax exemption on properties valued at $500,000 or less, phasing out completely at $860,000. Newly built homes have a separate exemption, fully exempt up to $1,100,000 and phased out by $1,150,000.
Additional property transfer tax for foreign buyers
Foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and taxable trustees pay an additional 20% property transfer tax on residential property within specified BC regions — which includes all of Metro Vancouver Regional District, so this applies in both Surrey, BC and Delta, BC.
Registration fees and disbursements
Land Title Office registration fees, courier and search charges, and other disbursements are billed on top of legal fees — ask for an all-in estimate rather than just the base legal fee.
Who This Is For
Anyone buying or selling residential or commercial property in Surrey, BC, Delta, BC, or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. British Columbia is one of the few provinces where both lawyers and licensed notaries public can handle a standard property closing — a lawyer becomes the right choice specifically when the transaction isn't entirely routine: bespoke contract terms like a vendor take-back, a title problem, a deposit dispute, or anything that needs legal advice rather than document preparation, since notaries in BC are not permitted to give legal advice or represent a client in court.
Not sure whether you need a lawyer or a notary? Read our full breakdown of BC real estate closings.
Buying or selling in South Surrey or White Rock? See how we serve South Surrey and White Rock.
Your First Consultation
Bring your contract of purchase and sale (if you've signed one), photo ID, and your mortgage commitment letter if you're financing the purchase. We'll walk through your closing timeline, flag anything in the contract that needs attention before subjects are removed, and give you a clear estimate of legal fees and disbursements — no pressure, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Either can close a straightforward BC transaction. A lawyer is the right choice if your deal involves bespoke terms, a dispute, or anything requiring legal advice, since notaries can't give legal advice or go to court. See our full breakdown of lawyer vs. notary for BC real estate.
Legal fees for a typical BC purchase with a mortgage run about $1,300 to $2,100, and a sale is usually $1,000 to $1,600, plus disbursements. Ask for an all-in estimate at your consultation so there are no surprises at closing.
It's a provincial tax on most BC property purchases: 1% on the first $200,000, 2% up to $2,000,000, and 3% above that. Exemptions exist for qualifying first-time buyers and newly built homes, which can significantly reduce or eliminate what you owe.
Qualifying first-time buyers get a full exemption on properties valued at $500,000 or less, with a partial exemption phasing out completely at $860,000. Eligibility depends on residency, prior ownership history, and how you'll use the property — worth confirming early.
Your lawyer releases funds to the seller and registers the transfer with the Land Title and Survey Authority, officially updating who owns the property. This is the legal transfer of ownership — possession (getting your keys) usually follows the next day.
Completion is when the legal transfer of title happens and funds change hands. Possession is when you actually get the keys and can move in — typically one day after completion, though the exact gap is negotiated in the contract.
Once a contract is firm, most BC closings complete in 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the completion date negotiated in the contract and how quickly financing, title, and any outstanding conditions come together.
Require Decisive Action?
Engage our real estate lawyers for a confidential assessment of your matter.
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