The week before your property closes, your lawyer will contact you to tell you how much money to bring to your pre-closing meeting. This amount will include your down payment, land transfer tax, title search fee, legal fees and any adjustments. Adjustments factor in things like reimbursing the seller for any property taxes he or she has already paid. Your lawyer will want you to bring in a certified cheque or money order. Your money will be deposited in your lawyer's trust account.
On the day of closing your lender will transfer the rest of the money to your lawyer in trust. Your lawyer will then transfer the purchase price to the seller's lawyer and then register the title to the property in your name. Once these steps are complete the seller's lawyer will currier the keys to your new home to your lawyer. Your lawyer will then call you to tell your your property is closed and invite you to pick up your keys.
You are now a home owner. Congratulations! The next step is to move in and begin learning about home maintenance so you can protect the value of your investment. Here are some useful resources to get you started:
Canadian Home Builders' Association
MoneySense--The Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide
City of Kingston Property Standards
Don’t forget to notify utilities—telephone, natural gas, electric, water, and cable TV — that you are moving. They will cut off service in your former location and hook you up at your new home. Make sure to tell friends and relatives that you have moved. Canada Post, for a small fee, will forward your mail to your new address from your old address for a limited time. Make arrangements well in advance for a moving van. You can hire a moving company to pack and load your belongings. You can save some money by packing yourself and hiring a moving van and movers. Or, you can pack yourself and hire a truck or van, get help from your friends, and do the job yourself. Whatever you choose to do get organized ahead of time. If you hire movers, before you pay the bill make sure your goods are not damaged and that there is no damage to your home or property. It is a good idea to get insurance against loss or breakage when you make arrangements with the moving company. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to prepare for a move.