Frequently Asked Questions

Property law firms often quote clients between $1000 and $1500, plus HST, for legal fees. Service costs may increase due to disbursement costs, like courier services and mortgage registrations, and the complexity of the transaction. Title & Deed offers an upfront, flat, all-inclusive fee that includes legal fees, disbursements, administrative costs, and HST. No surprise charges at closing.

Property closings can be signed remotely through a secure video call with your lawyer. You will need a phone, tablet, or computer that includes a camera and microphone. You will be emailed documents you can print from your home printer or at a print and copy centre like Staples or UPS. An appointment will be scheduled, and a Zoom link will be sent to you. The Zoom software is not required to participate in the call. We will witness you sign the documents over the video call. The documents can be scanned, then returned by mail. If you are not comfortable with the technology, we can step you through it.

Closing costs are expenses paid on top of the purchase price of a property. They are required to finalize the transaction and include legal, government, and adjustment costs. Closing costs include the deed transfer tax, legal fees like the preparation and registering of documents, registration fees for deeds and mortgages with the land registry, and more.

There are taxes to consider when buying a home in Nova Scotia. These taxes include HST, non-resident tax, and the deed transfer tax.

On re-sale residential properties, HST does not apply. For new builds and commercial properties, HST most likely will apply. For non-residents of Nova Scotia, a sales tax of ten percent may apply, unless the buyer plans to move to the province within six months of closing day. In most municipalities, a deed transfer tax between 1 and 1.5 percent is applicable.

In most Nova Scotia municipalities, the deed transfer tax is 1.5 percent of the purchase price. There are exceptions. In Antigonish and Pictou, the tax is one percent. In King’s County and the town of Kentville, it is zero percent.

Title insurance is a form of protection for property buyers. It is a one-time premium, usually a few hundred dollars, and provides coverage for as long as you own the property. While title insurance is not required, it is recommended, and most lenders require title insurance as a prerequisite for mortgages.