Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for answers to common real estate questions? Geoff Rabideau, Principal Lawyer at Rabideau Law covers various topics. View our videos and blogs below which cover frequently asked questions.
Checklists for Buying, Selling, or Refinancing a Home.
Checklist for Buying a Home
Buying a home is a big adventure—but don’t worry, we’ll guide you every step of the way! Here’s how it works:
✅ Step 1 – Share Your Info with Us
Bring us:
- 📞 Contact Rabideau Law ⚖️
- 📄 Your Agreement of Purchase and Sale
✅ Step 2 – Clear Any Conditions
Sometimes your purchase agreement has “conditions” (like needing financing approved or completing a home inspection). Make sure these are taken care of or waived before moving forward.
✅ Step 3 – Set Up Your Mortgage
Need money to buy the home? Talk to your bank or a mortgage broker. If you’re paying with your own funds, just make sure they’re ready for closing day. 💰
✅ Step 4 – Get Fire Insurance 🔥
If you’re buying a house, you’ll need fire insurance. Your insurance agent will give us proof (called an “Insurance Binder”) before closing. If your property is a Condominium, you may consider obtaining content insurance. Standard condo insurance often covers the building itself, but not the contents inside your unit. Content insurance ensures your furniture, electronics, and valuables are protected against unexpected events like theft, fire, or water damage.
✅ Step 5 – Set Up Utilities ⚡💧
Call the utility companies (hydro, water, gas, etc.) to open new accounts or transfer your old ones. That way, the lights turn on when you move in!
✅ Step 6 – Final Inspection of the Property
✨ Rabideau Law strongly recommends completing a final walkthrough of the property before closing. During this walkthrough, test the appliances (washer, dryer, furnace, etc.) and carefully inspect the home to confirm your satisfaction with its condition. This ensures there are no unexpected damages to the property or its appliances, giving you peace of mind as you move forward.
✅ Step 7 – Sign the Papers ✍️
About a week before closing, we’ll reach out to schedule your signing appointment, which will often take place a day or two before your closing date. We’ll confirm the funds required and guide you on providing them to our office via wire or online bill payment. At Rabideau Law, we make things simple and stress-free. Instead of juggling piles of paperwork, you can sign everything electronically 🖥️✍️ using our super user-friendly software. That means less time worrying about documents and more time for YOU—to toast your exciting new purchase 🥂🏡 and start enjoying the next chapter of your life!
✅ Step 8 – Get Your Keys 🔑
Closing usually happens between 12–5 PM. As soon as it’s done, we’ll call you—then it’s time to pick up your keys or make note of the lockbox code onsite and celebrate your new home! 🎉🥂
✨ At Rabideau Law, we make buying a home less stressful and more exciting. Think of us as your legal teammates, cheering you on until you walk through the front door of your new place!
Checklist for Selling a Home
Parting with your home can feel overwhelming, but Rabideau Law will be by your side every step of the way. Here’s how the process unfolds:
✅ Step 1 – Share Your Info with Us Bring us:
- 📞 Contact Rabideau Law
- 📄 Your Agreement of Purchase and Sale
- 📑 Status Certificate (if a Condominium)
✅ Step 2 – Clear Any Conditions Your Agreement of Purchase and Sale may include conditions (like financing or inspections). Make sure these are satisfied or waived within the required timeframe.
✅ Step 3 – Notify Utility Companies ⚡💧 Contact all utility providers (hydro, water, gas, etc.) to advise them of the closing date. Request a final meter reading and provide your forwarding address for the final bill.
✅ Step 4 – Cancel Preauthorized Payments 💳 Cancel any automatic withdrawals (such as property taxes or condominium fees) to avoid extra charges after closing.
✅ Step 5 – Lender/ Mortgage Documents ⚖️🤝 Rabideau Law will diligently coordinate with your bank to ensure your payouts are handled smoothly.
✅ Step 6 – Sign the Papers ✍️ About a week before closing, we’ll reach out to schedule your signing appointment, which usually takes place a day or two before closing. 💰 We’ll let you know breakdown of the funds for your sale and walk you through how the remaining funds will be deposited to you. Alternatively, should any funds be required to close your sale, we will let you know the process for providing them to our office by wire or online bill payment. At Rabideau Law, you can sign everything electronically 🖥️✍️—making the process simple and stress-free.
✅ Step 7 – Receive Your Funds 💵 We work to complete transactions as early as possible. Closings typically finish between 12–5 PM. As soon as your sale is complete, we’ll reach out right away to share the good news and advise when the net sale proceeds will arrive in your bank account, if applicable.
✨ At Rabideau Law, we make selling your home smooth and stress-free. Think of us as your legal teammates, helping you close with confidence!
Checklist for Refinancing a Home
Refinancing can feel like a big step, but at Rabideau Law we’re here to make the process smooth and stress‑free. Whether you’re lowering your interest rate, consolidating debt, or accessing equity, our team will guide you every step of the way. Here’s how refinancing unfolds:
✅ Step 1 – Share Your Information with Us 📑 To begin, we’ll need a few important documents:
- 📞 Contact Rabidea Law
- Status Certificate (if refinancing a condominium)
✅ Step 2 – Secure Your Mortgage 🏦 Work directly with a lender or through a mortgage broker to arrange financing. Kindly ensure that your bank or mortgage broker is given our contact information in order to forward the mortgage instructions to our office.
✅ Step 3 – Arrange Fire Insurance 🔥🏠 If you’re refinancing a freehold property (i.e. semi-detached, detached, townhouse, bungalow), you’ll need fire insurance that names your lender as the mortgage company. We’ll require an Insurance Binder from you or your broker before closing. For condominium properties, we recommend you obtain content insurance. Standard condo insurance often covers the building itself, but not the contents inside your unit. Content insurance ensures your furniture, electronics, and valuables are protected against unexpected events like theft, fire, or water damage.
✅ Step 4 – Sign the Papers ✍️ About a week before closing, we’ll reach out to schedule your signing appointment, which usually takes place a day or two before closing. We’ll confirm the breakdown of the funds with you to finalize your refinance. If funds are needed from you, we’ll let you know the exact amount and provide instructions for how to send the funds to our office via online bill payment or wire. If funds are not needed, we will provide you with details on how the remaining funds will be deposited to you.
✅ Step 5 – Receive Your Funds 💵 We work diligently to complete transactions as early as possible. Most refinances close between 12–5 PM. As soon as your refinancing is finalized, we’ll reach out immediately to share the good news and let you know when to expect the funds to be deposited into your bank account, if applicable.
✨ At Rabideau Law, refinancing isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about peace of mind. We’ll handle the details so you can focus on your financial goals, knowing you have a trusted legal team by your side.
Forms and Documents
A repository of helpful forms and documents available for download.
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Your use of the Forms and Information is at your own risk and liability and Rabideau Law shall not be liable for damages of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, any direct, special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential damages incurred in connection with your use, inability to use, misuse or reliance upon the Forms or Information regardless of the cause and whether arising in contract (including fundamental breach), tort (including negligence), or otherwise. The limitation set out herein shall apply even if Rabideau Law knew of or ought to have known of the possibility of such damages.
The Forms and Information on the website, are for informational purposes only, and are not to be relied upon or construed as real estate, legal, accounting or other professional advice or a substitute therefore. You should not use any Forms or Information contained on the Website as a substitute for consultation with legal or accounting professionals or other professional advisors. You should not act or abstain from acting based upon Information obtained from the website without first consulting appropriate professional advisors. Since all real estate transactions and other legal matters are unique, diligence and prudence are essential.
