I grew up on a farm 6 miles North/West of Walkerton, near the hamlet of Chepstow. After 8 years of 1 room schools, 5 years high school in Walkerton and 7 years post secondary divided between Waterloo and London, I found myself pretty much back where I started from in Paisley Ontario, population 1100. It was 1978, I had a shiny new law degree, one son and another on the way, and I was off to make my way in the world.

That was 27 years ago and the little one man, one secretary; one IBM electric typewriter has grown a bit. Our areas of practice are pretty much the same. We do solicitors work real estate (residential, farm, commercial) wills; power of attorney, estates, leases and some corporate commercial work, but now we have 4 secretaries to keep things running smoothly.

Our practice covers an area within 15 miles of Paisley. This area is known as South Bruce County and includes Walkerton, Hanover, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Southampton, and a good portion of the farmlands in between.

Our office, a former bank building reflects a traditional worldview with lots of quarter cut oak and beveled glass. Prior to our arrival, it had been a working law office run by Davis and Stewart Forrester, father and son, since 1939.

We continue the tradition of service to Paisley and District. Our office has grown, but we like to think we still provide small town service on a client-by-client basis, with an emphasis on personal service without the formality. Please feel free to check us out.

I will ...

Search the title to make sure that the people selling actually own the property.

Is there anything affecting the property? Mortgage, right of way, utility easements, water supple agreement, shared laneway?

Is the house on the lot? Is there a survey insuring that the house complies with the zoning by-law, does somebody else’s building encroach on your land, or can we insure against this if there is no survey.

If the house is newer, is the municipal subdivision agreement current and complied with, has the developer done what he is suppose to regarding installing services, roads.

Prepare the mortgage in accordance with the banks instructions. Is there anything more they need?

Ensure that the mortgage funds are available for closing day.

Work with the purchase to ensure that all utilities have been notified to set-up new accounts. I.e. Union Gas, Water Tank Rental, Water Meter Reading, Electricity, Telephone.

Co-ordinate closing time, set-up time to pick-up keys.

Communicate and problem solve with Vendors solicitor to facilitate closing.

Co-ordinate results of final inspection, review results if damage to the property, fixtures, garbage that has not been removed.

Anticipate problems and resolve them before they become problems. Ensure that the property has house insurance prior to closing, co-ordinate with insurance agent to ensure that the property is insurable.

Note on Fees: This represents the fee in a typical residential house purchase. Farm and commercial purchase include extra work and could be more. Please feel free top contact us to clarify.

I will ...

Prepare Vendor’s Documents, Deeds, GST Declaration.

Vendors undertaking RE: Utilities, Bill of sale, UFFI.

Direction RE: Proceeds, Statement of Adjustments.

Co-Ordinate with mortgage holders (if any) do payout of funds following closing.

Co-Ordinate keys, cancellation of house insurance.

Reply to purchaser’s lawyer’s requisition, supply draft documents.

Co-Ordinate time for closing, exchange of keys, purchasers moving in.

Deposit balance remaining to Vendor’s account or arrange pick-up of precede cheque.

Comply with any undertakings required to get deal closed. . i.e. mortgage  discharge, payment at utility accounts oil fill-ups, propane charges, unpaid repairs that are the Vendors responsibility.

Note on Fees: This represents the fee in a typical residential house sale. Farm and Commercial sales involve extra work and could be more. Please feel free to contact us to clarify.