Buyer's Guide: your property purchase step by step
Buying a property in Sherbrooke, Magog, or elsewhere in the Eastern Townships? As the buyer, you choose the notary — and we perform, behind the scenes, all the verifications that protect your investment. Here is what to expect.
Our verifications for you
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Title examination going back up to 30 years
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Verification of the certificate of location and its compliance with the current cadastre
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Search for hypothecs, servitudes, and other charges affecting the property
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Search for unpaid municipal and school taxes
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Verification of releases of prior hypothecs
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Coordination with your mortgage lender and preparation of the hypothecary deed
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Calculation of the financial adjustments between you and the seller
Documents and items to prepare
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Two valid pieces of ID for each buyer
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Your marriage contract or divorce judgment, if applicable
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Your lender's mortgage instructions (sent directly by the lender)
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Proof of home insurance, required by the lender before disbursement
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Your down payment, by bank draft or transfer to our trust account — never directly to the seller
Types of purchases we support
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Principal residence, cottage, or secondary residence
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Divided co-ownership condo
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Group purchase in undivided co-ownership (with co-ownership agreement)
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Income property, vacant land, or new construction
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Purchase between family members
FAQ: Real Estate
The seller's certificate of location is 12 years old. Is that a problem?
Very likely. A certificate older than 10 years, or one that no longer reflects the current state of the property (extension, shed, pool), will generally be refused by your lender. A new one must be prepared by a land surveyor — expect 3 to 6 weeks and between $800 and $1,500 for a standard property. The promise to purchase determines who bears the cost.
How should I deliver my down payment?
By transfer to our trust account. We will provide you with the transfer instructions and the amount needed at the appropriate time. These funds are protected and will only be disbursed at signing. If your down payment comes from a registered plan (RRSP, FHSA, TFSA,...) you must ensure the required steps are taken with the financial institution (that holds your investments) so that the funds are available in your checking account at least 3 weeks before the signing of the deed of sale.
Can I buy with someone other than my spouse?
Yes — a sibling, a friend, a relative. In that case, we strongly recommend an undivided co-ownership agreement signed at the time of purchase, governing cost-sharing, use of the property, and the rules if one owner resells their share. Without an agreement, conflicts are common.
What does the seller's legal warranty guarantee me?
Two things: that the seller actually owns the property and that it is free of undeclared charges (warranty of ownership), and that the property is free of latent defects (warranty of quality). Some sales, however, are made "without legal warranty, at the buyer's risk" — notably estate sales. We will draw your attention to that clause if it appears in your promise to purchase.