Your lawyer's primary function is to guide you through the buying process. On closing day (the day the home legally becomes yours), you must have the security of knowing that your interests have been protected and all legal requirements for your purchase have been fulfilled.

Some of the matters your lawyer should assist you with and/or address on your behalf throughout the buying process include:

• Reviewing your offer to purchase and subsequent counter offers.
• Deciding how you and any co-buyers are to officially hold title to the property.
• Reviewing the Deed of Conveyance (the legal document that transfers title to you).
• Ensuring your ownership of the property.
• Reviewing the terms of any mortgage you may need.
• Preparing the mortgage and meeting with you for signing of necessary documents.
• Ensuring that all matters, including transfer of the purchase price and keys, are handled properly on closing day.
• Registration of the Deed and Mortgage.