You will almost always require the services of a Lawyer or Notary Public to ensure that you obtain good title to your home free from unexpected charges or encumbrances. Your legal bill will include the cost of transferring the property into your name, as well as the cost of mortgage preparation and registration. In addition to the Lawyer’s or Notary’s fee for service, your bill will include the disbursements made on your behalf to land title office and other regulatory authorities.
In BC, Plan on legal fees of about $1,000 for a standard residential purchase and mortgage transaction, assuming there is nothing out of the ordinary (unforseen issues with title or additional investigations by the Lawyer or Notary). For a mortgage refinance, you don’t usually have to transfer ownership of the property, so legal fees may be somewhat less. Plan on about $850.00 for mortgage work, but if your lawyer has to pay off bills (credit cards, loans, etc) the cost can grow.
Check with your mortgage broker or legal professional to verify your fees before proceeding.