How long does it take to close a home purchase
in Ontario?
Want to close a home in Ontario fast? Here’s the real timeline for Georgetown buyers and sellers.
Why closing time matters
Time equals money and stress. If you’re buying or selling a home in Georgetown, ON, you need a clear, predictable timeline. That lets you book movers, line up financing, schedule trades, and negotiate occupancy dates with confidence.
This guide gives a direct, practical timeline for closing a home purchase in Ontario with a specific, local focus on Georgetown. No fluff. Numbers, actions, and the one call you want in your contacts list.
Typical closing timelines in Ontario (what to expect)
- Cash purchase (buyer has funds ready): 7–21 days possible. Quick, but still needs lawyer and paperwork.
- Mortgage-financed purchase, unconditional: 30–45 days is standard.
- Offers with conditions (financing, inspection): add 7–14 days while conditions are satisfied.
- Long closings or vendor take-back mortgages: 60–90+ days if negotiated.
Georgetown moves in line with the rest of the GTA but has its own local rhythms. Expect average closings around 30–45 days in normal market conditions. Faster if everyone is prepared. Slower if paperwork, financing or municipal requirements lag.
The exact step-by-step timeline after an accepted offer
- Day 0 — Offer accepted
- Buyer and seller sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS). Deposit is delivered to the listing brokerage’s trust account.
- Day 1–3 — Conditions activated
- If the offer includes conditions (inspection, financing, sale of home), the clock starts for those condition periods. Typical finance/inspection clauses run 5–10 business days.
- Day 3–14 — Condition removal window
- Buyer arranges inspection and mortgage approval. If inspection reveals major issues, negotiations or credits happen now.
- Day 7–30 — Lawyer search and document preparation
- Buyer and seller’s lawyers exchange title documents, municipal tax searches, and status certificates (for condos). This often takes 7–14 business days but can be quicker with experienced local lawyers.
- Day 15–45 — Final mortgage approval and firm closing date
- Once conditions are waived, the lender issues firm instructions. Lawyer confirms funds, prepares closing statements and gets a date from both parties.
- Closing Day — Funds, keys, and move-in
- Buyer’s lawyer receives funds, registers documents, pays adjustments, and directs keys to the buyer. Closing day tasks happen in one business day, but funds must clear first.
Why Georgetown specifics matter
- Local search times: Halton Region and local municipalities can affect how quickly title and tax searches are returned. Local lawyers who work repeatedly with Halton offices get results faster.
- Market pace: Georgetown’s market can shift seasonally. In high-demand periods, lenders and lawyers are busier — expect slightly longer turnarounds.
- Logistics: Moving in Georgetown often involves navigating downtown streets, elevated driveways, and school zone timing. Book movers early.
If you want a predictable timeline, use a local, experienced realtor and lawyer who know Georgetown’s offices and timing.
How closing delays happen (and how to prevent them)
- Financing delays: Fix by getting pre-approved, submitting documents early, and choosing lenders experienced with the area.
- Survey or title issues: Order surveys early. Choose a lawyer who runs title searches immediately after subjects are removed.
- Unresolved conditions: Remove finance and inspection conditions quickly. Have backup plans if issues appear.
- Municipal/property compliance: Know permits or work orders on the property. If there are open permits, plan for extensions.
- Lawyer backlog: Hire a local lawyer known for speed. Don’t pick on price alone.
Prevent delays by running parallel processes: while mortgage underwriting proceeds, your lawyer can start title searches. Good coordination cuts days off the timeline.
Moving and closing checklist — what to do and when (Georgetown-focused)
4+ weeks before closing
- Confirm closing date in writing with lawyer and realtor.
- Book movers and storage if needed.
- Get pre-approval and finalize mortgage details.
- Start packing non-essentials.
2 weeks before closing
- Arrange final walkthrough timing with seller/buyer.
- Confirm utility transfer dates (electricity, gas, water). Call local providers early. In Georgetown, confirm whether Alectra or Hydro One serves your address and schedule the transfer.
- Purchase moving insurance for the moving day.
1 week before closing
- Confirm funds with your lawyer. If wiring funds, confirm wiring instructions directly with the lawyer — don’t rely solely on email.
- Finish packing and label boxes.
- Notify change-of-address for banks, subscriptions, and schools.
Closing day
- Ensure keys pick-up plan is clear. Often keys are released after funds clear in lawyer’s office.
- Do a final walkthrough (outside business hours if necessary).
- Confirm garage remotes, door codes, and alarm details.
Post-closing (first 48 hours)
- Transfer utilities and confirm service activation.
- File change-of-address and set up property insurance effective date.
- If necessary, register municipal property tax accounts with the Town of Halton Hills.
Quick wins to shave days off closing time
- Get mortgage pre-approval and upload documents right away.
- Choose a lawyer who regularly handles Georgetown transactions.
- Remove unnecessary conditions in your offer when possible.
- Prepare clear, immediate wiring instructions and confirm them by phone.
These simple steps cut friction. Less friction means faster closings.
How long does the actual closing day take?
The legal mechanics of closing happen quickly: lawyer receives funds, registers the transfer, pays out to seller, and keys move hands. That’s usually a few hours of bank-to-bank processing. But timing depends on:
- When funds are delivered (morning vs. afternoon),
- Bank processing times,
- Any last-minute adjustments.
Most closings are completed in one business day. Plan for the keys to change hands the same day funds clear.
Real examples (typical Georgetown cases)
- Fast cash buyer: 10 days from accepted offer to keys. Buyer paid deposit, lawyer processed title, no financing.
- Standard mortgage purchase with inspection: 35 days. Conditions cleared in 7 days, lawyers completed searches in 10 days, final funds cleared on day 35.
- Seller needs long closing: 90 days negotiated to align with next home purchase. Everything scheduled and timed in advance.
The one thing that guarantees a smooth closing
Coordination. One contact who coordinates lender, buyer, seller, lawyers and movers. That’s what reduces surprises and compresses the timeline. Your realtor should be that coordinator.
If you want that coordination for a Georgetown closing — call the local expert who knows the timelines, the lawyers, and the logistics. Reach out and cut the guesswork.
Tony Sousa is a local Georgetown real estate expert who coordinates closings daily. Email tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620 for a free timeline review and a list of preferred local lawyers and movers. Visit https://www.sousasells.ca to book a consultation.
FAQ — Quick answers to common closing questions
Q: What’s the fastest a closing can happen in Ontario?
A: With cash and an available lawyer, 7–14 days. You still need title searches and lawyer registration.
Q: How long if I need a mortgage?
A: Standard 30–45 days from accepted offer to closing once conditions are removed.
Q: Can I change the closing date after signing the agreement?
A: Yes, but it requires mutual written consent. Get legal and realtor confirmation in writing.
Q: Do condos take longer to close in Georgetown?
A: Condos require status certificates and documents from the condo corporation. That can add a few days. Experienced lawyers handle these quickly.
Q: What causes the biggest delays?
A: Financing hiccups, title/survey issues, outstanding municipal permits, and lawyer backlogs.
Q: What costs are due at closing?
A: Balance of purchase price, adjustments for property taxes and utilities, legal fees, HST on new builds, and land transfer tax. Your lawyer provides a clear closing statement.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for closing in Ontario?
A: Yes. Lawyers handle registration, title transfer, and fund distribution. Use a lawyer experienced with Georgetown.
Q: How should I transfer utilities for a smooth move?
A: Schedule transfers 1–2 days before closing. Confirm providers and account numbers early.
Q: Who holds the deposit?
A: The listing brokerage typically holds the deposit in trust until closing or trust conditions are met.
Q: What if the buyer doesn’t have funds on closing day?
A: Failure to deliver funds can result in legal consequences and potential termination of the agreement. Always confirm wiring procedures in advance.
If you want a precise, local closing timeline for your Georgetown transaction — call Tony Sousa at 416-477-2620 or email tony@sousasells.ca. He’ll give you a realistic timeline, a checklist, and referrals to fast local lawyers and movers.
Act now. Predictability beats panic. Plan the closing and move with confidence.
