Zachary Soccio-Marandola, Real Estate Lawyer

Zachary Soccio-Marandola, Real Estate Lawyer Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Zachary Soccio-Marandola, Real Estate Lawyer, Property lawyer, 1 Dundas Street West, 2500, West.

02/04/2026

Do you need a lawyer to pull a title search in Ontario?

Title searches are public and can be accessed online, but understanding ownership, mortgages, and easements is where legal review matters—especially before buying or listing a property.

  

01/28/2026

Is a dishwasher a chattel or a fixture? 🏠

Whether an item is treated as a chattel or a fixture changes what’s automatically included in the sale — and what needs to be specifically written into the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

Built-in appliances, portable dishwashers, and items that look permanent can all be treated differently depending on the facts. That’s why assumptions are risky.

If an item matters to you, make it clear in the contract. Good drafting prevents closing-day disputes.

  

01/22/2026

Do you pay all of the property taxes when I buy a home?

It might seem that way, but it’s not actually what’s happening.

Property taxes are handled through closing adjustments, where buyers and sellers split the year based on the closing date. Depending on when you close, you may either reimburse the seller or receive a credit — which can change how much cash you need on closing.

If you’re buying or selling in Ontario and want to avoid surprises on closing, understanding adjustments matters.

  

01/15/2026

My lease says I have to pay the first $100 of any repair — is this legal?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords are responsible for maintaining the rental unit and keeping it in a good state of repair. A lease can’t shift that responsibility to a tenant by adding a repair deductible, even if both sides signed and agreed to it.

If a lease clause contradicts the RTA, it’s unenforceable.

That doesn’t void the entire lease.

Rent is still owed.

It just means that specific clause has no legal effect.

  

01/13/2026

New YouTube Video ▶️

I break down 5 of the most common lease clauses I see in Ontario leases that are actually illegal.

If a lease clause contradicts the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), it’s unenforceable — even if both the landlord and tenant signed and agreed to it.

Link in Bio.

01/08/2026

How much should your real estate deposit be?

It depends which side of the deal you’re on.

The deposit amount is negotiable — even if a property listing suggests a number.

What really matters is that a real estate deposit is security.

If a buyer fails to close, the deposit is typically forfeited to the seller — regardless of the seller’s actual losses.

That means that buyers want a lower deposit and Sellers want a higher deposit.

  

01/06/2026

What is a real estate deposit in Ontario — and can you get it back if a deal doesn’t close?

In this video, I answer six of the most common questions I get about real estate deposits, including when the deposit is due, who holds it, whether it’s refundable, and what happens if a buyer doesn’t close.

This is a plain-English breakdown for buyers, sellers, and Realtors who want to understand how deposits actually work under Ontario real estate law — and how costly mistakes happen.

Watch the Full Video on my Youtube Channel.

Link in bio.

12/17/2025

If I’m a first-time homebuyer but my spouse isn’t, do we still get the Land Transfer Tax rebate?

Short answer: it depends on when your spouse owned a home.

If your spouse owned a home before you became spouses, you can still qualify for the full LTT rebate.

But if your spouse owned a home at any point while you were spouses, neither buyer qualifies — even if:
• only one name was on title
• you never lived in the home together

For Land Transfer Tax, spouses are assessed together, not individually.

This timing issue is often the difference between a full rebate, partial rebate, or no rebate at all — and it directly impacts closing costs.

  

12/03/2025

Can you walk away from a deal by not paying the deposit?

No — and it usually makes things worse.

The APS is binding once signed — not once paid.
Miss the deposit → breach of contract → possible damages.

The only real exits?
A condition in your favour, or a mutual release.

  

11/27/2025

What are disbursements?
They’re the out-of-pocket costs your lawyer pays to close your deal — title searches, banking fees, software charges, couriers, even printing at some firms.

Traditional firms quote a legal fee plus disbursements, so you don’t know your true cost until closing. And sometimes those disbursements are higher than the fee itself.

We use all-inclusive pricing.
Your quote already includes the disbursements needed to close — no surprises, no guessing.

Want to see your real closing cost? Try the Legal Fee Calculator in my bio.

  

11/19/2025

Most people get this wrong about closing day.
A lot of sellers — and even some professionals — think they have until 6 p.m. to move out. Not true.

In Ontario, a seller has to be out when the deal actually closes.
6 p.m. is only the latest a deal can close — not a grace period to stay in the home.

Closings can happen any time during the day once the lawyers exchange documents and funds. Usually 2–5 p.m., sometimes earlier.

So if you’re selling, be ready to hand over vacant possession at any point. And if you’re moving out same-day, tell your lawyer — they shouldn’t close until you’re fully out.

  

10/29/2025

Ontario just announced new savings for first-time homebuyers (on paper)…

They’re eliminating their 8% provincial HST on new builds under $1M.

Sounds great, right? Up to $80,000 in savings.

But… most first-time buyers aren’t buying new construction — they’re buying resale homes.

If the province really wants to help, why not update the Land Transfer Tax rebate. It’s been capped at $4,000 for almost a decade, even though prices have increased.

It’s tax break that helps developers more than it helps the buyers.

  

Address

1 Dundas Street West, 2500
West
M5G1Z3

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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