What actually happens on closing day for a home in Ontario?
Closing day isn't a meeting around a table. Your lawyer wires your funds, registers the deed electronically, and once that's confirmed, you get your keys, usually mid to late afternoon.
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Do I need to be anywhere in person on closing day?
No. You sign your closing documents at your lawyer's office a day or two before, not on the day itself. On closing day, your lawyer handles everything remotely: wiring funds, confirming receipt, and registering the transfer through Teraview, Ontario's electronic land registration system.
What is the actual sequence of events?
- Your lawyer receives your mortgage funds and remaining balance into their trust account.
- Once everything is confirmed, your lawyer wires the purchase funds to the seller's lawyer.
- The seller's lawyer confirms receipt.
- Your lawyer registers the transfer of title, and the new mortgage if you have one, through Teraview.
- Once registration is confirmed, the seller's lawyer releases the keys or lockbox code, typically through the real estate agents.
When do I actually get my keys?
Most GTA closings hand over keys sometime between noon and late afternoon, though it depends on how early in the day funds move and how busy the registration system is that day. Ask your lawyer for a realistic window rather than assuming a fixed time.
What can delay closing on the day itself?
- Mortgage funds arriving late from the lender.
- A last-minute title issue found in final searches.
- The seller's own purchase further up the chain falling behind.
- Registration cutoff times. If funds and registration can't happen before the daily cutoff, the parties sometimes close in escrow, meaning keys and funds change hands with registration completed the next morning.
What is the final walkthrough, and when does it happen?
A final walkthrough is a short visit shortly before closing, sometimes the day before, to confirm the property is in the same condition as when you agreed to buy, and that included items are still there. It's arranged through your real estate agent, not your lawyer, but tell your lawyer right away if something is wrong so it can be addressed before funds move.
Where to go from here
- Confirm your mortgage funds are with your lawyer well before closing day, not the morning of.
- Ask your lawyer for a realistic time window for keys, and build some flexibility into your moving plans.
- Do your final walkthrough and flag any problems immediately, before closing completes.
People also ask
Can closing happen on a weekend?
No. Teraview registration only runs on business days, so closings are scheduled for weekdays.
What if my movers are booked for the morning but keys don't come until afternoon?
This is common. Build in a buffer, or ask your agent about short-term storage if your move is scheduled early.
Do I meet the seller on closing day?
No. Buyer and seller almost never meet. Their lawyers and agents handle everything.
What happens if the seller isn't out of the home by closing?
Your lawyer can pursue remedies under the agreement, which can include compensation for the delay. Contact your lawyer immediately if this happens.
Sources
This page is general information about Ontario law as of September 2026. It isn't legal advice about your situation.