The Contract

Once you have found the right builder and decided on the home you want, you are ready to work out the contractual arrangements. With large builders, this is usually done at the sales office, where you and the salesperson together work through the items that go into the contract. Alternatively, the builder may write up the contract on their own and present it to you for consideration. Or you may choose to have your lawyer prepare the contract.

Commonly referred to as the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, the contract is a legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of your purchase. There is no mandatory or standard contract form.

What should the contract cover?
The contract will describe the lot, the model, the selected upgrades and other obvious items such as the price and financing terms. In addition, it should include information on restrictions and obligations that may affect your rights and responsibilities as a home owner, such as:

• Rights of way or easements registered against the lot. For instance, will there be a fire hydrant on your lot, or an electrical box?
• Subdivision requirements. For instance, there may be restrictions on the number or kinds of trees that you may plant. Or restrictions on parking commercial vehicles, trailers and boats or performing general automotive maintenance in the driveway. Or on installing a satellite dish.
• Municipal bylaws that regulate activity in the neighbourhood? For instance, are there any restrictions on nanny or in-law suites, home businesses or storage buildings?

All of the above should be covered in "Schedules" which form part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

Making the offer
Often, the Agreement starts with your offer to purchase the home from the builder. Once you have signed the offer, it is binding that you have agreed to all the terms and conditions set out. If your builder accepts the offer and signs the Agreement, it becomes binding on both parties. Similarly, if your builder presents you with a contract, it is an "offer to sell" that becomes legally binding on both parties once you accept.

When you are not dealing directly with the builder, the sales representative may not be able to "close the deal" on the spot without a review by the builder. Approval or counter-offer is usually quick. However, you may consider adding an irrevocable date to your offer-a deadline for the builder's response, after which your offer is no longer valid.

Before signing anything, you need to carefully review the contract document. Take your time and make sure that all points are covered and that all Schedules are attached and noted in the Agreement.

It is also recommended that you have a lawyer review the Agreement of Purchase and Sale before you sign it. Alternatively, you can make your offer conditional on a favourable review by your lawyer. It is sometimes wise, and less costly, to agree with the builder on price and terms before involving a lawyer. (If you cannot reach an agreement with the builder on these fundamental points, there is no need to pursue the contract any further.) This condition, like all other conditions, should be written into the main body of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, or attached as a separate Schedule with a brief notation in the main text.

From offer to contract
The process from first offer to final agreement can be quick, or it may involve several steps over a longer period of time. It can be an intense time, but bear in mind that you and the builder are aiming for the same goal.

Your signed offer is presented to the builder who, by the irrevocable date, will either:

• accept it as written. His/her signature on the offer results in a contract that is binding on both parties. Or,
• counter your offer (by changing the price, terms, closing date or other points). Changes are made directly in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale document. A new irrevocable date is set, by which you must respond to the builder's offer, failing which the offer is no longer valid.

If your builder makes you a counter offer, you may decide to accept it or you may wish to re-counter.

This process continues until an agreement has been reached between you and your builder.

If your accepted offer was conditional on financing, you now need to apply and receive approval for a mortgage within the time specified in the contract. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary funds, the contract is no longer valid or binding, and your deposit will be returned to you in full. The same process holds true for all other conditions written into the contract.

Bring a copy of the Agreement to your lawyer. When it includes a condition for a legal review, the lawyer may suggest changes to the wording and the clauses of the contract to further promote your interests. The builder should be notified immediately of these recommendations, allowing enough time for a review by the builder and/or the builder's lawyer before acceptance or possible counter.

Once your offer has been accepted and all conditions have been waived, you have a firm contract.

The role of your lawyer
You need to arrange for a lawyer to look after the legal aspects of buying a home, or a public notary if you buy in Quebec. It is a good idea to contact a lawyer early, even before you actually begin to look at properties. Your local and provincial bar association can refer you to a lawyer who specializes in real estate. Ask for an estimate of costs in advance so you know what to expect.

Your lawyer will represent your interests throughout the process of buying your new home:

• reviewing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale
• advising you during the counter and re-counter process of the offer
• making sure that you get clear title to the property and verifying, preparing and executing transfer documents, deeds and your mortgage

registering the change of property ownership and obtaining legal possession for you.

Source: Canadian Home Builders' Association