How much does a real estate lawyer charge in Edmonton?

If you’ve ever been through a real estate transaction in Edmonton, you know that the process can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a property, refinancing, or dealing with a commercial real estate deal, there are a lot of moving parts to manage. One of the most important steps in any real estate transaction is working with a real estate lawyer. But how much does this crucial service cost? In Edmonton, the cost of hiring a real estate lawyer can vary depending on the type of transaction you're involved in. Understanding the fees upfront can help you plan and budget accordingly, ensuring that there are no surprises along the way.
In this blog, we’ll break down the costs associated with hiring a real estate lawyer in Edmonton, explain the different types of real estate transactions that affect pricing, and help you understand what you’re paying for when you hire a lawyer to help with your real estate dealings. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, we’ve got the answers to the most common questions about real estate lawyer fees in the city.
What is the standard fee for a real estate lawyer in Edmonton?When it comes to real estate transactions, many people wonder what they can expect to pay for legal services in Edmonton. At Salloum & Company, the rates are straightforward and clearly outlined, which means you won’t be hit with any surprise costs at the end of your transaction.
Here’s a breakdown of our flat fees for the most common real estate services:

• Sale of property: $749.00 + GST & Disbursements
• Purchase (cash): $749.00 + GST & Disbursements
• Purchase (with mortgage): $999.00 + GST & Disbursements
• Refinance (including 1 payout): $499.00 + GST & Disbursements
• Additional payouts in refinance: $49.00 per each additional payout

These fees cover the basic legal work involved in your transaction, such as reviewing contracts, ensuring proper documentation, handling the transfer of funds, and filing necessary paperwork. Disbursements are additional costs that the lawyer incurs in the process, such as filing fees, registration fees, and courier costs. These fees vary depending on the specifics of your deal.

What’s the difference between a cash purchase and a mortgage purchase?
If you’re purchasing a home or property, one of the main factors that will affect your legal fees is whether you’re buying with cash or with a mortgage.
At Salloum & Company, we charge a flat rate of $749.00 + GST & disbursements for cash purchases, but if you’re purchasing with a mortgage, the fee increases to $999.00 + GST & disbursements.

Why the difference?
When you’re buying with cash, the process is relatively straightforward: the funds are transferred directly, and the transaction is completed without needing to involve a lender.
On the other hand, if you’re using a mortgage, there are more steps involved, such as coordinating with your lender, reviewing the mortgage documents, ensuring that the bank’s interests are protected, and registering the mortgage against the title of the property. These extra steps require additional legal work, which is reflected in the slightly higher fee.

Are there additional costs if I need to refinance my property?
Refinancing your property is another scenario where you may need the services of a real estate lawyer. In Edmonton, refinancing fees typically cost $499.00 + GST & disbursements for a standard refinance, which includes handling one payout.
A refinance involves changing the terms of your existing mortgage or taking out a new loan. Your lawyer’s role in a refinance is to ensure that all legal aspects are properly handled, including reviewing your new mortgage documents, registering the new mortgage with the land title office, and ensuring that your old mortgage is discharged properly. These are essential tasks that protect both you and your lender.
If your refinance involves multiple payouts—meaning you have more than one mortgage or lien to pay off—the additional cost is $49.00 per payout. For example, if you have two mortgages that need to be paid off, you would pay an extra $98.00 in lawyer fees to cover the additional legal work involved in handling those payments.

How does the sale of a property work with a real estate lawyer?
Selling a property also requires legal assistance to ensure everything goes smoothly. Whether you’re selling your home, a commercial property, or an investment property, having a real estate lawyer can help you navigate the legal complexities of the sale.

The standard fee for a sale transaction is $749.00 + GST & disbursements. This fee covers all the usual steps involved in selling a property, including reviewing and drafting the sale agreement, ensuring that the title is clear of any encumbrances, and handling the funds transfer.

For example, when you sell a property, your lawyer will ensure that the buyer has made their payment, pay off any existing mortgage or liens on the property, and register the transfer of title with the appropriate authorities. Without a lawyer, there’s a risk that certain legal steps could be overlooked, which could lead to issues with the transaction down the line.

Are there any hidden fees or additional costs I should be aware of?
One of the great things about working with a real estate lawyer like Salloum & Company is that we offer flat fees, so you won’t encounter any hidden fees or surprise costs. However, as mentioned earlier, there are disbursements—costs that the lawyer incurs while handling your transaction. These typically include things like registration fees, title search fees, and courier charges, among others.

While these disbursements are out of the lawyer’s control, they are generally modest and can be anticipated early in the process. A lawyer will always provide an estimate of disbursements at the beginning of your transaction so that you’re fully aware of what you’ll be paying.
Real estate transactions can be tricky, but working with an experienced real estate lawyer in Edmonton can make all the difference.
At Salloum & Company, we offer transparent, competitive flat fees for both residential and commercial real estate services. Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a property, we’re here to provide the legal support you need to make your transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you're ready to move forward with your real estate transaction, get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help. Let us take care of the legal details so that you can focus on what matters most—your property.