FAQ
Frequently Asked
Questions
General FAQs
Real estate comes with plenty of questions, especially when a move involves a major life transition, a Power of Attorney or the administration of an estate. Our role is to make the real estate side of the process easier to understand.
Below, you’ll find straightforward answers to common questions. When something requires legal, tax, accounting or insurance advice, we will tell you and point you toward an appropriate professional or trusted Ontario resource.
Do I really need a REALTOR®?
Necessary may not be the right word. Helpful is. We are not here to push you into a transaction. We are here to explain the market, identify potential risks, coordinate the moving pieces, negotiate on your behalf and help you make informed decisions.
The right REALTOR® does not pressure you into a deal. They help you recognize the right opportunity, even when the right decision is to walk away.
What makes Life’s Good Real Estate Team different?
We focus on relationships over transactions, education over pressure and strategy over guesswork.
We believe clients make better decisions when they understand what is happening and why. You can expect honest advice, clear communication and a plan built around your circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all sales process.
Will you tell us if a house is a bad fit?
Yes. We would rather lose a sale than watch you purchase the wrong home.
We will point out concerns, ask questions about long-term suitability and help you consider more than just how the home looks during a showing. Long-term trust matters more to us than a short-term transaction.
Is there a perfect time to buy or sell?
There is rarely one perfect moment. Market conditions matter, but so do your finances, timeline, housing needs and plans for the future.
You normally cannot identify the absolute top or bottom of a market until it has already passed. Being prepared and understanding your options is usually more valuable than trying to time everything perfectly.
Should we wait for interest rates to change before buying?
Interest rates are only one part of the calculation. If rates decrease while prices or competition increase, waiting may not produce the savings you expected.
We look at the complete picture, including your budget, monthly payment, available inventory, expected length of ownership and current market conditions. Mortgage advice should be confirmed with a qualified mortgage professional.
How do you determine the right listing price?
Pricing is a strategy, not a guess.
We consider recent comparable sales, active competition, neighbourhood trends, the condition of the property, current inventory and real-time buyer behaviour. The goal is to choose a price that supports your priorities while positioning the home effectively in the current market.
Why might you recommend a pre-listing inspection?
A pre-listing inspection can identify concerns before buyers discover them and give sellers time to obtain information, quotes or repairs.
It can also help buyers feel more confident because they have information available before making an offer. We recommend inspections when they suit the property and the overall selling strategy rather than treating them as an automatic requirement for every home.
How much should we spend on a home?
A lender’s approval limit is not necessarily your lifestyle limit.
We help you think about the payment, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, future goals and the amount of financial flexibility you want to keep. Your mortgage professional will determine what you qualify for, while we help you evaluate what feels sustainable for your life.
What makes an offer strong?
Price matters, but it is not the only consideration.
A strong offer reduces uncertainty for the seller through appropriate conditions, clear timelines, a suitable deposit and reliable financing. We look at the specific property and competition before recommending an offer strategy.
What is the safest way to buy and sell at the same time?
It depends on your financing, local market conditions, risk tolerance and whether you can temporarily carry two properties.
Before you make an offer or list your current home, we map out the preferred timeline, possible closing-date scenarios and backup plans. A mortgage professional should confirm financing and bridge-financing options before you make commitments.
How do you handle unexpected problems during a transaction?
Real estate transactions do not always go exactly according to plan.
When something changes, we stay calm, gather the necessary information, explain the available options and coordinate with the appropriate lawyers, lenders, inspectors or contractors. Our role is to help you make the next decision with clarity rather than panic.
Power of Attorney FAQs
Selling a home while acting under a Power of Attorney can involve both real estate decisions and legal responsibilities. We can guide the property evaluation, preparation, marketing and sale process, but an Ontario lawyer must confirm the validity and scope of the Power of Attorney and who has authority to sign.
Important: The answers below provide general Ontario-focused information. They are not legal, capacity, tax, accounting or insurance advice.
What is the difference between a Power of Attorney and an attorney for property?
A Power of Attorney is the legal document. The person appointed in the document is called the attorney or attorney for property.
The appointed person does not have to be a lawyer. A Power of Attorney for Property can allow someone to manage financial matters, including maintaining or selling a house, subject to the wording of the document.
Learn more from the Government of Ontario>
Does having a Power of Attorney mean the property owner is incapable?
Not necessarily.
In Ontario, an attorney for property may generally begin making financial decisions immediately unless the document says that the authority begins only after a particular event, such as incapacity. The property owner may therefore still be capable and involved in decision-making.
Read Ontario’s Power of Attorney overview>
How do I know whether the Power of Attorney allows me to sell the home?
The document must be reviewed individually.
Its effective date, conditions, restrictions and the number of appointed attorneys can all affect who may act and what they may do. Before a listing agreement or Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed, an Ontario lawyer should confirm that the document is valid and provides the required authority.
We can begin discussing the property, possible timing and preparation while that review is taking place, but we do not determine the legal validity of the document.
What happens if more than one attorney has been appointed?
Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act says that when a Continuing Power of Attorney names two or more attorneys, they generally act jointly unless the document provides otherwise. That can affect who must give instructions and sign real estate documents.
Have the lawyer review the exact wording before the property is listed.
How is the listing price determined when a home is being sold under a Power of Attorney?
We prepare a market evaluation using comparable sales, competing listings, the property’s condition and current buyer activity.
Depending on the circumstances, the lawyer may also recommend an independent appraisal. The goal is to create a documented and supportable pricing strategy rather than relying on a guess or a family member’s opinion.
Ontario also requires attorneys under Continuing Powers of Attorney to maintain detailed accounts and records concerning assets, money received, payments and property dispositions.
Can a home being sold under a Power of Attorney be sold “as-is”?
Sometimes, but it should not be treated as an automatic rule.
An attorney may have limited firsthand knowledge of the property, so statements or guarantees should not be made unless they can be supported. Available permits, repair records, invoices, inspection reports and insurance information should be gathered where possible.
An “as-is” clause does not replace the need to discuss known property concerns with the REALTOR® and lawyer. RECO also requires real estate agents to take reasonable steps to identify and explain material facts rather than relying only on unverified statements.
What if the grantor, their spouse, a relative or a tenant still lives in the home?
Tell the REALTOR® and lawyer as early as possible.
The correct process can depend on ownership, marital status, tenancy arrangements, the occupant’s legal rights and the terms of the Power of Attorney. We can help build a practical showing and moving plan, but the lawyer must advise on possession, consent, notice and signing requirements.
What documents should I gather before meeting with the REALTOR®?
Helpful documents may include:
- The complete Power of Attorney and any amendments or revocations.
- Identification for the grantor and each appointed attorney.
- The contact information for the lawyer reviewing the document.
- A property-tax statement.
- Mortgage or secured-line-of-credit information.
- Property-insurance information.
- Condominium or tenancy information, where applicable.
- Available surveys, permits, warranties and repair records.
- Keys, alarm information and access instructions.
- Information about anyone currently occupying the property.
The lawyer may request additional documentation depending on the circumstances.
What happens if the grantor dies before the sale is completed?
The attorney’s authority under the Continuing Power of Attorney ends when the grantor dies. The attorney should stop signing documents in that capacity and immediately notify the REALTOR® and real estate lawyer.
The lawyer will determine whether an existing sale agreement remains binding, who can provide further instructions and whether a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee is required.
How can Life’s Good help with a Power of Attorney sale?
We can help with the real estate and practical sides of the transition, including:
- Evaluating the property.
- Developing a preparation and selling plan.
- Coordinating cleaners, contractors, movers and other services.
- Organizing marketing and showings.
- Reviewing offers from a real estate perspective.
- Communicating with the lawyer and other professionals.
- Keeping the process organized from preparation through closing.
Estate and Executor FAQs
Managing an estate property can involve grief, family responsibilities, legal procedures and important financial decisions. Our team helps estate trustees manage the real estate process while the estate lawyer and accountant provide legal and tax advice.
Important: Every estate is different. Authority to list or sell can depend on the will, property ownership, court documentation and the circumstances of the estate.
What is the difference between an executor and an estate trustee?
“Executor” is the term many people commonly use. In Ontario, the person responsible for administering the estate is generally called the estate trustee.
An estate trustee may be named in a will or appointed by the court when there is no will. There can also be more than one estate trustee.
Learn more about administering an estate in Ontario>
Can an executor list the home immediately after the owner dies?
Planning can often begin early, but legal authority should be confirmed before commitments are made.
The estate lawyer should review the will, ownership and appointment of the estate trustee. Where the deceased’s Ontario real property must be sold, the province says a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee or applicable Small Estate Certificate should be obtained before anyone enters into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
Read Ontario’s probate guidance>
The lawyer should advise whether the property can be marketed while a probate application is pending.
Does every estate have to go through probate?
No. Probate is not required for every estate.
Whether it is required can depend on the assets, how the property is owned and what financial institutions or other parties require. Real property that does not pass by right of survivorship will often require court documentation, particularly when it must be sold.
When probate might be required>
What happens if there is no will?
When there is no valid will, the estate is considered intestate. No relative automatically becomes the executor simply because they are the spouse, child or closest family member.
Someone generally has to apply to the court to be appointed as the estate trustee without a will. Ontario law then determines how the estate is distributed.
Do all beneficiaries have to agree before the home can be sold?
There is no universal answer.
It can depend on the wording of the will, why the property is being sold, how title is registered, the estate trustee’s powers, whether the property was specifically gifted and whether any beneficiaries are minors or incapable adults.
This question must be answered by the estate lawyer before the property is listed or an offer is accepted.
How do you determine the value of an estate property?
There may be two separate values to consider:
- The property’s fair market value as of the owner’s date of death.
- The property’s current market value when it is prepared and listed.
We can prepare a current market evaluation and provide information about comparable sales. The lawyer or accountant may also recommend a retrospective appraisal from a qualified appraiser. Ontario requires the date-of-death value when determining the value of Ontario real estate for Estate Administration Tax, even if the eventual sale price is different.
Can an estate property be sold “as-is”?
An “as-is” sale may be considered where the estate trustee has limited knowledge of the property, but it is not automatic.
Available information should still be gathered, and known concerns must be discussed with the REALTOR® and estate lawyer. They can recommend the appropriate wording, representations, warranties and conditions for the specific property.
Can an estate trustee or family member purchase the property?
A related-party sale may be possible, but it can create questions about value, fairness and conflicts of interest.
Before making commitments, obtain advice from the estate lawyer. An independent appraisal and a clearly documented decision-making process may also be appropriate.
Who pays for property taxes, insurance and maintenance before the home sells?
The estate trustee is responsible for arranging and overseeing the property, but eligible expenses are generally paid using estate funds where funds are available.
The property may continue to require insurance, utilities, property taxes, security, lawn care, snow removal and maintenance. The insurer should be notified promptly if the property becomes vacant or its occupancy changes. Ontario describes paying estate taxes, bills and debts as part of the estate trustee’s role.
What happens to the money after an estate property sells?
The proceeds are normally handled through the estate’s lawyer. Mortgages, registered debts and applicable closing costs may be paid from the sale funds.
The remaining money should not automatically be distributed immediately. Selling the property and distributing the estate are separate stages. The estate trustee should speak with the lawyer and accountant about outstanding debts, tax returns, appropriate holdbacks, estate accounts and whether a CRA clearance certificate is required.
A CRA clearance certificate allows the legal representative to distribute assets without the same risk of being personally responsible for unpaid amounts covered by the certificate.
Read the CRA clearance-certificate guidance>
What tax returns may be required after someone dies?
The deceased’s legal representative is generally responsible for arranging the deceased person’s final income-tax return. A T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return may also be required for the estate, depending on the circumstances.
CRA guide for doing taxes for someone who died>
Tax questions should be directed to a qualified accountant or tax professional.
What documents should an executor gather for the property sale?
Helpful information may include:
- The complete will and any codicils.
- Proof of death.
- The Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, if one has been issued.
- Identification for each estate trustee.
- Contact information for the estate lawyer and accountant.
- Property-tax, mortgage and insurance information.
- Condominium documents, where applicable.
- Lease and tenant information, where applicable.
- Surveys, permits, warranties and repair records, if available.
- Keys, alarm information and property-access instructions.
- Information about anyone occupying the home.
The real estate lawyer can obtain a title search and advise what additional documentation is required.
Who decides what happens to the belongings inside the home?
The estate trustee must follow the will and obtain legal advice where entitlement to specific items is uncertain.
Before removing contents, it is helpful to photograph and inventory the property, identify items specifically gifted in the will and separate valuables, personal documents and financial records.
Our team can help coordinate practical services such as moving, storage, donation, clean-out and estate-content professionals, but we do not decide who is legally entitled to particular belongings.
How long does it take to sell an estate property?
There is no dependable one-size-fits-all timeline.
Timing may be affected by locating the will, confirming authority, applying for probate, court processing, disputes, property condition, occupancy, insurance, contents, repairs and current market conditions.
The estate lawyer should estimate the legal timeline. We can then build a property-preparation and marketing plan around it.
Life’s Good Real Estate Team provides real estate guidance and practical sale coordination. We do not determine the validity of a Power of Attorney, interpret a will, provide capacity opinions, apply for probate or provide legal or tax advice.
Still Have Questions About the Property?
Every move is different. Whether you are buying, selling, acting under a Power of Attorney or responsible for an estate property, we can help you understand the real estate process and identify the next practical step.
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