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REAL ESTATE DEALS DURING A PANDEMIC

We are living in a time that is unprecedented for many of us and as much as we would like to live our lives as normal as possible, there are changes that have been put in place to protect us and continue to stop the spread of COVID-19. As many of the regular functions of our society are preparing to re-open, we confirm that real estate transactions are still taking place and we remain ready to assist you.

In order to ensure our client’s continued safety and comfort, the Entrust Team has implemented protocols and procedures to accommodate those needs.

  • Practicing social distancing by limiting in-person client appointments to only those essential signing appointments and scheduling clients to avoid overlapping appointments
  • Increasing the cleaning of our meeting rooms to include disinfecting surfaces and commonly touched areas after every client meeting and providing hand sanitizer for client use
  • Preparing our clients on what to expect prior to their appointments to limit the amount of time spent in our office
  • Providing alternative signing options like open air signing.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office with further inquiries on the specific signing arrangements that can be made for your appointment.

COVID-19 FAQs:

Is your office open to the public during this time?

We are not accepting walk-in clients at this time but are happy to arrange a phone call, video call, or schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers.

Are people still able to buy and sell real estate during this time?

Yes, lawyers, realtors and financial institutions have been considered essential services throughout this time. Although some services have restricted hours, we are able to work with their availability to ensure your deal closes as planned.

When do I need to come in and sign the documents?

When your deal is about to close (usually 1-2 days before the Completion Date) our office will arrange an appointment time with you.

Can I use DocuSign instead of coming into the office to sign?

While electronic signatures are useful during most stages of the real estate transaction, there remain requirements for Land Title Office documents to be signed and witnessed in person by a lawyer or notary. While the Law Society of British Columbia and the Land Title Office have come up with a possible option to sign documents over video call, the process is complex and should only be used in very limited circumstances. Should you be unable to attend our office for signing due to COVID-19 medical reasons, please get in touch with our office and we can discuss ways we can accommodate signing.

Let us help you get you to where you need to be, we are here to answer any questions you have regarding the sale or purchase of a home, simply get in touch with our real estate team at cmacrae@entrustlaw.ca today.

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The information provided in this blog is meant to be just that, information. This is information is not intended to replace the advice of a lawyer or to address the law as it pertains to your situation specifically. Be sure to contact a legal professional should you have any questions or concerns.

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