Do I need a lawyer to sell my home in Ontario?

Yes. In Ontario all residential real estate transfers must be registered electronically through the province's Teraview system, and only a licensed lawyer (or their authorized staff) can access that system. There is no legal mechanism for a seller to register their own deed transfer without a lawyer.

Your lawyer drafts or reviews the transfer document, deals with discharging your existing mortgage, handles the trust account through which sale proceeds flow, and ensures the transaction closes on the agreed date. They also address any title issues — like easements, liens, or writs of execution — that could delay or derail the sale.

Trying to sell without a lawyer is not a matter of cost savings; it simply cannot be done for a registered transfer in Ontario. Most real estate agents will also require a lawyer to be in place before the deal firms up. Getting a lawyer involved early, ideally before you list, gives you time to resolve any title issues that might otherwise surprise you at closing.