How do I find out if I need to charge GST when I sell my property in BC?
September 16, 2025 9:21 am Leave your thoughtsDo you know if you need to charge GST when you sell your property in BC? Selling a home in... View Article
Author Archives for Linda Caisley
About Linda Caisley
Linda Caisley is a BC Notary. She is one of the founding partners of The Notary Group (the trade name for Janzen & Caisley Notary Corporation) and TNG Legal Services MDP.
Linda has been a notary public since 2008, and worked in the legal field in various capacities for decades prior to that.
When the mortgage money doesn’t show up on time
September 14, 2025 2:00 pm Leave your thoughtsMortgage money not showing up on closing day is one of the biggest risks for buyers in BC. Delays often come from missing documents, last-minute lender conditions, or simple math errors. Here’s what you need to know—and how to avoid surprises when it matters most.
How do I shut down my utilities when selling a home in BC?
September 14, 2025 11:24 am Leave your thoughtsWhen you sell a home in BC, you’ll need to close or transfer your utility accounts, arrange final meter readings where required, and provide proof of payment. Learn how notaries handle sale proceeds holdbacks, which utilities are public, private, or strata-billed, and what to watch for in your municipality.
How do I set up my utilities when buying a home in BC?
September 13, 2025 12:19 pm Leave your thoughtsCall your utilities services providers as soon as possible to get your accounts set up. Never assume the seller's accounts will transfer to you automatically!
Holdbacks 101: what they are and why they’re used
August 31, 2025 2:12 pm Leave your thoughtsA holdback is money we hold in trust until a particular thing (like cleaning the property or paying a bill) has been done. BC Notaries help clients draft great holdback clauses, and carry them through to completion.
When a Lender Won’t Fund on Closing Day in BC
August 24, 2025 1:14 pm Leave your thoughtsEven if you’ve “done everything the lender asked,” funding is never guaranteed until money actually lands with your BC Notary or conveyancing lawyer. Lenders don't actually have to fund a mortgage, even if you have done all the things you were asked to do to qualify for it. Porting mortgages is popular, but can encounter failures when the new property looks nothing like the old one. Mortgage instructions can come too late; surprises on inspections or appraisals can kill a qualification, and lenders can freeze lines of credit you expected to be able to use. They can also decline to advance if you fail to meet last-minute qualification criteria. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's important to have a backup plan well before completion.
Why you care about “time is of the essence” in BC Real Estate
August 17, 2025 12:41 pm Leave your thoughtsIf your contract has a clause in it that says "time is of the essence", that means the deadlines you have agreed upon are fundamental and cannot be changed without potentially significant consequences?
“No Money, No Keys” – The Long-Standing Fallacy in BC Real Estate
August 9, 2025 2:38 pm Leave your thoughtsWhat is the “No Money, No Keys” Myth in BC Real Estate? It’s a common belief — and a wrong... View Article
Escrow closings – an important tool to rescue a collapsing deal
August 2, 2025 2:44 pm Leave your thoughtsIf your deal is about to fall apart, an escrow closing process could save the day.
Non-resident Sellers and Section 116: What BC Buyers Need to Know
July 26, 2025 11:22 am Leave your thoughtsHave you heard about non-residency taxes? This little-known issue could collapse your deal.