Closing day on a Markham home purchase is the day everything becomes official — title transfers into your name, the keys are handed over, and you become a homeowner in Ontario. For most Markham buyers, it is also one of the most anxious days of the entire transaction. Understanding exactly what happens on closing day — who does what, in what order, and what can go wrong — removes that anxiety entirely. Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani at Kaizen Real Estate Team walk every Markham buyer through the complete closing day process before the date arrives.
The Two Weeks Before Closing Day in Markham
Closing day itself is largely administrative — but what happens in the two weeks before closing day determines how smooth the closing will be. Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani coordinate closely with every Markham buyer's real estate lawyer and mortgage lender in the days leading up to closing to ensure nothing is left to the last minute.
- Confirm your real estate lawyer is retained — your Ontario lawyer handles the title transfer, mortgage registration, and closing funds for your Markham purchase
- Arrange home insurance — your lender requires proof of home insurance in place before releasing mortgage funds; arrange this at least 1 week before closing
- Book the final walkthrough — Markham buyers are entitled to a final pre-closing walkthrough of the property; Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani schedule this typically 24–48 hours before closing
- Transfer closing funds to your lawyer's trust account — the balance owing at closing (down payment minus deposit already paid, plus closing costs) must be in your lawyer's trust account before closing day
- Confirm utility transfers — hydro, gas, water, and internet should be transferred into your name effective on the closing date for the Markham property
- Arrange your moving logistics — keys are typically not available until mid-to-late afternoon on closing day in Ontario; plan your Markham move accordingly
The Final Pre-Closing Walkthrough of Your Markham Home
Before closing day, every Markham buyer represented by Kaizen Real Estate Team conducts a final walkthrough of the property — typically 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled closing date. The purpose of the final walkthrough is to confirm that the Markham property is in the same condition as when the offer was accepted, that all agreed-upon inclusions are present, and that no damage has occurred during the seller's move-out.
During the final pre-closing walkthrough of a Markham home, buyers should verify:
- All agreed inclusions are present — appliances, light fixtures, window coverings, and any other items specifically listed in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale for the Markham property
- No new damage has occurred — walls, floors, windows, and doors are in the same condition as during the showing period
- All chattels not included have been removed — the seller has vacated the Markham property and removed all personal belongings not included in the sale
- Utilities are functional — test light switches, taps, and appliances during the walkthrough to confirm operational status
If issues are identified during the final walkthrough, Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani address them directly with the seller's agent before closing day — ensuring the Markham buyer's interests are protected before title transfers.
What Happens on Closing Day in Ontario: Hour by Hour
On closing day, your Ontario mortgage lender electronically transfers your mortgage funds to your real estate lawyer's trust account. This typically occurs in the morning but the timing varies by lender. Your lawyer cannot register the title transfer or release the purchase funds to the seller's lawyer until mortgage funds are confirmed received.
Your Ontario real estate lawyer reviews the title search results, mortgage documents, statement of adjustments (which calculates the exact amount owing at closing including property tax adjustments), and all transfer documents for your Markham property. You may be required to attend your lawyer's office to sign documents — or this may have been completed in the days before closing.
Once all documentation is confirmed and funds are verified, your lawyer releases the purchase funds — your closing funds plus the mortgage advance — to the seller's lawyer's trust account. The seller's lawyer confirms receipt and authorizes the title transfer to proceed.
Your Ontario lawyer registers the transfer of title for the Markham property at the Ontario Land Registry Office electronically. Once registration is confirmed, you are the legal owner of the property. This is the official moment of ownership — everything that follows is administrative.
Once title registration is confirmed, the seller's agent or lawyer releases the keys to your Markham home — typically through Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani. Key release in Ontario typically occurs in the mid-to-late afternoon on closing day. Plan your Markham move to begin no earlier than 3:00–4:00 PM on closing day to avoid logistical frustration.
Your Real Estate Lawyer's Role on Closing Day in Ontario
Your Ontario real estate lawyer is the central figure on closing day — coordinating funds, documents, and title registration on your behalf. Every Markham buyer purchasing a home in Ontario must retain a licensed Ontario real estate lawyer before closing. Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani refer every Markham buyer to experienced Ontario real estate lawyers who handle residential closings efficiently and communicate clearly throughout the process.
Your Ontario real estate lawyer is responsible for:
- Conducting the title search on the Markham property — confirming clear title, no liens, and no encumbrances that would affect your ownership
- Reviewing and registering the mortgage against the Markham property on behalf of your lender
- Preparing the Statement of Adjustments — calculating the exact amount owing at closing including property tax adjustments, deposit credits, and all closing costs
- Registering the title transfer at the Ontario Land Registry Office in your name on closing day
- Registering title insurance on the Markham property protecting you from title-related defects discovered after closing
- Disbursing funds to the seller's lawyer, paying Ontario Land Transfer Tax on your behalf, and providing you with a final accounting of the closing transaction
What Can Go Wrong on Closing Day in Ontario — and How to Prevent It
The vast majority of Markham closings proceed without issue. But closing day problems do occur — and when they do, they typically fall into one of a small number of categories. Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani proactively address each of these risk areas in the days before every Markham closing.
Closing Day Checklist for Markham Home Buyers
How Kaizen Real Estate Team Prepares Every Markham Buyer for Closing Day
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani do not consider their work complete when a Markham buyer's offer is accepted. Kaizen Real Estate Team remains actively engaged through every step between accepted offer and closing day — coordinating with the buyer's lawyer and lender, scheduling the final walkthrough, addressing any pre-closing issues, and ensuring every Markham buyer arrives on closing day fully prepared with no surprises.