Closing Statement

Learn what a closing statement is in Canadian real estate, what it includes, and how it ensures all transaction funds are accounted for on closing day.

Closing Statement

Shutterstock



What is a Closing Statement?

A closing statement is a detailed, itemized summary of all the financial transactions and costs associated with the finalization of a real estate sale.

Why Closing Statements Matter in Real Estate

In Canadian real estate, the closing statement outlines who pays what, and confirms that funds are properly distributed between buyer, seller, legal representatives, and lenders.

The closing statement typically includes:
- Purchase price and deposit
- Adjustments for utilities, taxes, or rent
- Legal fees and disbursements
- Land transfer tax and title insurance
- Mortgage advances and balance owing

Prepared by the buyer’s lawyer or notary, this document ensures transparency and prevents disputes by confirming all amounts have been calculated and paid appropriately.

Understanding the closing statement helps both buyers and sellers verify costs, track payments, and ensure a smooth and accurate closing process.

Example of a Closing Statement in Action

The buyer’s lawyer prepares a closing statement showing the final balance due after deducting the deposit, calculating legal fees, and adjusting for prepaid property taxes.

Key Takeaways

  • Lists all financial details of a property transaction.
  • Ensures accurate disbursement of funds.
  • Prepared by legal representatives.
  • Clarifies adjustments and final payments.
  • Vital for transparency and accountability.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Public Realm Improvements

Public realm improvements are enhancements to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and streetscapes, often funded or contributed by. more

Mortgagee in Possession

A mortgagee in possession is a lender who takes control of a property after borrower default, but before foreclosure or power of sale. The lender. more

Lease Surrender Agreement

A lease surrender agreement is a negotiated contract between a landlord and tenant that ends a lease before its scheduled expiration. Terms may. more

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to natural or engineered systems that manage stormwater, reduce heat, and improve sustainability in developments.. more

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is a portion of funds withheld at closing and held in escrow until specific conditions are met, such as completion of repairs,. more

Underused Housing Tax

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a federal annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property owned by non-resident,. more

More For You

​

Calgary, Alberta (City of Calgary)

By any measure, Alberta is outperforming the rest of the country when it comes to getting shovels in the ground and homes built.

The numbers tell the story. Alberta recorded a surge in housing starts in 2025, rising sharply year over year, while Ontario moved in the opposite direction, with starts falling and expected to decline further.

Keep ReadingShow less
Beaches Beauty Sells Over Asking After 6 Days On The Market

Zolo

We're smitten with this 3-bed beauty that was just snapped up in The Beaches.

At 138 Lee Avenue, the layout runs across 2½ storeys plus a finished basement — four usable floors in total.

Keep ReadingShow less
What’s Open And Closed In Metro Vancouver On Canada Day 2026

We're here with what you need to know about Canada Day in Metro Vancouver for 2026.

To start, public transit will be operating on holiday schedules. According to TransLink, buses will run on a holiday/Sunday schedule, while SkyTrains and SeaBuses will all run on modified versions of the Sunday/holiday schedule. West Coast Express will not operate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toronto Slashing DCs By Up To 60% As Ontario Municipalities Sit On Billions In Reserves
Shutterstock

Ontario was sitting on roughly $10.5 billion in development charge (DC) reserves by the end of 2024, according to a recent report from Desjardins that argues municipalities have become overly accustomed to the fees as a source of revenue.

More controversial still, DCs remain one of the most serious obstacles to new housing in a province where affordability is crumbling.

Keep ReadingShow less
ELM And Fiera Break Ground At 270 Sheppard West

ELM Developments

ELM Developments and Fiera Real Estate acquired the assembly at 270 Sheppard Avenue West on January 29. They broke ground on June 17.

In a market where rental projects routinely spend years in rezoning, moving from purchase to shovels in under five months is the point — and at 270 Sheppard, they planned it that way.

Keep ReadingShow less
OpenForm, Alabaster Planning 32-And 28-Storey Towers In Metrotown

The proposal for 6470 and 6508 Silver Avenue in Burnaby. (OpenForm Properties, Alabaster Homes, Arcadis)

Vancouver-based developers OpenForm Properties and Alabaster Homes are partnering on a two-tower project in the Metrotown neighbourhood of Burnaby, according to a rezoning application set to be considered by Council this week.

The subject site of the proposal is 6470 and 6508 Silver Avenue, which is located directly across the street from Maywood Park and half a block away from Metrotown Station.

Keep ReadingShow less
GTA Low-Rise Sales Top 10-Year Average For Second Month
Aerial photo of Toronto skyline

GTA new home sales aren't out of the woods yet — but the low-rise market is making a strong case for optimism.

For the second consecutive month, single-family home sales in the Greater Toronto Area surpassed the 10-year average, buoyed by the enhanced HST rebate program introduced in April 2026. According to new data from BILD and market intelligence firm Altus Group, 830 single-family homes sold in the GTA in May — 26% above the segment's 10-year average, and a significant jump from the same month in 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
IN THE KNOW: GTA Low-Rise Sales Top 10-Year Average For Second Month
Canderel Breaks Ground On Forêt Forest Hill With Five-Bank Financing In Place

(liveatforet.ca)

At Bathurst and St. Clair, Canderel has officially started construction on Forêt Forest Hill — its three-tower, master-planned community in midtown Toronto.

The development has secured construction financing from a consortium of five major Canadian banks led by CIBC, with National Bank, TD, Desjardins, and Laurentian Bank rounding out the group.

Keep ReadingShow less