5 Documents You Should Never Sign Without Legal Review in a Real Estate Deal

Real estate transactions come with a lot of paperwork, and it's tempting to sign quickly to keep things moving. But some documents carry legal and financial consequences that aren't always obvious at first glance. Here are five you should always have reviewed before you sign.

1. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale

This is the document that legally binds you to the deal — including the price, closing date, conditions, and what's included or excluded from the sale. Amendments and waivers matter just as much as the original agreement. A clause that seems minor, like a financing condition or an inspection deadline, can significantly affect your rights if something goes wrong before closing.

2. Mortgage Commitment and Lender Instructions

Your mortgage commitment sets out the terms you're agreeing to with your lender — interest rate, conditions, prepayment terms, and what's required before funds are released. Lender instructions can include conditions that need to be satisfied on closing. Missing a requirement here can delay your closing or affect your funding.

3. Status Certificate (for Condo Purchases)

If you're buying a condo, the status certificate discloses the financial health of the corporation, any planned special assessments, reserve fund details, and pending legal disputes. It's dense and technical, but the information inside can directly affect your future costs and even your ability to get financing.

4. Transfer/Deed Documents

The transfer document is what actually moves legal ownership of the property. It affects how you hold title — which matters for tax purposes, estate planning, and what happens if co-owners disagree down the road. Once registered, correcting an error can be a costly and time-consuming process.

5. Statement of Adjustments

This document calculates the final amounts owed between buyer and seller on closing day, including prepaid property taxes, utility credits, and other adjustments. Numbers here should match your understanding of the deal — a review helps confirm nothing has been miscalculated or missed before funds change hands.

The bottom line

Signing quickly might feel efficient, but real estate documents are legally binding the moment your signature is on them. A lawyer's review before you sign can catch issues while there's still time to address them — not after you're already committed.

Have a document you're not sure about? Contact Darr Law before you sign, and we'll review it as part of your file.