Helpful Real Estate Resources
Are you a first time buyer? Lilian Cazacu has provided real estate resources to help you navigate the many avenues of buying your first property.
Get The Most Out Of Your Real Estate Purchase
It’s a good idea to know the legislation around buying a home, considering it could be your largest asset. Learn how you can receive tax exemptions, qualify for rebates and manage your asset.
GST/HST New Housing Rebate
The GST/HST New Housing Rebate allows individuals to recover some of the GST or the federal portion of the HST tax paid for a new or substantially renovated house. Speak to a member of our team to see if your home qualifies for the rebate.
First Time Buyer’s Program
Our Government wants to help out those who have purchased their very first home. The First Time Buyer’s Program aims to reduce or eliminate the amount of property transfer tax you pay when you purchase your first home. Speak to a member of our team to see if you are eligible for full or partial tax exemption.
Joint Tenancy Vs. Tenants-In-Common
In a joint tenancy, if one person passes, their portion is automatically passed to the other survivor(s). In a tenants-in-common situation, if one person passes, their share goes to those appointed in their will or to their “next of kin” (if died “intestate”).
Non-Resident Clearance Certificate Information
If you are not a Canadian resident, there are legal and tax implications both: if you’re buying or selling a real estate property. If you’re selling, you will need to obtain a clearance certificate from CRA in order to obtain the entire amount of the sale proceeds. If you’re buying, then you may be required to pay extra-PTT as a “foreign buyer”.
Award-Winning Notary Public Services For Your Entire Family
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you charge for your services?
Our legal fees for our services “value-based”, which means that the depend on (a) the amount of time spent on that particular service, (b) the amount of documents needing to prepare and/or sign, and (c) the amount or liability that we’re getting ourselves exposed to by doing that particular transaction or signing those particular documents.
How can I verify your notarial status?
Our notarial status most often is verified for any notarized international documents to be used abroad. Although international documents have to go through a “cycle of authentications” in order to be legalized/authenticated and be accepted outside Canada, the first level of verification is normally the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia (“SNPBC”), which is the regulatory body of BC Notaries. The SNPBC can verify our status and confirm us being in “good standing”.
Are there documents that a notary public cannot notarize?
While Notaries are always approached with various documents to be notarized, there are documents that cannot just be “notarized”. First, any Agreements or Contracts that need signing and witnessing do not normally need to be “notarized”, since they are normally valid after being signed and witnessed by two witnesses. Moreover, the family-law related agreements (e.g. Cohabitation Agreements, Separation Agreements, etc.) cannot be witnessed by notaries, since that implies giving legal advice (and BC Notaries are not allowed to practice Family Law or any other type of law, except for Wills & Estates and Real Estates areas of law.)
What is a notary public?
The tradition of Notaries goes back over 2000 years - to the dawn of recorded history. Notaries laid down the Codex Hammurabi, the oldest evidence of recorded law. Notaries were also employed by the Catholic Church to guide the light of civilization through the Dark Ages. The Notary’s reputation for trustworthiness meant that documents retained a stable reliability throughout centuries of upheaval.
What does a notary public do?
BC Notaries can provide non-contentious legal services, but they cannot argue cases before a judge. In spite of some opinions that Notaries are not allowed to provide legal advice, British Columbia Courts have confirmed that Notaries can and are obliged to give accurate legal advice in areas in which they are authorized to practice and to the same standard as solicitors who are members of the Law Society of British Columbia. Moreover, the Legal Profession Act does not give a complete monopoly on the giving of legal advice and there is an explicit exemption for BC Notaries:”(1)(1)(j)the lawful practice of a notary public”.
The four main areas in which Notaries normally practice are Real Estates, Wills & Estates, Notarization, and Contracts. However, on the Society of Notaries of BC’s website you can find a list of over 30 services that BC Notaries can practice. The important part for our clients is that all the professional work performed by a Notary Public is covered by our insurance plan that protects them.
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
Beside bring the documents to be notaried, you would need to present at least two pieces of identification. Normally, at least one of them should be a “ picture ID” and the secondary piece of identification could be any other government-issued ID or a signed credit card. (e.g. birth certificate, SIN card, Medical Service Card, passport, BC ID, credit card, etc.)
Working with the Willoughby Community
Our Langley notary office is just minutes from Willoughby, offering easy access for residents in the area. We also provide flexible appointments at our Aldergrove notary office to accommodate your schedule.
Langley Notary Office:
(9am to 5pm & after 5pm by appointment only)
We are located in building B and free parking is available between buildings A and B, or underground on P1 level with the entrance off 200A Street (6’10” clearance).
Aldergrove Notary Office:
(by appointment only)
Aldergrove, BC V4W 2Z7
Relentless Pursuit Of Providing Excellent Notary Services In Langley area
Lilian Cazacu has been providing high-quality notary public services to the Langley community and continues to dedicate his time to helping and educating Langley residents on various non-contentious legal matters.