Build an Infill House
Published on 29 August 2022, 07:22:56 AM
Reduce the hassle of finding vacant land when you build an infill house.
Available land is at a premium in many Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa neighbourhoods. Your next best option — demolishing or renovating a property to build an infill house of your dreams.
It’s made possible by urban design guidelines your municipality uses to decide how older or unable homes in established neighbourhoods are redeveloped. Axess Law finalizes your mortgage when you refinance or get a new mortgage to build an infill house.
Do I need a lawyer to refinance my mortgage in Ontario?
Ontario, A Place to Grow
Greater Golden Horseshoe municipalities are making it easier for home buyers to find affordable housing by supporting development of houses of all kinds. You can build an infill house that is a duplex, fourplex, single family home or laneway home.
Ottawa’s guidelines to build an infill house ensure your new home fits into the street where you live. They’re typical of design guidelines outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Infill Guidelines You Can Expect
- Building height and size
- Rear and side yard setbacks
- Height limitations
- Rooftop terraces
- Balconies or patios that project into yards
- Designs that affect neighbour’s privacy or sunlight
- Tree retention
- Landscaping and drainage requirements
- Heritage home restrictions
- and more.
Finding the Right Lot
All you need to build an infill house is the right lot and permits, regular inspections, a reliable contractor and notice to your neighbours. Excessive dirt, noise or public safety concerns can all result in a visit from a bylaw officer or city inspector.
See Toronto’s good neighbour guide for tips on how to build an infill home.
A word to the wise: lots in older neighbourhoods are often narrower. Before you build an infill home, check the property lot lines to ensure your new house will fit.
Getting into the Market for First Time Buyers
First time buyer? Use a RRSP for mortgage down payments when you build an infill house. You can reduce the amount you need for a down payment altogether with generous government incentives for first time home buyers.
Get a refund for the first time home buyer land transfer tax.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Axess Law has a real estate lawyer near you when you make an offer to purchase an Ontario home with intent to demolish, renovate or rebuild. We review agreements of purchase and sale for clauses that protect your buyer’s right to cancel.
Latent defects not visible during a realtor’s showing can make a home inhabitable or expensive to fix. We include standard home inspection clauses at your request and can add a final walk-through right to help you uncover problems before you commit to purchase an older home.
What happens to deposits if a sale falls through.
Axess Law can check pre-construction contracts when you are thinking of buying a new build home in Ontario. We find legal issues you may be overlooking if you hire a builder to construct or renovate a home. Contracts can bind you to terms and conditions you may not understand. We point those out and refer you to trusted legal partners for advice.
Find out how many times can builders delay closing in Ontario.
When you’re ready to purchase a home or construction services, our real estate lawyers (Toronto, Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa) liaise with your mortgage lender or developer to close your sales transaction on time.
What to bring to your Axess Law appointment.
We receive legal documents you need to sign. Discharging a mortgage in Ontario takes no time at all when our licensed legal professionals meet with you in person or by remote video conference. Transfer of property title documents are searched and registered with a local land registry office to make your purchase legal.
When finding a bank, credit union or private lender on time threatens to delay a closing, Axess Law negotiates with sellers’ lawyers to see if they will extend the agreement of purchase and sale.
25 questions to ask real estate lawyers.
Save More With Flat Fee Real Estate Services
Access lawyers for less in Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, or anywhere in Ontario when you buy, sell, or transfer property. Axess Law’s flat fee real estate lawyers are affordable, and our rates are all inclusive (excluding taxes, disbursements, and third-party charges). Axess Law offers you only the legal services you absolutely need. Your final invoice includes no surprises or hidden charges. Your itemized statement of adjustments is explained when we deliver it, and we answer any questions you have about it.
Make Online or Phone Appointments at Your Leisure
Dialing our 647-479-0118 lawyer line (toll free to 877-402-4207) gets you an in person appointment with a lawyer near you in Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa. Axess Law locations are open 7 days a week. Choose from convenient, flexible day or evening appointments, whatever works for you.
We have onsite parking and easy transit access.
Virtual Real Estate Lawyer Services
Don’t have time to meet in person? Our virtual real estate lawyers can connect with you anywhere in Ontario via a secure, confidential video conference call. In person or via video, it takes just minutes to make appointments with our easy-to-use online booking form. Remote lawyers call your home or office at your convenience. We make e-signing easy or you can drop by any Axess Law office to finalize your home purchase or sale.
