SALT SPRING ISLAND REAL ESTATE
with John Cade

BC operates under the Torrens Land System which is represented by several Land Title Registries within the Province.

Currently, Salt Spring Island property dealings are handled in the Victoria Land Title Registry (although this registry is slated for closure in the near future, moving documents to the New Westminster Land Title Office). All transfers of title ownership, mortgages, and all other agreements affecting land have to be registered in Land Titles and are shown on the Certificate of Title as charges against the property.

The actual titles to property are held in the Land Title Office for safekeeping and only removed under very strict guidelines. This registry system makes dealing with real property in BC almost fool proof and safe.

If the proper due diligence is performed then there shouldn’t be any undue surprises to a Buyer. As your listing realtor I would have a strong fudiciary duty to you, my client, to seek out and disclose any issue that might affect a particular property. However, explanation of the affect a particular charge has on a property should be explained by a lawyer.

Next: Making an Offer