What to check before signing the deposit

Check with an up-to-date registry extract that whoever signs is the registered owner and that no co-owner is missing. It's the most common cause of a block at the notary.

The registry extract lists mortgages, liens and easements. A live mortgage must be cancelled at or before the deed; a lien is a warning sign worth resolving beforehand.

Make clear in the contract whether the property is delivered vacant, leased or with occupants. If leased, the tenant may have a right of first refusal.

If the purchase depends on a mortgage, record it as a condition precedent with a deadline. That way, if the bank says no, the deposit isn't lost.