Commercial real estate transactions can involve searches across multiple authorities, jurisdictions, and properties. Keeping those requests organized while managing the broader transaction can add another layer of work to an already busy file.
Search Assist™ gives legal professionals a more centralized way to manage off-title searches as part of their existing workflow. Already available in Ontario, Search Assist is now available to legal professionals in British Columbia through FCT’s commercial online ordering portal.
With Search Assist, you simply select the searches needed for your file and submit one online order. FCT helps streamline the search process through a single point of access that can later connect to the related title insurance order, making it easier to stay organized, informed, and focused on moving the transaction forward.
You decide which searches are required for your commercial real estate transaction. Search Assist helps manage the administrative work that follows.
The process is simple:
By bringing the search process into one place, Search Assist helps keep your requests organized so your team can focus on other important aspects of the transaction.
By bringing these steps together, Search Assist helps you keep requests organized while your team focuses on other important aspects of the transaction.
Some commercial files require searches across unfamiliar jurisdictions or several authorities. Others involve multiple properties and a longer list of search requests.
Search Assist provides one place to manage those requests, monitor their progress, and access completed results. You continue to determine which searches your file requires while Search Assist coordinates the process with the relevant authorities.
Because Search Assist and commercial title insurance are available through the same FCT portal, information can also move more easily from one part of the transaction to the next.
Legal professionals in British Columbia can order a broad range of searches through Search Assist, including:
General property searches
Such as Archaeological Site Search, Building and Permits, Cemetery Search; Conservation Lands Registry, Crown Grant, Employment Standards Due Diligence Search.
Technical Safety BC searches
Such as Amusement Devices, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Electrical Equipment and Systems.
Corporate searches
Such as Corporate Existence, including escheats to the Crown; Corporate Profile; Corporate Status; Certificate of Status/Incorporation; and Certificate of Good Standing.
Purchaser/mortgagor and vendor searches
Such as Bank Act, Bankruptcy and Insolvency (Federal and Provincial), Executions, Litigation and Personal Property Security Act (PPSA).
Need a search that isn’t listed? Describe what you need in the “Other” field on the Search Assist order form.
Try Search Assist with your first order
If you haven’t used Search Assist before, now is an opportunity to see how it can fit into your commercial real estate workflow.
We’ll waive the $25 service fee per search on your first Search Assist order.*
Place your first Search Assist order
Want to see how it works first? Book a Search Assist demo.
*Offer valid on first-time orders. Waived fee does not include disbursements, government fees, and taxes.
The search results are provided “as is” and “as available” and First Canadian Title Company Limited makes no guarantees, warranties, representations or conditions, express or implied, including with respect to merchantability, quality, or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the FCT Search Assist services. All risk as to the results and performance of FCT Search Assist is assumed by the law/notary firm requesting the services. FCT’s service level obligations include using commercially reasonable efforts to follow up with governmental authorities starting at 5 business days before the requisition due date with additional follow-ups occurring until all responses are received. FCT is not responsible for searches not received prior to the requisition date or the closing date. Services by First Canadian Title Company Limited. The services company does not provide insurance products. Some products/services may vary by province. Prices and products/services offered are subject to change without notice.
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