In collaboration with nesto
When most Canadians imagine signing their home purchase or mortgage documents, they picture sitting across from a lawyer at a boardroom table, pen in hand.
It feels official, secure, but here's what might surprise you: remote and hybrid real estate closings aren't just more convenient, they're often legally safer (and more convenient) than traditional in-person meetings.
Canadian borrowers and homebuyers have come to expect a simple, transparent and mostly online experience. Platforms like nesto, which helped pioneer fully digital applications, made it clear that borrowers do not want to print forms, wait weeks for approvals, meet at branches or wait for callbacks just to compare their mortgage options. Nesto modelled its financing process around clear, transparent posted rates for all mortgage offerings and a straightforward digital mortgage journey.
To complement the outstanding experience of platforms like nesto, Deeded is aiming to streamline the closing process with our own digital platform, ensuring that the experience from the initial inquiry about a mortgage or a home purchase, right down to getting keys or funds, is frictionless and seamless. At Deeded, we've facilitated thousands of digital closings across Ontario and Alberta, and the data is clear: our remote-first approach creates stronger legal protections, better documentation, and more secure transactions than conventional methods. Here's why.
Identity Verification Gets Stronger
The Law Society requires lawyers to verify client identity, but the in-person standard is surprisingly loose, checking a driver's licence that could be expired, damaged, or even fraudulent. Many lawyers meet clients only once for a few minutes, making it challenging to detect sophisticated identity or mortgage fraud.
Deeded's digital identity verification uses multiple authentication factors that exceed Law Society requirements:
- Government-issued ID validation against provincial and federal issuing databases
- Knowledge-based authentication with questions tied to credit history that only the real person could answer
- Licensed lawyers, trained in fraud detection, conduct video verification calls.
- Device fingerprinting and IP verification to flag suspicious access patterns
This multi-layered approach has helped us catch and prevent fraud attempts that might have slipped through a quick in-person meeting. With title fraud on the rise in Ontario, these additional verification layers provide critical protection for both buyers and lenders.
Transparency Reduces Errors, Fraud, and Stress
In traditional closings, clients often see documents for the first time at signing. There is pressure on clients to read and sign 50+ pages quickly, sometimes without fully understanding what they're agreeing to. Important details get missed, and clients may not feel comfortable asking questions face-to-face when the clock is ticking.
Deeded's platform gives clients control over the review process:
- Documents are delivered before closing, giving ample review time
- Clients can read at their own pace, at their own space, without pressure
- Clients can ask questions via secure messaging, with written responses that become part of the file
- Video consultations are available for complex issues
This transparency actually reduces legal risk. Clients who understand what they're signing are far less likely to claim later that documents were misrepresented or rushed. Deeded's system documents all correspondence in writing; there's no "he said, she said" if questions arise. The experience of transparency also extends to borrowers using digital platforms like nesto, as both Deeded and nesto use advanced AI-powered technology to ensure borrowers have visibility into their current status and what to expect next.
The Dozens of Emails Problem, Solved.
Traditional closings create surprisingly fragile legal records. Sensitive documents get transmitted across dozens of emails, often with pages missing or signatures incomplete. Lawyers rely on physical file storage, where documents can be misfiled, damaged, or lost. When disputes arise months or years later, reconstructing what actually happened becomes difficult.
Deeded's remote platform solves this through comprehensive digital documentation. Deeded's digital documentation timestamps every document and electronically verifies every signature, logging every step of the process in our SOC-2-certified system.
When you close with Deeded, you get:
- Immutable audit trails showing exactly when documents were sent, opened, reviewed, and signed
- Permanent cloud storage with redundant backups and bank-level encryption
- Instant document retrieval, years later, if questions arise
- Complete transparency, where clients can see their entire file history anytime
This level of documentation simply isn't possible with paper-based processes. If you're working with a digital mortgage broker like nesto, their fully digital closing process pairs perfectly with Deeded's secure platform, creating an end-to-end digital experience that's safer at every stage.
A Safer, Fully Digital Experience
For buyers working with digital-first lenders like nesto, this matters. When your mortgage process is digital, the last thing you want is a paper-based legal closing. Deeded's platform ensures a smooth flow from mortgage approval through final registration, without printing a single sheet of paper. We estimate that between nesto's digital mortgage process and our digital closing process, we are saving over 150 pages of printed paper. That's not only secure; we're also saving thousands of trees.
The Remote Advantage: Speed Without Sacrificing Security
Here's where Deeded's remote-first model really shines: we close 35-40% faster than traditional law firms without compromising legal protection. How?
Parallel processing: While traditional firms work sequentially (one meeting, then another, then signing), Deeded handles multiple steps simultaneously. Document review occurs while title searches run and mortgage instructions are confirmed.
No scheduling friction: You're not coordinating calendars for in-person meetings. Documents move electronically, signatures occur at convenience, and lawyers are available via video or messaging.
Proactive communication: Our platform tracks every step and automatically notifies you when action is needed. You never have to wonder what's happening or wait for a callback.
The speed matters legally, too. The faster your transaction closes, the less time there is for issues to emerge. There's a lower chance of financing falling through, sellers backing out, or title issues surfacing.
The Regulation Has Caught Up
Some people worry that remote closings fall into a legal grey area, but that's no longer the case. The Law Society of Ontario and the Law Society of Alberta both explicitly permit remote closings, with detailed practice guidelines that Deeded exceeds:
- Electronic signatures are legally binding under provincial legislation
- Title insurers cover digital transactions the same as in-person ones
- Lenders and mortgage insurers (including all major banks and CMHC) accept remote closings
During the pandemic, many law societies temporarily required remote closings. The experiment worked so well that remote options are now permanently permitted across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Deeded verify my identity remotely?
We use a multi-step process that exceeds Law Society requirements:
(1) You upload government-issued ID, which we validate against issuing databases,
(2) You complete knowledge-based authentication questions tied to your credit history,
(3) You have a video verification call with your licensed lawyer, and
(4) We use device fingerprinting and IP verification to flag suspicious activity. This verification practice is actually more thorough than checking an ID in person for a few seconds.
What if I'm not comfortable with technology?
Deeded's platform is more intuitive and straightforward by design. If you can use email and send text messages, you can use Deeded. Plus, you have direct access to a licensed lawyer via phone, video, or messaging throughout the entire process. We also offer hybrid closings, where document review occurs online, and final signing is via video call with screen sharing, or in person if needed.
Can I still talk to a real lawyer?
Yes! Every Deeded client is assigned a licensed Ontario or Alberta lawyer who is responsible for their file. You can message, call, or video chat with your lawyer whenever you have questions. The only difference from traditional firms is that routine administrative work is handled through our platform, freeing your lawyer to focus on helping you rather than shuffling papers.
Is my information secure?
Deeded is SOC-2 Type II certified, meaning third-party auditors independently audit our security practices. We use bank-level encryption, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access controls. Deeded uses Canadian data centres to store client data with redundant backups. A practice that is actually more secure than paper files in filing cabinets, which can be lost, damaged, stolen, or accessed by anyone who walks into an office.
What if something goes wrong with the technology?
Deeded has redundant systems and 24/7 monitoring to prevent technical issues. In the unlikely event of a platform issue, we have backup processes to ensure your closing occurs on time, including the ability to switch to video or in-person signing if needed. We've never had a closing fail due to technical issues.
Will my lender/mortgage broker accept a remote closing?
Yes. All major Canadian banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders accept remote closings with Deeded. A digital mortgage lender like nesto integrates seamlessly with platforms such as Deeded. We handle hundreds of closings monthly with every major lender in Canada.
How long does a Deeded closing take?
From the moment we receive your file to closing day, most transactions take 1-2 weeks, about 35-40% faster than traditional firms. The speed comes from parallel processing, digital document flow, and proactive communication, not from cutting corners. You'll have plenty of time to review documents and ask questions.
Does remote closing cost more?
Actually, Deeded typically costs less than traditional firms.
Ready to experience a safer, faster closing? Visit Deeded.ca to get started, or talk to your nesto mortgage expert about pairing your digital mortgage with Deeded's legal services. Your home purchase deserves 21st-century protection.
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