Closing costs for a buyers agent dont typically show up on a buyers side of a CD/Alta/Hud1. 

Hi,According to some stats I read, certain neighbourhoods went up by over 20%, and Alta Vista / elmvale area was actually one of the lower appreciating areas in Ottawa. while 20% is not sustainable, our local economy is strong and housing remains one of the most affordable amongst major cities in Canada.

Your plan is good, I'm having dinner at Alta in west village tonight, if you happen to be working there, we could talk for a few minutes. 

In any request for a Hold Harmless Letter, you would deliver to a previous title company (a) copy of your CURRENT title commitment with the old lien stated in an exception and (b) copy of their (title company you are writing to) PREVIOUS title commitment/policy or Alta/Hud Statement they issued on the same property where they either paid the lien off or they insured over the lien. 

My thinking is this:  If I'm going to order a boundary survey for the title report, should I request an ALTA survey to get more information on easements & location of underground utility lines?  

When we do Alta surveys on complexes, the zoning report is always in the lenders list of requirements.

I've heard that sometimes ALTA surveys can be close to 20k.Is an expensive survey like this necessary for a commercial purchase like this?

So if you are paying cash initially here is a strategy that will help you get more cash back out;If you include on your closing statements (which vary state to state - HUD-1/ALTA statement ) the renovation costs - and have them charged at closing......

@DMikal MitchellOne thing that I would like to add is if you are planning to pay cash and use delayed financing;If you include on your closing statements (which vary state to state - HUD-1/ALTA statement ) the renovation costs - and have them charged at closing......

Title Companies have to obey the federal laws as they relate to the preparation of the Buyer's CDs (Closing Disclosures) and ALTA Master Closing Statements and in Illinois, the title company must and will complete both statements.In my career, I've been to numerous closings where the Buyer and Seller, and their attorneys, want to do some "creative financing" with the figures at closing, but if the title company believes it's a "Respa" violation or violation of disclosure rules, the title company will not participate in it.