SPOTLIGHT: Erin Crocker | PassGo Real Estate Law
This month we had the pleasure of chatting with the one and only Erin Crocker, a Real Estate Lawyer and founder of PassGo Real Estate Law, whose vast experience and industry knowledge speaks volumes.
Q&A with Erin Crocker:
SJC: Let's start with you! Please share a little bit about yourself. How did you get into real estate law?
Erin Crocker: I have been a real estate lawyer for over 13 years. After graduating from the University of Alberta in 2011, I began my career in Smithers, BC, a small town in northern British Columbia. There, I worked in a general practice for over seven years, gaining experience across various areas of law. Real estate quickly became my passion, and in 2018 I returned to Alberta to take on a business development role with a title insurance company.
During that time I worked primarily with real estate law firms, and it quickly became clear to me that many of these firms were still relying on outdated, paper-heavy, and in-person processes. Recognizing the need for modernization in real estate law, I launched my own firm - PassGo Real Estate Law - in 2022, with the goal of bringing a fresh, innovative approach to the industry.
SJC: Do you work primarily in Calgary, all over Alberta, nationwide?
Erin Crocker: Our office is based in Calgary, but we serve clients across Alberta, as well as in British Columbia and Ontario. As one of the rare lawyers with triple licensure, I am qualified to practice in all three provinces. This has allowed me to assist clients relocating from BC or Ontario to Alberta or for the many Albertans that have BC vacation properties. Also, as a specialist in virtual signing, my clients don’t need to visit my office in person to complete their real estate documents!
“Recognizing the need for modernization in real estate law, I launched my own firm in 2022 - with the goal of bringing a fresh, innovative approach to the industry.”
SJC: That’s a really cool service! Let’s take a step back - could you help our readers better understand the role of a real estate lawyer?
Erin Crocker: As a real estate lawyer, I work closely with buyers, sellers, and lenders to facilitate seamless transactions. My primary role is to ensure that the property’s title is transferred free of financial encumbrances for the buyer while securing the lender's mortgage on the title. I also assist in resolving disputes between buyers and sellers during closings, negotiating contracts, and when refinancing mortgages or considering debt consolidation. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support throughout every stage of the process.
SJC: You've dedicated more than a decade to your field. Over 500 agents supported and more than $1Billion in closed deals is an amazing accomplishment! Could you share with us any prominent lessons you've learned?
Erin Crocker: Our clients constantly comment on our exceptional communication. Unlike other firms, we prioritize keeping clients informed every step of the way! We offer a client portal where they can access their documents and communicate with us directly. Additionally, we invite other professionals involved in the process to join the portal, ensuring everyone stays on the same page and can seamlessly collaborate.
Collaboration among real estate professionals—whether it's the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, or other key players—is essential to delivering the best results for our clients.
We feel a united team, working toward the same goal, is always more effective!
SJC: You must have some stories to tell! Can you think of any transactions that stand out to you for what a client did right?
Erin Crocker: We recently handled a transaction where - on the closing date - our client discovered that the basement had flooded, causing water damage to both the carpet and drywall, which required replacement.
SJC: Yikes! How did they handle that?
While the Seller's insurance company approved the claim, the assessment of damages and timeline for repairs were expected to take several weeks - possibly even months. Instead, of approving these repairs, the sellers proposed a lump sum payment. With a bit of help from us, our clients instead decided to negotiate a significant holdback from the sale. This gave the Sellers a strong financial incentive to complete the repairs, (through their insurance company) while also providing our clients protection - in case the repairs were not completed as promised. A far more secure resolution!
SJC: That’s some expert advise! Conversely, what are some of the more common mistakes you see new home buyers make? Any easy misses that people could do better?
Erin Crocker: A common mistake many buyers make is not ensuring their closing funds are readily accessible. In some cases, these funds are still held in an RRSP or other investments that require time to be liquidated and settled. This can lead to delays or unnecessary stress about whether the funds will be available by the closing date. To avoid this, we always recommend transferring your closing funds into an accessible financial account as cash well in advance. This ensures you can access the funds promptly and without complications when it's time to close.
“We always recommend transferring your closing funds into cash, in an accessible financial account, well in advance. “
SJC: When is the best time for a client to reach out to you? Before they start looking, after they receive an offer?
Erin Crocker: Once a client has signed a purchase contract, they can begin searching for a law firm. While the firm typically won’t start working on the file until all conditions are waived, having a lawyer available during the pre-waiver stage can be invaluable if any issues arise. This way, as soon as the conditions are waived, the lawyer is ready to proceed without delays.
SJC: Our clients live in Condominiums, what are some of the most important things prospective condo buyers should consider before purchasing?
Erin Crocker: A formal review of condo documents is a crucial step when purchasing a condo. It helps identify potential special assessments and offers valuable insight into the condo corporation’s operations, including its financial health and how ongoing issues are being handled. This process can also reveal legal or structural problems that might impact your financing.
Having a professional thoroughly review these documents ensures you’re making a well-informed and confident investment. We recommend that all our clients work with document review companies (like SJC). These companies specialize in document reviews and often have deeper knowledge of condo corporations and their inner workings, making them the better choice for this task.
SJC: Final question for us, is there anything clients should know (or have prepared) before they contact you, to help make the process smoother?
Erin Crocker: No prior knowledge is needed to reach out to us! We guide our clients through every step of the process, ensuring they have everything they need! From start to finish, we provide clear direction and support to make the entire transaction smooth and hassle-free.
SJC: This last ones for you, anything final thoughts you’d like to share before we wrap up?
Erin Crocker: PassGo Real Estate Law is modern, forward-thinking law firm specializing in virtual signings for our clients. We offer an intuitive online portal, allowing professionals to stay connected throughout the transaction, while providing clients with a clear, step-by-step guide to navigate every stage of the process!
Check out our online quote calculator at www.passgo/pricing, we make it easy to access transparent, all-inclusive quotes.
Have a question for Erin?
Thanks so much to Erin for taking the time to answer all our questions! Looking for an experienced real estate lawyer, or just have your own questions?
Name: Erin Crocker | PassGo Real Estate Law
Job Title: Real-Estate Lawyer
Phone#: 587-570-7427
Email: hello@passgo.ca
Upcoming Spotlight:
For our next spotlight we’re speaking with an extremely qualified home inspector (and wonderful apiarist). Look forward to finding out who that is, and what they have to say in our next spotlight feature!
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Interested in our document review services, or just have a question regarding your Condominium? Contact SJC Reviews
Until next time!
Shaun Coles
Owner | SJC Reviews
