I am interested in buying a condo.

The seller has a mortgage on the condo.

Where, when and how does this get paid?

Do I bring 3 checks to the land office as follows:

1. balance of mortgage

2. purchase price amount minus balance of mortgage

3. 50% of transfer taxes.

Does a bank representative have to come to the land office for the transfer to take place?

To make it very short. If the condo is mortgaged, you your dealings are with the bank=owner. The banks name will be on the titledeed. So you, the seller, someone from the bank go to the landoffice together. Don,t pay anything in advance to anyone. Pay everything at the landoffice, after agreeing who is going to pay which taxes.