Closing Costs When Buying a Home in Calgary (What to Budget)

Quick answer: Closing costs for buying a home in Calgary are lower than in most of Canada because Alberta has no land transfer tax. Most buyers should budget roughly 1% to 2% of the purchase price for legal fees, Land Titles registration fees, a home inspection, title insurance, property tax and utility adjustments, home insurance and moving costs.

I'm George Brown, a Calgary REALTOR® with LPT Realty. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what you'll pay on top of your down payment.

Typical closing costs in Calgary

• Real estate lawyer: your lawyer reviews the documents, handles the money in trust and registers the title and mortgage. Ask for a quote that includes disbursements.
• Land Titles registration fees: Alberta charges a modest fee to register the transfer of land and your mortgage, based on the property value and mortgage amount. This replaces the much larger land transfer tax charged in provinces like Ontario and B.C.
• Home inspection: strongly recommended for any home, including condos and newer houses.
• Title insurance: commonly required by lenders and arranged through your lawyer.
• Property tax and utility adjustments: if the seller prepaid property taxes or condo fees past your possession date, you reimburse them for your share.
• Home insurance: your lender needs proof of insurance before possession. Condo owners need a condo unit policy.
• Mortgage default insurance: if you put less than 20% down, this premium is usually added to your mortgage. Your lender will confirm the exact premium.
• Moving and setup: movers, utility hookups, window coverings and small repairs add up quickly.

Costs that depend on the property

• New builds: GST applies to newly built homes (resale homes are exempt). Ask your builder and lawyer whether any GST rebate applies to you.
• Condos: review the condo documents before you firm up the deal. A lawyer or condo document review service can flag low reserve funds or upcoming special assessments.
• Acreages and rural properties: you may need well and septic inspections.

What sellers usually provide in Alberta

Under the standard Alberta purchase contract, the seller normally provides a Real Property Report (RPR) with municipal compliance, which shows where the buildings sit on the lot. That's one cost buyers in Calgary usually don't have to pay.

How to keep closing costs down

1. Get lawyer quotes early and ask what's included.
2. Compare home insurance quotes before possession.
3. Choose a possession date that lines up with your lease or current home sale.
4. Keep a cash cushion of at least 1.5% of the price so nothing catches you off guard.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs in Calgary?

Most buyers in Calgary should plan for roughly 1% to 2% of the purchase price in closing costs. Because Alberta has no land transfer tax, this is lower than in most other provinces.

Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?

No. Alberta charges Land Titles registration fees for the transfer and mortgage instead, which are far lower than land transfer taxes elsewhere in Canada.

Who pays for the Real Property Report in Alberta?

Under the standard Alberta residential purchase contract, the seller usually provides the Real Property Report with municipal compliance.

Is GST charged on resale homes in Calgary?

No. GST applies to newly built homes, not resale homes. Buyers of new homes should ask about any rebates they may qualify for.

Questions about buying in Calgary?

I'm happy to walk you through the numbers, no pressure. Call or text George Brown at (403) 616-6309 or send me a message. New to buying? Start with my first-time home buyer guide for Calgary.