Closing costs are the fees that finalize your purchase. Budgeting for them early keeps the last week before possession calm.
No land transfer tax
This is Alberta’s quiet advantage. Where Ontario and BC buyers pay land transfer tax — about $5,500 in Ontario and $7,000 in BC on a $450,000 home, before any first-time buyer refund or exemption — Alberta charges only small land-title registration fees: $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of the property’s value to register the title, and the same on the mortgage amount (Alberta Land Titles fee schedule, effective October 1, 2026). On a $450,000 home with 20% down that’s about $900 in total — $500 to register the title and $410 to register the mortgage.
What to budget
- Legal fees: about $1,200–$2,000 for a real estate lawyer
- Home inspection: about $400–$600
- Title insurance: about $250–$500
- Appraisal: often covered by the lender, sometimes about $300
- Property tax and utility adjustments: reimbursing the seller for prepaid amounts
- GST: only on new builds (5%), with possible rebates
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada tells buyers to be ready for closing costs of 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. With no land transfer tax in Alberta, set aside at least 1.5% for a resale home.
New builds are different
New construction adds GST and sometimes builder fees, though rebates may apply. We’ll walk you through the specific numbers before you sign.