Closing Costs When Buying a Home in Calgary

Closing costs are the expenses paid in addition to your down payment to legally transfer ownership of a property.

In Calgary, buyers should typically budget 2% – 4% of the purchase price, though costs are often lower than many Canadian cities because Alberta has no land transfer tax.

Example:

$600,000 home → roughly $12,000–$24,000 total closing costs.

The Main Closing Costs

Land Title Registration Fees (Biggest Government Cost)

Alberta does not charge a land transfer tax.

Instead, buyers pay regulated Land Titles Office registration fees based on purchase price and mortgage amount.

These fees are paid at closing through your real estate lawyer.

Typical combined registration costs:

• Property transfer registration

• Mortgage registration

Usually total $300 – $800 depending on price and loan size.

This is one reason Calgary closing costs are significantly lower than cities like Toronto or Vancouver.

Real Estate Lawyer Fees & Disbursements

A real estate lawyer completes the legal transfer of ownership.

Typical Calgary costs:

Legal fee: $900 – $1,800
Disbursements: $300 – $600

They handle:

• Title search

• Mortgage registration

• Funds transfer

• Property registration

Title Insurance

Protects against title defects or fraud.

Typical cost:

$250 – $400

Often required by lenders.

Property Tax & Utility Adjustments

You reimburse the seller for prepaid expenses such as:

• Property taxes

• Condo fees

• Utilities

Amounts vary based on possession date.

Mortgage-Related Costs

Appraisal Fee
$300 – $500 (if required by lender)

Mortgage Default Insurance (CMHC)
Required if down payment is under 20%.

Added to mortgage balance (GST portion may be due at closing).

Home Insurance (Required Before Possession)

Proof of insurance must be provided before mortgage funding.

Interest Adjustment

You may pay interest covering the time between closing day and your first mortgage payment.

Costs Some Buyers Forget

Common surprises include:

• Moving expenses

• Immediate repairs

• Condo document fees

• New locks or security updates

Experts often suggest saving an additional buffer of $2,000–$3,000 for unexpected costs.

Simple Rule of Thumb

Budget about $15,000 per $600,000 purchase price in Calgary.