No land transfer tax in Alberta — Calgary buyers save thousands. Here's every other closing cost you'll face.
Even without LTT, Calgary closing costs still add up. Legal fees, title insurance, CMHC insurance (if under 20% down), home inspection, and property tax adjustments typically total $5,000–$9,000 for a typical Calgary purchase.
Alberta charges a land title transfer fee (not a land transfer tax) based on the property value. The fee is calculated using a tiered formula, roughly: $0 on first $5,000, then escalating fractions — total fees typically come to approximately $400–$900 for properties in the $300,000–$600,000 range. Your lawyer will calculate the exact amount.
The mortgage registration fee is similarly structured — approximately $300–$600 depending on mortgage amount. Both fees are substantially less than 0.2% of the purchase price — a fraction of what Ontario or BC buyers pay.
If your down payment is under 20%, CMHC mortgage default insurance applies across Canada including Alberta. It's not a closing cost you pay upfront — it's added to your mortgage balance. But it's a real cost:
| Down Payment | CMHC Premium | On $450K Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | 4.00% of mortgage | ~$17,100 |
| 10% | 3.10% of mortgage | ~$12,488 |
| 15% | 2.80% of mortgage | ~$10,710 |
| 20%+ | None | $0 |
New residential construction in Alberta, like everywhere in Canada, is subject to 5% federal GST. On a $450,000 new build, that's $22,500. The New Housing GST Rebate applies for homes under $450,000 (36% of GST paid, maximum $6,300), and phases out for homes between $350,000 and $450,000. At exactly $450,000 in fair market value, you get the full $6,300 rebate.
| City | $450K Home | LTT Portion | Total Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | $450,000 | $0 | $6,500–$9,000 |
| Toronto | $450,000 | $12,600 | $18,000–$21,000 |
| Vancouver | $450,000 | $7,000 | $13,000–$16,000 |
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