By Rafael “Rene” Asprer, REALTOR®. Updated October 20, 2026.The short version
- Alberta has no land transfer tax. Instead you pay Land Titles fees to register the transfer and your mortgage.
- Land Titles fees are $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of value: $550 to register a $500,000 home, $450 for a $400,000 mortgage.
- The biggest items are usually your lawyer, the home inspection and tax adjustments.
- Budget roughly 1.5% to 4% of the price for closing costs, in cash, on top of the down payment.
Closing costs are the fees and adjustments you pay to complete the purchase, on top of your down payment. In Alberta they’re lower than in most provinces, because there’s no land transfer tax.
What you’ll pay
| Cost | Typical amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate lawyer (fees and disbursements) | about $1,000 to $2,000 | On closing |
| Home inspection | about $350 to $600 | During your conditions |
| Appraisal, if the lender asks for one | about $300 to $500 | Before final approval |
| Title insurance, if used | about $300 | On closing |
| Land Titles: registering the transfer | $50 + $5 per $5,000 of value | On closing, through your lawyer |
| Land Titles: registering the mortgage | $50 + $5 per $5,000 of the mortgage | On closing, through your lawyer |
| Property tax and utility adjustments | depends on what the seller prepaid | On closing |
| Home insurance | depends on the home | Proof needed before closing |
| Moving costs | depends | Around possession day |
The typical ranges come from ATB Financial; your lawyer and inspector will quote their own fees.
Land Titles fees, worked out
Alberta charges a registration fee instead of a land transfer tax. The current fee is $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of value.
- Registering the transfer of a $500,000 home: $50 + (100 × $5) = $550.
- Registering a $400,000 mortgage: $50 + (80 × $5) = $450.
Your lawyer collects these and registers the documents for you.
Property tax adjustments
Property tax in Calgary is billed for the whole year. If the seller has already paid it, you repay the seller for the days after possession; if not, the seller credits you for their share. For a sense of scale, Calgary’s 2026 residential tax rate is about 0.665% of assessed value, so a home assessed at $500,000 pays about $3,325 a year. Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks set their own rates.
Costs that depend on the home
- Condos: a review of the condo documents (bylaws, financial statements, reserve fund study, meeting minutes). Ask Rene to make this a condition of your offer.
- New builds: GST, which may or may not be included in the builder’s price, and possibly a first-time buyer GST rebate.
- The survey: in Alberta the seller usually provides a Real Property Report showing where the house and improvements sit on the lot. If one isn’t available, your lawyer may suggest title insurance.
What isn’t a cash closing cost
If you put less than 20% down, the mortgage insurance premium is usually added to your mortgage rather than paid in cash. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so there’s no tax on the premium either.
Next step
Add your closing costs to your down payment and see where you stand in the mortgage calculator. If you’d like the numbers for a specific home, Rene can go through them with you.
Sources
- Government of Alberta: Land Titles fee schedule. Transfer of land and mortgage registration fees
- ATB Financial: the true cost of buying a home in Alberta. Typical legal, inspection, appraisal and title insurance costs (2023)
- City of Calgary 2026 property tax bylaw (Bylaw 9M2026). 2026 residential tax rate
Checked October 20, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details for your situation with a mortgage specialist or lawyer.