Alberta has no land transfer tax, so a first-time buyer there faces much smaller closing costs than in Ontario or BC, and the province adds no first-time buyer rebate because there is little tax to rebate. This page covers what is specific to Alberta. The national programs (the FHSA, the Home Buyers’ Plan and the federal tax credit) are the same in every province and are covered in the first-time home buyer guide.
Land titles fees instead of a land transfer tax
Alberta charges registration fees at the Land Titles Office on the transfer of the home and on the mortgage, rather than a percentage land transfer tax. The fees are small next to other provinces’ taxes; the Alberta land transfer tax calculator works them out for any price and mortgage amount.
How buying works in Alberta
- Real Property Report: Alberta sellers usually provide a Real Property Report, a surveyor’s drawing showing the buildings against the property lines, with the municipality’s compliance stamp. Your lawyer checks it before closing; see property surveys.
- Condos: review the condo corporation’s documents (reserve fund study, financial statements, minutes and bylaws) before your conditions expire. The condo buying guide explains what to look for.
- New homes: new homes in Alberta must carry warranty coverage; see buying pre-construction for deposits and warranties, and the GST/HST new housing rebate guide for the federal first-time buyer rebate on new homes.
- Closing: a lawyer handles the transfer and the mortgage; see what a real estate lawyer does.
Other closing costs
Legal fees, title insurance and property tax adjustments make up most of the rest of the closing bill; the Alberta closing cost calculator totals them.
Where to look in Alberta
- Prices: the Alberta housing market report, with city reports for Calgary and Edmonton.
- City buying guides: buying a home in Calgary, buying a home in Edmonton and the best Calgary neighbourhoods.
- If you rent now: Alberta’s rules on rent increases, rent vs buy in Calgary and rent vs buy in Edmonton.
Down payment and mortgage
The minimum down payment and the mortgage stress test are federal rules and the same in every province: see the down payment calculator and Alberta mortgage rates. The Home Buyers’ Plan, the FHSA and the first-time home buyers’ tax credit can all go toward a purchase in Alberta.