Saskatchewan has no land transfer tax, making it one of the more affordable provinces for closing costs. However, the province charges land title registration fees based on a percentage of the property and mortgage values, plus PST on CMHC premiums.
Saskatchewan land title fees
Transfer fee
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Land title transfer fee | 0.40% of property value (ISC fee schedule) |
Mortgage registration fee
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Mortgage registration fee | Flat $160, regardless of mortgage amount |
Fee examples
| Purchase Price | Down Payment | Transfer Fee | Mortgage Reg Fee | Total Title Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | 5% ($15K) | $1,200 | $160 | $1,360 |
| $400,000 | 10% ($40K) | $1,600 | $160 | $1,760 |
| $500,000 | 20% ($100K) | $2,000 | $160 | $2,160 |
| $600,000 | 20% ($120K) | $2,400 | $160 | $2,560 |
Complete Saskatchewan closing cost estimate
Scenario 1: $400,000 home in Saskatoon (first-time buyer, 5% down)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Land title transfer fee (0.40%) | $1,600 |
| Mortgage registration fee (flat) | $160 |
| Legal fees | $1,800 |
| Title insurance | $350 |
| Home inspection | $500 |
| Property tax adjustment | $1,200 |
| PST on CMHC premium (6% × $15,200) | $912 |
| Home insurance | $1,500 |
| Moving costs | $1,800 |
| Total closing costs | $9,822 |
Scenario 2: $350,000 home in Regina (repeat buyer, 20% down)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Land title transfer fee (0.40%) | $1,400 |
| Mortgage registration fee (flat) | $160 |
| Legal fees | $1,600 |
| Title insurance | $300 |
| Home inspection | $450 |
| Property tax adjustment | $1,000 |
| Home insurance | $1,400 |
| Moving costs | $1,500 |
| Total closing costs | $7,810 |
Related pages
- Closing Cost Calculator — All Provinces
- What Are Closing Costs in Canada?
- CMHC Insurance Calculator
- How Much Do I Need for a Down Payment?
Saskatchewan closing costs vs other provinces
| Province | Closing costs on $400K home | Land transfer / title cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $5,000–$8,000 | ~$380 (registration fees) |
| Saskatchewan | $8,000–$11,000 | ~$1,760 (title fees) |
| Manitoba | $11,000–$14,000 | ~$5,650 (LTT) |
| Ontario | $12,000–$16,000 | ~$4,475 (LTT) |
| BC | $14,000–$20,000 | ~$6,000 (PTT) |
Saskatchewan is one of the more affordable provinces for transaction costs — no land transfer tax, and title fees significantly below provinces with full LTT.
PST on CMHC premiums: a key cash cost for Saskatchewan buyers
Saskatchewan is one of only three provinces (with Ontario and Quebec) that charges provincial sales tax on CMHC mortgage default insurance premiums. The 6% PST must be paid upfront at closing — it cannot be rolled into the mortgage.
| Home Price | Down Payment | CMHC Premium | 6% PST |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | 5% ($17,500) | $13,300 | $798 |
| $400,000 | 5% ($20,000) | $15,200 | $912 |
| $400,000 | 10% ($40,000) | $11,160 | $670 |
| $500,000 | 5% ($25,000) | $19,000 | $1,140 |
Budget for this cash cost separately — it catches many first-time buyers off guard.
First-time buyer programs in Saskatchewan
While there is no SK-specific LTT exemption, first-time buyers can reduce their total costs with:
| Program | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Federal First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit | Up to $1,400 federal tax refund |
| Saskatchewan First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit | Up to $1,575 provincial tax savings |
| FHSA (First Home Savings Account) | Tax-free savings for first home (up to $40,000) |
| Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) | Withdraw up to $60,000 from RRSP tax-free |
| CMHC shared equity (First-Time Home Buyer Incentive) | Program has ended; check for replacements |
Budgeting rule of thumb for Saskatchewan
| Purchase Price | Estimated Total Closing Costs | % of Purchase Price |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $7,000–$10,000 | 2.3%–3.3% |
| $400,000 | $8,000–$11,000 | 2.0%–2.8% |
| $500,000 | $9,500–$13,000 | 1.9%–2.6% |
| $600,000 | $11,000–$15,000 | 1.8%–2.5% |
A commonly cited rule is to budget 2%–3% of the purchase price for closing costs in Saskatchewan.