Short answer: Alberta has no land transfer tax, so closing costs are lower than in most provinces. You'll pay Land Titles registration fees ($50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the price, and the same on your mortgage), legal fees, title insurance and your share of property tax and utilities. On a $500,000 home with 5% down, the registration fees are $1,075 if the mortgage registered is $475,000. If a $19,000 insurance premium is financed and $494,000 is registered, they total about $1,095. Most buyers should budget a few thousand dollars on top of the down payment.
By Jay Lewis, REALTOR® | RE/MAX Excellence · Updated October 29, 2026
Free download: my New-Construction Buyer Checklist. Two printable pages, from your first show home visit to your one-year warranty, including what to budget for on possession day.
I've worked in new construction for more than 25 years, on the trades side and the sales side. The buyers who get stressed on possession day are usually the ones nobody told about closing costs. Here's what to expect in Alberta, line by line.
Is there a land transfer tax in Alberta?
No. Alberta doesn't charge a land transfer tax. Instead, the Land Titles Office charges two registration fees: one to put the home in your name and one to register your mortgage. They're much smaller than land transfer tax in Ontario or B.C.
How much are land title fees in Alberta?
Transfer of land: $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the property's value
Mortgage registration: $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the mortgage amount
On a $500,000 home with 5% down ($475,000 mortgage), that's about $550 for the transfer and $525 for the mortgage, roughly $1,075 together. The current Alberta fee schedule, effective October 1, 2026, lists these rates. Fees use each $5,000 or part thereof. Your lawyer should confirm the amount actually registered, which may include financed insurance or a higher collateral charge. Your lawyer pays them at closing and adds them to your statement.
What other closing costs should I budget for?
Legal fees: you need a real estate lawyer to close. Fees plus disbursements often land in the $1,500 to $2,500 range. Get a written quote.
Title insurance: most lenders require it. It's often a few hundred dollars.
Property tax adjustment: you pay back the seller (or builder) for any property tax they've already paid for the days you'll own the home. This changes a lot depending on the time of year.
Utilities and condo fees: similar adjustments for prepaid utilities or condo fees.
Home insurance: your lender needs proof of coverage before closing.
Home inspection: on a resale home, usually paid before your condition date.
Appraisal: some lenders charge for one, some don't.
Moving costs: trucks, movers, utility hookups and a few things you didn't know you'd need.Registration fees follow the provincial schedule. Legal fees, insurance, adjustments and service costs vary by transaction; ask your lawyer and lender for written figures and check which disbursements are already included to avoid counting them twice.
Do you pay mortgage insurance at closing?
Usually not in cash. If your down payment is under 20%, the premium is added to your mortgage. Alberta doesn't charge sales tax on it, so there's no extra amount due at closing like there is in Ontario. I cover the rates in How Much Is Mortgage Insurance in Alberta?
What's different about closing costs on a new build?
GST: new homes have 5% GST. Ask whether the price includes it and who gets the rebate. First-time buyers may get a much larger rebate. See GST rebate on new homes in Alberta.
Items not in the base price: landscaping, fencing, a deck, window coverings and appliances can add up. See What Is Included in a Builder Base Price in Edmonton?
Deposits: builders often take staged deposits before possession. That's part of your down payment, not an extra cost, but you need the cash on schedule. See How Do Builder Deposits Work in Alberta?
How much cash do I need on closing day?The unpaid balance of your down payment, plus closing costs and adjustments, less any deposits already credited to the purchase. A rough planning number for a $500,000 home in the Edmonton area is your down payment plus about $3,000 to $5,000, before adjustments and moving. Your lawyer will send a statement of adjustments a few days before closing with the exact amount.
Get my free New-Construction Buyer Checklist
Two printable pages covering every stage from your first show home visit to your one-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Are closing costs included in my mortgage?
No. Lenders expect you to pay closing costs from your own money. Many want to see you have about 1.5% of the price set aside for them.
Who pays the land transfer fee in Alberta, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer pays the transfer of land fee and the mortgage registration fee.
Can a builder pay my closing costs?
Sometimes, as a promotion. Get it in the contract in writing, with a dollar amount.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a house in Alberta?
Yes. A real estate lawyer handles the money, registers the title and mortgage, and checks the title before you close.
Getting ready to buy?
Text me first at 780-220-8449, or book a 20-minute call. I'll help you build a full budget, including closing costs, before you start looking. I work with buyers in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain. I'm not a lawyer, and I'll tell you when you need one. I also list homes for some builders. If you're interested in one of those, I'll tell you up front and explain how representation works.
Jay Lewis | REALTOR® | RE/MAX Excellence
Sources:Government of Alberta: registering land title documents · Alberta Land Titles fee schedule · CMHC: mortgage loan insurance cost
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This article is general information, not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Fees and costs are estimates that change often with market conditions and world events. Confirm the details with your lawyer and lender before you buy.
