The purchase price is only part of the story. Here’s what to budget for when you buy in Edmonton — including two things that make Alberta cheaper to buy in than most of Canada.
Your down payment
In Canada the minimum down payment is 5% on the first portion of the price, with more required as the price climbs, and 20% down lets you avoid default (CMHC-style) mortgage insurance. The exact thresholds shift with policy, so we’ll pin down your number before you shop.
No land transfer tax in Alberta
This is a real Alberta advantage: unlike Ontario or BC, Alberta charges no provincial land transfer tax. You pay only small land-title registration fees on the property and the mortgage — often a few hundred dollars rather than thousands. It’s one of the reasons buying here costs less than in a lot of the country.
GST — new construction only
A brand-new or substantially renovated home is subject to 5% GST; a resale home generally isn’t. Rebates can apply, and the rules for first-time buyers have been changing — so if you’re buying new, this is worth a quick conversation to get right.
The other closing costs
Budget for a lawyer (legal fees + title insurance + disbursements), a home inspection, an appraisal if your lender requires one, a property-tax adjustment to the seller, and your moving and immediate move-in costs. Individually small; together they add up, so plan for them.
| Budget for | Notes |
|---|---|
| Down payment | From 5%; 20% avoids default insurance (confirm your tier with us) |
| Deposit | Paid with your offer, then applied to your down payment |
| Land transfer tax | None in Alberta — only nominal land-title registration fees |
| GST | 5% on new construction (rebates may apply); resale generally exempt |
| Legal / title insurance | Lawyer fees + disbursements |
| Home inspection | Recommended — even on new builds |
| Appraisal | If your lender requires one |
| Property-tax adjustment | Reimburse the seller for prepaid taxes |
| Default insurance | If your down payment is under 20% |
| Moving & move-in | Movers, utilities hook-ups, immediate needs |
Note for launch: Confirm current down-payment tiers, GST-rebate thresholds and any figures before publishing.
Frequently asked
Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?
No. Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax — only small land-title registration fees. That’s a meaningful saving versus provinces like Ontario or BC.
Do I pay GST when I buy a house in Edmonton?
On new construction, yes — 5% GST applies (rebates may apply). On a resale home, GST generally does not apply.
What are typical closing costs in Edmonton?
Plan for your lawyer, title insurance, inspection, possible appraisal, a property-tax adjustment, and moving costs — plus default insurance if you put down less than 20%. We’ll walk you through your specific numbers.