Closing Costs Calculator
This closing costs calculator estimates the one-time costs of buying a home in Canada — land transfer tax, first-time buyer rebates, legal fees, title insurance, inspection, and appraisal. Enter your purchase price and province to see what to budget on top of your down payment.
- Ontario land transfer tax
- $11,475
- Legal fees (estimate)
- $1,500
- Title insurance
- $350
- Home inspection
- $500
- Appraisal
- $400
- Adjustments & disbursements
- $500
- Estimated closing costs
- $14,725
Estimates only — legal fees, inspections, and adjustments vary by transaction, and new builds may add GST/HST and development levies. Confirm exact figures with your lawyer before closing.
What’s included in closing costs
Most buyers should budget 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price for closing costs. The single biggest line is usually land transfer tax, which varies enormously by province: Ontario charges 0.5–2.5% on a sliding scale (doubled inside the City of Toronto), BC charges 1–3%, and Alberta charges no land transfer tax at all — just small registration fees.
The rest is comparatively predictable: legal fees ($1,200–$2,000), title insurance (~$350), a home inspection ($400–$600), an appraisal if your lender requires one, and closing adjustments for property taxes or utilities the seller prepaid. If your down payment is under 20%, mortgage default insurance is added to your loan — but the provincial sales tax on that premium (in Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) is due in cash at closing.
Frequently asked questions
What are closing costs when buying a house in Canada?
Closing costs are the one-time expenses due when your purchase completes, on top of your down payment. They typically include land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection, an appraisal, and adjustments for prepaid utilities or property taxes. Budget roughly 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price.
How do I estimate closing costs in Ontario?
The biggest item is Ontario's land transfer tax, charged on a sliding scale from 0.5% to 2.5%. Buying in the City of Toronto adds a matching municipal land transfer tax. Add roughly $1,200–$2,000 for legal fees, $300–$400 for title insurance, and $400–$600 each for an inspection and appraisal. First-time buyers get up to $4,000 back provincially and up to $4,475 in Toronto.
How much are closing costs in BC?
BC's property transfer tax is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% up to $2 million, and 3% above that (plus a further 2% on any residential portion over $3 million). First-time buyers can qualify for an exemption on homes up to $835,000. Legal fees, title insurance, and inspections add roughly $2,500–$3,500.
Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?
No — Alberta is one of the few provinces without a land transfer tax. Buyers instead pay modest land title and mortgage registration fees, usually a few hundred to around a thousand dollars combined, which makes closing in Alberta significantly cheaper.
Buying soon? Work with an agent who’s done this before
A good buyer’s agent flags these costs before you offer, not after. See how to choose a buyer’s agent or get matched with one. Selling at the same time? Estimate your agent fees with the real estate commission calculator.