The Fairmont Empress and the Inner Harbour seen from the southwest

Moving to Victoria

Closing costs in BC: what you pay besides the down payment

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says to expect closing costs of 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price, which is $12,000 to $32,000 on an $800,000 home. Of that, BC property transfer tax ($14,000 on $800,000 before exemptions), Land Title registration fees ($83.82 for the transfer and $83.82 for a mortgage) and GST on a new home (5%) can be worked out exactly. Legal fees, inspection, title insurance and adjustments need quotes. Rates checked 19 October 2026.

Last updated October 19, 2026 · Prices and schedules checked October 19, 2026

BC closing cost calculator

Only the property transfer tax, Land Title fees and GST are worked out from official rates. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says to be prepared to spend 1.5% to 4% of the price on closing costs in all, and gives no dollar amounts for the rest, so those lines are yours to fill in from quotes. Rates checked October 19, 2026. Sources.

What is in the calculator

Cost	How it is found
Property transfer tax	BC Government rates, with the first-time buyer and new-build exemptions
Land Title registration	LTSA fee listing: one fee for the transfer, one for a mortgage
GST on a new home	5%, before any rebate
Legal, inspection, title insurance, appraisal, adjustments	Your own quotes: no official source gives amounts

The total is compared with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s 1.5% to 4% range so you can see whether your own lines are plausible.

Costs that are not closing costs

The down payment, mortgage insurance premiums and moving costs are separate. First-time home buyer in BC covers the minimum down payment and CMHC premiums. Property tax and strata fees continue after you move in.

Check with a professional

A lawyer or notary will give you the final statement of adjustments before closing. Use this page to plan, not to replace that statement. For the tax alone, see the property transfer tax calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs in BC?

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says to be prepared to spend between 1.5% and 4% of the purchase price on closing costs. It lists home inspection fees, legal fees, property tax adjustments and title insurance as examples and gives no dollar amounts, so this page shows only the costs that official rates set exactly.

Do first-time buyers still pay property transfer tax?

Often less. The BC first time home buyers’ exemption removes up to $8,000 of the tax on homes up to $835,000, and newly built homes up to $1,100,000 are exempt. Both phase out above those prices. The calculator applies them.

What are the Land Title fees?

The Land Title and Survey Authority’s fee listing as at 1 April 2026 shows $83.82 for registering a transfer of title and $83.82 for registering a mortgage. It says registration fees are exempt from GST and PST.

Is GST charged when I buy a house?

GST of 5% applies to a new home in BC but not to most resale homes. First-time buyers of new homes up to $1 million can get a rebate of up to 100% of the GST, to a maximum of $50,000, phasing out to nothing at $1.5 million, according to the CRA. The calculator shows GST before any rebate.

What is not in the calculator?

Legal fees, inspection, title insurance, appraisal and property tax or strata adjustments vary by property and provider, and no official source gives amounts for them. The calculator leaves those lines for your own quotes and compares the total with the official 1.5% to 4% range.

Sources

This is an independent planning site, not the operator or a government body. Prices checked on October 19, 2026; confirm with the operator before you book.