Mortgages in Alberta

Mortgages in Alberta are governed by the same federal rules that apply across Canada — the mortgage stress test, maximum amortization periods, minimum down payments, and mortgage default insurance requirements set by OSFI, the Department of Finance, and CMHC. The province adds its own layer: land transfer tax and any first-time buyer rebate, the licensing and conduct rules for mortgage brokers, and provincial consumer protection law.

Federal rules that apply in Alberta

Every federally regulated lender in Alberta applies the mortgage stress test: you must qualify at the higher of your contract rate plus two percentage points, or the published qualifying-rate floor. Insured mortgages (those with a down payment under 20%) are limited to a 25-year amortization, while uninsured mortgages may extend to 30 years. Minimum down payment is tiered: 5% on the first $500,000 of purchase price, 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1,500,000, and 20% at or above $1,500,000.

Alberta land transfer tax and rebates

Alberta has no land transfer tax. A land titles registration fee (levy) applies to a transfer of land, based on the property value. First-time buyer treatment: Not applicable (no land transfer tax) No municipal land transfer tax.

Use our land transfer tax calculator to estimate the provincial tax and any first-time buyer rebate, and read the full guide to land transfer tax in Canada.

What to check before you apply in Alberta

1. Get a mortgage pre-approval so you know your budget before you shop.
2. Check what the stress test does to your maximum purchase price.
3. Budget the one-time costs — see closing costs and land transfer tax.
4. If it is your first home, review the first-time buyer programs, including the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan and the FHSA.

Cities we cover in Alberta