Alberta Mortgage FAQ

No. Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax. Buyers pay Alberta Land Titles registration fees instead. Under the fee schedule effective October 1, 2026, a transfer of land is $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 (or part of $5,000) of the property's value. A mortgage is $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 (or part) of the mortgage amount. Check the current Government of Alberta fee schedule before you budget.

The stress test is federal, so it works the same in Alberta as in the rest of Canada. Federally regulated lenders qualify you at the higher of your contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%, which OSFI calls the minimum qualifying rate. Insured mortgages use the same formula under federal mortgage insurance rules. Some provincially regulated lenders, such as many credit unions, set their own rules. More on the stress test.

Nearly all of it. The conversation, application, document upload and lender comparison can all happen online or by phone. Your final mortgage documents are usually signed with an Alberta lawyer or notary, who also registers the mortgage at Land Titles. See the full process.

For many residential mortgages, the lender pays the brokerage when the mortgage funds. Some files, such as certain private, alternative or commercial mortgages, may carry a fee. In Alberta, any fee and the way the brokerage is paid must be disclosed to you before you commit.

Use the public licence search (ProCheck) on RECA's website. John Antle is licensed as a mortgage associate with Pineapple National Inc.

For a home under $1.5 million, it's 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of any amount above $500,000. Homes priced at $1.5 million or more need at least 20% down. Anything under 20% down needs mortgage default insurance. Lenders can ask for more, for example from some self-employed borrowers. First-time buyer details.

Often not. Since November 21, 2024, OSFI no longer expects federally regulated lenders to stress test an uninsured "straight switch" at renewal, as long as the loan amount and amortization don't increase. Insured mortgages that switch at renewal are generally not re-qualified either. If you borrow more or extend your amortization, you'll be qualified again. Renewal options.

With a refinance, federally regulated lenders generally lend up to 80% of the home's value, minus what you already owe. The revolving part of a HELOC is limited to 65% of the home's value. A combined mortgage plus HELOC can go up to 80%. You must also qualify on income and credit. HELOC · Refinance.

Many self-employed Albertans do. Lenders usually look at two years of personal tax returns and Notices of Assessment. Some programs consider other evidence of income, often with a larger down payment. Self-employed mortgages.

Yes. John works with clients across Alberta online and by phone, including Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Airdrie, Olds and rural areas. Communities served.

No. Nobody can honestly guarantee that. Lenders make credit decisions, and rates depend on the market and on your file. John's role is to compare options, prepare an accurate application and explain where you stand.