Closing Costs In Ontario
Sale | Purchase | Refinance | Title Transfer
Closing Costs When Buying a House in Ontario
A guideline on Average Closing Costs in Ontario ranges between 1.5% to 4% of the Purchase Price, for instance, the closing cost for a property purchase price at $500,000/- would vary between $7,500/- to $20,000/-.
Closing costs generally referred to as Land Transfer Tax, Real Estate Lawyer Fees, Expenses, and Costs that would need to be paid at the time of home purchase and on top of down payment.
Closing costs when buying a house or a Condo varies from City to City and Province to Canada.
It is crucially important to budget for closing costs when buying a property because it is an additional expense on top of moving expenses.
Minimum Closing Costs when buying a home includes:
- Land Transfer Tax for Province of Ontario
- Municipal Land Transfer Tax (Applicable only if Property located in Toronto)
- Real Estate Lawyer Fees, plus lawyer’s disbursements
- Title Insurance
- Fire Insurance
- Registration of Transfer $78 & Mortgage $78
- Stewart Assyst Charge $28.30 (Applicable only if mortgage instructions are sent electronically to the lawyer)
Example of Closing Costs Breakdown
Closing Cost when buying a House in Ontario valued at $500,000/– located OUT of the City of Toronto & the purchaser is NOT a first time home buyer.
- Land Transfer Tax $6,475
- Legal Fees $999 (Shaikh Law Real Estate Lawyer Fees)
- Title Insurance (Estimated) $500
- Registration of Transfer $78
- Registration of Mortgage $78
- Stewart Assyst $28.309
- HST (Tax) $117
Total Closing Cost $8,275.30
Land Transfer Tax Calculator
Minimum Down Payment
A down payment is a buyer contribution towards the total purchase price. A mortgage usually covers the remaining balance of the purchase prices.
You need 5% down payment in Canada if your home purchase price is $500,00 or less. If the purchase price is between $500,000 to $999,999 then 5% for value upto $500,000 and 10% for value between $500,000 to $999,999.
Similarly, if the purchase price is $1,000,000 (Million) and above, then a minimum 20% downpayment is required.
NOTE: Poor Credit Score or Self-Employment could affect the basic criteria for a downpayment.
| Purchase price of your home | Minimum amount of down payment |
|---|---|
| $500,000 or less | 5% of the purchase price |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 5% of the first $500,000 of the purchase price 10% for the portion of the purchase price above $500,000 |
| $1 million or more | 20% of the purchase price |
Optional Closing Costs When Buying a Property
Home Inspection Fees: $500 to $800 Optional costs but strongly recommended to have it done. Usually, it is as a condition to the Offer to purchase.
Appraisal Fees: $300 to $500 some lenders would prefer to appraise the home before granting the loan. (optional).
Condo Certificate/ Estoppel Certificate: $100 to $200. If you are buying a Condo, your lawyer needs to review the condo or strata certificate to confirm that the condo is free from any claims, liens or charges.
CMHC Fees or Default Insurance Cost: If you down payment is less then 20%, you will pay for default insurance.
| Loan up to 85% | 1.80% Fees |
| Loan up to 90% | 2.40% Fees |
| Loan up to 95% | 3.60% Fees |
| Loan 90.01 to 95% Non-Traditional | 3.85% Fees Non – Traditional: 5% down for less than $500,000 and 10% down for more than $500,000. Credit Score: 650 Recommended Debit to service ratio: between 42 to 44% Only one mortgage. |
Closing Costs in Ontario when Selling a Property
Closing costs when selling a house in Ontario are mostly limited to three items
1.Realtor commission,
2.Real Estate Lawyers Fees,
3. Mortgage payout charges.
The highest cost for the sale of a property is the realtor’s commission. One must keep in mind that 3% is usually charged if your realtor brings a client; if another realtor is involved for the purchaser, the commission may go up to 5% of the property value.
The Lawyer is Fees and disbursements are not as high as realtor’s commission but do add up to the total amount.
At Shaikh Law, a Real Estate Lawyer would charge his fees plus disbursements in a total of $810+ Tax, including one payout of your mortgage.
If your mortgage is not ready for renewal, you may end up paying for breaking the term of the mortgage. Depending on the Financial institutions and terms of your mortgage, you may end up paying a minimum of 3 months of interest or a maximum of a few thousand.
It would be best if you reach out to your financial institution to inquire what charges would apply if you were to break your mortgage prior to completion of the term of your mortgage.
Real Estate Agent’s Commission 3% + Tax
Real Estate Lawyers Fees inclusive of Disbursements $810 + Tax
Mortgage Prepayment Charges (Estimate) 3 months interest
Closing Cost for Refinance
The Closing Cost to Refinance a property includes the cost of
1. Mortgage broker’s Commission if going through B-lender
2. Real Estate Lawyer’s Fees
3. Payouts such as an existing mortgage, Credit Cards, Line of Credit.
4. Title Insurance.
5. Law Society Levy.
6. Registration of Refinance Charge
Closing costs calculator for refinance
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