Buyer Cash to Close Calculator

Is this the same as my mortgage down payment?

No. Your down payment is a separate, larger amount that goes toward the purchase price itself. This calculator shows the cash you need in addition to that down payment, the closing costs that can't be rolled into your mortgage.

Why is the legal/notary fee a flat estimate and not an exact number?

Every lawyer and notary sets their own fees, and the final bill depends on the complexity of your specific transaction. What's shown here is a reasonable planning estimate for a standard North Shore resale purchase, get an exact quote from your own lawyer or notary once you're under contract.

What are "adjustments," and why are they hard to predict exactly?

Adjustments reimburse the seller for anything they've already prepaid that benefits you after closing, most commonly property taxes and, for strata properties, monthly strata fees. The exact amount depends on your specific completion date and what the seller has already paid, so your lawyer calculates the precise figure once a completion date is set.

Does this include my mortgage default insurance (CMHC) premium?

No. If your down payment is under 20%, your lender will require mortgage default insurance, but that premium is typically added to your mortgage balance rather than paid in cash at closing, so it doesn't affect the cash-to-close number this tool calculates.

I'm buying a presale or new construction. Does this still apply?

The property transfer tax math still applies the same way, and the newly built home exemption is built into this calculator. Presales add their own deposit structure on top of this, paid in stages well before completion, so for a presale, treat this tool's result as your completion-day cash requirement specifically, not your total cash outlay across the whole purchase.

Why does checking "newly built home" add GST, and how does the rebate work?

New construction in BC is subject to 5% federal GST, which resale homes don't carry. As of a federal rebate that took effect in 2026, qualifying first-time buyers can recover the entire GST amount, up to $50,000, on homes priced at $1,000,000 or less, with the rebate phasing out between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000. If you check both "newly built" and "first-time buyer," this calculator applies that rebate automatically. If you check "newly built" alone, the full 5% GST is shown with no rebate, since that rebate is specific to first-time buyers.

Do I really need cash for GST, or can it be added to my mortgage?

It depends on how your builder structured the purchase price, not on your lender's flexibility after the fact. If the contract price already has GST baked in (common with many presale and builder contracts), it's effectively financed as part of your mortgage, no separate cash is needed for it. If your contract shows a price plus GST as a separate line, that GST is generally due in cash at closing and typically can't be rolled into the mortgage afterward. Check your specific purchase agreement, then use the "GST included in mortgage" toggle above to see your real cash number either way.