Canadian real estate calculators

Canadian real estate transactions involve three regulatory layers. The federal layer covers the federally legislated semi-annual mortgage compounding convention (Interest Act of Canada), the OSFI Guideline B-20 stress test for federally regulated mortgage underwriting, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation premium tier and rule set for high-ratio (less than 20% down) insured mortgages. December 2024 amendments raised the maximum insurable home price from $1.0M to $1.5M and extended the maximum insured amortization for first-time buyers and buyers of newly built homes from 25 to 30 years.

The provincial layer is land transfer tax, levied at closing on the buyer in most jurisdictions. British Columbia calls the tax Property Transfer Tax (PTT) and applies a four-tier marginal schedule plus a 20% Foreign Buyer Tax in regulated regions, with first-time-buyer and newly built home exemptions. Ontario's Land Transfer Tax uses a five-tier marginal schedule, and Toronto layers an additional Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) on top — including new luxury tiers effective April 2026 and a 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax on non-resident buyers in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Alberta levies no provincial land transfer tax; Alberta closings instead pay Land Titles Office registration fees on the title and the mortgage, both calculated as a flat fee plus a per-thousand component on the value or principal amount.

The municipal layer is property tax, levied annually based on assessed value and the local mill rate. Property-tax rules vary by municipality even within the same province; the property-tax calculator on this site (when shipped) covers the major Canadian markets where both the assessment authority and the rate-setting council publish data in machine-readable form.

Rent-vs-buy math requires combining all three layers — closing costs (LTT, legal, CMHC premium where applicable), recurring costs (mortgage interest, property tax, insurance, condo fees, maintenance), and the opportunity cost of the down payment versus an investment alternative. The rent-vs-buy calculator surfaces every component as a separate line so the comparison is auditable.