Separate the deposit from the down payment

The offer deposit is usually delivered on the contract schedule and later credited toward the purchase. It is not extra money, but it must be accessible before closing and cannot be counted twice. Track the deposit source, delivery method, trustee, receipt, remaining down payment, and funds still required by the lawyer.

Confirm the lender's down-payment evidence rules and keep a clear source-of-funds trail. A gift, investment withdrawal, sale proceeds, borrowed funds, or money moving between accounts can require documents and lead time.

Build the lawyer and registration allowance

Ask the selected Alberta real estate lawyer for a property-specific quote and what it includes. Legal fees, disbursements, title searches, registrations, lender work, courier or platform charges, title insurance where used, and unusual title, RPR, condominium, mortgage, remote-signing, or rush work can change the total.

The calculator is an allowance, not the lawyer's statement. Keep room for a more complex file rather than entering the lowest advertised fee.

Expect tax, fee, and utility adjustments

The statement of adjustments can reimburse the seller or credit the buyer for prepaid or unpaid property tax, condominium fees, rents, deposits, utilities, or other contract items according to the closing date and agreement. These are timing allocations, not necessarily new transaction fees.

Use current property tax, condominium, lease, and possession information. A long closing or year-end possession can produce a different adjustment than a nearby example.

Result

Complete the worksheet to see your results.

The output will show score, estimated amount, risks, or suggested path depending on the tool.

Run the calculator as a cash calendar

Enter when each amount is needed, not only the total. Inspection, appraisal, condominium review, legal retainer, insurance, deposit, movers, and contractor deposits can fall on different dates. The household may be able to afford the total while still lacking liquidity at one critical deadline.

Protect due diligence and immediate-work money

Budget for inspection and property-specific specialists such as sewer, electrical, plumbing, roofing, engineering, environmental, condominium-document, or survey review when the evidence justifies them. Add insurance setup, locks, cleaning, utility deposits, moving, storage, condo move fees, window coverings, essential appliances, and immediate safety or water-control work.

Do not solve a closing shortfall by erasing the post-possession reserve. The first repair rarely waits for the household to rebuild cash.

Refresh the estimate before condition removal and closing

Replace estimates with the accepted price, lender instructions, actual legal quote, current tax and fee data, insurance, inspection scope, possession date, and known repairs. Refresh again when the lawyer provides the final cash requirement. Independently verify payment instructions before transferring funds.

Continue with evidence

Guides and tools for the next decision

Payment toolAffordability and payment estimatorKeep the monthly payment and closing cash in one household decision.Cash guideFirst-time buyer money stackCoordinate deposit, down payment, closing cash, immediate work, and reserve.Legal closingCalgary buyer lawyer and closing guideUnderstand title, signing, funds, adjustments, and legal possession.Property fitProperty-type fit finderCompare property forms that create different fees and diligence costs.Condition toolCondition-removal decision boardDo not sacrifice required cash or evidence to reach waiver.WorksheetBuyer readiness worksheetCarry the money, evidence, timeline, and reserve assumptions offline.

Replace estimates with evidence

Official starting points for this tool

Use the authority responsible for the question, record its date and scope, and verify the current property, agreement, financing, insurance, document, or deadline with the appropriate qualified professional.

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada mortgage guidanceFederal information about qualification, pre-approval, borrowing costs, and mortgage questions.Government of Alberta home-purchase guidanceOfficial starting point for contracts, title, inspections, condominiums, and new homes.Government of Alberta Land Titles overviewOfficial overview of land ownership records, registrations, and Alberta title services.Real Estate Council of Alberta consumer guidanceAlberta guidance about representation, agreements, offers, transactions, and consumer protection.

Source pathways reviewed July 29, 2026. Tool outputs use user-entered assumptions and provide general education only.

Questions to resolve before relying on the result

How much should I budget for Calgary closing costs?

Build the property-specific buckets instead of using one percentage: legal and registration, adjustments, due diligence, insurance, moving, immediate work, and reserve.

Is the deposit part of the down payment?

It is generally credited toward the purchase, but it is delivered earlier and must remain separately available on the contract schedule.

When will I know the exact cash required?

The lawyer provides the final requirement after receiving lender instructions and preparing adjustments. Keep contingency until that statement arrives.

Should I use every dollar for the down payment?

Not if doing so removes money needed for closing, immediate work, or an emergency reserve. Confirm the complete cash plan with the lender and lawyer.

RELATED GUIDES / Buying & financing

Check your financing for the specific property.

A pre-approval is not final financing. Confirm the property, appraisal, insurer, cash to close and lender conditions before deciding whether to remove a financing condition. A planning score cannot authorize a purchase.

Official verification: FCAC: getting pre-approved for a mortgage ↗

Affiliated network resources provide context. Confirm rules, approvals and property records with the responsible authority.