This guide breaks everything down in a simple and human way. We\u2019ll go through:<\/p>\n
- \n
- home-buying fees<\/strong> and every cost you must plan for,<\/li>\n
- notary fees<\/strong> and what they actually cover,<\/li>\n
- property taxes<\/strong>, welcome tax, adjustments, and more,<\/li>\n
- common traps to avoid,<\/li>\n
- and even the seller\u2019s costs so you get the full picture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you prefer clear explanations with a friendly tone and zero jargon, you\u2019ll also enjoy my other real estate articles<\/a> \ud83d\ude09.<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udded Table of Contents<\/h2>\n
- \n
- What costs should you expect when buying a house?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What traps should you avoid when buying real estate?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What are the fees when buying a house?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What are the costs associated with selling a home?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Summary table of the main fees<\/a><\/li>\n
- Useful information boxes<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQ \u2013 Most common questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nWhat costs should you expect when buying a house? \ud83d\udcb8<\/h2>\n
This is the #1 question buyers ask \u2014 and it\u2019s also one of the most Googled: \u201cWhat fees should I expect when buying a house?\u201d<\/strong> We all wish there was one simple magic number\u2026 but in reality it depends on the municipality, the property type, your financing and your buying strategy.<\/p>\n
To give you a realistic range, organizations like Multi-Pr\u00eats<\/a> and National Bank<\/a> both highlight that buyers should expect to pay around 3% to 5% of the purchase price<\/strong> in fees.<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re buying a $400,000 home, your real total might look more like $412,000 to $420,000 once everything is included. These amounts should never be a surprise \u2014 they should be planned for from the beginning.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udca1 Information Box:<\/strong>
\nLenders rarely call these \u201chidden fees\u201d \u2014 for them, they\u2019re normal. But for buyers, anything unexplained feels like a surprise. Knowing them early avoids stress later.<\/div>\nMain categories of home-buying fees<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Professional fees:<\/strong> notary, inspector, appraiser if needed.<\/li>\n
- Property taxes:<\/strong> welcome tax, municipal and school tax adjustments.<\/li>\n
- Financing fees:<\/strong> mortgage insurance, bank fees, pre-payments.<\/li>\n
- Practical fees:<\/strong> moving costs, small renovations, service connections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Let\u2019s dig into each one so you know exactly what to expect and how to budget properly.<\/p>\n
\nWhat traps should you avoid when buying real estate? \u26a0\ufe0f<\/h2>\n
Another highly searched question: \u201cWhat are the traps to avoid when buying a home?\u201d<\/strong> This is where an experienced broker can make a huge difference because the trap is rarely the big obvious thing \u2014 it\u2019s usually the small detail no one noticed.<\/p>\n
Trap #1: Focusing only on the sale price<\/h3>\n
Buyers often celebrate a good negotiation: \u201cWe got $15,000 off the price, amazing!\u201d \ud83d\udc4f But once you add:<\/p>\n
- \n
- a higher-than-expected welcome tax,<\/li>\n
- a new certificate of location,<\/li>\n
- $8,000 in urgent repairs after inspection,<\/li>\n
- mortgage insurance,<\/li>\n
- interest adjustments,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The final amount may be higher than you thought \u2014 even with a good negotiation.<\/p>\n
Trap #2: Underestimating the true condition of the house<\/h3>\n
A home can be beautifully staged but hide:<\/p>\n
- \n
- a roof near the end of its lifespan,<\/li>\n
- a failing French drain,<\/li>\n
- water infiltration behind a wall,<\/li>\n
- a shifting foundation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
An inspection isn\u2019t an extra cost \u2014 it\u2019s protection.<\/p>\n
Trap #3: Ignoring servitudes (rights-of-way)<\/h3>\n
Maybe you want a garage, pool or extension someday. But if there\u2019s a servitude from Hydro, a shared access, or specific setbacks, your plans might not be possible.<\/p>\n
Pro Tip:<\/strong>
\nAlways review the certificate of location<\/strong> early. A single line on a plan can change everything.<\/div>\nTrap #4: Only planning for the first year<\/h3>\n
A mortgage payment might feel comfortable today\u2026 but:<\/p>\n
- \n
- rate increases,<\/li>\n
- major repairs in the next 3\u20135 years,<\/li>\n
- tax increases,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
can change your situation quickly. I always encourage buyers to look beyond year one.<\/p>\n
\n<\/h2>\n
![\"home-buying-expense](\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_280708658-min-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
What are the fees when buying a house? (Full breakdown \ud83e\uddfe)<\/h2>\n
1. Notary fees<\/h3>\n
Notary fees cover:<\/p>\n
- \n
- the deed of sale,<\/li>\n
- the mortgage deed,<\/li>\n
- title searches,<\/li>\n
- land registry publication,<\/li>\n
- adjustments between seller and buyer,<\/li>\n
- managing funds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Welcome tax + other property taxes<\/h3>\n
The welcome tax<\/strong> (transfer tax) surprises many buyers. It\u2019s based on the sale price and billed weeks after moving.<\/p>\n
You must also account for:<\/p>\n
- \n
- municipal taxes (adjusted at the sale date),<\/li>\n
- school taxes,<\/li>\n
- and certain municipal service fees depending on the area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Pre-purchase inspection<\/h3>\n
Beyond the general inspection, extra tests may include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- French drain camera inspection,<\/li>\n
- structural evaluation,<\/li>\n
- thermography,<\/li>\n
- radon, pyrite, water quality tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Financing and insurance<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Mortgage application fees,<\/li>\n
- transfer fees,<\/li>\n
- penalties if switching lenders,<\/li>\n
- mortgage insurance<\/strong> if down payment < 20%,<\/li>\n
- home insurance (must be active before signing).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Moving + first-year expenses<\/h3>\n
- \n
- movers or truck rental,<\/li>\n
- packing materials, storage,<\/li>\n
- connection fees for telecom and utilities,<\/li>\n
- painting, small repairs, d\u00e9cor, furniture, appliances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\ud83c\udfaf Practical Tip:<\/strong>
\nI always help my clients create a first-year budget<\/em> to avoid financial stress once they move in.<\/div>\nIf you want real examples based on actual listings in your area, you can browse my properties for sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nWhat are the costs associated with selling a home? \ud83d\udcbc<\/h2>\n
1. Real estate broker fees<\/h3>\n
This includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- market analysis,<\/li>\n
- professional photos, staging guidance, marketing,<\/li>\n
- managing visits and calls,<\/li>\n
- negotiating offers,<\/li>\n
- assisting through inspection and financing,<\/li>\n
- support up to the notary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Certificate of location<\/h3>\n
If the existing certificate doesn\u2019t reflect current conditions, a new one is required.<\/p>\n
3. Notary fees (seller side)<\/h3>\n
- \n
- mortgage discharge fees,<\/li>\n
- corrections or declarations needed,<\/li>\n
- tax adjustments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Pre-listing improvements<\/h3>\n
- \n
- painting, repairs, touch-ups,<\/li>\n
- staging, exterior improvements, landscaping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nSummary Table of the Main Fees<\/h2>\n
- home insurance (must be active before signing).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Property taxes:<\/strong> welcome tax, municipal and school tax adjustments.<\/li>\n
- What traps should you avoid when buying real estate?<\/a><\/li>\n
- notary fees<\/strong> and what they actually cover,<\/li>\n