Everything you need to buy with confidence.

Start by checking that the agent is licensed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA), using RECA's ProCheck search. RECA then suggests comparing agents on licensing and reputation, experience and local market knowledge, marketing and negotiation skills, communication and availability, and commission and contract terms.

Ask what the written service agreement will say, since RECA's rules require one in writing when a residential client relationship is established. The agreement sets out the services, each side's responsibilities, how long it lasts, how and when the brokerage is paid, and how it can be ended, and RECA notes that these terms are negotiable. It also helps to ask how the agent will find homes that meet your needs, including other brokerages' listings and for-sale-by-owner homes, and how they will present your offers and tell you about competing offers.

The federal minimum is 5% of the purchase price for a home that costs $500,000 or less. For a home over $500,000 and under $1.5 million, it is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the portion above that, and a home of $1.5 million or more needs at least 20% down. The down payment normally has to come from your own funds, and with less than 20% down you will typically need mortgage loan insurance.

Chabi's cashback is up to 50% of the buyer-side commission, agreed per client based on the service provided. The buyer-side commission is set for each listing by the seller's brokerage, so the exact amount is confirmed once you have a specific property and an accepted offer. The rebate is disclosed in writing in your Buyer Representation Agreement, the contract we sign before representation begins, and your lawyer applies it at closing.

No. Alberta does not charge a percentage land transfer tax; buyers pay Land Titles registration fees set under the Tariff of Fees Regulation instead. Registering the transfer of land costs $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the land's value, and registering a mortgage costs $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the principal.