Buyer's Guide: Typical Expenses | How to Make an Offer | Mortgage Caculator There are many costs that homebuyers incur, especially upon purchasing your first home that you should expect to pay. Some of the expenses related to buying a home are one-time costs, while others are continuing costs. Your largest cost at the beginning is your down payment. As a first time buyer, this would likely represent only 5 - 10% of the purchase price. However, you should be prepared to pay for additional costs, such as: Legal Fees & Disbursements GST and PST (if applicable) Property or Land Transfer Tax Adjustments (reimbursed to the vendor) Interest Property Taxes Utility Payments Strata or Condominium Fees Estoppel certificate fee Survey Fee Home Inspection Fee Water quality and quantity certificate Appraisal Fee Mortgage broker's fee (if applicable) Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium (if only 5% down) Mortgage Loan Insurance Application Fee (if only 5% down) Moving Expenses Renovations and repairs Furniture, paint, carpeting, window coverings, etc. Service and Utility Hook-up Fees Property/Condominium Insurance Mortgage Application Fee Deed and/or Mortgage Registration Fee additionally, once you have purchased your home, you will incur regular expenses on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. Some of these costs include: Mortgage Payment Water and/or Sewer Payments Electricity and Gas Services Cable and Telephone Services Property Taxes Strata or Condo Fees Repair/maintenance Expenses Homeowner's Insurance The above has been adapted and reproduced here with the express permission of RE/MAX of Western Canada, Inc. and The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. For more, please visit www.remax.ca and www.realtylink.org.