How Much Cash Do You Need to Buy a House in Quebec?

Buying a Home Costs More Than the Down Payment

Acheter une maison coûte plus que la mise de fonds

Most first-time buyers focus on saving enough for the down payment — and then are surprised when they need thousands more on closing day. In Quebec, the additional costs are significant: the taxe de bienvenue, notary fees, home inspection, and moving costs can add $5,000 to $20,000 or more on top of your down payment, depending on the purchase price.

Unlike most provinces, Quebec uses notaries instead of real estate lawyers to handle property transfers. This means both the structure and typical cost of legal fees differ from what buyers in Ontario or British Columbia might be used to.

This guide breaks down every cash cost you need to budget for before signing the deed of sale.

Down Payment Rules in Canada

Règles relatives à la mise de fonds au Canada

Canada's down payment rules are set federally and apply equally in Quebec. The minimum required depends on the purchase price:

• Properties under $500,000: Minimum 5% of the purchase price.
• Properties $500,000 to $999,999: 5% on the first $500,000 plus 10% on the portion above $500,000. For example, a $600,000 home requires $25,000 + $10,000 = $35,000 minimum.
• Properties $1,000,000 and above: Minimum 20% of the full purchase price. CMHC insurance is not available for these properties.

A larger down payment (20% or more) eliminates the CMHC insurance premium entirely and results in a smaller mortgage with lower interest costs over time. The trade-off is that more cash is tied up in the property at closing.

CMHC Mortgage Insurance

L'assurance hypothécaire SCHL

If your down payment is less than 20%, federal law requires you to purchase CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) mortgage default insurance. The premium is calculated on the insured mortgage amount and added directly to your mortgage balance — you do not pay it in cash at closing.

Welcome Tax (Taxe de Bienvenue)

Taxe de bienvenue

The taxe de bienvenue is a one-time municipal tax paid by the buyer at closing. It is calculated on the greater of the sale price or the property's municipal evaluation. Unlike the CMHC premium, this is a direct cash cost due at closing — it cannot be added to your mortgage.

The 2026 standard Quebec brackets are:

• 0.5% on the first $62,900
• 1.0% on $62,901 to $314,600
• 1.5% on $314,601 to $500,000
• 2.0% on $500,001 to $1,000,000
• 2.5% on anything above $1,000,000

Here is how the tax works at two common price points in Quebec:

Example: $400,000 purchase (standard Quebec municipality)

Example: $600,000 purchase (standard Quebec municipality)

Montreal applies different (and sometimes higher) brackets. Use the calculator below to get the exact figure for any municipality and price.

Notary Fees in Quebec

Honoraires du notaire au Québec

In Quebec, a notary (notaire) is legally required to handle the deed of sale and mortgage registration. There is no equivalent of Ontario's real estate lawyer in Quebec — the notary handles everything. Fees are set by negotiation and vary by notary and complexity of the transaction.

Typical notary fees for a residential property purchase range from $1,500 to $3,000, including:

• Preparation and signing of the deed of sale
• Registration of the deed at the land registry (Registre foncier)
• Mortgage registration (hypothèque) if applicable
• Title search and certificate of location review

If a new certificate of location (certificat de localisation) is required because the existing one is outdated, this is an additional cost typically paid by the seller — but confirm this in your offer to purchase.

Home Inspection

Inspection préachat

A home inspection is not legally mandatory in Quebec, but it is strongly recommended for any resale property. Inspectors check the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, insulation, and general condition of the building. The cost typically ranges from $400 to $600 for a standard single-family home, and more for larger or older properties.

Skipping the inspection to make your offer more competitive is a risk. Any major defect discovered after closing becomes your problem as the new owner. Quebec law (article 1726 of the Civil Code) provides some protection for latent (hidden) defects not discoverable through inspection, but visible defects discovered post-closing may not be covered.

Moving Costs

Coûts de déménagement

Moving costs vary significantly depending on distance, volume of belongings, and whether you use a professional moving company or rent a truck. In Quebec, professional moving services for a local move typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000. A long-distance move or a large home will cost more.

Note that July 1 (Quebec's traditional moving day) is the most expensive and difficult time to book a mover. Scheduling your closing date outside of this period can reduce moving costs and stress considerably.

Total Cash Needed: Three Examples

Total des liquidités nécessaires : trois exemples

The table below summarizes the total cash required at closing for three common purchase prices in Quebec, using minimum down payments and standard estimates. The CMHC premium is excluded from the cash column because it is added to the mortgage, but the QST on the CMHC premium is included as it is a cash cost.

All figures use minimum down payments and midpoint estimates for variable costs. Actual costs will differ based on municipality (Montreal's welcome tax brackets differ), notary chosen, inspection complexity, and moving circumstances. The CMHC row is highlighted separately because it does not require cash at closing.

A few additional costs that buyers sometimes encounter but are not listed above:

• Adjustment of property taxes: If the seller has prepaid property taxes covering a period after closing, you will reimburse them for that portion at closing. This is typically a few hundred dollars.
• Mortgage discharge (if seller carries a mortgage): Your notary will arrange discharge, often at no additional cost to you.
• Condo reserve fund assessment: If buying a condo, request a recent reserve fund study. A building with an underfunded reserve may issue a special assessment to owners in the near future.
• Home insurance deposit: Lenders require proof of home insurance at closing. The first year's premium may be due upfront.