Physician Mortgages in Alberta: Residents & New Doctors

Alberta resident salaries vs projected income

Alberta residents are paid under the PARA agreement, which runs from July 2024 to June 2028. The rates below apply from July 1, 2026 and rise 2% on July 1, 2027. Every resident also receives a $1,500 yearly practice stipend.

PGY1

$67,440

PGY2

$74,153

PGY3

$80,058

PGY4

$86,281

PGY5

$92,698

PGY6

$98,414

PGY7

$105,819

PGY8

$110,784

Projected income, residents years 1 and 2

$185,000

Projected income, year 3 and new physicians

$225,000

Salaries: PARA agreement, from July 1, 2026.Projected incomes: Scotiabank samples.

A physician mortgage program can qualify you on projected income instead of these salaries. Compare the two in the affordability calculator.

Closing costs in Alberta

No land transfer tax. You pay Land Titles fees instead: $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 or part of $5,000 of the price, to register the transfer.
Mortgage registration uses the same formula on the mortgage amount, including any insurance premium.
No sales tax on mortgage insurance. The premium is added to your mortgage and nothing extra is due in cash.
No provincial foreign-buyer tax. The federal ban on non-Canadians buying residential property runs to January 1, 2027.

On a $600,000 home with $60,000 down, the fees come to $650 for the transfer and $610 for the mortgage. Legal fees, title insurance and an inspection are usually the bigger costs. Check your own numbers in the Alberta closing cost calculator.

Property tax and what you can afford

Lenders count property tax in your housing costs. Calgary's 2026 residential rate is about 0.67% of assessed value and Edmonton's about 1.04%. In our example, a new physician on $225,000 with $100,000 down can afford a home about $36,000 more expensive in Calgary than in Edmonton.

New family physicians and the primary care model

Alberta's Primary Care Physician Compensation Model started on April 1, 2025 for family physicians and rural generalists with a panel of at least 500 patients. It pays for visits, for time at $105 an hour, and a yearly amount per patient on your panel. Physician mortgage programs can use a signed contract or projected income, so a recent switch to the model does not have to delay your purchase.

Where Alberta residents train

Alberta's residency programs are run by the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the University of Calgary, with rural and regional sites across the province. If you are matching to Alberta, see our Match Day to keys timeline.

Licensed in Alberta. Asim Ali, Mortgage Broker, A.T.S.A.I.M.I. Collective Inc. operating as Dominion Lending Centres A.I.M.I. Collective Mortgage. Independently owned and operated.

By Asim Ali, Mortgage Broker (BC, AB), Mortgage Agent Level 2 (ON)
Updated November 2, 2026

Common questions in Alberta

Is there a land transfer tax in Alberta?

No. Alberta charges Land Titles registration fees instead: $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of the price to register the transfer, and the same formula on the mortgage amount. On a $600,000 home with 10% down, that is $650 for the transfer and $610 for the mortgage.

What does a first-year resident earn in Alberta?

PGY1 residents in Alberta earn $67,440 from July 1, 2026 under the PARA agreement, rising 2% on July 1, 2027. Every resident also receives a $1,500 yearly practice stipend.

How do lenders treat income under the new Alberta primary care model?

Alberta launched the Primary Care Physician Compensation Model on April 1, 2025 for family physicians with a panel of 500 patients or more. It blends visit fees, time-based pay and a yearly payment per patient. Lenders usually want a contract or a few months of pay statements under the model, so tell us early if you are switching.

Is Asim licensed in Alberta?

Yes. Asim Ali is licensed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta as a mortgage broker with A.T.S.A.I.M.I. Collective Inc. operating as Dominion Lending Centres A.I.M.I. Collective Mortgage.

Physician mortgages in Alberta