On October 26/16 CMHC news release. Most Canadian Housing Markets Overvalued, Price Growth to Slow Through 2018: CMHC Reports
OTTAWA, October 26, 2016 — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is finding strong evidence of problematic conditions for Canada overall. Home prices have risen ahead of economic fundamentals such as personal disposable income and population growth, resulting in overvaluation in many Canadian housing markets. However, the combination of overvaluation and overbuilding should help slow the growth in resales and house prices and lead to a moderation in the pace of housing starts.
Toronto and Vancouver were flagged as RED.
Calgary was flagged as YELLOW.
Read the full article on the CMHC web site. More potential problems for Calgary’s already deflated real estate market.

October 17, 2016 is a critical date – changes to mortgage insurance rules were announced by the federal government and will take effect that day. Do you understand the changes and how they will impact your clients and the real estate industry?

Mortgage insurance rules will change to require all insured mortgages to undergo a ‘stress test’ from the lender. That test will require the buyer to qualify for a mortgage at the Bank of Canada posted rate, currently 4.64%, even though they would still receive the contract rate.

The buying power of the client will be lowered by the need to qualify at the higher rate.

Example (as provided by a mortgage professional)

Family A is qualifying for a mortgage using the following information:

Current Annual Family Income $87,000
Household Debt Payments $700 per month
Property Tax Payments $3,000 per month
Down Payment 5%
Mortgage Rate 2.49%

Result:
•Qualifying for a mortgage today, Family A qualifies for a purchase price of $450,000.
•Qualifying for a mortgage after October 17, 2016, given the need to qualify at the Bank of Canada rate of 4.64%, Family A qualifies for a purchase price of $360,000.

Questions

Ask your clients to speak with a mortgage professional about their circumstances. In many cases, the changes will affect their buying power and adjustments may need to be made to their search criteria.

Accepted Offers to Purchase signed before October 17, 2016 will qualify under the current rules provided that the mortgage is funded by March 1, 2017.