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Jun 23

CMHC Guideline Changes

  • Buying your first home, Getting ready for your mortgage renewal, Mortgage News, Understanding Credit

Everything you need to know and our thoughts regarding these changes:

  1. CMHC is not the only Canadian mortgage insurer. We also have Genworth and Canada Guaranty – neither have announced that they are following CMHC with these new guidelines.
  2. CMHC predictions around housing are very pessimistic and do not match the Bank of Canada or other Canadian bank economic forecasts. These forecasts are more positive. 
  3. These new CMHC guidelines are only impactful to those pre-approvals that are stretched to the maximum debt servicing.
  4. Debt servicing levels can be mitigated by managing consumer debt. We advise our clients on more than just the mortgages – debt reduction and management, savings and credit scores and rebuilds are all part of our pre-approval process. 
  5. For first time home buyers or those who know they are close to the maximum purchase price now is the time to buy – application submission before July 1st are required to fit the past CMHC guidelines. 
  6. If you are a potential home buyer who does not understand your mortgage pre-approval or your debt servicing guidelines or if you are at the maximum purchasing power contact us… We are here to help. 
  7. This is impactful but not as much as you will see on social media. An hour long, detailed, document verified pre-approval is the only way any potential home buyer to know the path ahead and what bumps lie on that path. 

 

CMHC Makes It Harder To Qualify For An Insured Mortgage

Once again, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is tightening the criteria to get a mortgage with less than a 20% down payment. Any potential home buyer with less than a 20% down payment must purchase default insurance on their loan and have a minimum down payment of 5%. CMHC is a federal Crown Corporation that provides such default insurance. Mortgage default insurance protects lenders in the event a borrower ever stopped making payments and defaulted on their mortgage loan–a very infrequent occurrence in Canada.

There are private providers of default insurance as well–Genworth Financial Canada and Canada Guaranty. CMHC is the only insurer of mortgages for multi-unit residential properties, including large rental buildings, student housing and nursing and retirement homes. It is the largest provider of mortgage default insurance by far and is also the primary insurer for housing in small and rural communities.

Investment properties are not eligible for mortgage insurance. Because of this, the buyer needs at least a 20% down payment to buy an investment property. Homes costing more than $1 million, as well, are not eligible for mortgage insurance. Typically, the lender chooses the mortgage insurer.

Why is CMHC Tightening Qualifications?

The economics team at CMHC has predicted that owing to the pandemic lock down, home prices will likely fall by 9% to 18% over the next 12 months. They also believe that it will take at least two years for prices to return to pre-pandemic levels. The CMHC forecast for the economy is more pessimistic than many other forecasts, particularly that of the Bank of Canada, which asserted yesterday that the outlook for the economy was better than their April forecast suggested. Moreover, CMHC acknowledges the high degree of uncertainty associated with any forecast at this time. The Crown Corporation highlights the post-shutdown job losses, business closures and the drop in immigration that adversely affect Canadian housing.

They also have emphasized the 15% of existing mortgages that are now in deferral and believe there is a risk that 20% of all mortgages could be in arrears when deferrals end. Their stated justification for tightening qualification requirements is “to protect future home buyers and reduce risk“.

What Are These Changes In Underwriting Policies

Effective July 1, the following changes will apply for new applications for homeowner transactional and portfolio mortgage insurance:

  • The maximum gross debt service (GDS) ratio drops from 39 to 35
  • The maximum total debt service (TDS) ratio drops from 44 to 42
  • The minimum credit score rises from 600 to 680 for at least one borrower
  • Non-traditional sources of down payment that increase indebtedness will no longer be treated as equity for insurance purposes

CMHC goes on to say that “to further manage the risk to our insurance business, and ultimately taxpayers, during this uncertain time, we have also suspended refinancing for multi-unit mortgage insurance except when the funds are used for repairs or reinvestment in housing. Consultations have begun on the repositioning of our multi-unit mortgage insurance products.”

Here’s What We Know So Far

Anecdotal reports suggest that it is likely that private default insurers will not match CMHC’s lower debt ratios. They might, however, be more selective in their approval processes.

Canadian fiscal and monetary authorities are expending huge sums to keep the economy afloat, cushion the blow of the shutdown, and to make sure ample credit is available. These actions are intended to minimize unnecessary insolvencies. It is, therefore, surprising that a federal Crown Corporation would take these pro-cyclical actions now.

The exact impact of these changes will not be known until more details are available: How the Big Banks will respond with their own prime mortgage underwriting rules; how these new rules will apply to the securitization market; and how far the private default insurers will go along with these new rules.

Suffice it to say that this batters buyer and seller confidence and, all other things equal, has a net negative impact on the near-term housing outlook.  Most importantly, in my view, these changes are unnecessary to protect the prudence of Canada’s home lending practices. Mortgage delinquency rates are meager, and even the Bank of Canada’s forecast is for delinquencies to remain less than 1% of all outstanding mortgages. Moreover, home buyers with jobs who meet former qualifications would undoubtedly have a longer than two-year time horizon when buying their first homes. They were already qualifying at the posted rate that is more than 250 basis points above the contract rate. If anything, the pandemic recession assures that interest rates will remain very low over the next two years.

Article by Dr. Sherry Cooper

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    Andy Jeffery l Julie Jeffery - Serving Alberta and BC
    Happy May long weekend! Not a snow flake or cold w Happy May long weekend! Not a snow flake or cold wind to be found 💗🌴🌺🐟🦜🍍🏖️🌊
    Happy long weekend and happy Easter! Beautiful hik Happy long weekend and happy Easter! Beautiful hike today to kick off a few days of rest and relaxation!⛰️
    I know, we wish love made the world turn 💙 It s I know, we wish love made the world turn 💙 It sure helps but money and how it’s earned, spent, saved and managed is so important to mortgage pre-approvals. Money is such an emotionally charged subject, it’s complex and can be confusing. So we are here to really listen and support our clients. 

The strongest mortage applications are all about money. But not in the way you may think! 💲

Downpayment is important but mortgage approvals at 5% down are just as strong (in a lenders view) as those that are 20% down. 🤓

Income is a critical driver of all mortgage applications. The amount of verifiable income, directly correlates, to the amount of a mortgage approval. That can be salary, hourly, seasonal, contract or self- employed. Consistency year over year is the key.👷🏼‍♀️🧑‍🍳🧑‍🌾👩🏼‍💼🧑‍🚀🧑🏻‍🚒👩‍🔧

We ask lots of questiond around income and collect all required documents to verify income at the preapproval stage. We want to be 100% confident that a lender will approve the mortgage application once our clients find the right property. 🏙️

Debts are a big part of the equation. The less the better, but if there is enough income to support both the new mortgage amount and the debt then debt loads don’t impact mortage pre-approvals. Credit scores are very important. 680 is a good benchmark for the minimum score a lender wants. Buy exceptions are made at lower levels. 

So don’t let money and the stress it can bring keep you from deciding to start a mortage pre-approval! It’s just a conversation, with no pressure, and sharing of our mortgage knowledge and advice. ☺️

📲Julie 403-828-4832
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📲 Andy 403-828-8832
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Give us a call or send an email. DM us or visit our website to book a meeting! Link in our bio.
    It’s so cold 🥶! Aren’t we all dreaming of w It’s so cold 🥶! Aren’t we all dreaming of warm, cozy spaces in our homes? 🤍

Our clients just purchased a quaint and beautiful cottage style home in Sunnyside. Absolute stunner!
There’s something wonderful about a renovated heritage home. The cozy factor is very high. The neighbourhood is established, highly walkable and the streets are lined with trees. Sounds perfect! So exciting. 

My go to interior designer for stunning, warm, thoughtful and super cosy design is @amberinteriors. Every room is perfection. Such great style. Enjoy and stay warm today!
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      Andy Jeffery l Julie Jeffery - Serving Alberta and BC
      Happy May long weekend! Not a snow flake or cold w Happy May long weekend! Not a snow flake or cold wind to be found 💗🌴🌺🐟🦜🍍🏖️🌊
      Happy long weekend and happy Easter! Beautiful hik Happy long weekend and happy Easter! Beautiful hike today to kick off a few days of rest and relaxation!⛰️
      I know, we wish love made the world turn 💙 It s I know, we wish love made the world turn 💙 It sure helps but money and how it’s earned, spent, saved and managed is so important to mortgage pre-approvals. Money is such an emotionally charged subject, it’s complex and can be confusing. So we are here to really listen and support our clients. 

The strongest mortage applications are all about money. But not in the way you may think! 💲

Downpayment is important but mortgage approvals at 5% down are just as strong (in a lenders view) as those that are 20% down. 🤓

Income is a critical driver of all mortgage applications. The amount of verifiable income, directly correlates, to the amount of a mortgage approval. That can be salary, hourly, seasonal, contract or self- employed. Consistency year over year is the key.👷🏼‍♀️🧑‍🍳🧑‍🌾👩🏼‍💼🧑‍🚀🧑🏻‍🚒👩‍🔧

We ask lots of questiond around income and collect all required documents to verify income at the preapproval stage. We want to be 100% confident that a lender will approve the mortgage application once our clients find the right property. 🏙️

Debts are a big part of the equation. The less the better, but if there is enough income to support both the new mortgage amount and the debt then debt loads don’t impact mortage pre-approvals. Credit scores are very important. 680 is a good benchmark for the minimum score a lender wants. Buy exceptions are made at lower levels. 

So don’t let money and the stress it can bring keep you from deciding to start a mortage pre-approval! It’s just a conversation, with no pressure, and sharing of our mortgage knowledge and advice. ☺️

📲Julie 403-828-4832
📧 julie@elevationmortage.ca

📲 Andy 403-828-8832
📧 andy@elevationmortgage.ca 

Give us a call or send an email. DM us or visit our website to book a meeting! Link in our bio.
      It’s so cold 🥶! Aren’t we all dreaming of w It’s so cold 🥶! Aren’t we all dreaming of warm, cozy spaces in our homes? 🤍

Our clients just purchased a quaint and beautiful cottage style home in Sunnyside. Absolute stunner!
There’s something wonderful about a renovated heritage home. The cozy factor is very high. The neighbourhood is established, highly walkable and the streets are lined with trees. Sounds perfect! So exciting. 

My go to interior designer for stunning, warm, thoughtful and super cosy design is @amberinteriors. Every room is perfection. Such great style. Enjoy and stay warm today!
      Did you complete a mortage pre- approval in 2024? Did you complete a mortage pre- approval in 2024? Well it’s time for an update! 

We are reaching out to our pre-approved clients from 2024 and updating mortgage pre-approval details, chatting about lender options and interest rate changes.🤓 

As we head into the spring housing market - it’s time to update your mortage pre-approval details. 

Income may have changed, maybe you received a bonus or overtime pay in 2024? A salary or hourly rate of pay increase? Or maybe you reduced your work hours?

Debt loads on credit cards and lines of credit fluctuate so it’s best to update the details. A new car loan added into a mortage application can be very impactful. 

You may have discussed purchasing a home with immediate family, and they offered a gift of downpayment funds? Savings also fluctuate, so now is the time to review your mortage pre-approval details. 

Prime has reduced, this will continue throughout 2025. Now is the time for expert advice on rate choices! 

If you are pre-approved at your bank - you need a second opinion. 👋🏻 We work with many lenders and can review lender policy and interest rate options at all lenders both during your pre-approval and again when you have an excepted offer on a home. Don’t miss out on the option to shop your interest rate and to understand lender fine print. 

#yyc #yycmortgages #yycrealestate #yycmortgagebroker
      BIG NEWS! 🚨 The Bank of Canada announced a 0.25 BIG NEWS! 🚨 The Bank of Canada announced a 0.25% Prime Rate reduction this morning! 📉 Economists expect another .50% this spring and up to an additional 1% this year. We may need to shine our 🔮 - with so many factors in play, including inflation, unemployment, economic growth or lack of, and the dreaded tariff talk - it’s a wait and see environment as to how low Prime will go. 

For today, this means lower interest rates for many of you - IF you have a variable rate mortgage OR a line of credit.🏡 Fixed rates are just that - fixed and set for the term. Variable rates move up or down or stay steady based the Prime rate. Most lenders now have a Prime rate of 5.20%. Variable rates are always Prime and a discount off of Prime. Each lender sets their unique discount. This is what we “shop” for our clients - the discount off of Prime, the fine print relating to the mortgage and most importantly, a great variable rate with a lender that allows and offers  competitive fixed rates if and when you want to lock in. 🤓

Ready to see how this affects you?
DM us or visit our website to book in with us. Let’s explore your options and find the best mortgage solution for your needs.

#MortgageRates #BankofCanada #HomeBuying #FinancialGoals #ElevationMortgage
      Winter magic at @mountengadine! Favourite place. 💙 Snow showing, fat bikes, winter hikes, Nordic skiing and the most stunning scenery. The food is epic and all included in the price. Such a great value. Lunch break with my guitar player. 😍 #mountengadinelodge #canadianrockies #albertalodge
      2024 camera roll. 📸 ✨What a year. ✨ One of 2024 camera roll. 📸 ✨What a year. ✨ One of the best, ever! 

In early 2024, we set intentions to build the life of our dreams, focused on adventure, authenticity and home. 🤩 Our 2024 words were fun - fitness - family - finance. 

Beyond grateful for our little family ❤️, two amazing teens (proud of these kids for digging into new experiences and achieving goals) and great friends (new and old), love and kindness, a bit of magic 🪄🔮, my husband’s fantastic coffee ☕️ and breakfast skills, his capacity for fun, musical taste 🎶 and his willingness to always say yes to my wild new ideas, our business and and clients (🙏🏻 gratitude for a great year), travel, foodie experiences and exploring. Nature gave us so much charity in 2024. What a gift. 

2025 is all about simplicity - strength - service. Highly recommend choosing a few words to go back to when the path is unclear. 🫶🏻 

Happy New Year, sending our best wishes and love to friends, near and far, for an incredible, healthy and fun 2025! 

💙👋🏻Julie (and Andy) 

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