Here’s a great article written by a colleague of mine, Dustan Woodhouse, about how the new mortgage rules have severely limited purchasing power.
The average person if stopped on the street and asked; Are today’s low interest rates driving up house prices? Would likely say ‘yes’.
They would be wrong.
And we can let their lack of understanding pass, after all we can agree that math mostly sucks.
However to ask a Realtor, banker, or your Mortgage Broker this question and get the same answer is another story, for them to say ‘yes’ to this question is a large red flag.
Following are some basic numbers that might surprise you, unless you are a Mortgage Broker.
2007
A buyer with 10% Down and a $100,000 annual gross income.
At the time rates were ~4.99% and amortizations were capped at 40 years
Maximum mortgage amount?
~$630,000
Moving along…
2016
A buyer with 10% Down and a $100,000 annual gross income.
At the time rates were ~2.49% and amortizations were capped at 25 years
Maximum mortgage amount?
~$630,000
But then something happened, in response to rising prices and an apparent lack of understanding as to basic math, our Federal Government changed the rules.
And our average person on the street that answered that first question, they were totally cool with things being tightened down, until they went to apply for a mortgage themselves…and found this new reality:
2017
A buyer with 10% Down and a $100,000 annual gross income.
With rates still ~2.49% and amortizations still capped at 25 years.
Maximum mortgage amount?
~$508,500
The exact same household with $100,000 annual income, impeccable credit, a 10% down payment was told, in this very competitive market with a 0.27% arrears rate, a group of households that made it through the 2008/9 meltdown just fine, that now, in 2017, they needed to have their purchasing power cut back by ~$121,500.
You May Also Like
Bank of Canada Holds Rate Steady
As was pretty much expected, the Bank of Canada held the overnight interest rate at 1 ¾% this week, citing a weaker outlook for the Canadian economy. The softer tone from the Bank is in direct contrast to what they said when they last met October 24. Since that time, oil prices have fallen considerably… Read More…
Stress Test…Eight Months Later
The government’s latest mortgage rule changes have caused an imbalance between supply and demand in almost every region of the country, and will result in an estimated 200,000 fewer jobs being created over the next three years. Those are among the findings of Mortgage Professionals Canada’s newly released Report on the Housing and Mortgage Market in… Read More…
Pay Off Your Debt AND Reduce the Amortization on Your Mortgage
Paying down, and off, debt is a priority in everyone’s life. Every family and individual should have a written household budget. There are plenty of these online to be had. If you don’t have one or would like me to send you one, please email me and I will do so. By paying off one… Read More…