Starting December 15, 2024, the Canadian government is introducing significant changes to mortgage rules that will impact your clients. These reforms are designed to make homeownership more accessible through flexible payment options and higher price limits for insured mortgages. Understanding these changes can help you better guide your clients, whether they are first-time buyers or repeat buyers.

A Common Misconception

While some might think these reforms are only for first-time buyers, that’s not the case. These changes apply to anyone who qualifies for an insured mortgage, with just one key difference for non-first-time buyers purchasing resale homes. As a real estate agent, knowing the specifics of these rules will help you answer your clients’ questions and help them make informed decisions.

Key Changes

Higher Price Limit for Insured Mortgages

The insured mortgage price limit is increasing from $1 million to $1.5 million, meaning more of your clients will be eligible for insured mortgages with less than 20% down. This expands the market for buyers who may have been priced out previously.

Minimum Down Payments

For homes priced up to $1.5 million, your clients will need:

• 5% down on the first $500,000
• 10% down on the remaining amount above $500,000

Amortization Changes: How They Impact Your Clients

One of the biggest updates is the introduction of 30-year amortizations for first-time buyers on both new builds and resale homes. This means your first-time buyer clients can spread their mortgage payments over a longer period, reducing their monthly payments. For non-first-time buyers, the rules differ slightly depending on whether they are buying a resale or a new build.

For non-first-timers, resale homes will still have a 25-year amortization, while new builds will allow for a 30-year amortization. Understanding these distinctions will help you guide clients toward the right property based on their financial needs.

Real-Life Scenarios: What This Means for Your Clients

Example 1: First-Time Buyers

Consider Finn and Farrah, first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a $1.2 million home. Thanks to the new reforms, they can qualify for a 30-year amortization, whether they buy a resale or new build. This longer term reduces their monthly payments, which could be a crucial factor in their ability to purchase.

• Down Payment: $95,000
• Monthly Payments:
  • 25-year amortization: $6,360.51
  • 30-year amortization: $5,794.45

By choosing a 30-year term, Finn and Farrah save over $566 per month, making the home more affordable.

Example 2: Non-First-Time Buyers Buying a Resale Home

Rob and Rachel, who are selling their $900,000 home and purchasing a $1.3 million resale, will face different conditions. As non-first-time buyers, they can only opt for a 25-year amortization on this resale purchase. Here’s how it affects their payments:

• Down Payment: $105,000
• Monthly Payments: $6,878.56

In this case, the longer 30-year term is not available, but they still benefit from the new higher price limit for insured mortgages.

Example 3: Non-First-Time Buyers Purchasing a New Build

Now, let’s say Rob and Rachel decide to buy a new build instead of a resale. Since they are purchasing new construction, they can access the 30-year amortization, significantly reducing their monthly payments:

• Monthly Payments:
  • 25-year amortization: $6,878.56
  • 30-year amortization: $6,266.39

By choosing a new build, they would save about $612 per month. As a real estate agent, this is a valuable option to present to clients who are deciding between resale and new construction homes.

How This Impacts You as a Real Estate Agent

Understanding these changes will allow you to better serve your clients, whether they are first-time buyers or experienced homeowners. The increased flexibility in payment options, especially for new builds, may also give you additional leverage when discussing the benefits of new construction over resale properties.

In addition, knowing how amortization differences can affect monthly payments will enable you to have deeper financial conversations with your clients, helping them feel more confident in their home-buying decisions. This could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for clients who might otherwise have been unsure about entering the market.

Summary of the New Rules

Category	First-Time Buyer	Non-First-Time Buyer
Purchase Price Limit	$1.5M	$1.5M
Down Payment	5% on the first $500K, 10% on the remaining	5% on the first $500K, 10% on the remaining
Amortization (New Build)	30 years	30 years
Amortization (Resale)	30 years	25 years

By staying up to date with these mortgage reforms, you can provide your clients with a clearer understanding of their options, ensuring they make informed choices that align with their financial goals.

If you or your clients have questions about how these changes affect their plans, reach out to a mortgage professional for tailored advice.