New Stress Test Rules – KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Michael Hallett • February 19, 2020

We have yet another new borrowing guideline that the federal government is amending, this one is positive. Here is the list of the summarized details:
- Comes into effect April 6, 2020.
- Applies to borrowers seeking financing with less than 20% down payment for insured mortgages
- Not just for first time homebuyers, but everyone with less than 20%.
- Overall qualifying rate will be reduced by approx 30 basis points or 0.30% currently at 5.19%.
- This change is being made to bring the qualifying rate more in-line with the housing market.
This amendment to the qualifying rate will increase borrowing power, but how much?
Scenario #1 – current guidelines for INSURED mortgage until April 5, 2020
- $80,000 gross household income
- No debt, credit score is 680 or greater
- $40,000 down payment
- 25 yr amortization
- Qualifying rate issued by the Bank of Canada is 5.19%
Maximum purchase price is $400,000 with maximum borrowing power of $360,000.
Scenario #2 – guidelines for INSURED mortgage as of April 6, 2020
- $80,000 gross household income
- No debt, credit score is 680 or greater
- $40,000 down payment
- 25 yr amortization
- Qualifying rate issued by the Bank of Canada is 5.19%
Maximum purchase price is $415,000 with maximum borrowing power of $375,000.
These 2 scenarios are specific to this set of numbers. If any of these numbers are different, then so too is the outcome; income is higher or lower, credit score is less, there is revolving debt or a different down payment amount.
To summarize, this modification will increase ones borrowing power approximately 3-5% more. It could be the small bump one needs to get into owning their own piece of real estate or upsizing from their current home.
As always, please do not hesitate to call, text (604-616-2266) or email (michael@hallettmortgage.com) me with any and all questions as it relates to the mortgage industry.
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