Blog : CMHC

CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums in March 2017

CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums in March 2017

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced this morning that they will be increasing mortgage insurance premiums on March 17th 2017. They were quick to outline that the changes would only amount to roughly a $5 increase per month for borrowers. Which was the same stance they took when they last increased premiums in June of 2015. The bottom line here is that mortgage financing just got a little more expensive for new borrowers. Existing mortgage holders are not impacted by these changes.

“We do not expect the higher premiums to have a significant impact on the ability of Canadians to buy a home,” said Steven Mennill, CMHC’s senior vice-president of insurance Steven Mennill. “Overall, the changes will preserve competition in the mortgage loan insurance industry and contribute to financial stability.”

Here is a chart that CMHC posted on their twitter account that outlines the new premiums.

New premium chart for CMHC-1

If you have questions about these changes, please contact me anytime at 416.945.9123 or by email at mat@fugeremortgage.ca

Outlined below is the full CMHC press release for your convenience, it was originally posted here on January 17, 2017.

CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums

OTTAWA, January 17, 2017 — CMHC is increasing its homeowner mortgage loan insurance premiums effective March 17, 2017. For the average CMHC-insured homebuyer, the higher premium will result in an increase of approximately $5 to their monthly mortgage payment.

“We do not expect the higher premiums to have a significant impact on the ability of Canadians to buy a home,” said Steven Mennill, Senior Vice-President, Insurance. “Overall, the changes will preserve competition in the mortgage loan insurance industry and contribute to financial stability.”

Capital requirements are an important factor in determining mortgage insurance premiums. The changes reflect OSFI’s new capital requirements that came into effect on January 1st of this year that require mortgage insurers to hold additional capital. Capital holdings create a buffer against potential losses, helping to ensure the long term stability of the financial system.

During the first nine months of 2016:

  • The average CMHC-insured loan was approximately $245,000.
  • The average down payment was approximately 8%.
  • The average gross debt service ratio (GDS) was 25.6%. To qualify for CMHC insurance, a homebuyer’s GDS should not exceed 32% of their total monthly household income.

Chart for CMHCAM

Premiums are calculated based on the loan-to-value ratio of the mortgage being insured. The premium can be paid in a single lump sum but more frequently is added to the mortgage principal and repaid over the life of the mortgage as part of regular mortgage payments. Additional details and scenarios are included in the backgrounder below.

CMHC regularly reviews its premiums and sets them at a level to cover related claims and expenses while also reflecting the regulatory capital requirements.

CMHC is Canada’s most experienced mortgage loan insurer. Our mortgage loan insurance enables Canadians to buy a home with a minimum down payment starting at 5%. As a Crown corporation, CMHC is the only mortgage insurer whose proceeds benefit all Canadians.

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need and offers objective housing research and information to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry.

For additional highlights please see the attached backgrounder.

CMHC Housing Starts Report | May 2016

CMHC Housing Starts Report | May 2016

  • By mathieufugere@gmail.com
  • May 18, 2016
  • Blog,CMHC

It’s been said that talking about the Canadian Housing Market is like talking about the weather in Canada. “How’s the weather in Canada today”? seems like a rather odd question, it all depends where you are! Similarly, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) just released a report on the housing starts in Canada for the remainder of 2016 and 2017, indicating that the report reflects significant regional differences. Here is the media release from CMHC.

CMHC Expects Housing Starts to Slow in 2016 and 2017, Reflecting Significant Regional Differences

OTTAWA, May 18, 2016 — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) second quarter Housing Market Outlook (HMO), Canada Edition highlights important regional differences in housing activity. Housing starts at the national level are expected to slow in 2016 and 2017, while MLS® sales will reflect renewed economic growth in 2016 before falling back slightly in 2017.

Report Highlights

  • Annual housing starts are expected to range from 181,300 units to 192,300 units in 2016 and from 172,600 units to 183,000 units in 2017.
  • Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales are expected to range from 501,700 unites to 525,400 units in 2016 before dropping into a lower range of 485,500 units to 508,400 units in 2017.
  • The average MLS® price is forecast to be between $474,200 and $495,800 in 2016 and between $479,300 and $501,100 in 2017.
  • There will be strong variations in housing market activity across provinces. Slower growth in oil-producing provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador will be partly offset by increased activity in British Columbia and Ontario.

In an effort to align itself with the various needs of those seeking information about the housing market, CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre has undertaken a complete review of its products and services. As a part of this review, the CMHC’s Housing Market Outlook publication will be undergoing a series of modifications. The general objective is to provide a range of possible outcomes that, in a context of economic and financial uncertainty, will better help users in their decision-making process.

As a first step in this ongoing process, the present edition incorporates forecast ranges for housing variables as well as an expanded discussion on the risks to the forecast.

The complete HMO, including national, regional and CMA forecasts, is available here.

In order to access future Market Analysis Centre publications from CMHC, please subscribe to Housing Observer Online by visiting the following link: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/observer/

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers objective housing research and information to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry.

For more information, visit our website at www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Bob-DuganHR

“Our forecast shows that there are important provincial variations within the Canadian housing market. Increased housing starts in Ontario and B.C. will be more than offset by declines in provinces affected by the drop in oil prices in 2016. Sales will reflect renewed economic growth in 2016 before falling back slightly in 2017.”

— Bob Dugan, Chief Economist, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation