From Policy to Pocket: What You Should Know About Canada's Latest Mortgage Rules

In recent years, there have been some huge changes to the mortgage rules that directly affect Canadian homebuyers. One notable change is the introduction of mortgage stress testing. This measure requires borrowers to qualify for a mortgage at a higher interest rate than the one they will actually be paying. The purpose is to ensure that buyers can handle future interest rate increases and have the financial capacity to make their mortgage payments. While this promotes financial prudence, it means there are new – and larger – obstacles to overcome to qualify for a mortgage. This is especially difficult for first-time buyers with limited down payment savings. Sophie Goudreau is an award-winning REALTOR in Cornwall and Eastern Ontario who has helped many first-time homebuyers to navigate the process of finding their dream home. She is answering your questions about what the changes in the mortgage rules mean for you as you look to buy a home . How do these cha...