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Pending legislation may reduce minimum down payment requirements

The Canadian government has tabled legislation which, if approved, would allow consumers to purchase homes with a minimum down payment of just 20% without any requirements to purchase mortgage insurance. Currently, anyone who purchases a residence with a down payment lower than 20% is required to insure the mortgage against default with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or another insurer. An unidentified federal official couldn’t estimate when the change might take effect as the bill must be passed by both the Parliament and the Senate before it becomes law.


For home buyers purchasing a $200,000 home with 20% down this proposed change would net them a savings of approximately $1,600.00, enough to cover the legal costs of the transaction in most cases.


Alan Silverstein, a Toronto-based real estate lawyer and author of several mortgage-related books said, “For people with 20% to put down this is a Godsend. You’ll save a chunk of money.” However, Silverstein went on to warn that it’s possible the cost associated with the savings could be passed on to those who have less money to put down through higher insurance premiums.


John Williamson, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says homeowners deserve a break on insurance fees. The CMHC made over a billion dollars last year. It’s time to return some of that money to homeowners.” He said lowering down payment requirements makes more sense than “gimmicks” like 40 year amortizations and zero down mortgages with hefty fees attached.


Norm Fisher

Royal LePage Vidorra

Norm Fisher, TeamFisher

About Norm

Licensed in 1993, Norm brings a wealth of experience to TeamFisher. He has worked in every imaginable capacity including sales agent, office manager, team leader, broker and now, broker/owner. Norm has written a weekly review of the Saskatoon real estate market for more than 750 consecutive weeks which may make him the most consistent industry blogger in the world.Less...

Licensed in 1993, Norm brings a wealth of experience to TeamFisher. He has worked in every imaginable capacity including sales agent, office manager, team leader, broker and now, broker/owner. Norm has written a weekly review of the Saskatoon real estate market for more than 750 consecutive weeks which may make him the most consistent industry blogger in the world.

Norm is known for his passion for technology and can most often be found exploring and experimenting with the next big thing in real estate marketing. He was the first Saskatoon real estate agent to promote a home online and has been an early adopter of new technologies ever since. “Everything about this business has changed over the past 20 years, and it will happen again in the next ten. An open mind and a curious attitude are all that’s needed to continue to find new ways to serve our clients by delivering a faster, smoother, worry-free transaction,” says Norm.

In his spare time, Norm enjoys Crossfit and cycling, some years accumulating over 2,000 kilometres on the road. He’s a strong supporter of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and enjoys raising funds by joining fun, fitness-related initiatives like the Grouse Grind for Shelter. In 2015, he trekked the Peruvian Andes to Machu Picchu. In 2017 he walked the southern highlands of Iceland across mountains, sand, snow, ice, lava fields and forest for seven days. Collectively those initiatives raised over a million dollars for Canadian women's shelters.
 

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