Qualifying rate change

As some of you may know that we have a mortgage stress test or qualifying rate of 5.25%. This is to help insure that when you are qualifying for a mortgage you will still be able to make the payments if and or when the rate changed to 5.25%. What many of you may not have heard is that this qualifying rate or stress test rate has now increased.

Actually it has not changed but it has increased so let me explain. The way the stress test works is that it is based on the contract rate ( your mortgage rate) plus 2% or 5.25% which ever is greater. The stress test rate of 5.25% has not changed but the mortgage rates have thus moving the qualifying rate now above 5.25%.

Rates have been increasing as bond yields have changed as they have over the past several months. Yesterday they increased again. Notification received last night that 5 year fixed rates were changing to between 3.54 to 3.84% depending on loan to value ( percentage of down payment compared to the value of the property) and the type of program. So based on these things it would change your qualifying rate to 5.54 to 5.84% thus further reducing your buying power and affordability.

One option would be to go with a variable rate as that still uses the 5.25% qualifying rate until those rates change or select a 1 or 2 year term instead. If you are in the market to purchase a home this year, then please reach out to me so we can lock in your rate now before the next rate increase.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here