CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums
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.
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.
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's standard mortgage loan insurance premiums will be changing as follows:
