What’s Driving Canadian Homebuyers?
Luisa Hough • February 27, 2018
Mortgage rule changes and increasing interest rates—surprisingly—weren’t the top motivators for prospective homebuyers in 2017, according to a new survey from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Instead, the 2018 Prospective Home Buyers Survey found that improved accessibility (i.e., fewer physical obstacles and barriers) and investment opportunity were the main driving factors to purchase a home.
The results were divided into three segments of buyers: first-time buyers, previous owners (who had previously owned a home but do not currently) and current owners.
For first-time buyers and previous owners, the desire to stop renting was ranked as one of the top three motivators to buy a home by 65% and 60%, respectively.
“The majority of prospective home buyers from all groups agree that home ownership is a good long-term financial investment,” the survey noted.
This is the first time CMHC has conducted this specific study, which examined attitudes and expectations of prospective Canadian homebuyers, as well as their understanding of the homebuying process.
There was also some positive news for brokers, as the survey confirmed that a majority of buyers from all three groups—including a full 80% of first-time buyers—planned to consult a mortgage broker before making their home purchase.
Here are some of those findings:
Mortgage Rule Changes, Home Prices & Rising Interest Rates
- 36% of first-time buyers were aware of the 2016 mortgage qualification rule changes
(e.g., the 10% down payment required for the home price portion above $500,000 and the requirement for all insured mortgages to be stress-tested using the 5-year posted rate).
- 53% of previous owners and 58% of current owners were aware.
- 20% of first-time buyers not previously aware of the rule changes said it will impact their purchase decision in some way.
- Vs. 18% of previous owners and 14% of current owners.
- 50% of first-time buyers said the changes would cause them to delay their home purchase, while 23% would purchase a smaller home.
- 51% of previous owners and 65% of current owners would delay their purchase
- 35% of previous owners and 32% of current owners would purchase a smaller home
- 76% of first-time buyers said they are likely to delay their home purchase due to high home prices , followed by 73% of previous owners and 63% of current owners.
- 70% of first-time homebuyers said they are concerned about the possibility of interest rates increasing before they buy their home, followed by 62% of previous owners and 61% of current owners.
- 61% of first-time buyers would, as a result, likely delay their home purchase, followed by 61% of previous owners and 50% of current owners.
Homebuying Expectations
- 69% of first-time buyers agree that they have a good understanding of how much mortgage they can afford.
- Vs. 79% of previous owners and 83% of current owners.
- 54% of first-time buyers and previous owners are planning to spend under $300,000 on their next home.
- Vs. 33% of current owners.
- 25% of first-time buyers and previous owners are planning to spend between $300,000 and $500,000 on their next home.
- 34% of current owners are planning to spend over $500,000 on their next home.
- 68% of first-time homebuyers feel confident they can find a suitable home within their budget.
- Vs. 83% of current owners.
In a scenario where buyers would not be able to find their ideal home:
- 43% of first-time buyers would delay their purchase.
- Vs. 45% of previous owners and 28% of current owners.
- 42% of first-time buyers would compromise on the size of the home.
- Vs. 39% of previous owners and 42% of current owners.
- 38% of first-time buyers would compromise on the location of the home.
- Vs. 39% of previous owners and 38% of current owners.
Buying Preparedness
- 80% of first-time homebuyers plan to consult with a mortgage broker before purchasing a home.
- Vs. 72% of previous owners and 69% of current owners.
- 16% of first-time buyers pre-qualify for a mortgage within three months of purchasing their home.
- Vs. 21% of previous owners and 22% of current owners.
- 33% of all buyers prepare a detailed budget on their own within six months to a year before purchasing their home.
Financing home
- 66% of first-time buyers say they have a good understanding of the full cost of homeownership, including mortgage payments, property taxes, condo fees, utilities, maintenance, etc.).
- Vs. 79% of previous owners and 85% of current owners.
- 33% of all homebuyers say they will take additional steps to pay down their mortgage as soon as possible.
- 40% of first-time buyers and previous owners say they are unlikely to have a financial buffer in case their expenses change in the future.
- 40% of first-time buyers say they are confident they have the necessary tools and information to manage their mortgage and debt load.
- Vs. 40% of previous owners and 50% of current owners.
Homebuyers and Technology
- 68% of first-time homebuyers would prefer to complete the entire homebuying process with help from a professional and be using online tools and resources:
- Vs. 60% of previous owners and 58% of current owners.
- 7% of first-time buyers would prefer to use online tools and resources exclusively, without the help of a professional:
- Vs. 4% of previous owners and 5% of current owners.
This article was originally published on Canadian Mortgage Trends on Feb 14th 2018, written by Steve Huebl.
Recent Posts
How Mortgage Payment Frequency Affects What You Pay Over Time You’ve probably heard the saying that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. When it comes to your mortgage, there’s really just one certainty—you’ll repay what you borrow, plus interest. What is flexible, though, is how often you make your mortgage payments. And that choice can have a meaningful impact on how quickly you pay down your mortgage and how much interest you pay over time. The Six Mortgage Payment Frequencies Most lenders offer the following payment options: Monthly – 12 payments per year Semi-monthly – 24 payments per year Bi-weekly – 26 payments per year Weekly – 52 payments per year Accelerated bi-weekly – 26 payments per year Accelerated weekly – 52 payments per year Standard Payment Frequencies The first four options are designed to align with how you get paid. For example: Paid monthly? Monthly mortgage payments may make sense. Paid every two weeks? Bi-weekly payments can align nicely with your cash flow. With these standard options, regardless of how often you pay, the total amount paid over the year is the same —it’s simply divided into more frequent payments. What Makes “Accelerated” Payments Different Accelerated payments work differently—and this is where the real savings happen. With accelerated bi-weekly or accelerated weekly payments, you’re paying a slightly higher amount each time. That extra money goes directly toward reducing your mortgage principal, which lowers the interest you’ll pay over the life of the mortgage. A Simple Example Let’s assume a $1,000 monthly mortgage payment: Monthly: $1,000 once per month = $12,000 per year Semi-monthly: $500 twice per month = $12,000 per year Bi-weekly: $1,000 × 12 ÷ 26 = $461.54 every two weeks = $12,000 per year Accelerated bi-weekly: $1,000 ÷ 2 = $500 every two weeks = $13,000 per year With accelerated bi-weekly payments, you effectively make two extra payments per year without having to think about it. Those extra payments reduce your principal faster, which lowers interest costs over time. Accelerated weekly payments work the same way—you just make smaller payments more frequently. Why This Matters Long Term While it’s difficult to calculate exact savings due to variables like interest rates, terms, and amortization changes, maintaining an accelerated payment schedule over the life of your mortgage can reduce your amortization by up to three years and save a significant amount of interest. The Bottom Line Accelerated payments are a simple, automatic way to lower your overall cost of borrowing—without needing to make lump-sum payments or drastically change your budget. If you’d like to see how different payment frequencies would impact your mortgage specifically, feel free to reach out anytime. I’d be happy to walk through the numbers with you and help you choose the option that fits your goals.
Your Lender Is Not Obligated to Renew Your Mortgage Many homeowners assume that if they’ve made every mortgage payment on time, their lender is automatically required to renew their mortgage at the end of the term. That’s a common belief—but it isn’t true. When you sign a mortgage, you’re agreeing to a contract for a specific term . Once that term ends, the lender has the legal right to either renew the mortgage or call the loan . There is no obligation to offer a renewal. In practice, most lenders do renew mortgages—but certain situations can prevent that from happening. Reasons a Lender May Decline to Renew A lender may choose not to renew if: Mortgage payments were missed during the term A bankruptcy or consumer proposal has occurred There is a separation or divorce Employment or income has changed A borrower on the mortgage has passed away The lender no longer prefers the property’s location or market The lender is no longer licensed to lend in Canada Even one of these factors can change how a lender views the risk. Why This Matters Because renewal is not guaranteed, waiting until the last minute can put you in a difficult position. Understanding this reality early gives you time and control. How to Protect Yourself at Renewal The best approach is to be proactive. Ideally, you should begin reviewing your options 120 days before your mortgage term ends . This gives you enough time to explore alternatives and make informed decisions—rather than reacting under pressure. Even if your current lender offers a renewal, that’s just one option , not automatically the best one. The lender that was right for you years ago may no longer offer the most competitive rate, terms, or flexibility today. The goal at renewal isn’t convenience—it’s reducing your total cost of borrowing and choosing terms that align with your current situation. Why Work With an Independent Mortgage Professional Working with an independent mortgage professional ensures someone is advocating for you , not the lender. Instead of being limited to one set of products, you can compare options across multiple lenders and choose the solution that best protects your interests. Final Thoughts Whether your lender is offering a renewal or not, the smartest move is to review all your options before signing anything. If your mortgage is coming up for renewal—or if you want to plan ahead—feel free to connect anytime. I’d be happy to help you protect your options and make a confident decision.
Why the Property Matters When You’re Qualifying for a Mortgage When qualifying for a mortgage, lenders typically look at four core areas: Income Credit Down payment or equity The property itself Most buyers focus heavily on income, credit, and savings—and for good reason. But even if those boxes are checked, the property can still determine whether a mortgage is approved. Why Lenders Care About the Property From a lender’s perspective, the property is the collateral for the mortgage. In the unlikely event of default, they need to know the home can be sold quickly and at fair market value to recover their funds. Because of this, lenders are careful about the condition, value, and marketability of any property they finance. Homes that are in poor repair, unconventional, or overpriced can raise red flags—even when the borrower is well qualified. Appraisals Are Always Part of the Process Every mortgage requires an appraisal to confirm value. Insured mortgages (through CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty) often use an automated valuation model completed online. Conventional mortgages typically require a full, on-site appraisal by a certified appraiser. This appraisal is not optional and happens after an offer is accepted—not at the pre-approval stage. Why Pre-Approvals Aren’t a Guarantee A pre-approval is a great first step, but it only assesses you, not the property. Once you’ve made an offer, the lender must approve the specific home you’re buying. Understanding this upfront helps avoid surprises and confusion later in the process. The Risk of Buying Without a Financing Condition In competitive markets, buyers sometimes remove financing conditions to strengthen their offer. However, this comes with risk. If the appraisal comes back low—or the lender is concerned about the property’s condition—you could be denied financing after the offer is firm. In that scenario, your deposit may be at risk. Buying a Home That Needs Work If you’re considering a property that isn’t in perfect condition, there are solutions. A purchase plus improvements program allows you to buy a home and include renovation costs in your mortgage. The process is structured and requires planning, but it can be an excellent way to turn a fixer-upper into a great long-term investment. Final Thoughts Mortgage approval isn’t based solely on your finances—the property matters just as much. Knowing this ahead of time helps you make smarter offers, reduce risk, and plan more effectively. If you’re buying a property that needs work or want clarity on how a lender may view a specific home, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you plan with confidence.
Contact Me Anytime!
The best way to get ahold of me is to submit through the contact form below. However feel free to give me a shout on the phone as well.
