The government has announced 2 major changes that are taking effect as of Dec 15, 2024:
1) For those that want to put less than a 20% down payment on a home purchase, you were capped at a purchase price of $1,000,000 since 2012. Well now that's changing to $1,500,000. So more home for less down payment.
2) For those same buyers that are wanting to put less than a 20% down payment, they were capped at an amortization (the way we factor payments) of 25 years. That's going up to 30 years. The 25 year cap has been in effect since 2012 as well.
What's the difference between a 25yr and 30yr amortization? A 30 year amortization means lower payments and therefore, the ability to qualify for a higher mortgage amount.
Why are these changes here? Well, the tighter rules that we had were as a result of the 2008 financial crisis. Now the changes are here to help the housing market move product and help builders who have slowed down over the past few years. This will allow many more buyers to get into the market. An upcoming Federal election is another impetus.
All in all, good news for buyers who have felt very constrained over the last few years.
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