30-Year Amortization Expansion

Detailed impact analysis and policy breakdown

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Active
National Scope
High Market Impact

Expanded eligibility for 30-year amortizations to all first-time buyers and all new construction buyers.

Status: Active
Effective: Dec 15, 2024

Policy Overview

The federal government has extended 30-year mortgage amortizations (previously capped at 25 years for insured mortgages) to all first-time homebuyers and all buyers of new construction homes.

The Monthly Payment Effect

Stretching a loan from 25 to 30 years lowers the monthly payment by roughly 8-10%. For a $500,000 mortgage at 4.5%:

  • 25 Years: ~$2,767/month
  • 30 Years: ~$2,520/month

This lowers the qualifying income required, bringing more buyers into the market.

Impact on Prices

High Impact for Pre-sales: By creating a specific exemption for "new builds," the government is trying to incentivize developers to build more. If buyers can afford improved monthly payments only on new homes, demand for pre-construction condos and suburban subdivisions will rise.

The Long-Term Cost

While monthly payments drop, the total interest paid rises drastically. On that same $500k mortgage, adding 5 years costs an additional $50,000+ in interest over the life of the loan. It is a tool for accessibility, not wealth creation.

Official Source

Always verify details with the official government announcement.