If buying a home is on your list of to dos for 2016, then you may be affected by the new downpayment requirement rules announced by Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
 
As of February 2016, you will need to have...

In order to qualify for mortgage financing you need to have an established credit history and credit score at Equifax or Trans Union credit reporting agencies in Canada.  Lenders use this information to determine how likely you are to repay your mortgage loan.

In Canada, if you are putting less than a 20% down payment on a home, you will need a minimum credit score of...

With all the recent talk about debt, stricter mortgage rules and changing interest rates, you may be wondering if buying a home this year is the right thing to do.  Having reservations is normal; after all it is probably the biggest investment that you will ever make.  It can be especially overwhelming if you are a first-time home buyer.  Here are some reasons to show you that the time may be right for you to make the move to home owner...