video1.0<iframe src="https://www.loom.com/embed/a97b8961e71c4c4f8e77fcfc062e5d38" frameborder="0" width="1920" height="1440" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>14401920Loomhttps://www.loom.com14401920https://cdn.loom.com/sessions/thumbnails/a97b8961e71c4c4f8e77fcfc062e5d38-2cef635a882ae378.gif4004.16Bernadette from CMHC provided an overview of CMHC mortgage insurance programs, recent policy updates, and market trends affecting brokers and homebuyers in BC. She emphasized CMHC’s role as a government-backed insurer whose profits are reinvested into Canadian housing initiatives, including affordable housing and homelessness support. The presentation also covered several common misconceptions about CMHC, including appraisal requirements, property “blacklists,” guarantor income rules, and self-employed borrower programs. The session highlighted recent product updates designed to improve affordability and flexibility for borrowers, including the increase in the insured purchase price limit to $1.5 million, 30-year amortizations for eligible buyers, insured refinancing for secondary suites, second-home eligibility, and the use of unsecured borrowed funds for down payments. Bernadette also reviewed CMHC programs such as Eco Plus and Purchase Plus Improvements, which provide premium refunds and financing options for energy-efficient homes and renovations. She concluded by discussing flexibility for self-employed borrowers and encouraging brokers to focus on education-driven client conversations in today’s more uncertain housing market.