Some Canadians in expensive real estate markets may have to change their game plans for buying a first home because of new rules announced this week by the federal government. While the changes are unlikely to be a deterrent for most Canadians, it could make it harder for those on the fringes to qualify for mortgages, industry observers say. “You’ll have the odd marginal purchaser who might be affected by this but I think that these are reasonable ways to keep spending in check,” says Dale Ripplinger, president of the Canadian Real Estate Association and a realtor in Regina.