Personal Finance

Securing Your Today and Tomorrow

Accessing Your Credit Score

In Canada, understanding and monitoring your credit score is crucial for managing your financial health. This score, a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, impacts various aspects of your financial life, from securing loans to negotiating better terms on...

Mortgages: You Better Shop Around

When shopping for a mortgage it is important to think like a bank. Don’t pay the loyalty penalty, get the advantage of having Allen Ehlert shop the market and get you your best mortgage

Property Tax Calculations

Understanding property taxes and their calculations in Canada is essential for homeowners, prospective buyers, and real estate professionals alike. Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for municipalities and directly impact local services and...

Is It a Scam to Pay a Full Year’s Rent in Advance?

Learn what is legal and what is practised when competing for a place to rent.

10 Commandments of Mortgages

Looking to buy your new home is an exciting experience. All the possibilities. You look and you look and you look. You go to open houses, have your realtor take you into house after house, then all of of sudden you walk into one house and bang it hits you, home! You...

Basis Points: Key to Smarter Mortgage Decisions

Learn what basis points are, why they are used and their impact on the mortgage application process.

Canadian Utilities Costs

Explore the cost of utilities in Canada to manage your household expenses better. Gain insights into average rates and cost-saving strategies.

Using a Cash-Back Realtor

In today’s real estate market, many Canadian homebuyers don’t know about the benefits of a cash-back realtor. Imagine getting a part of the agent’s commission for every property deal. This is what cash-back home buying offers, making homes more affordable in Canada.

Gifts Ineligible for Net Worth Programs

Discover why gifts are not generally eligible to be used as part of the down payment or source of income for people applying for a mortgage under the Net Worth Program

Smart Second Mortgages

Smart Second Mortgages: A smart second mortgage is more than a fallback, it’s an intelligent strategic tool.

What is a Net Worth Program?

May 22, 2026

Learn what a Net Worth Program is and how it assists individuals with substantial net worth to qualify for a mortgage.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Join My Newsletter

5 Smart Ways to Save on Legal Fees

5 ways to save on legal fees: Buying a home (or refinancing one) is exciting — but when you add up land transfer tax, legal fees, and all the little “extras,” it can feel like death by a thousand cuts. One of the most common questions I get as a mortgage agent is: “Allen, how can I save on legal fees?”

Home Equity to Pay Off Debt Doesn’t Add Up

Debt Consolidation: Using your home equity to clear debt doesn’t always make sense. Sometimes, after factoring in mortgage penalties, fees, and timelines, what seems like the smart move can end up costing more than doing nothing at all.

Understanding Mortgage Bona Fide Sales Clause

Explore the essentials of a Mortgage Bona Fide Sales Clause and its impact on your property transactions in Canadian real estate.

How Much are Legal Fees?

Legal Fees: Buying a home in Canada is a huge milestone — but it can also feel like a never-ending list of fees, forms, and fine print. One of the most common surprises for homebuyers is legal fees. You know you need a lawyer, but what exactly are you paying for? And why do some mortgages come with higher legal costs than others?

Credit Score and Your Mortgage

Understand how your Credit Score affects mortgage rates in Canada and learn ways to enhance it for better loan terms.

Non-Resident Speculation Tax

Understand the Non-Resident Speculation Tax and its impact on Ontario’s real estate market. Find out if you’re affected and how to comply.

Understanding Second Mortgages

There’s a lot of buzz out there about second mortgages. You hear about people using them to pay off debt, help kids buy homes, or fund renovations. They sound like a simple solution — and sometimes they are. But second mortgages aren’t just a financial hack you pull out of thin air. They come with rules, restrictions, and some real fine print that’s easy to overlook.

Reverse Mortgage to a Second Dream Home

A reverse mortgage is often assumed to be a reactive option for a senior homeowner in financial need, but it’s not always the case. In fact, there are situations when a reverse mortgage can be used proactively to unlock financial opportunities.

Struggling Financially as a Senior

As a senior, it seems nothing gets any easier … especially when it comes to money. Everything gets more expensive all the time. Bills go up, taxes go up… things can get very scary! You are lucky if you have a pension, but most of those don’t keep up with today’s inflation and cost of living. It doesn’t seem fair to have worked so hard your entire life only to struggle right to the end.

How I Vet Mortgage Documents to Protect Your Deal

Let’s be real — in real estate, everyone plays a role. The realtor sells the dream, the lawyer protects the paperwork, but when it comes to vetting the financials, that’s where I step in. As a mortgage agent, it’s my job to protect the integrity of the deal before it ever reaches a lender’s underwriter. I’m the one who spots the inconsistencies, asks the awkward questions, and makes sure that everything adds up — literally and figuratively.

Reverse Mortgage: Cushion Against Inflation

When the cost-of-living spikes, many workers can rely on salary increases to keep pace, while retired public servants with indexed pensions may also be somewhat protected. Retirees with pensions that aren’t inflation-adjusted have more cause for concern; however, if...

Why Honest Mortgage Docs Matter

Getting a mortgage isn’t like applying for a gym membership. It’s not about looking good on paper for five minutes—it’s about proving you can carry the weight for the next twenty-five years. Lenders aren’t just handing out keys to anyone who asks. They need to trust that what you’re telling them is the truth: your income, your savings, your credit, and your job are all what you say they are.

Funding Your Retirement: Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage is a timeless financial tool that can be useful for many seniors who own their home. While it may not be the first option that comes to mind, it can be a viable strategy for homeowners even though interest rates have risen.

Reverse Mortgages and the Affluent Retiree

Reverse mortgages are an often misunderstood or overlooked financial tool. One critique is that a reverse mortgage may reduce the inheritance a senior can leave to their family, but that is not always the case. In fact, in some cases, a reverse mortgage may be a...

Your Mortgage Refinance Options

A few years ago, you purchased your home. At the time, you secured a mortgage that was suitable for your financial situation. However, as time goes on, things change, interest rates are not the same and your own financial situation is different; maybe better, maybe...