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.

Why Refinanced Mortgages Are Always Uninsured

May 19, 2026

Discover why refinanced mortgages in Canada are always uninsured and the opportunities refinancing your mortgage provide you.

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Using Foreign Income

Some Canadian lenders may consider foreign income when underwriting a mortgage, but there are strict guidelines and additional documentation requirements. Many will not. Whether a lender accepts foreign income and the limitations on accepting such depends on their...

Remodelling vs Renovating

The world of home improvement is filled with terminology that often gets misused. One of the most common sources of confusion? The difference between remodeling and renovating. While the terms are frequently used interchangeably, they represent distinct types of home...

Renovate to Increase Home Value

A home’s value isn’t static—it fluctuates based on market conditions, neighbourhood trends, and, most notably, the condition of the property itself. Homeowners looking to boost their property’s appraised value often turn to renovations, but not all upgrades yield the...

Mortgage Co-Signer: Risks & Responsibilities

Unlock the essentials of being a Mortgage Co-Signer in Canada, exploring the key risks and responsibilities involved in the process.

Fit Your Mortgage into Your Budget

… Make Your Mortgage Fit Your Life: A Budget-First Playbook You don’t buy a mortgage—you buy a life. The roof, the school district, the Saturday pancakes, the money left over for date night… that’s the real purchase. So instead of letting the mortgage dictate your...

What is Disability Insurance

Disability insurance is a type of insurance designed to provide income in the event that a person is unable to work due to a disability. This insurance is crucial for financial protection, as it helps replace a portion of your income if you become disabled and are...

Closing Costs: The Hidden Price Tag

But here’s the kicker—closing costs. These are the extra expenses you need to cover in cash before the keys land in your hands. Many buyers don’t see them coming, and I’ve watched more than a few clients scramble at the last minute. The good news? With some planning—and even a few lender programs—you can stay a step ahead.

Leverage the Niagara Homeownership Program

Unlock the door to your new home with the Niagara Homeownership Program. Discover affordable housing and first-time buyer incentives.

Investing Within a FHSA

Investing in a FHSA. You’ve opened your First Home Savings Account (FHSA), you’ve got your first few contributions in, and now you’re staring at the screen wondering, “Okay… where do I actually put this money?” Here’s the thing — the FHSA is more than just a savings account; it’s an investment vehicle. But your time horizon — whether you plan to buy in 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years — changes everything. The shorter your runway, the less risk you can take with your down payment funds.

Advanced First Home Savings Account

Advanced FHSA. Buying your first home in Canada can feel a bit like trying to run a marathon with a backpack full of bricks—every step toward that down payment seems heavier than the last. But here’s the good news: the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is like discovering there’s a downhill stretch right in the middle of the race. It’s a government-backed program designed to help you save faster for your first home, with some incredible tax perks thrown in. If you’re a first-time homebuyer (or helping one), this account can be a game-changer.

Can’t Pay Back Home Buyers Plan

Can’t Pay Back Home Buyers Plan. You’ve done it — bought your first home, maybe with a little help from your RRSP through the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). It felt like a smart move at the time (and it often is). But fast forward, and life has a funny way of throwing curveballs: job changes, unexpected expenses, or even just the rising cost of everything. Suddenly, those HBP repayments you promised to make feel like a stretch.

Flex Down Mortgages

If you’ve got the income to buy a home but your savings account is looking a little… let’s say “light,” you might feel like homeownership is still miles away. The good news? That’s not always the case. With a Flex Down mortgage program, you can borrow your down payment — legally, transparently, and with the lender’s blessing — to get you into your first home sooner.

Types of Status in Canada

Types of Status: If you’ve ever walked into a mortgage meeting thinking, “I’m Canadian, so I’m good, right?” — buckle up. In Canada, there’s not just one definition of “resident,” and it’s not just about whether you’ve got a passport. There’s immigration status (your right to live here) and tax residency status (how the Canada Revenue Agency sees you). And they don’t always line up neatly.

Mortgage Service: Why It Matters

When you buy a home, you’re not just signing up for a set of keys and a welcome mat—you’re taking on the biggest financial commitment you’ll likely make in your entire life. The mortgage you choose will shape your finances for decades. That’s why the level of knowledge, care, and service you get should match the size of that commitment.

From Residential to Commercial

So you’ve been picking up rental properties over the years—maybe it started with a duplex, then a triplex, and next thing you know, you’re sitting on a healthy portfolio under your holding company. You’ve figured out the tenant game, you’re cash-flowing, and the equity’s stacking up nicely.

But then one day, you’re applying for financing on property number six, and your lender says:
“Sorry, this now falls under commercial lending.”