Personal Finance

Securing Your Today and Tomorrow

Housing as Income Percentage

Financial planners generally advise spending no more than 28% to 30% of your gross monthly income on housing. This guideline is known as the "front-end ratio" and primarily covers housing expenses like mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and...

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

‘Consent to Second Mortgage’

May 16, 2026

Consent to Second Mortgage: Understanding the document that enables you to get a second mortgage.

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Get to Know Fraction

As a licensed mortgage agent dedicated to helping clients find innovative, flexible, and responsible solutions to their real estate financing challenges, I occasionally come across lenders who are truly doing things differently—and doing them well. One such lender is Fraction, a name many clients may not be familiar with yet, but one that is absolutely worth knowing. If you’ve been exploring options that balance affordability, flexibility, and strategic financial planning, Fraction may offer precisely what you need.

Partnering with Ginko

As a licensed mortgage agent, my responsibility is not only to secure the best mortgage solutions for my clients—but also to explain why a particular lender is the right fit for their unique financial profile. That’s why I want to introduce you to a lender you may not be familiar with: Ginkgo Mortgage Investment Corporation (Ginkgo MIC).

Smart Lending from New Haven

As a licensed mortgage agent committed to helping clients navigate the complex world of real estate financing, I often encounter scenarios where traditional “A” or even “B” lenders simply aren’t a fit. For those moments, it’s critical to have a reliable, flexible, and client-first lending partner. One such lender I’m proud to introduce to my clients and partners is New Haven Mortgage Corporation.

Understanding Your Mortgage Commitment

When you’re buying a home or refinancing your mortgage, you’ll hear a lot of new terms—pre-approval, appraisal, closing costs—but one of the most critical and often misunderstood steps in the process is the mortgage commitment. And trust me, this is not just another piece of paperwork you sign and forget.

Learn About Optimum Mortgage

I often work with clients who are unfamiliar with some of the most innovative and flexible lenders in the industry. One such lender is Optimum Mortgage, a subsidiary of Canadian Western Bank. In this article, I’ll break down who Optimum Mortgage is, what makes them different, and why they might be the right lender for you.

Introducing Tembo: Private Lending Partner

In today’s complex real estate market, speed, creativity, and access to equity are essential—especially for homeowners navigating transitional situations, urgent closings, or non-traditional borrowing needs. As a professional mortgage agent, I work with a variety of lenders to ensure that my clients have access to the right solutions at the right time. One such lender I’m proud to introduce to you is Tembo Financial.

PeakHill Capital: Multifamily Financing

Whether you’re developing purpose-built rentals, acquiring stabilized income properties, or seeking long-term financing under CMHC’s MLI Select program, PeakHill brings depth, insight, and executional excellence to every file.

Introducing RiverRock for Unique Mortgage Needs

As a licensed and experienced mortgage agent committed to providing my clients with access to the most suitable financing solutions, I often introduce them to lenders they may not be familiar with—especially when traditional lending options fall short. One such lender that consistently delivers flexible, transparent, and timely private mortgage solutions is RiverRock MIC.

Comparing Canada’s Reverse Mortgage Products

Navigating the landscape of reverse mortgages in Canada requires a nuanced understanding of the offerings available. Four prominent players—HomeEquity Bank, Equitable Bank, Bloom Finance, and Fraction—each present unique solutions tailored to diverse homeowner needs. Allow me to delve into the strengths, weaknesses, and ideal scenarios for each, highlighting distinctive features that set them apart.

Introducing Alta West Capital: A Strategic Option in Private Lending

With a strong foundation in equity-based lending and a flexible, common-sense approach, Alta West is more than a private lender—they’re a financial partner built for today’s reality.

Alterna Savings: Flexible Mortgage Lending

As a licensed mortgage agent dedicated to helping clients find the right financing solutions, I’m constantly evaluating which lenders stand out for their policies, service, and reliability. Let me introduce you to a lesser-known, but highly capable lender: Alterna Savings. You may not have heard of them yet—but for many borrowers, they may be exactly what’s needed.

Unlocking Retirement Wealth Through Bloom Reverse Mortgages

One of the most transformative—and often overlooked—solutions for Canadians aged 55 and older is a reverse mortgage. That’s why I’m proud to introduce Bloom, a forward-thinking lender specializing in reverse mortgages, with a mission to empower seniors to age in place with dignity, comfort, and financial freedom.

What are Commitment Fees?

n Canada, when a lender mentions a “1% commitment fee on all its rates,” it means that the lender charges a fee equal to 1% of the mortgage loan amount as a one time charge as a condition for committing to the loan agreement. A commitment fee is also known as a lender fee. This fee is typically charged upfront when the loan agreement is finalized or may be added to the total loan amount, depending on the lender’s policies.

Introducing CMLS Financial

One such lender is CMLS Financial. You may not have heard of them before, but for the right client, they’re a hidden gem in the Canadian mortgage landscape. Let’s explore who they are, what they offer, and why they might be the ideal fit for your mortgage financing needs.

Get to Know Aspire: Flexible Real Estate Financing

I work hard to connect clients with lenders that not only understand their unique situations but also go the extra mile to make deals work. One such lender that you may not have heard of yet—but absolutely should—is Aspire. Backed by a team that prioritizes flexibility and common-sense underwriting, Aspire is changing the way we think about residential lending in Ontario.