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

Understanding Market Rent

May 9, 2026

Understanding Market Rent: More homebuyers today rely on rental income to qualify for mortgages. If you’re one of them, you’ll often need a market rent report or rent letter to “prove” that income to the lender.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Join My Newsletter

Investing in Real Estate and Infrastructure

Discover the benefits of investing in real estate and infrastructure, where long-term cash flows and natural dividend growth create lucrative opportunities. Explore tax advantages, essential services, and real-world examples in this comprehensive blog.

Introducing Magenta: For Unique Mortgage Needs

As your mortgage agent, one of my roles is to not only find you the right mortgage solution but also to introduce you to lending partners who align with your goals—even if they are names you may not be familiar with. One such lender is Magenta Capital, a highly respected institution that offers innovative, flexible mortgage solutions tailored to a broad range of client needs.

Mortgage Agent and Client: A Trusted Relationship

Why Is it important to have a family doctor instead of just relying on a drop-in clinic? For many people, a mortgage is the biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make. But too often, borrowers treat it as a one-time transaction—secure a loan, sign the papers, and...

Discover Manulife Bank

In today’s highly competitive mortgage market, it’s important that you have access to lenders who not only offer great rates but also truly innovative solutions. As your licensed and experienced mortgage agent, I take pride in introducing you to options that go beyond...

Discover IC Savings: Your Creative Lender

I’m always exploring lending partners that align with my commitment to delivering personalized, flexible, and outcome-oriented mortgage solutions. Today, I’d like to introduce you to IC Savings, a lender you may not have heard of, but one that deserves serious consideration if you’re seeking alternatives to traditional financing options.

Toronto Real Estate: Dominance of Investors and Its Implications

Explore the challenges faced by real estate investors in Toronto and how it impacts tenants and the rental market. Discover how rising mortgage rates and investor-owned properties are reshaping the real estate landscape.

The Real Story Behind Inground Pools

Welcome to the spring real estate market. As the temperature warms and leaves return to the branches of trees, homes for sale with inground pools return to the market as a point of appeal to would-be buyers. As a professional home inspector and mortgage agent in the Greater Toronto Area, I’ve had countless conversations with buyers and sellers alike about the appeal—and the reality—of owning an inground pool. Pools can be a luxurious, lifestyle-enhancing feature, especially in the spring and summer months when outdoor living is at its peak. But like all major home features, pools come with both benefits and responsibilities.

Are You an Employee or a Contractor?

Employment classification in Canada is more than just a bureaucratic distinction—it has profound legal, financial, and professional consequences. Whether an individual is categorized as an employee, or an independent contractor dictates tax obligations, benefits...

Understanding Course of Construction Insurance

Building a new home, undertaking a major renovation, or adding a legal secondary suite can be one of the most exciting — and financially rewarding — projects you ever take on. But before the first shovel hits the ground, it’s critical to understand one of the most important protections you’ll need along the way: Course of Construction Insurance.

Unlocking Exclusive Mortgage Solutions at TD Canada Trust

As a licensed and experienced mortgage agent, it’s my responsibility — and my passion — to match every client with the lender that offers the best combination of security, flexibility, and value. Today, I’m proud to introduce an incredible opportunity through a name...

Defaulting on Your Mortgage? Consequences and Solutions

Defaulting on your mortgage can have severe financial and personal repercussions. In this article, I explore what happens when you default on your mortgage, the differences between foreclosure and power of sale, and strategies to prevent default.

Introducing Hillmount Capital: A Unique Lending

In the private lending space, I am pleased to introduce you to a lender you may not have heard of before — Hillmount Capital. With a strong reputation for flexibility, speed, and creative solutions, Hillmount Capital is a trusted alternative for borrowers who need real estate financing but may not fit the traditional bank mold.

Orbis Mortgage: A Cross-Border Lending Solution

As a professional mortgage agent dedicated to guiding clients through complex real estate financing, I am proud to introduce you to a lender you may not have encountered before: Orbis Mortgage. When you're navigating the unfamiliar terrain of financing U.S. real...

Discover MCAN Home Mortgage

I am proud to introduce you to MCAN Home Mortgage Corporation—a highly reputable, award-winning lender that brings flexibility, innovation, and personalized service to the mortgage market. For many clients, MCAN can be the perfect partner to help them achieve their real estate goals.

Introducing Desjardins Mortgages

Let’s discuss the biggest mortgage lender in Quebec who also is a growing force in Ontario— I’m talking about Desjardins, a distinguished financial institution that could be the perfect fit for your mortgage needs.