by Allen Ehlert | October 20, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In Canada, a CLP refers to a “Certificate of Pending Litigation.” A Certificate of Pending Litigation (CLP) is a legal document that is registered against the title of a property to indicate that there is a pending lawsuit involving the property. It serves...
by Allen Ehlert | October 19, 2025 | Commercial, Real Estate
… Documents, Income, Down Payment & What Lenders Are Actually Looking For So, you’re thinking about buying a commercial property — maybe it’s an apartment building, maybe it’s a warehouse, maybe it’s that strip plaza you’ve been driving past for years...
by Allen Ehlert | October 18, 2025 | Commercial
… A Practical Look at Managing Risk in Commercial Lending When it comes to commercial mortgages, one of the first questions clients ask me — after “What’s the rate?” — is “Should I go fixed or variable?” And honestly, it’s a great question. Because unlike with your...
by Allen Ehlert | October 17, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Are you considering investing in rental property in Ontario? It’s no secret that the demand for tenanted properties is on the rise, and for good reason. Let me share a story that highlights the benefits and potential of investing in tenant-occupied real estate....
by Allen Ehlert | October 17, 2025 | Commercial, Mortgage Terms
…Knowing Your Place in Line If you’ve ever been involved in a commercial deal where there’s more than one lender, you’ve probably heard someone mention a postponement agreement. And while it sounds like a bureaucratic delay tactic, it’s actually one of the most...
by Allen Ehlert | October 16, 2025 | Commercial, Mortgage Terms
… How Hitting Pause Can Save the Deal In the world of commercial real estate lending, not every disagreement needs to turn into a showdown. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t to fight for control—it’s to take a breath, stand still, and let cooler heads (and structured...
by Allen Ehlert | October 16, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… Babies, Bottles, and Bank Commitments If you’re thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or renewing your mortgage and there’s a baby on the horizon, you might be wondering how maternity or paternity leave fits into the picture. The truth? Lenders love stability —...
by Allen Ehlert | October 15, 2025 | Commercial
… Avoid These Pitfalls and Set Yourself Up for Success When it comes to applying for a commercial mortgage, there’s no shortage of ways to trip yourself up — and trust me, I’ve seen plenty of smart people do it. Unlike a residential mortgage, where the process is...
by Allen Ehlert | October 15, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Why Refinancing Isn’t Always the Silver Bullet If you’re staring down a mountain of credit card debt — say $60,000 or so — you’re not alone. Between rising living costs, high interest rates, and a few life curveballs, it doesn’t take much for balances to spiral out...
by Allen Ehlert | October 14, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canadians often believe that mortgage interest is not tax deductible like in the US. The real question is How to you write off mortgage interest in Canada? There is a tax strategy called the Smith Maneuver that allows you to convert mortgage interest into a deductible...
by Allen Ehlert | October 13, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Ontario, Canada, the obligations to pay when a mortgage payment is missed differ between a guarantor and a co-signer. Understanding the differences between these roles can help clarify the responsibilities involved in guaranteeing or co-signing a mortgage....
by Allen Ehlert | October 12, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In 2025, across Canada, the average cost of a home appraisal for a typical residential property ranges from approximately $300 to $500, with many examples clustering between $350 and $550. The process of determining the fair market value of a property plays a crucial...
by Allen Ehlert | October 11, 2025 | Commercial
…How to Finance Buildings with Both Residential and Business Tenants Without Losing Your Mind Mixed-use properties are everywhere — think of those buildings with retail on the ground floor and apartments up top. They’re smart investments because they give you multiple...
by Allen Ehlert | October 11, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Should You Always Get Your HELOC from Your Own Bank? Not So Fast. You’d be surprised how often I hear this one: “If I already have my mortgage at TD, shouldn’t I just get my HELOC there too?” A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) is a revolving loan that lets you...
by Allen Ehlert | October 10, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
How Canada’s Prime Rate Impacts You In an economy where a mere quarter-point adjustment can send ripples across markets, it’s worth noting that Canada’s prime rate influences over CA$1.69 trillion worth of residential mortgages. This staggering...
by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… When Buying or Refinancing a Home 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...
by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Commercial
… How to Prep for a Commercial Mortgage Like a Pro If you’re gearing up to apply for a commercial mortgage, here’s something you need to know right out of the gate: this is not your average, everyday residential mortgage application. Commercial lending is a different...
by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Discover the gotchas that make you re-think what you thought you knew You’ve probably heard it before — “Just refinance your mortgage and pay off those credit cards.” It sounds simple, right? After all, why keep paying 20% interest on credit cards when your mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | October 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
A mortgage Bona Fide Sales Clause is a contractual restriction found in mortgage agreements that binds you, the borrower, to the lender for the entire term of the mortgage unless the property is sold in a non-arm’s length transaction. This clause is often...
by Allen Ehlert | October 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… and what are you paying for when you pay legal fees for a home? 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...
by Allen Ehlert | October 7, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
… What You Need to Know About Square Footage and Mortgages When it comes to mortgages, people often obsess over interest rates, terms, and approval criteria — but one question flies under the radar until it suddenly becomes a problem:“Does the size of the home matter...
