by Allen Ehlert | November 4, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Buying a home can move quickly. You tour a property, fall in love with it and suddenly the listing agent is expecting an offer within the hour. Everyone feels the pressure to get the paperwork signed before somebody else swoops in. But when financing is involved,...
by Allen Ehlert | November 3, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, there are about 10 different kinds of lenders, offering prime, alternative, and subprime mortgages that are insured, uninsured, and insurable while also being conventional or collateral. There are literally thousands of different mortgage products on the...
by Allen Ehlert | November 2, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In real estate, price gets most of the attention, but dates can quietly make or break the transaction. You can negotiate a terrific purchase price, write a clean offer and keep everyone smiling—only to discover that the mortgage lender cannot meet the closing date....
by Allen Ehlert | November 1, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Rachel, a marketing executive in Ottawa, Ontario, found her dream condo in a competitive real estate market. The property was listed for $550,000, and she placed a firm offer (no financing condition) to secure the deal. Rachel was pre-approved for a mortgage with a...
by Allen Ehlert | October 31, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
The adage “location, location, location” holds when determining real estate prices. The desirability of a property’s location is influenced by a multitude of factors, including proximity to employment centres, the quality of local schools, access to...
by Allen Ehlert | October 30, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Remember the day the sign went up on your lawn? You were pumped. The photographer came, the house looked like a magazine spread, and you were already picturing the moving truck and the next chapter. Fast forward a few weeks (or a few months), and the vibe is a whole...
by Allen Ehlert | October 30, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Real Estate > Personal Finance > Mortgage The 407 ETR (Express Toll Route) in Ontario, Canada, is renowned for its cost, often considered one of, if not the most expensive toll roads in the world. If you ask a person in Ontario, they will tell you they think the...
by Allen Ehlert | October 29, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Several communities in Ontario have experienced strong property value appreciation over the years, and they are expected to continue this trajectory. Keep in mind that the future performance of real estate markets can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as...
by Allen Ehlert | October 28, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Employment in Canada is not a monolithic concept. It is a dynamic structure shaped by economic demands, industry standards, and government regulations. Whether someone is a salaried professional, a contract-based consultant, or a gig worker juggling multiple roles,...
by Allen Ehlert | October 27, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, the mortgage application process is highly regulated, requiring strict compliance with financial and legal documentation standards. For borrowers whose mortgage application documents are in a language other than English or French, lenders demand certified...
by Allen Ehlert | October 26, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Owning property in Canada is an attractive prospect for many, from newcomers and investors to Canadian expatriates looking to return home. However, financing a mortgage with funds sourced from outside of Canada presents unique challenges. Lenders, banks, and...
by Allen Ehlert | October 25, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Economic conditions, law enforcement practices, and community involvement are just a few of the variables that can affect and fluctuate crime rates. It’s also important to consider the type of crime (violent, property, etc.) when evaluating these statistics....
by Allen Ehlert | October 24, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, private lenders are individuals or entities that provide mortgage financing outside of the traditional banking and financial institution system. They are an alternative source of funding for borrowers who may not qualify for mortgages from banks or other...
by Allen Ehlert | October 23, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Temporary workers in Canada—those employed on a fixed-term contract, through an agency, or seasonally—often face additional challenges when applying for a mortgage. Because lenders prefer stable, long-term employment, temporary workers are seen as higher-risk...
by Allen Ehlert | October 22, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
A second mortgage is a loan that is secured against a property that already has an existing mortgage. It is considered “second” because it is subordinate to the first mortgage in terms of priority—meaning that if the homeowner defaults, the first mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | October 21, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
A complex interplay of various factors affects the supply of housing in Ontario. These factors can affect the availability, type, and affordability of housing in the province. Here are ten key factors impacting the supply of housing in Ontario: 1. Land Availability...
by Allen Ehlert | October 20, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
If you have a first mortgage, can you just go out and get a second mortgage? The short answer is not always. While it is possible to obtain a second mortgage if you already have a first mortgage, several factors must align for you to qualify. You cannot simply go and...
by Allen Ehlert | October 19, 2026 | Home Specifications, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
As a mortgage agent who underwrites mortgages, I’ve come across countless applications where homeowners and investors alike want to leverage rental income from basement suites or converted spaces to boost their borrowing power. It’s a smart move in theory, but...
by Allen Ehlert | October 18, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Affordability remains a cornerstone of housing decisions, often outweighing even employment factors when individuals and families consider relocating. In Ontario, a diverse province with a wide range of urban and rural settings, certain cities stand out for their...
by Allen Ehlert | October 17, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
A short commute to work really improves the quality of your life. Workers don’t push for remote work if they can live in a community where the commute is short and pleasant. However, if your employer is in a major city, or worse yet, Toronto, and the demand is...
by Allen Ehlert | October 16, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
A subordination agreement is a legal document that modifies the lien priority of two or more mortgages on a property. In the context of first and second position mortgages, this agreement allows a lender with a lower-ranking mortgage (such as a second mortgage or a...
