by Allen Ehlert | March 15, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When a relationship ends and one spouse wants to remain in the home, a divorce refinance is often one of the first financial solutions explored. The Divorce Refinance Calculator is designed to help you understand what that might look like financially before speaking...
by Allen Ehlert | March 14, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages
The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio is a crucial metric used to assess the financial strength and stability of a bank, particularly its ability to withstand financial stress and economic downturns. It measures a bank’s core equity capital compared with its...
by Allen Ehlert | March 13, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
There are many articles in newspapers, on the web, on social media, etc. arguing that renting is good and that you’ll be OK if you don’t own the roof over your head. In my opinion, these articles pander to people who are suffering during this housing crisis. To get...
by Allen Ehlert | March 12, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When applying for a mortgage, to put the applicant in the best light with a lender to get the best rate possible, the question arises, “Can you gross up T4 and dividend income from a corporation?” In Canada, when completing a mortgage application for a...
by Allen Ehlert | March 11, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Imagine you’re on your dream home’s doorstep, searching for keys in excitement. Many Canadians wish for this but think it’s too hard to get. In Ottawa, a house costs about $700,000. To afford this, you need a yearly income of over $170,000. Saving...
by Allen Ehlert | March 10, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Did you know real estate makes over 75% of Canadian’s wealth? This shows how important Canadian real estate is for growing wealth. As the value of homes goes up, people’s wealth grows too. Real estate not only helps individuals but also boosts the wealth...
by Allen Ehlert | March 9, 2026 | Personal Finance, Real Estate
The latest data from 2025 shows that the wealth gap in Canada is bigger than ever. This is the largest jump in the wealth gap since 2015. The main cause has been the rising interest rates. These rates have hit different types of families hard. From July 2022 to July...
by Allen Ehlert | March 8, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Did you know that you can claim certain carrying charges and interest paid to earn income from investments as deductions on your taxes in Canada? This little-known tax strategy can make a significant impact on your bottom line, allowing you to reduce your tax...
by Allen Ehlert | March 7, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
An assumable mortgage is a financing option that allows an outstanding mortgage to be transferred from the current owner to a buyer. While assumable mortgages are not very common in Canada, most fixed-rate mortgages can be assumed, while variable-rate and home equity...
by Allen Ehlert | March 6, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Title insurance is a crucial safeguard for homeowners in Canada, providing protection against unforeseen property title issues and offering peace of mind. It covers risks related to a property’s ownership, including past events that could affect the...
by Allen Ehlert | March 5, 2026 | Personal Finance
Strategically using your credit card to build wealth can substantially enhance your financial security. Canadians aged 25-34 usually have about 2.9 credit cards each. While some say credit cards aren’t good, they can be great for wealth if used well. A study...
by Allen Ehlert | March 4, 2026 | Insurance, Mortgages, Real Estate
As a young couple, Sarah and Michael had been diligently saving for their first home. They were excited to take the plunge into homeownership, but when they met with me, they were surprised to learn about the requirement for mortgage default insurance. This was...
by Allen Ehlert | March 3, 2026 | Lender, Mortgages
… A Strategic Look at LendHub’s Quick Equity-Based Loans As an accountant or financial planner, you don’t get paid to react — you get paid to anticipate. You structure tax strategies, preserve capital, manage risk, and protect long-term wealth. But every now and...
by Allen Ehlert | March 2, 2026 | Mortgages
The general rule for individuals wanting to apply for a mortgage or real estate financing who are not Canadian is to provide the Canadian equivalent mortgage documents in their application. Foreign Buyer Restriction Presently, The Prohibition on the Purchase of...
by Allen Ehlert | March 1, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Optimizing payment frequency for a fixed-rate mortgage can significantly impact the overall interest you pay and how quickly you pay off your mortgage. Here’s how to do it effectively: Understand Different Payment Frequencies Choose Accelerated Options Align...
by Allen Ehlert | February 28, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Position, Priority, and the Power—and Peril—of Layered Debt Second mortgages sit in one of the most misunderstood corners of Canadian real estate finance. They’re powerful, flexible, and sometimes exactly the right tool. They’re also easy to misuse, easy to...
by Allen Ehlert | February 28, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
The Rental Investment Analyzer is a comprehensive financial analysis tool for evaluating Canadian rental properties. It converts user inputs (market rent, expenses, financing, etc.) into professional metrics like NOI, DSCR, cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and...
by Allen Ehlert | February 27, 2026 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Underwriting “Truth Serum” That Can Turn a File Into an Approval NOTE: The audience for this article is financial professionals and some engaged realtors. However, the information is presented in a manner that anyone who is interested can understand. You’ve seen...
by Allen Ehlert | February 26, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… How Your Basement Can Transform Your Financial Life There’s a moment most homeowners miss. It’s usually when they’re staring at a floor plan, a renovation quote, or an unfinished basement and thinking, “This would be nice… but is it worth it?”What they don’t realize...
by Allen Ehlert | February 25, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When applying for a self-employed mortgage in Canada, the way your income is considered can vary. There are three different methods: traditional income confirmation, non-traditional income confirmation, and stated income. Let me tell you a story to illustrate the...
by Allen Ehlert | February 24, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
…What You Need to Know Did you know that the current prime rate in Canada is 6.45%? The prime rate is a key benchmark used by Canadian banks to price many variable-interest financial products, including variable-rate mortgages, lines of credit, and certain...
