by Allen Ehlert | August 15, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
When a person in Canada wishes to purchase a condominium, they put in their offer to purchase a condition to enable themselves, their lawyer, their realtor, and their mortgage agent and lender the opportunity to review detailed information about the financial and...
by Allen Ehlert | August 14, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
In today’s economy, many Canadians face high household debt. The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) offers a way out. It lets you use your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) for a down payment on your first home. This move can be a big step towards owning a...
by Allen Ehlert | August 13, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In Canadian real estate transactions, conditions are specific clauses included in a purchase agreement that must be satisfied for the deal to proceed. These conditions are designed to protect the buyer (or sometimes the seller) and ensure that certain requirements or...
by Allen Ehlert | August 12, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
When purchasing a property, buyers either pay for the entire property with their existing funds or they need to seek out financing by getting a mortgage. Previous to looking for a home, buyers need to have a relationship with a mortgage agent to create a financial...
by Allen Ehlert | August 11, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is not a traditional mortgage but a type of revolving credit secured against the equity in your home. Canadians are very creative in their use of HELOCs using them for everything from investing, to debt consolidation, to using...
by Allen Ehlert | August 10, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In Canada, the liquidity ratio refers to a financial metric used to measure an individual’s or a company’s ability to cover short-term obligations with their liquid assets. Liquid assets are those that can be quickly converted into cash without significant loss in...
by Allen Ehlert | August 9, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
When entering the world of homeownership, understanding the dynamics of your mortgage is crucial for financial planning. Among the key concepts in mortgage management is amortization. This article aims to demystify mortgage amortization, differentiate it from the...
by Allen Ehlert | August 8, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a homeowner in Canada, the idea of breaking your mortgage may have crossed your mind at some point. Whether it’s due to unexpected life events, new financial opportunities, or personal circumstances, the decision to terminate your mortgage can have...
by Allen Ehlert | August 7, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In Canada, an exempt contribution typically refers to contributions made to certain types of registered accounts that do not trigger immediate tax consequences or that do not count against contribution limits in specific situations. The term is most commonly...
by Allen Ehlert | August 6, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Home buying is a naturally expensive thing to be doing. You not only have to pay for the house, but you have substantial closing costs as well. You might want to make your new house ‘home ready’ by getting a few new pieces of furniture and don’t forget new window...
by Allen Ehlert | August 5, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
A non-recourse loan is a type of loan where the lender’s recovery options are limited to the collateral securing the loan. This means that if the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can only seize and sell the collateral (such as a home or property) to...
by Allen Ehlert | August 4, 2026 | Mortgages
When it comes to mortgages in Canada, there are three main categories: insured, insurable, and uninsurable. The type of mortgage you choose can have a significant impact on your home purchase and financial future. It’s essential to understand the differences...
by Allen Ehlert | August 3, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
A zero-percent loan is a type of loan where the borrower is not charged any interest over the life of the loan. Essentially, the borrower repays only the principal amount borrowed, with no additional cost for interest. Zero per cent loans are often used as promotional...
by Allen Ehlert | August 2, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
An emergency fund is an essential financial safety net designed to cover unexpected expenses or financial disruptions without the need to incur debt. It acts as a buffer that can help you maintain your financial stability during unforeseen circumstances such as job...
by Allen Ehlert | August 1, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Personal Finance
An open-end lease is a type of vehicle lease agreement where the lessee (the person leasing the vehicle) is responsible for the difference between the residual value of the vehicle (the estimated value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term) and the actual market...
by Allen Ehlert | July 31, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
A term loan is a type of loan where the borrower receives a lump sum of money upfront and agrees to repay it over a specified period, or “term,” with fixed or variable interest payments. The term can range from a few months to several years, depending on...
by Allen Ehlert | July 30, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada’s diverse mortgage landscape, borrowers have a plethora of options ranging from traditional prime lenders to innovative alternative lending solutions. The rise of alternative lenders has been particularly notable, offering unique advantages that cater...
by Allen Ehlert | July 29, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Keep the Rate, and the House When a marriage ends but the home still makes sense financially and emotionally, the question becomes: how do you keep the house without blowing up the mortgage? One of the most elegant solutions is something called a mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | July 28, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
The mortgage stress test, as mandated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), primarily applies to federally regulated financial institutions, such as banks. However, private mortgage lenders, which are not federally regulated, are not...
by Allen Ehlert | July 27, 2026 | Mortgages
Imagine that you have finally moved into your ideal home and are enjoying the security and comfort it provides. Before you know it, however, it will be time to renew your mortgage. Suddenly, the anticipation transforms into anxiety as the prospect of a payment shock...
by Allen Ehlert | July 26, 2026 | Real Estate
Rent prices continue to surge across the country begging the question, “what effect and how much are temporary rentals like AirBnB driving up the cost of rent, and even driving up the cost of housing? Conference Board of Canada’s Findings The Conference Board of...
