by Allen Ehlert | July 25, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Finding a realtor is not just about hiring a professional to help you buy a home; it’s about choosing a partner for one of the most significant financial decisions of your life. I used to be a realtor with Royal LePage, then later Sutton Group. I was a...
by Allen Ehlert | July 23, 2026 | Insurance, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Home insurance is an essential safeguard for homeowners, providing financial protection against unexpected damage or loss due to a variety of risks. This article explores the critical aspects of home insurance, including its necessity for mortgage holders, coverage...
by Allen Ehlert | July 22, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… When It Makes Sense to Consider an Alternative or Private Lender Divorce can turn even the strongest household balance sheet upside down. One income disappears, support payments appear, debts get divided, and suddenly the mortgage that worked perfectly before...
by Allen Ehlert | July 21, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In an increasingly globalized world, transferring funds across borders has become a routine task for many. Whether for personal reasons, business transactions, or supporting loved ones abroad, international money transfers are more accessible than ever. However, each...
by Allen Ehlert | July 20, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
The implementation of the mortgage stress test in Canada has been a significant regulatory measure with far-reaching implications for the mortgage industry, housing market, social dynamics, financial stability, and the broader Canadian economy. This article provides...
by Allen Ehlert | July 19, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Navigating the world of mortgages can be daunting for both new and seasoned homeowners. A fundamental aspect of any mortgage is the “mortgage term,” which dictates several key financial decisions and outcomes over the course of homeownership. My goal in...
by Allen Ehlert | July 18, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Mortgage Finance Companies (MFCs) in Canada are financial institutions that specialize in providing mortgage lending and related services. MFCs offer an alternative to traditional bank mortgages (prime lenders) and cater to a variety of borrowers, including those who...
by Allen Ehlert | July 17, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In the context of finance, alpha is a technical indicator used to measure the performance of an investment relative to a benchmark index, such as the S&P/TSX Composite Index in Canada. Alpha represents the excess return of an investment compared to the return...
by Allen Ehlert | July 16, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… When You Can’t Simply Refinance Sometimes divorce math simply doesn’t cooperate. You want to keep the house, the monthly payment is manageable, but the refinance limit of 80% stops the deal from working. That’s where the spousal buyout purchase structure...
by Allen Ehlert | July 15, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Real Estate
… The Quiet Costs That Can Make or Break a Deal When you are buying real estate in Canada, the purchase price gets all the attention. It is the big shiny number everyone talks about. But the real story often lives in the closing costs. That is where buyers can get...
by Allen Ehlert | July 14, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Metric That Separates Amateur Deals from Professional Decisions In real estate, it’s easy to get caught up in surface-level numbers—cash flow, purchase price, appreciation. But if you really want to operate like a professional investor, and guide your clients...
by Allen Ehlert | July 13, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In Canada, a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is a non-registered retirement plan provided by employers to offer additional retirement benefits to key executives beyond what is available through registered pension plans like Registered Retirement Savings...
by Allen Ehlert | July 12, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
To ensure you do not spend more than 30% of your income on housing costs, it’s important to understand how to calculate your housing expenses. In Canada, housing costs typically include: Mortgage Payments: The monthly amount paid towards the mortgage principal,...
by Allen Ehlert | July 11, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
The potential consequences of escalating mortgage rates on the valuation of residential properties are leading to a projected decline of 5% in home prices. By analyzing the impact of rising interest rates on the housing market, my research seeks to shed light on the...
by Allen Ehlert | July 10, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
The closer connection exception is a provision under U.S. tax law that allows foreign nationals who meet the substantial presence test to avoid being classified as U.S. tax residents if they can demonstrate that they have a closer connection to another country. This...
by Allen Ehlert | July 8, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
… When Banks Stall Your Deal: How to Use Layered Commercial Financing You’ve found the right commercial asset. The fundamentals make sense. The upside is clear. The numbers work—at least from your perspective. And then the bank hesitates. Not because the deal is bad…...
by Allen Ehlert | July 7, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Most Canadians focus on paying down their mortgage as quickly as possible—but very few stop to ask whether they’re doing it in the most tax-efficient way. In a country where mortgage interest is not tax-deductible, yet interest on money borrowed to earn income often...
by Allen Ehlert | July 6, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In Canada, particularly in the province of Quebec, emphyteusis is a legal concept originating from civil law. It refers to a long-term lease arrangement that grants the emphyteutic lessee (the person leasing the property) the right to use and enjoy another...
by Allen Ehlert | July 5, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Did you know that 1 in 4 Canadian mortgage applications gets declined? This is because of poor Debt Service Ratios (DSRs). Knowing how to calculate your DSR is key to getting a mortgage and staying financially secure. Lenders use the Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total...
by Allen Ehlert | July 4, 2026 | Insurance, Mortgages, Personal Finance
When you take out a mortgage in Canada, you’re entering into a long-term financial commitment that involves repaying both the principal amount borrowed and the interest charged by the lender. Understanding the nuances of how mortgage payments are structured,...
by Allen Ehlert | July 3, 2026 | Mortgage Terms
In Canada, gifts in kind refer to non-cash donations of tangible property, such as real estate, stocks, art, or other valuable assets, made to a charity or other qualified organization. These donations are valued at their fair market value at the time of the gift and...
