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...
by Allen Ehlert | February 15, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… The hidden threat to mortgage seekers Imagine this scenario: You call your bank to clarify your credit card statement because the bank failed to update it promptly. You’re worried about getting hit with a late fee or interest due to the bank’s error. Instead...
by Allen Ehlert | February 9, 2026 | Economy, Lender, Mortgages
… Why the Big Banks are Winning the Renewal Wars If you’ve ever hit mortgage renewal time and thought, “Well this is convenient… my bank is suddenly very competitive,” you’re not imagining things. Mortgage renewals are where Canada’s chartered banks quietly flex their...
by Allen Ehlert | February 8, 2026 | Economy, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Why Americans Don’t Pay Mortgage Discharge Fees Like Canadians Every so often, a Canadian borrower will say something like: “My cousin in the U.S. paid off their mortgage and that was it. No lawyer. No discharge fee. Why is this so complicated here?” It’s a fair...
by Allen Ehlert | January 22, 2026 | Economy, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Why Private Lending Is Becoming the Backbone of Canada’s Mortgage Market If you’re a homeowner, buyer, realtor, or financial professional, you’ve probably felt it already. Deals are more complex. Financing conversations are happening earlier. And outcomes that used...
by Allen Ehlert | January 21, 2026 | Economy, Lender, Mortgages
… How the Canadian Financial System is Fixed to Favour Chartered Banks If you’ve ever felt like the big banks are always one step ahead in the mortgage market—leading on rates, staying open when others pull back, and somehow winning business even when their products...
by Allen Ehlert | December 27, 2025 | Commercial, Economy, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Consumer-Directed Finance: Taking the Driver’s Seat in Your Mortgage Journey Let’s be real—getting a mortgage in Canada can sometimes feel like dragging a sack of bricks uphill. Between pay stubs, NOAs, bank statements, and all the back-and-forth emails, it’s no...
by Allen Ehlert | November 26, 2025 | Commercial, Economy, Lender, Mortgages
…And Why You Should Care Ever sit across from a lender or mortgage broker and wonder, “Where are they getting all this money they’re handing out?” It’s a fair question. Most people think banks have vaults full of cash or some magical, bottomless pit of money. Not...
by Allen Ehlert | November 25, 2025 | Economy, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
… Understanding the Cost of Money for Lenders Have you ever wondered why mortgage rates aren’t just pulled out of a hat? Or why some lenders offer lower rates while others seem to tack on a premium? Behind every rate sheet is something called the cost of money, and if...
by Allen Ehlert | November 24, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Limits of Investor-Funded Mortgages When you think of mortgage lenders, you probably picture big banks or trust companies with vaults full of cash just waiting to hand out. But there’s another side of the mortgage world—one that relies heavily on investors to...
by Allen Ehlert | November 23, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… What to Know About Carrying a Mortgage in Retirement There’s a common assumption floating around out there — maybe you’ve heard it. It goes something like this: “Once I retire, I shouldn’t have a mortgage.” Sure, in a perfect world, that’s a nice goal. But life...
by Allen Ehlert | November 21, 2025 | Economy, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… Can I Still Buy a Home in Canada?” Yes — Here’s How. If you’re living in Canada on a work permit or study permit and wondering if homeownership is even on the table, I’ve got good news: yes, you absolutely can buy a home. You don’t have to wait until you’ve got your...
by Allen Ehlert | November 20, 2025 | Economy, Lender, Mortgages
… The Limits of Lines of Credit & Warehouse Facilities in Mortgage Lending You probably don’t sit around wondering how your lender pays for the mortgage they’re offering you. That’s fair—most people don’t. But if you’re a realtor or a savvy homebuyer, knowing a...
by Allen Ehlert | November 15, 2025 | Economy, Lender, Mortgages
The Open Banking Revolution: How Mortgages Are About to Get a Whole Lot Easier If you’ve ever felt like getting a mortgage meant running an obstacle course—chasing down pay stubs, digging through old bank statements, sending documents back and forth—you’re not alone....
by Allen Ehlert | November 12, 2025 | Economy, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
… The Limits of Bonds and Capital Markets Ever wonder why mortgage rates seem to jump overnight even though you’ve done everything right? It can feel like the lender’s just making it up as they go along—but trust me, they’re not. What’s really happening behind the...
