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 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 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 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 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 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…...
