by Allen Ehlert | August 4, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
What’s a Lender Fee, Brokerage Fee, and Commitment Fee Really About?” When you’re arranging a mortgage, the words “lender fee,” “brokerage fee,” or “commitment fee” can feel like a foreign language. And if you’re thinking, “Why are there so many, and who’s pocketing...
by Allen Ehlert | July 29, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Ontario, Canada, when a mortgage lender mentions that a “pricing adjustment may apply to price to risk for bankruptcy/proposal in the last 12 months,” it means that the lender is considering the increased risk of lending to someone who has declared...
by Allen Ehlert | July 27, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In the context of mortgages in Ontario, a “switch” (also known as a “transfer”) refers to the process of moving your existing mortgage from one lender to another without changing the remaining balance or term of the mortgage. This can be done...
by Allen Ehlert | July 16, 2025 | Economy, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
…And Why It Matters More Than Ever If you’ve been chatting with clients or colleagues lately, you’ve probably noticed that the question on everyone’s mind is: Who’s actually buying real estate right now? It’s a fair question. The headlines are full of doom and gloom...
by Allen Ehlert | July 16, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate, Uncategorized
Trees don’t grow to the sky; and neither do real estate prices. Sometimes, real estate prices go down. This can be particularly troubling when it comes to new construction. There is a time lag between when the home is ‘purchased’ and when the home is completed and the...
by Allen Ehlert | July 15, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
If you’ve recently purchased a pre-construction property or are navigating the Toronto condo market, you might have heard the term “blanket appraisal” popping up more frequently. It’s a term that’s been around for a while, yet many...
by Allen Ehlert | July 12, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a professional mortgage agent in Canada, one of my roles is to introduce clients to lenders and service providers they may not have heard of—especially when those partners can offer a unique, cost-effective, and efficient advantage in their real estate financing...
by Allen Ehlert | July 10, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a licensed mortgage agent, my responsibility is not only to secure the best mortgage solutions for my clients—but also to explain why a particular lender is the right fit for their unique financial profile. That’s why I want to introduce you to a lender you may not...
by Allen Ehlert | July 9, 2025 | Home Specifications, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
… What you need to know before that lakefront listing hits the market As a realtor, when you’re helping a client buy a cottage or rural property, you already know it’s not your average suburban transaction. The property may be cute as a button, the lake view...
by Allen Ehlert | July 8, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
….What It Is and Why It Matters When you’re buying a home or refinancing your mortgage, you’ll hear a lot of new terms—pre-approval, appraisal, closing costs—but one of the most critical and often misunderstood steps in the process is the mortgage commitment....
by Allen Ehlert | July 5, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages
… and why it matters when getting a mortgage If you’re applying for a mortgage in Canada and your broker suddenly asks you whether you’re a “Politically Exposed Person,” your first reaction might be, “What the heck is that, and why does it matter to...
by Allen Ehlert | July 3, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a licensed and experienced mortgage agent committed to providing my clients with access to the most suitable financing solutions, I often introduce them to lenders they may not be familiar with—especially when traditional lending options fall short. One such lender...
by Allen Ehlert | July 2, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Uncategorized
Navigating the landscape of reverse mortgages in Canada requires a nuanced understanding of the offerings available. Four prominent players—HomeEquity Bank, Equitable Bank, Bloom Finance, and Fraction—each present unique solutions tailored to diverse homeowner needs....
by Allen Ehlert | June 28, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, when a lender mentions a “1% commitment fee on all its rates,” it means that the lender charges a fee equal to 1% of the mortgage loan amount as a one time charge as a condition for committing to the loan agreement. A commitment fee is also...
by Allen Ehlert | June 25, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a licensed mortgage agent who works with a wide range of lenders, I often encounter clients who find themselves in a gray area—those who don’t quite fit the criteria for an “A” lender, but who still deserve competitive financing solutions. That’s why I’m...
