by Allen Ehlert | January 11, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… How One Smart Decision Saves You Money, Stress, and Regret Buying a home isn’t just a purchase—it’s a leap into the next chapter of your life. And with rates swinging, rules tightening, and mortgage options multiplying faster than smartphone models, you deserve...
by Allen Ehlert | January 10, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Smarter Way to Start Your Homebuying Journey Most people start their homebuying adventure exactly backwards. They hop onto Realtor.ca, fall in love with a gorgeous kitchen, picture their dog in the backyard, and then—usually with a little dread—they think,...
by Allen Ehlert | January 9, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
…. Here’s How to Make the Journey Simple, Smart, and Stress-Free Buying a home—especially your first—can feel like stepping into a world where everyone else seems to have the rulebook but you. Rates, lenders, documents, jargon… it’s enough to make anyone feel like...
by Allen Ehlert | January 8, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Here’s the Truth Nobody Tells You Buying a home, especially your first home is one of those big, life-defining moments. You and your partner have been budgeting, working with your mortgage agent, hunting down listings, talking to realtors, and imagining what that...
by Allen Ehlert | January 7, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… The Secret Income Boost Hiding in Plain Sight Every once in a while, a mortgage file comes along that makes you smile—not because it’s easy, but because you know exactly what lever to pull to make the deal work. Contributory income is one of those levers. It’s the...
by Allen Ehlert | January 6, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Mysterious rental purchase when the borrower doesn’t own their own home If you’ve ever felt like lenders were speaking a different language when they talk about “shelter costs,” you’re not alone. Clients often look at me like I’m explaining astrophysics when I...
by Allen Ehlert | January 5, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Urbanization trends significantly impact real estate prices due to a variety of interconnected factors: Increased Demand in Urban Areas Limited Supply in Dense Areas Changing Lifestyles and Preferences Infrastructure and Amenities Economic Opportunities Investment...
by Allen Ehlert | January 4, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… How Small Is Too Small? The Smallest Mortgage You Can Get in Canada Ever wonder how small a mortgage can actually be? Maybe you’ve nearly paid off your home and want to pull out a little equity for renovations, or you’re buying a modest rural property that doesn’t...
by Allen Ehlert | January 3, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Imagine the sun gently kissing your skin as you sit on the porch of your family cottage, surrounded by the laughter and chatter of loved ones. For generations, this cozy retreat has been the backdrop for cherished memories and treasured traditions. But as time passes,...
by Allen Ehlert | January 2, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
You’ve finally decided—it’s time to buy a home. Maybe you’ve been scrolling through Realtor.ca late at night, dreaming about that perfect place with the big backyard or a condo downtown near your favourite coffee shop. It’s exciting, no doubt. But before you call your...
by Allen Ehlert | January 1, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Lock It and Love It: The 10 Big Benefits of Choosing a Fixed-Rate Mortgage Let’s face it—choosing a mortgage can feel like standing at a financial crossroads with a blindfold on. Do you gamble on a variable rate, hoping the market stays friendly, or do you lock into...
by Allen Ehlert | December 31, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Why Now Might Be the Perfect Time to Choose a Fixed Rate Mortgage If you’ve been sitting on the fence wondering whether to go fixed or variable with your next mortgage, you’re not alone. Every client, from first-time buyers to seasoned investors, faces that same...
by Allen Ehlert | December 30, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
The History of Credit Cards: From Retail Tabs to Digital Wallets Credit is not new. Long before banks, apps, and plastic cards, merchants extended credit to trusted customers based on personal relationships. But the story of how that informal trust evolved into the...
by Allen Ehlert | December 29, 2025 | Commercial, Lender, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… it’s not by accident, and What You Deserve Instead When was the last time you called your bank’s customer service line? If you’re like most Canadians, it wasn’t exactly a warm, fuzzy experience. You were probably shuffled around, put on hold, and when you finally...
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...
