by Allen Ehlert | November 11, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… The Sneaky Trap That Looks Like a Gift If you ask a friend who has a mortgage what kind of mortgage they have, they will probably say, “I don’t know, a mortgage, what do you mean what kind? You mean fixed or variable?” NO! I mean what KIND of mortgage do you have,...
by Allen Ehlert | November 10, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… From “I Do” to “I Don’t”: Why an Alternative Lender May Be Your Best Friend in Divorce Divorce isn’t just about splitting furniture and deciding who gets the dog. It’s about reshaping your financial life — often at lightning speed — and sometimes, the big banks just...
by Allen Ehlert | November 9, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… What EDD Means and Why It Matters You’ve probably heard the phrase “the devil’s in the details”—and in the mortgage world, that detail often shows up as something called EDD, or Enhanced Due Diligence. It sounds intimidating, almost like you’re being audited, but...
by Allen Ehlert | November 8, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… Why We Fear What We Asked For You’ve probably heard it for years: “We need more homes, so prices will come down and things will finally be affordable again!” Sounds logical, right? Build more houses, prices drop, everyone wins. But here’s the kicker—prices are now...
by Allen Ehlert | November 7, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Ontario, Canada, in general, marriages that are legally recognized in the jurisdiction where they took place are typically considered valid in Ontario. For example, if you were married in the United States, and the marriage is legally recognized in the United...
by Allen Ehlert | November 7, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… How Banks Could Make Collateral Mortgages Better for Canadians Collateral mortgages have become the default product for many of Canada’s largest banks. The concept isn’t inherently bad—it’s just designed more for the lender’s convenience than for the borrower’s...
by Allen Ehlert | November 6, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… And How Reverse Mortgages Are Changing the Game For decades, planners and real estate experts figured seniors would sell their big family homes, scoop up a condo, and ride off into a care-free retirement. But that’s not happening. Instead, most seniors are staying...
by Allen Ehlert | November 2, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Here’s How to Hack Your Payment Schedule (Without Breaking the Bank) If you’re like most homeowners, the thought of shaving years — and thousands of dollars in interest — off your mortgage is pretty appealing. You want that debt gone sooner so you can enjoy more...
by Allen Ehlert | November 1, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… How Some Lenders Will Improve Your Rate Hold If you’ve ever had that sinking feeling after locking in a mortgage rate—only to see rates drop a few weeks later—you’re not alone. It’s one of the quirks of mortgage shopping: you want protection from rising rates, but...
by Allen Ehlert | October 31, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
What if your home is worth less today Imagine this scenario: you eagerly purchased a pre-construction home in the vibrant and bustling city of Toronto during the peak of the real estate market. Excitement filled the air as you imagined settling into your dream home in...
by Allen Ehlert | October 30, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
You know how it goes. You walk into a bank, they greet you with a smile, and before you know it, you’re pre-approved, papers in hand, and ready to sign. The banker casually mentions, “Oh, and your mortgage will be registered as a collateral charge—that’s just how we...
by Allen Ehlert | October 28, 2025 | Economy, Personal Finance
You’re doing everything right—working full-time, paying your bills, maybe even picking up a side hustle. But despite the long hours and steady income, you still feel like you’re barely treading water. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Across Canada, more and...
by Allen Ehlert | October 27, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When it comes to checking your credit, there are two types of credit pulls (or checks): hard and soft. Understanding the difference between the two is important, as it can impact your credit score and financial health in Canada. Let’s imagine you’re...
by Allen Ehlert | October 26, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
…“Why Borrowing to Buy with Your RRSP Is Like Digging Two Holes and Calling It a Ladder” You’ve probably seen the video clips on social media: someone cheerfully explaining how you can “stop using your own money” to buy a home. The idea sounds clever — borrow up...
by Allen Ehlert | October 26, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Divorce is rarely clean, but when it comes to the house, things get extra complicated.I get this call a lot: “Hey Allen, I’m keeping the house, and I’m buying my ex out… What happens to the mortgage? Can I even afford it? Are there penalties?” Let’s break it down step...
