by Allen Ehlert | October 24, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… Why Does Your Lender Care So Much? If you’ve ever tried to use rental income — from a basement apartment, duplex, or investment property — to help you qualify for a mortgage, you’ve probably heard the term “Fair Market Rent.” It sounds official because it is. But...
by Allen Ehlert | October 24, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… The Disappearing Dollar: Why Your Paycheque Buys Less of What Really Matters Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly eating away at Canadians’ financial future — purchasing power. Sure, your income might rise over time, and the news might say inflation’s...
by Allen Ehlert | October 22, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Your credit score is a crucial factor in your financial health and creditworthiness. But the world of credit scores can also be filled with misconceptions that can misguide your decisions. Today, we’ll debunk some of the most common credit score myths to help...
by Allen Ehlert | October 16, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… Babies, Bottles, and Bank Commitments If you’re thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or renewing your mortgage and there’s a baby on the horizon, you might be wondering how maternity or paternity leave fits into the picture. The truth? Lenders love stability —...
by Allen Ehlert | October 15, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Why Refinancing Isn’t Always the Silver Bullet If you’re staring down a mountain of credit card debt — say $60,000 or so — you’re not alone. Between rising living costs, high interest rates, and a few life curveballs, it doesn’t take much for balances to spiral out...
by Allen Ehlert | October 14, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canadians often believe that mortgage interest is not tax deductible like in the US. The real question is How to you write off mortgage interest in Canada? There is a tax strategy called the Smith Maneuver that allows you to convert mortgage interest into a deductible...
by Allen Ehlert | October 13, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Ontario, Canada, the obligations to pay when a mortgage payment is missed differ between a guarantor and a co-signer. Understanding the differences between these roles can help clarify the responsibilities involved in guaranteeing or co-signing a mortgage....
by Allen Ehlert | October 11, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Should You Always Get Your HELOC from Your Own Bank? Not So Fast. You’d be surprised how often I hear this one: “If I already have my mortgage at TD, shouldn’t I just get my HELOC there too?” A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) is a revolving loan that lets you...
by Allen Ehlert | October 10, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
How Canada’s Prime Rate Impacts You In an economy where a mere quarter-point adjustment can send ripples across markets, it’s worth noting that Canada’s prime rate influences over CA$1.69 trillion worth of residential mortgages. This staggering...
by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… When Buying or Refinancing a Home Buying a home (or refinancing one) is exciting — but when you add up land transfer tax, legal fees, and all the little “extras,” it can feel like death by a thousand cuts. One of the most common questions I get as a mortgage agent...
by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Discover the gotchas that make you re-think what you thought you knew You’ve probably heard it before — “Just refinance your mortgage and pay off those credit cards.” It sounds simple, right? After all, why keep paying 20% interest on credit cards when your mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | October 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
A mortgage Bona Fide Sales Clause is a contractual restriction found in mortgage agreements that binds you, the borrower, to the lender for the entire term of the mortgage unless the property is sold in a non-arm’s length transaction. This clause is often...
by Allen Ehlert | October 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… and what are you paying for when you pay legal fees for a home? Buying a home in Canada is a huge milestone — but it can also feel like a never-ending list of fees, forms, and fine print. One of the most common surprises for homebuyers is legal fees. You know you...
by Allen Ehlert | October 5, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Imagine this: you’ve found your dream home in Canada, the perfect place to build a lifetime of memories. You can already picture yourself sipping a cup of coffee on the front porch, watching the sunrise over the majestic mountains. But as you begin the process...
by Allen Ehlert | October 4, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
What You Need to Know About Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax Imagine you’re a young professional who’s recently relocated to Toronto for work. The thriving city and its vibrant neighbourhoods have persuaded you to take the plunge and buy your...
