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...
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...
