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...
by Allen Ehlert | October 2, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… What You Really Need to Know Before You Borrow Against Your Home There’s a lot of buzz out there about second mortgages. You hear about people using them to pay off debt, help kids buy homes, or fund renovations. They sound like a simple solution — and sometimes...
by Allen Ehlert | October 1, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
A reverse mortgage is often assumed to be a reactive option for a senior homeowner in financial need, but it’s not always the case. In fact, there are situations when a reverse mortgage can be used proactively to unlock financial opportunities. Meet Sheila and Dan...
by Allen Ehlert | September 30, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a senior, it seems nothing gets any easier … especially when it comes to money. Everything gets more expensive all the time. Bills go up, taxes go up… things can get very scary! You are lucky if you have a pension, but most of those don’t keep up...
by Allen Ehlert | September 27, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… or how little white lies turn into whoppers! Let’s be real — in real estate, everyone plays a role. The realtor sells the dream, the lawyer protects the paperwork, but when it comes to vetting the financials, that’s where I step in. As a mortgage agent, it’s my job...
by Allen Ehlert | September 26, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When the cost-of-living spikes, many workers can rely on salary increases to keep pace, while retired public servants with indexed pensions may also be somewhat protected. Retirees with pensions that aren’t inflation-adjusted have more cause for concern; however, if...
by Allen Ehlert | September 24, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Getting a mortgage isn’t like applying for a gym membership. It’s not about looking good on paper for five minutes—it’s about proving you can carry the weight for the next twenty-five years. Lenders aren’t just handing out keys to anyone who asks. They need to trust...
