by Allen Ehlert | June 12, 2025 | Home Specifications, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
So you’ve found a great-looking unit in a well-kept building at a price that makes your eyebrows shoot up. It’s not a condo — it’s a co-op. And now you’re thinking, “Hey, maybe I’ll rent it out. Get a tenant in there, let them cover the costs, and...
by Allen Ehlert | June 11, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canada’s Financial Snapshot for Mortgage Renewal, Refinancing, or Buying Whether you’re renewing, refinancing, or getting ready to jump into homeownership, let’s sit down and chat about something that directly affects your financial future: Canada’s financial...
by Allen Ehlert | June 10, 2025 | Home Specifications, Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Let’s say you’re scrolling through listings or walking by an open house in Toronto or Montreal, and you stumble across a beautiful unit in a charming older building. The price seems suspiciously reasonable. You ask the agent, “Is this a condo?” And they say, “Nope —...
by Allen Ehlert | June 6, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Managing overwhelming debt can feel intimidating, but Canada offers several debt-relief solutions tailored to varying financial situations. Each option comes with distinct implications for your credit score and overall financial health. Here, we outline key...
by Allen Ehlert | June 5, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Renting can offer advantages over buying, such as flexibility, lower upfront costs, and freedom from maintenance responsibilities. However, for most people, renting is not a lifestyle choice; it is an economic necessity. Most people would buy something if they could....
by Allen Ehlert | June 3, 2025 | Lender, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
A Mortgage Planning Gem Let me tell you — if you’re a mortgage nerd like me (and I say that with love), then TD’s replacement policy is one of those golden tools that doesn’t get enough spotlight but can make a world of difference when you know how to use it....
by Allen Ehlert | May 31, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Comparing BMO Homeowner ReadiLine, Scotiabank STEP, and TD Equity FlexLine The Smith Maneuver is a popular financial strategy in Canada designed to convert non-deductible mortgage debt into tax-deductible investment debt, helping homeowners accelerate wealth creation...
by Allen Ehlert | May 29, 2025 | Personal Finance
Did you know 73% of Canadians have some debt? The average household debt is $1.77 for every dollar of disposable income. This shows the need for good debt relief in Canada. A debt management plan is a strong tool to help you manage your finances and work towards being...
by Allen Ehlert | May 28, 2025 | Lender, Mortgages, Personal Finance
How I Advocate for You: The Power of Submission Notes When you apply for a mortgage, especially if your situation is a little outside the box, it’s easy to feel like you’re just another number. Credit score, income, debts, down payment… it all goes into a...
by Allen Ehlert | May 27, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Personal Finance
A Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) is a federally licensed professional in Canada authorized to administer bankruptcies and consumer proposals under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). Formerly known as bankruptcy trustees, LITs serve as impartial professionals...
by Allen Ehlert | May 24, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, a Notice of Assessment (NOA) is an official document issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after processing an individual’s or corporation’s tax return. It summarizes the taxpayer’s income, tax liabilities, credits, and any amounts owed or refundable....
by Allen Ehlert | May 23, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Imagine a man and a woman want to get a mortgage to buy a house. The man has a dry wall business where he doesn’t pay himself much to keep his income taxes down, and the woman is a full-time permanent dental hygienist. Should they apply for a mortgage under a...
by Allen Ehlert | May 19, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
You don’t need to be a real estate expert to feel it: house prices seem out of reach for the average family. But why? What’s keeping prices so high when affordability has clearly left the building? As someone who gets into roughly a hundred homes every month,...
by Allen Ehlert | May 17, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canada is no stranger to natural disasters. From wildfires in British Columbia to severe floods in Ontario and Quebec, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and costly. Beyond their immediate devastation, these disasters also have long-term economic...
by Allen Ehlert | May 16, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canada is currently facing a significant housing shortfall, with a need for an additional 35 million housing units by the end of the decade. Affordable housing is a critical component of addressing this issue, and involving the private sector is essential. In this...
