by Allen Ehlert | April 16, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
As a mortgage agent, I’ve had countless heart-to-heart conversations with homebuyers, especially first-time buyers, who’ve walked away from a bidding war feeling discouraged, defeated, and more than a little frustrated. They saw a home listed within their budget, got...
by Allen Ehlert | April 15, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
David and Michelle, a married couple in Mississauga, Ontario, have been homeowners for 12 years. Due to unexpected job loss and medical expenses, they missed five consecutive mortgage payments on their home, worth $850,000. Their lender issued a Notice of Sale,...
by Allen Ehlert | April 15, 2025 | Personal Finance
A consumer proposal is a formal, legally binding debt-relief solution in Canada that allows individuals struggling with unmanageable debt to negotiate an affordable repayment plan directly with their creditors. Governed by Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA)...
by Allen Ehlert | April 14, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Adopting effective strategies for a fixed rate mortgage can help you maximize the benefits of the stability and predictability a fixed mortgage offers. Let me give you 10 fixed mortgage strategies for you to consider: Choose the Right Term Make the Most of Prepayment...
by Allen Ehlert | April 12, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Unveiling the Truth Behind Credit Card Rewards In this article, I discuss the world of credit card rewards, exposing the hidden truths and examining the impact on consumers and companies: Credit Card Rewards: Profitable and Addictive Impact on Low-Income Households...
by Allen Ehlert | April 11, 2025 | Personal Finance
In Canada, a Net Worth Statement is a financial document that outlines an individual’s or household’s overall financial position at a specific point in time. It is commonly used in mortgage applications, wealth management, and financial planning to assess...
by Allen Ehlert | April 10, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
A recent demographia report sheds light on the severe unaffordability of over 20 Canadian housing markets. Let’s delve deeper into the factors contributing to this crisis and its impact. The Severe Unaffordability The demographia report, produced by the Frontier...
by Allen Ehlert | April 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
I often hear the same question from clients: “What really happens if I go over my credit limit?” The truth is, going over your credit limit can feel like a small mistake in the moment—but it can have lasting effects on your financial health, especially...
by Allen Ehlert | April 9, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Did you know that in 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processed over 63,000 reports of fraud, with total losses amounting to $569 million? This staggering statistic highlights the growing issue of fraud in Canada, particularly in the real estate sector. Mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | April 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
The credit card industry is a multi-billion-dollar arena dominated by powerful players like Visa, American Express, and Discover. Dive into the intricacies of how credit cards work, the business models of these industry giants, and the impact of credit scoring on...
by Allen Ehlert | April 7, 2025 | Personal Finance
Sarah, age 37, lives in Ottawa, Ontario, and works as a retail manager earning $48,000 annually ($4,000 monthly gross income). She is a single mother with two young children, renting an apartment at $1,800 per month. Her financial situation has worsened significantly...
by Allen Ehlert | April 6, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
With the market transitioning towards the end of rate hikes and showing anticipation of rate cuts, experts are forecasting advantages for variable rate mortgages. Let’s delve into the details to understand why now may be the perfect time to consider a variable...
by Allen Ehlert | April 5, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
The Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST) significantly impacts the mortgage financing landscape for foreign buyers in Ontario. This additional 25% tax on the purchase price creates substantial financial hurdles, influencing not only affordability but also lending...
by Allen Ehlert | April 4, 2025 | Insurance, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Critical Illness Insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to provide financial support if you are diagnosed with one of the specific critical illnesses covered by the policy. This insurance is meant to help cover costs that are not typically covered by...
by Allen Ehlert | April 4, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In today’s uncertain market environment, the search for reliable, income-generating investments has never been more important. Traditional fixed-income instruments like GICs and government bonds often fail to keep pace with inflation, and equity markets can be...
