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...
by Allen Ehlert | April 4, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In today’s financial and real estate environment, traditional lending guidelines can often exclude qualified borrowers, creating an important role for Mortgage Investment Entities (MIEs). As a mortgage agent frequently collaborating with financial planners,...
by Allen Ehlert | April 4, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
A Mortgage Investment Entity (MIE) can be an excellent fit for certain types of investors, but may not be suitable for others. The key is understanding the investor’s goals, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and tax situation. Here’s a breakdown of who typically...
by Allen Ehlert | April 3, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Ontario’s housing market has long been a focal point of global investment, with foreign buyers drawn to its economic stability and strong property appreciation. However, this influx of external capital has fueled concerns about affordability, pricing out many local...
by Allen Ehlert | April 3, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Retirement is often envisioned as a time of relaxation, travel, and enjoyment, but financial security remains a key concern for retirees. A recent study conducted by BlackRock in collaboration with the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) sheds light on how...
by Allen Ehlert | April 2, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Using life insurance to cover your mortgage is a strategy that can provide financial security for your family in the event of your death. This approach typically involves purchasing a term life or whole life insurance policy with a death benefit that is sufficient to...
by Allen Ehlert | February 5, 2025 | Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canadian REITs have faced challenges in the past year, but there is hope for a rebound. In this blog post, we dive deeper into the factors influencing the performance of Canadian REITs and explore why the sector needs more capital. From leasing spreads to market...
by Allen Ehlert | July 31, 2024 | Economy, Personal Finance
Is it possible to address the labour shortages in some sectors of the economy due to the retirement of the Baby Boomers, the largest generation in the history of the workforce, and the upcoming Generation Z, or the Zoomers, who are the smallest generation through...
by Allen Ehlert | July 18, 2024 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
According to the Bank of Canada’s report, uncertainty and cost pressures remain firms’ most frequently mentioned concerns. The sources of uncertainty were domestic factors: Economic growth Interest Rates Tax Policies Declining business sentiment Consumers cut...
by Allen Ehlert | April 12, 2024 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canada’s New 30 Year Mortgages Imagine this scenario: You’ve been saving up for years, patiently putting aside every spare dollar, dreaming of the day when you can finally buy your own home. As you scroll through real estate listings, you can’t help...
