by Allen Ehlert | February 17, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
What could happen OSFI did not mandate the implementation of the stress test? If the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) had not mandated the implementation of the mortgage stress test in Canada, several potential risks and consequences could...
by Allen Ehlert | February 15, 2025 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
The stock market and the economy may appear to be closely interconnected, but are they truly? Let’s unravel the intriguing dynamics and discover the stark differences. The Analogy of the Man and the Dog New York Trader Josh Brown uses the description of a man...
by Allen Ehlert | February 14, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Real Estate > Personal Finance > Mortgage In recent years, North American cities, particularly Toronto, have witnessed a significant shift in the commercial real estate landscape, marked by increasing vacancy rates in office buildings. This trend, initially...
by Allen Ehlert | February 13, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
A “living inheritance” is a financial strategy that has gained popularity among older generations looking to support their children’s futures while still alive. This approach involves transferring wealth to children or grandchildren during the...
by Allen Ehlert | February 12, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
In the quaint town of Cobourg, Ontario, nestled between rolling hills and sparkling waters, lived Tom and Elaine, a couple well into their retirement years. Their life was peaceful, filled with garden walks and afternoon tea sessions, but their hearts often wandered...
by Allen Ehlert | February 11, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Qualifying for a mortgage in Canada hinges on many factors, but none are as critical as income. Lenders scrutinize earnings to gauge an applicant’s financial stability and capacity to service debt. While salaried employment remains the gold standard, the modern...
by Allen Ehlert | February 10, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In the ever-evolving landscape of Canadian real estate, rising home prices have made it increasingly challenging for many buyers to enter the market. As a result, gifted funds for down payments have become a significant enabler for many prospective homeowners,...
by Allen Ehlert | February 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Where you get your mortgage can have a big impact on how much you have to pay in regular mortgage payments, how fast you can pay off your house, and what you need to do and have to qualify for. When asked, most Canadians think that ‘the bank’ is the only...
by Allen Ehlert | February 7, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Navigating the complexities of mortgage management can be daunting, especially when life’s changes necessitate a move. One valuable feature offered by many mortgage lenders in Canada is the ability to port a mortgage. This article delves into what it means 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 | February 3, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
The mortgage stress test in Canada is applied to determine whether homebuyers can afford their mortgage payments under higher interest rates than the actual rate being offered by the lender. This test is a key requirement for both insured and uninsured mortgages....
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...
by Allen Ehlert | December 9, 2023 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Ever wondered how interest rates affect the value of a country’s currency? Buckle up and let’s dive into the intriguing world of currency and interest rates! The Relationship Between Interest Rates and Currency Value Central banks often increase interest...
