by Allen Ehlert | July 7, 2026 | Commercial, Investing, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Most Canadians focus on paying down their mortgage as quickly as possible—but very few stop to ask whether they’re doing it in the most tax-efficient way. In a country where mortgage interest is not tax-deductible, yet interest on money borrowed to earn income often...
by Allen Ehlert | July 5, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Did you know that 1 in 4 Canadian mortgage applications gets declined? This is because of poor Debt Service Ratios (DSRs). Knowing how to calculate your DSR is key to getting a mortgage and staying financially secure. Lenders use the Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total...
by Allen Ehlert | July 4, 2026 | Insurance, Mortgages, Personal Finance
When you take out a mortgage in Canada, you’re entering into a long-term financial commitment that involves repaying both the principal amount borrowed and the interest charged by the lender. Understanding the nuances of how mortgage payments are structured,...
by Allen Ehlert | July 2, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… What Your Contract Rate Isn’t Telling You About APR and EAR When you’re shopping for a mortgage, it’s easy to get laser-focused on the interest rate. You hear “4.79%” or “5.09%” and naturally assume the lower number is the better deal. Fair enough — that’s how most...
by Allen Ehlert | July 1, 2026 | Commercial, Economy, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
…. A Digital Deadbolt for Your Credit Ontario has just added a powerful new consumer-protection tool to your financial toolbox: the ability to lock or freeze your credit file. Think of it like putting a digital deadbolt on your credit report. It will not stop every...
by Allen Ehlert | June 29, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
As a professional mortgage underwriter in Canada, I often emphasize the importance of the Loan to Value (LTV) ratio in the mortgage qualification process. The LTV ratio is a critical factor in determining the terms of the mortgage for which a borrower qualifies,...
by Allen Ehlert | June 26, 2026 | Investing, Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate, Uncategorized
“Wait… We’re Paying Land Transfer Tax Again?” A lot of homeowners think adding a HELOC is just paperwork. You sign a few documents, the lawyer registers a new charge, and away you go. Easy peasy, right? Well… sometimes. But every now and then, a refinance or HELOC...
by Allen Ehlert | June 20, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Financial planners generally advise spending no more than 28% to 30% of your gross monthly income on housing. This guideline is known as the “front-end ratio” and primarily covers housing expenses like mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner’s...
by Allen Ehlert | June 18, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
In Canada, understanding and monitoring your credit score is crucial for managing your financial health. This score, a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, impacts various aspects of your financial life, from securing loans to negotiating better terms on...
by Allen Ehlert | June 17, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
When shopping for a mortgage, or any loan for that matter, it is important to think like a bank. When it comes to securing a mortgage, most people don’t realize they’re stepping into a sophisticated business game. Banks are experts at maximizing profits, and unless...
by Allen Ehlert | June 16, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Understanding property taxes and their calculations in Canada is essential for homeowners, prospective buyers, and real estate professionals alike. Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for municipalities and directly impact local services and...
by Allen Ehlert | June 15, 2026 | Personal Finance, Real Estate
No. It may seem like it is illegal, like a scam, but the truth is many people in Toronto’s competitive rental market and other places are paying up to a year’s worth of rent to secure a quality residence. In Ontario, a landlord is only legally permitted to request...
by Allen Ehlert | June 14, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Looking to buy your new home is an exciting experience. All the possibilities. You look and you look and you look. You go to open houses, have your realtor take you into house after house, then all of of sudden you walk into one house and bang it hits you, home! You...
by Allen Ehlert | June 10, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
When it comes to mortgages and interest rates, small shifts can significantly impact financial outcomes. These changes are often measured in “basis points” (bps), a term frequently used but not always understood. For Canadian realtors, financial...
by Allen Ehlert | June 8, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Realtor
Did you know the average Canadian household spends almost $200 monthly on utilities? This fact is important when looking at utility costs across Canada’s provinces. Knowing what utilities cost is key for budget planning or making your home more energy-efficient....
