by Allen Ehlert | May 7, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… Know the Door Out Before You Walk In When you’re looking at a Private or Heavy Alt mortgage, it’s easy to zero in on the approval and feel relieved once somebody says yes. But in my part of the mortgage world, the real question is not just can you get in—it’s how...
by Allen Ehlert | May 5, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
… And Why It Can Be Smarter Than Refinancing or a HELOC Most borrowers don’t start by asking for a second mortgage. They start by asking a simpler question: “How do I access equity in my property?” And typically, they’re presented with two options: Refinance the...
by Allen Ehlert | May 4, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
The amount of collateral registered for a collateral mortgage typically depends on the lender’s policy and the borrower’s financial circumstances. Generally, lenders may register a collateral mortgage for up to 100% or even 125% of the property’s value....
by Allen Ehlert | May 3, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Personal Finance
A closed-end lease, also known as a “walk-away” lease, is a type of vehicle lease agreement where the lessee (the person leasing the vehicle) is not responsible for the vehicle’s residual value at the end of the lease term. Instead, the lessee can...
by Allen Ehlert | May 2, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Mortgage agents are boots-on-the-ground financial professionals who know what is going on in the economy in real time. I spend a big part of my day talking to clients, looking at employment letters, T4s, pay stubs, tax returns, etc. to understand my clients, qualify...
by Allen Ehlert | May 1, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
…What Goes On Behind the Scenes When I help you with a second mortgage, I want you to understand something: This is not a quick add-on. I don’t treat it like a simple top-up or shortcut. I treat it as a full mortgage file, with structure, risk analysis, and a clear...
by Allen Ehlert | April 30, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Every year, about 15% of Canadians refinance their mortgage to take advantage of better mortgage terms (reduced rate, amortization, or mortgage feature), improve their financial condition, buy out a partner, or take advantage of an investment or business opportunity....
by Allen Ehlert | April 29, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
Did you know that nearly 76% of Canadians have a mortgage on their primary residence? Understanding the mortgage approval process is key. The 5 C’s of Credit are crucial for lenders to decide if you can get a mortgage. These elements are vital for getting home...
by Allen Ehlert | April 26, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Personal Finance
A pay stub is a crucial document when applying for a mortgage in Ontario because it provides lenders with verified proof of an applicant’s income and employment status. Without a verifiable pay stub, it can be impossible to support an applicant’s mortgage...
by Allen Ehlert | April 25, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Good credit is an essential part of adult life. It directly impacts your ability to borrow money, secure a home, and even obtain employment. A strong credit score increases your chances of approval for mortgages, car loans, and other forms of credit at a lower...
by Allen Ehlert | April 23, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance
Many people today than ever work on contract. They usually are incorporated (especially if they want to work on government contracts), work through a recruiting firm for a client, invoice the recruiting firm for their hours, and pay themselves out of their...
by Allen Ehlert | April 21, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
In Canada, about 15% of Canadian homeowners refinance their homes every year for a variety of reasons. Fundamentally, when Canadians refinance, they are looking to: Take advantage of better mortgage terms (rate, amortization, product amenities) to manage payments...
by Allen Ehlert | April 20, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance
…Knowing that Can Save You Thousands When you signed your mortgage, you were probably laser-focused on one number: your interest rate. What most Canadians don’t realize is that buried inside their chartered bank’s mortgage contract is another number — the original...
by Allen Ehlert | April 20, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Canadians seem to pay more for a lot of things. Canadians pay an outrageous amount for taxes and are often cited as paying some of the highest prices in the world for cell phone plans, among other things. So how does the cost of refinancing your mortgage in Canada...
by Allen Ehlert | April 19, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
When shopping for a mortgage, Canadians have a choice between fixed-rate mortgages and variable-rate mortgages. In Canada, the majority of mortgages are fixed-rate. As of recent years, approximately 70% to 75% of all mortgages in Canada are fixed-rate mortgages. This...
