by Allen Ehlert | September 1, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
Imagine you and your partner are excited to buy your first home in Ontario. You spend your weekends looking at homes, dreaming of your future, and planning your perfect space. But then, you start to worry about the extra costs, like the land transfer tax. That’s...
by Allen Ehlert | August 31, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
Buying a home in Canada is often described as a cornerstone of achieving financial stability and building generational wealth. But the dream of homeownership has become increasingly challenging, with the federal government’s mortgage stress test adding another...
by Allen Ehlert | August 30, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
In the realm of personal finance and lifestyle design, real estate often serves as a cornerstone. It represents not only a significant financial investment but also a profound lifestyle choice. As a former realtor, financial advisor, and mortgage agent, I’ve...
by Allen Ehlert | August 29, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
When purchasing a property, the condition of home inspection gives the buyer the right to hire a professional home inspector to assess the property’s condition. If significant issues are uncovered, the buyer can renegotiate the price, request repairs, or cancel...
by Allen Ehlert | August 28, 2026 | Economy, Mortgages, Real Estate
The structure of the regulatory framework for the mortgage industry in Canada is intricate and multi-layered, involving federal, provincial, and municipal entities along with key market participants such as the Bank of Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing...
by Allen Ehlert | August 27, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
A home appraisal and a home inspection serve different purposes in the home-buying process, with distinct focuses and outcomes. Here’s a summary of their key differences: Purpose Home Appraisal: Determines the market value of a property. Primarily conducted for...
by Allen Ehlert | August 26, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In real estate transactions, an appraisal condition is a clause in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale that makes the buyer’s obligation to complete the purchase contingent upon the property’s appraised value meeting or exceeding the agreed-upon purchase...
by Allen Ehlert | August 22, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Navigating the real estate market can be complex, especially when conditions like “sale of current property” clauses—commonly referred to as Sale of Buyer’s Property (SBP) conditions—come into play. With the cooling real estate market, these conditions...
by Allen Ehlert | August 21, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
Mortgage lenders in Canada are often hesitant to finance properties in rural areas or properties with active farms for several reasons: Marketability and Resale Value Loan-To-Value Property Appraisal Challenges Zoning and Use Restrictions Maintenance and Condition...
by Allen Ehlert | August 18, 2026 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
When purchasing a condo, buyers often focus on factors like location, amenities, and square footage. However, one of the most critical aspects that can impact both the value and financial health of a condo is the reserve fund. A condo reserve fund is a crucial...
by Allen Ehlert | August 15, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
When a person in Canada wishes to purchase a condominium, they put in their offer to purchase a condition to enable themselves, their lawyer, their realtor, and their mortgage agent and lender the opportunity to review detailed information about the financial and...
by Allen Ehlert | August 14, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
In today’s economy, many Canadians face high household debt. The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) offers a way out. It lets you use your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) for a down payment on your first home. This move can be a big step towards owning a...
by Allen Ehlert | August 13, 2026 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In Canadian real estate transactions, conditions are specific clauses included in a purchase agreement that must be satisfied for the deal to proceed. These conditions are designed to protect the buyer (or sometimes the seller) and ensure that certain requirements or...
by Allen Ehlert | August 12, 2026 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
When purchasing a property, buyers either pay for the entire property with their existing funds or they need to seek out financing by getting a mortgage. Previous to looking for a home, buyers need to have a relationship with a mortgage agent to create a financial...
by Allen Ehlert | July 26, 2026 | Real Estate
Rent prices continue to surge across the country begging the question, “what effect and how much are temporary rentals like AirBnB driving up the cost of rent, and even driving up the cost of housing? Conference Board of Canada’s Findings The Conference Board of...
