by Allen Ehlert | October 9, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… When Buying or Refinancing a Home Buying a home (or refinancing one) is exciting — but when you add up land transfer tax, legal fees, and all the little “extras,” it can feel like death by a thousand cuts. One of the most common questions I get as a mortgage agent...
by Allen Ehlert | October 8, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
… and what are you paying for when you pay legal fees for a home? Buying a home in Canada is a huge milestone — but it can also feel like a never-ending list of fees, forms, and fine print. One of the most common surprises for homebuyers is legal fees. You know you...
by Allen Ehlert | October 7, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
… What You Need to Know About Square Footage and Mortgages When it comes to mortgages, people often obsess over interest rates, terms, and approval criteria — but one question flies under the radar until it suddenly becomes a problem:“Does the size of the home matter...
by Allen Ehlert | October 4, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
What You Need to Know About Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax Imagine you’re a young professional who’s recently relocated to Toronto for work. The thriving city and its vibrant neighbourhoods have persuaded you to take the plunge and buy your...
by Allen Ehlert | October 3, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In Ontario, property appraisals play a crucial role in various real estate transactions and decisions. Whether you are purchasing a home, refinancing a mortgage, or settling a divorce, a property appraisal ensures that the value of the property aligns with the...
by Allen Ehlert | September 29, 2025 | Commercial, Real Estate
… there’s a lot more involved in the commercial world If you’ve ever been involved in a commercial real estate deal—whether as a buyer, investor, realtor, or business owner—you’ve probably heard someone groan about how long the appraisal process takes or how expensive...
by Allen Ehlert | September 28, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
In Canada, the primary professional body that oversees home appraisals is the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC). The AIC sets the standards and regulations for the appraisal profession across the country. Members of the AIC are designated professionals who must...
by Allen Ehlert | September 25, 2025 | Mortgages, Real Estate
… Lenders Won’t Touch (And Why It Matters Before You Fall in Love) You’ve found the “perfect” property — it’s quirky, unique, maybe even a little outside-the-box. You’re already mentally arranging furniture and planning summer BBQs… and then your mortgage agent drops...
by Allen Ehlert | September 14, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
…“Waived Financing? Now What? It’s one of the scariest “what if” scenarios in real estate: the buyer waives the financing condition, the deal goes firm, and then… BAM! The lender says, “Sorry, we can’t fund this anymore.” Suddenly, everyone’s scrambling—buyers,...
by Allen Ehlert | September 10, 2025 | Lender, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
As a licensed mortgage agent committed to helping Canadians build long-term wealth through real estate, I make it a priority to introduce my clients to lenders who think beyond rigid formulas — lenders who understand the unique needs of rental property investors. One...
by Allen Ehlert | September 7, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Foreign buyers who have paid the 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST) may be eligible for a full rebate if they meet specific residency, employment, or education requirements within a set period. The Ontario government provides these rebates to encourage long-term...
by Allen Ehlert | September 3, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate, Uncategorized
Divorce is never simple—but when real estate’s involved, things can get especially tangled. If you’re in the middle of a separation and you and your ex have decided to sell the home and go your separate ways, the big question becomes: “How do we actually make...
by Allen Ehlert | August 29, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Real Estate
Are you looking to buy a house with your partner or a friend? Getting a joint mortgage could be the solution you’ve been searching for. A joint mortgage allows multiple individuals to pool their financial resources to qualify for a mortgage, making it an ideal...
by Allen Ehlert | August 27, 2025 | Mortgage Terms, Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
The world of home improvement is filled with terminology that often gets misused. One of the most common sources of confusion? The difference between remodeling and renovating. While the terms are frequently used interchangeably, they represent distinct types of home...
by Allen Ehlert | August 26, 2025 | Mortgages, Personal Finance, Real Estate
A home’s value isn’t static—it fluctuates based on market conditions, neighbourhood trends, and, most notably, the condition of the property itself. Homeowners looking to boost their property’s appraised value often turn to renovations, but not all upgrades yield the...
