Sam Taylor loved helping people which is why she started her career as a social worker. But after almost three decades, Sam was burnt out and needed out. After a great deal of soul-searching she decided to start her own home staging business. “Over the years more and more people have asked for my help,” she explains. “I have a flare for it.” To start and grow her own business, however, she needs capital. To get capital she needs to sell her home—and that means breaking her fixed-rate mortgage.

What Sam found out shocked her. She was on the hook for almost $18,000 in fees, as a penalty for breaking her mortgage early. Turns out, breaking up (with your mortgage) really is hard to do. And Sam was lucky. According to the Financial Post, Tyler Bollhorn, a personal finance author who decided to move from Kelowna, B.C. to Hawaii, was shocked when he learned he’d have to pay more than $150,000 to break his mortgage. “I got stuck with a pretty good penalty because I never read the fine print,” he says.

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Metro Vancouver housing market sees summer uptick in sales

Home buyer activity increased to more typical levels in Metro Vancouver* throughout the summer months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,231 in August 2019, a 15.7 per cent increase from the 1,929 sales recorded in August 2018, and a 12.7 per cent decrease from the 2,557 homes sold in July 2019.

Last month’s sales were 9.2 per cent below the 10-year August sales average.

“Home sales returned to more historically normal levels in July and August compared to what we saw in the first six months of the year,” said REBGV President Ashley Smith.

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With kids going back to school, the weather getting cooler and the days getting shorter, September can often be a hectic month. As we start to move into colder days, it is important to make sure that your home is prepared for the coming seasons—no one wants to have to do repairs in the rain! These September home maintenance tips can help you make sure that your home is in the best shape possible for fall and winter.

Repair Any Cracks in Your Concrete

Cracks in your driveway or walkways can become huge issues after a cold winter! When water freezes in these cracks, it can expand and further damage your concrete leaving you with one seriously bumpy driveway. While small cracks can be repaired with supplies from your local hardware store, larger cracks may require the help of a professional.

Clear Debris from Your Gutters

The falling leaves of fall can quickly clog the gutters of your home. Clogged gutters can cause a host of issues including damaging the gutter itself and causing potential leaks in your home. By cleaning out your home’s gutters now, you can decrease your chances of having an unexpected leak in the future.

Inspect Your Roof for Wear and Tear

September is your last chance to give your roof a quick inspection to make sure it is ready for the colder, wetter months ahead. Keep an eye out for any missing shingles or cracks you can find. While it might be too late in the year for a new roofing project, temporary fixes such as roof sealant or replacing shingles can limit the chances of potential leaks during rainy days.