Summer Maintenance: How to Get Your Gutters Ready for Vancouver’s Upcoming Rainy Season

Marci • August 18, 2014

It’s that time of year again in Vancouver – get ready for the heavy rains to roll in. Part of surviving these West Coast downpours involves preparing your gutters to handle an increased volume of water. Properly preparing your gutters will protect your roof from leaks and prevent water from pooling in unwanted places. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your gutters are ready for the deluge.

You know that your gutters are going to see a great deal of use in the near future. Now is the time to get out the ladder and inspect your gutters. Remove any debris that has accumulated during the year. You can even sweep your gutters out with a small broom to make sure water will flow easily. Inspecting your gutters twice per year (once in the spring and once in the autumn) will keep them in top shape.

What’s Your Angle? Choosing the Right Pitch

Your gutters’ angle, or pitch, is a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to managing heavy rains. One of the best ways to test your pitch is to pour water down the gutter and keep a close eye on the flow. Water should not collect in pools anywhere. If it does, you’ll need to make an adjustment. You may need to add spikes and sleeves or change your gutter hanger. Test your gutters after every change to see if it makes a difference. Finding the right pitch means your gutters won’t be susceptible to rust, and that will extend their lifetime.

Check The Elbow for Debris

Your gutter system contains a piece that bends outward to pull the water away from your foundation. This piece is called the elbow. Your gutters’ elbow is a common source of clogging, so it’s important to keep the elbow clear. You should be able to remove the elbow to clear out any debris. Once you have checked the elbow, the downspout should be your next priority. Clean it thoroughly to keep rainwater moving.

Make Sure Water Drains Away From Your Home

As rainwater leaves your downspout, it should be directed away from the foundation of your home. Water that continues to accumulate close to your house could actually cause your foundation to settle, leading to major problems down the line. A simple way to avoid this problem is to lengthen your downspout or install splash blocks.

Take Care Of Any Holes

Having holes in your gutter system can spell disaster. If you have holes in your gutters, it’s important to plug them immediately. If the holes are relatively minor, you can apply plastic cement that is designed for gutter repairs. Severely damaged sections of your gutters may need to be replaced. If you are replacing your whole gutter system, a plastic or aluminum system is best.

Get Rid Of Rust Before It Causes Problems

Rusty spots in your gutters will erode and lead to holes. Scrape away any rust and apply a rust-resistant paint to your gutters. If you find any holes while you are treating your gutters for rust, use plastic cement to create a patch.

Large quantities of water can easily damage your home if you’re not prepared. Keeping your gutters in good shape is a great way to prevent water damage and increase your home’s value. For more great homeowner resources, or to discuss options for your next mortgage, contact me today.

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Deposit vs. Down Payment: Key Differences for Homebuyers

By Marci Deane • July 29, 2026
When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.

RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Marci Deane • July 22, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — July 15, 2026

By Marci Deane • July 15, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.