97. The Real Reason We Sold: How I Ended Up Buying the Brittany Miller New House
- Brittany Miller
- May 27
- 14 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
This one’s personal.
In this week’s episode of Go Get Great, I’m opening up about something we’ve been navigating behind the scenes—something I haven’t shared publicly until now.
I never imagined a government audit would change the course of our family’s life, but that’s exactly how it started. What followed was twelve months of scrambling, late-night calls, raw emotion, and a final decision that landed us in what everyone keeps calling the Brittany Miller new house. I’m sharing the entire story here—not for sympathy, but so other families and small business owners can learn from what happened to us.
Here, you’ll find encouragement, practical tips, and honest conversations about balancing family, work, and your own sense of self. My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling a little lighter, a little more seen, and a whole lot more equipped to create a life that works for you and your family. Follow me on Instagram @brittanynmiller_ for more.
Why I’m writing this
I run a business from home. I’m a mom. I pride myself on being practical and resourceful. Selling our house and landing in the Brittany Miller new house was not a glamorous upgrade or a pre-planned move. It was a decision forced by a surprise debt collection. If you’re running a small business, expecting a baby, filing taxes as an entrepreneur, or just worried about what happens when life throws a curveball—you’ll find things in this story that matter.
Table of Contents
The audit that started it all
Last spring, around May or June, we received a notice of an audit from the government. It was for OCB and CCB—Ontario Child Benefit and Canada Child Benefit. I filed the paperwork and moved on. I thought it was one of those annoying but routine things that was just to cross from t's and dot some i's for the government. Then the email came: we owed $30,000.
Thirty thousand dollars felt like a number from a different universe. I remember sitting on the couch, reading the email, and feeling my chest tighten. It wasn’t just the dollar amount. It was the immediacy. It was the realization that there was nowhere in our budget to produce that kind of cash quickly. I was on maternity leave, my business was young, and our household finances were already tight, we lived paycheck to paycheck. And also I was confused, why did we suddenly owe them money?
How our marital status filing triggered the debt
Here’s the core of what happened: when my partner, Grayson, and I separated years earlier, we filed taxes as single individuals. Later, when he lived in our house as a basement tenant and we were effectively back under the same roof, we continued filing as single. The government benefits we received—OCB, CCB, GST credits—are based on household income. Because I was filing single and the system didn’t account for Grayson’s income, the government determined I had received more money than I was entitled to and asked for it back.
The twist that devastated us was the clause we never knew existed: even if you are not legally married or in an active relationship, if you reside at the same address with a person you share children with, you may be considered common-law for benefits purposes. That detail was not obvious on the government website, and different representatives told us different things when we called. Ultimately, the department handling the benefits said the rule applied, and they went retroactively through our records and demanded repayment. Which is how we ended up owing $30,000.
Immediate fallout: cash flow, garnished benefits, and panic
The government began garnishing the monthly benefit payments—taking a large percentage to recoup the alleged overpayments. We went from receiving around $2,500 a month in child-related benefits down to roughly half that. Overnight, groceries, mortgage, and bills had to be paid with far less money than before.
We scrambled. I borrowed from family. I sold items online. I tried to take on more clients. We considered part-time jobs and refinancing options. Every direction felt like a brick wall. My business income was inconsistent and, on paper, low. On paper, I didn’t look as financially stable as we actually were. The reality was that the tax and benefits system judged eligibility on filings, historical records, and rules that are often opaque to independent parents and entrepreneurs.
While my business did actually generate substantial income, we were able to write off a lot of our bills because I worked from home. Things like phone bills, utilities, and more which on paper, decreased by business income to effectively nothing and banks were hesitant to change our mortgage. When I initially purchased the house I was still employed by my 9-5 which made getting the mortgage easy.
The decision to sell the house
We had very little equity, and refinancing wasn’t an option. The government was making it clear: they wanted their money back fast. Without a quick solution, we were at risk of financial collapse. The best option we could see was to sell the house and extract whatever equity we had to pay down debts and avoid foreclosure.
So we listed our semi-detached home. It wasn’t a choice we made lightly. We were attached to the house, and the community. We loved the girls school and our neighbours. But the reality of the garnishment, the mounting credit card debt, and the urgent timeframe pushed us toward listing.
What listing a house while emotionally exhausted felt like
Putting a house on the market while you’re sleep-deprived, stressed, and juggling kids is brutal. We tried everything to generate income while the house was listed: Airbnb, marketplace listings for renters, negotiating with potential tenants. For months we were hemorrhaging cash—paying the mortgage while the house sat on the market.
We had noble intentions: keep the home, bring on a renter, and keep some rental income to ride out the storm. It didn’t pan out quickly enough. The offers we received were lower than we needed. We reduced the price a few times. Each underwhelming offer felt like a punch as I watch our bank balance like a hawk trying to keep up with our monthly payments.
The emotional burden of low offers
By January, offers were coming in at $420k–$430k while our break-even price was around $500k. I remember feeling sick reading a $450k offer. I knew that accepting anything below a certain number meant losing money we couldn’t afford to lose. I was exhausted and disheartened.
We ended up finding a long-term renter months later so I withdrew the listing for a bit to preserve my sanity, and give me some breathing room. Keeping the house clean for showing during my first trimester was slowly killing me .I was so exhausted all the time.
How the sale finally happened—and the chaos that followed
Four days after we took the house off the market, one of the buyers who had previously offered returned with a higher bid—still under our target, but closer. We countered and, against expectations, they accepted. That’s when things accelerated: the closing date was set for April 24th. Then the buyers tried to amend the closing to an earlier date. I refused—I needed the time to find a new home and to get the kids settled. After negotiations, the original closing date stood but it was still really soon.
When the sale went through, relief hit—but so did panic. We had exactly three months to figure out where to live, and realistically only a few weeks for mortgage approval and legal work. My stress spiked again. We had no contingency plan. We’d been eyeing options, but the market was tight and our finances were complicated by the government debt and limited mortgage eligibility due to my self-employed income on paper.
House hunting with four kids and severe time pressure
There’s a part of this story that’s laughable in hindsight: we thought we had more time. In reality, you need at least two+ weeks for mortgage brokers and lawyers to finalize paperwork. That meant that our practical deadline to secure another property was much earlier than the closing date on our current house. I called my parents and told them it could come down to us moving in with them if we found nothing—an option they were reluctant to accept and had to balance with their own renovation plans.
How we tried to bridge the gap: guarantors, co-signers, and stated-income lenders
Being self-employed made it harder to qualify for enough mortgage. On paper, the OCB and CCB reductions meant my household income looked lower. We explored many paths:
Refinancing the old mortgage (not possible—too little equity).
Getting a renter in the basement to stabilize income (eventually successful, but too late to stop the sale).
Asking my parents to co-sign—initially declined because it affected their own plans.
Working with a stated-income mortgage broker—a lender who might consider broader income evidence.
Adding my brother as a guarantor—this helped raise our borrowing power.
Each of these options came with trade-offs. A guarantor protected our parents’ credit and didn’t show up as a co-borrower on their credit report, which made them more comfortable. Ultimately, moving forward meant leaning on family in a way I never imagined I’d have to. I’m so grateful for the help, but I also felt vulnerable and frustrated having to ask for help knowing it could cause problems for them later when they went to sell or my brother went to buy his first home.
Even with help from my family, houses in St. Thomas were very expensive and getting a 4-5 bedroom house for our growing family felt impossible with purchase prices in the $600K. Even if we could get approval for the mortgage, I wasn't confident we'd be able to keep up with the monthly payments. Eventually, we realized we'd have to look outside of Elgin County to find a house with the square footage we needed and we feel in love with a property in the Chatham area.\
It's further from our beloved hometown, and family, but we knew it would give up the space we wanted and room for our family to grow so we submitted an offer that was accepted. I felt an immediate sense of relief followed by immense frustration that banks wouldn't approve the mortgage for us even though we were approved for much more. They didn't like the area and the condition of the house.
The unexpected miracle: an old bank came through
After two weeks of back-and-forth with private lenders we got approvals with who found any reason to hesitate, I called Scotia—the bank holding our existing mortgage—as a last resort. I didn’t expect much; big banks have high thresholds and more rigid rules. But within 24 hours, we had approval. No home inspection requirement. No long delays. Just a swift yes that let us take the property we wanted.
That quick approval made buying what now gets referred to as the Brittany Miller new house possible. It felt like everything aligned in a single moment of relief—but this relief too was temporary. The mortgage approval came with conditions: pay down credit cards, settle the car loan, and meet other debt-to-income requirements. That meant redirecting funds we had earmarked for other debt repayment and renovations to the new house.
Why we couldn’t move in to the new place immediately
Even after the mortgage approval, practical barriers remained. While applying for insurance on the property, we discovered galvanized pipes—a red flag for insurers. They required us to replace the plumbing within a set timeframe. That turned what we thought would be a gentle move into an immediate renovation project: rip out pipes, replace, and then fix the walls impacted by plumbing work.
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At the same time, the bank’s condition to pay off the car loan and credit cards meant the portion of sale proceeds we planned to use to clear the government debt had to be repurposed. We paid off the car and reduced monthly obligations, but we still owe a portion to the government. We’re somewhere in the middle of paying it down, and that balance hangs over us.
Family dynamics, help, and a few unexpected blows
I want to be transparent here: family support was crucial, but it wasn’t seamless. We assumed we could stay at my parents’ house if needed. They were renovating, and their basement was supposed to be ready. In the end, that basement wasn’t ready when we needed it. The timing and communication around that were painful—24 hours before our move, I learned we had nowhere to go while they kept working on their basement. We slept in a hotel and continued the search from longer term rental options while we started gutting our house.
We bounced between motels and Airbnb's for weeks quickly depleting our remaining cash which we planned to use for renovations and debt repayment.
These moments were emotionally raw. I was mad, exhausted, and at times felt like a failure—despite knowing logically none of this was really my fault. That contradiction is part of the burnout many of us feel when running businesses and households simultaneously.
Lessons I learned through the process
There are practical and emotional lessons woven throughout this story. If you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, or anyone who might be exposed to similar administrative or financial surprises, here’s what I learned:
Understand benefits and marital-status rules thoroughly. If you share an address with someone you have children with, know how your filings affect eligibility for child and GST/HST credits. Don’t assume website guidance is the whole story—call until you get a clear answer and document the advice you receive.
Keep a paper trail. Save emails, notes from calls, names of agents, and the dates. If an audit appears, documentation can be powerful to show intent and context.
Build an emergency buffer. Even a small, dedicated safety net reduces panic when unexpected debts surface.
Talk to specialists early. Tax lawyers, accountants who work with family benefits, and mortgage brokers experienced in self-employed applicants can all offer options you might not know about.
Leverage multiple mortgage options. Traditional lenders, stated-income brokers, private lenders, and banks all evaluate risk differently. If one says no, try another—there’s no single gatekeeper for lending.
Communicate clearly—and early—with family. If you’re relying on family support, align timelines and expectations before you need help. Renovation timelines slip, budgets overrun, and plans change. Talk money and timing explicitly.
Prioritize mental health. Decision fatigue and shame can cloud judgment. Ask for help, set boundaries, and allow yourself permission not to carry all the shame you feel.
What the Brittany Miller new house means to me now
When we finally closed and took possession of what everyone now calls the Brittany Miller new house, it felt like both an ending and a beginning. Ending the months of uncertainty that started with the audit. Beginning a new chapter with less monthly mortgage strain, more intentional family time, and the space to tackle renovations on our terms.
Purchasing this home didn’t erase the debt we still owe to the government, and it didn’t instantly fix the emotional wear and tear. But it gave us hope for breathing room after we finished renovating it. It reduced our monthly obligations and made it possible for Grayson and me to work toward our longer-term goal: having him step away from his day job when our finances are more stable and he can take a larger role at home and in my business.
A note about shame, failure, and resilience
One of the hardest parts of this episode was the shame I felt. In my head, the burden of not being able to “manage it” weighed heavily—even though on paper the whole situation was the result of a rule I didn’t know existed. If you’re reading this and you’ve felt similar shame—about finances, parenting decisions, or business setbacks—please know you’re not alone.
Being resilient doesn’t mean you don’t feel the blow. It means you keep putting one foot in front of the other after the blow.
I had a moment where I felt utterly defeated. But I also remember the people who helped: my brother who offered to step in as a guarantor, the lender who moved fast, the tenant who helped with interim income, my parents for giving us a place to stay, and my clients who showed patience. These supports mattered. Gratitude and acceptance helped me regain perspective even when I felt out of control.
How I’m planning for the future
Now that we’re in the Brittany Miller new house and the dust is settling, here’s how I’m approaching the next phase:
Create a renovation plan with realistic timelines and budgets, especially because the Brittany Miller new house needs significant plumbing and cosmetic updates. Follow along @brittanynmiller_
Prioritize paying down remaining government debt methodically—set monthly targets and track progress publicly for accountability.
Build back an emergency fund of at least three months’ essential expenses.
Maintain transparent financial conversations with family—sharing plans and timelines prevents surprises.
Continue working on business systems to make my self-employed income appear clearer on paper to lenders—good bookkeeping is essential.
Final thoughts
This was a story about losing control and slowly regaining it. It was messy, exhausting, emotional, and ultimately full of lessons. The Brittany Miller new house is a tangible result of all that chaos—but more than the physical home, what I value most is the clarity we gained about our priorities: less monthly strain, more intentional family time, and a clearer path for the business.
If you’re going through something similar—an audit, a sudden debt, or a forced move—remember this: systems and rules can be opaque and unfair, but there are always options. Ask questions, keep a paper trail, and lean on your network. And if you’re a small business owner, be relentless about bookkeeping and understanding how benefits and taxes interact with your filings.
If you’re reading this—take away one thing
You don’t have to pretend to have this all together. Life—and a system that’s sometimes inscrutable—can upend your plans. What matters is how you respond: collect facts, ask for help, prioritize essentials, and take one practical step at a time. The Brittany Miller new house is a chapter in our family’s story, but it’s not the definition of our worth or capability. If there’s one thing I hope you take from this: plan for the unexpected, and be kind to yourself when it happens.
Thank you for reading my story. If you’ve been through something similar or want to ask a specific question about the process, reach out—I’m sharing this to help others avoid surprises and to remind you that you are not alone.
FAQ
What triggered the debt that led to selling your house?
A government audit determined that because my partner and I were residing at the same address and we have children together, we should have filed as common-law for child benefits. We had filed as single, which led to retroactive adjustments and a demand to repay about $30,000 in overpaid benefits.
Could you have appealed the government’s decision?
We explored options and asked for reviews, but the process is slow and legal challenges are costly. We considered legal avenues but opted to prioritize immediate financial stability by selling the house, since the garnishments were already reducing our monthly income.
Why did you sell instead of refinancing?
We had very little equity and refinancing options were limited. The listed house didn’t provide enough capital through refinancing to cover the $30,000 debt, credit card debt, and the buffers we needed. Selling allowed us to extract more cash to stabilize finances. Also, our family had grown a lot since we purchased and 2 bedrooms wasn't big enough when we found out we were expecting baby #5.
How did you qualify for a mortgage for the Brittany Miller new house if you were self-employed?
We tried several lenders. Private lenders hesitated due to appraisal or location concerns. Ultimately, our existing bank (Scotiabank) approved us within 24 hours after reviewing our file. We also looked into used a guarantor with family to increase borrowing power at one point in the process but we didn't end up needing it.
What would you recommend to someone facing a similar benefits audit?
Document everything, call the agency and get a written explanation, consult a tax professional, and explore short-term financing or family support while you contest or negotiate repayment terms. Prioritize food and housing stability while sorting legal or tax options.
Did family help make the Brittany Miller new house purchase possible?
We were able to purchase it ourselves due to the low purchase price, but my parents provided temporary support, too letting us stay with them while we renovated. Family assistance was crucial, but it also introduced emotional and logistical complications that required careful communication.
Will you be paying off the government debt entirely now?
We redirected some sale proceeds to pay down immediate high-interest debts and the car loan as part of mortgage conditions. We’ve paid a large portion but still owe a remaining balance, which we’re repaying monthly. The government adjusted some terms, which provided a bit of breathing room.
What’s the biggest financial lesson you learned?
Keep excellent books and understand how benefits interact with household filings. For self-employed people, how you appear on paper matters to lenders and benefits agencies. Regularly review tax filings, know the rules, and get a second opinion when advice from government reps varies.
Go Get Great Episode 97 References
Yvonee Steer (St. Thomas Based Realtor) - https://www.instagram.com/steeringyouhome/
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
0:00 Intro
1:00 Government Audit
4:30 How are we paying this back?
8:10 Selling the house
11:00 How much can we get?
19:00 Where do we live?
22:00 Getting help from my mom (kinda)
26:30 Looking outside St. Thomas
28:10 Trying to buy a house
31:00 We bought a house
35:30 Can't move in with my mom
38:40 Wrap up
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