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Stop Paying Rent!

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! 

 

It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent.  But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t feel like yours.  How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle?  You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home

Well, don’t feel trapped anymore!  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem.  The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner.  With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:

– save for a down payment

– stop lining your landlord’s pockets, and
– stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.

 

6 Little Known Facts That Can Help You Buy Your First Home

 

The problem that most renters face isn’t your ability to meet a monthly payment. Goodness knows you must meet this monthly obligation every 30 days already. The problem is accumulating enough capital to make a down payment on something more permanent.

But saving for this lump sum doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.  Consider the following 6 important points:

You can buy a home with much less down than you think.

There are some local or federal government programs (such as 1st time buyer programs) to help people get into the housing market.  You can qualify as a first time buyer even if your spouse has  owned a home before as long as your name was not registered.  Ensure your real estate agent is informed and knowledgeable in this important area and can offer programs to help you with your options.

You may be able to get your lender to help you with your down payment and closing costs.

Even if you do not have enough cash for a down-payment, if you are debt-free, and own an asset free and clear (such as a car, for example), your lending institution may be able to lend you the down-payment for your home by securing it against this asset.

 

You may be able to find a seller to help you buy and finance your home.

Some sellers may be willing to hold a second mortgage for you as a “seller take-back.”  In this case, the seller becomes your lending institution.  Instead of paying this seller a lump-sum full amount for his or her home, you would pay monthly mortgage installments.

 

You may be able to create a cash down payment without actually going into debt.

By borrowing money for certain investments to a specified level, you may be able to generate a significant tax refund for yourself that you can use as a down-payment.  While the money borrowed for these investments is technically a loan, the monthly amount paid can be small, and the money invested in both home and investment will be yours in the end.

You can buy a home even if you have problems with your credit rating.

If you can come up with more than the minimum down-payment, or can secure the loan with other equity, many lending institutions will consider you for a mortgage.  Alternatively, a seller take-back mortgage could also help you in this situation.

 

You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

Preapproval is easy, and can give you complete peace-of-mind when shopping for your home. Mortgage experts can obtain written preapproval for you at no cost and no obligation, and it can all be done quite easily over-the-phone.  More than just a verbal approval from your lending institution, a written preapproval is as good as money in the bank.  It entails a completed credit application, and a certificate which guarantees you a mortgage to the specified level when you find the home you’re looking for.

 

 

Consider dealing only with a professional who specializes in mortgages.  Enlisting their services can make the difference between obtaining a mortgage, and being stuck in the renter’s rut forever. Typically there is no cost or obligation to enquire.

To sum up, there are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter.  Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with your agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning?

This conversation costs you nothing. And, of course, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to buy a home at the time you review this.  But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the ways you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step.

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! 

 

It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent.  But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t feel like yours.  How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle?  You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home

Well, don’t feel trapped anymore!  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem.  The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner.  With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:

– save for a down payment

– stop lining your landlord’s pockets, and
– stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.

 

6 Little Known Facts That Can Help You Buy Your First Home

 

The problem that most renters face isn’t your ability to meet a monthly payment. Goodness knows you must meet this monthly obligation every 30 days already. The problem is accumulating enough capital to make a down payment on something more permanent.

But saving for this lump sum doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.  Consider the following 6 important points:

You can buy a home with much less down than you think.

There are some local or federal government programs (such as 1st time buyer programs) to help people get into the housing market.  You can qualify as a first time buyer even if your spouse has  owned a home before as long as your name was not registered.  Ensure your real estate agent is informed and knowledgeable in this important area and can offer programs to help you with your options.

You may be able to get your lender to help you with your down payment and closing costs.

Even if you do not have enough cash for a down-payment, if you are debt-free, and own an asset free and clear (such as a car, for example), your lending institution may be able to lend you the down-payment for your home by securing it against this asset.

 

You may be able to find a seller to help you buy and finance your home.

Some sellers may be willing to hold a second mortgage for you as a “seller take-back.”  In this case, the seller becomes your lending institution.  Instead of paying this seller a lump-sum full amount for his or her home, you would pay monthly mortgage installments.

 

You may be able to create a cash down payment without actually going into debt.

By borrowing money for certain investments to a specified level, you may be able to generate a significant tax refund for yourself that you can use as a down-payment.  While the money borrowed for these investments is technically a loan, the monthly amount paid can be small, and the money invested in both home and investment will be yours in the end.

You can buy a home even if you have problems with your credit rating.

If you can come up with more than the minimum down-payment, or can secure the loan with other equity, many lending institutions will consider you for a mortgage.  Alternatively, a seller take-back mortgage could also help you in this situation.

 

You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

Preapproval is easy, and can give you complete peace-of-mind when shopping for your home. Mortgage experts can obtain written preapproval for you at no cost and no obligation, and it can all be done quite easily over-the-phone.  More than just a verbal approval from your lending institution, a written preapproval is as good as money in the bank.  It entails a completed credit application, and a certificate which guarantees you a mortgage to the specified level when you find the home you’re looking for.

 

 

Consider dealing only with a professional who specializes in mortgages.  Enlisting their services can make the difference between obtaining a mortgage, and being stuck in the renter’s rut forever. Typically there is no cost or obligation to enquire.

To sum up, there are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter.  Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with your agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning?

This conversation costs you nothing. And, of course, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to buy a home at the time you review this.  But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the ways you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step.

9 Buyer Traps & How to Avoid Them

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment.  But for many home buyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

* paying too much for the home they want, or
* losing their dream home to another buyer or,
* (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.

This important article discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.

 

The 9 Buyer Traps

Bidding Blind

What price should you offer when you bid on a home?  Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal?  If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bdding blind.  Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.

 

Buying the Wrong Home.

 

What are you looking for in a home?  A simple enough question, but the answer can be quite complex.  More than one buyer has been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small.  Maybe they’re stuck with a longer than desired commute to work, or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down.  Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs.  Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.

Unclear Title.

 

Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed.  The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.

Inaccurate Survey.

As part of your offer to purchase, make sure you request an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries.  If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).  Be very clear on these issues.

Undisclosed Fix-ups.

 

Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to.  Both you and the seller are out to maximize your investment.  Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process.  Consider hiring an independent inspector to objectively view the home inside and out, and make the final contract contingent upon this inspector’s report.  This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.


Not Getting Mortgage Preapproval.

Preapproval is fast, easy and free.  When you have a preapproved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.

 

Contract Misses.

If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement.  Agree ahead of time on a dollar amount for an escrow fund to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on. Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one.

 Hidden Costs.

 

Make sure you identify and uncover all costs – large and small – far enough ahead of time.  When a transaction closes, you will sometimes find fees for this or that sneaking through after the “sub”-total – fees such as loan disbursement charges, underwriting fees etc.  Understand these in advance by having your lender project total charges for you in writing.

 

 

 

Rushing the Closing.

Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on seeing all paperwork the day before you sign.  Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction, and that nothing has been added or subtracted.  Is the interest rate right?  Is everything covered?  If you rush this process on the day of closing, you may run into a last minute snag that you can’t fix without compromising the terms of the deal, the financing, or even the sale itself.

One More Tip…

Find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or “House-hunting Service,” which takes the guesswork out of finding just the right home that matches your needs.  This type of program will crossmatch your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an on-going basis. A program like this can help you to affordably move into
the home of your dreams.

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Residential For Sale

78 Highland Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2T9

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
11Picture(s)
912Sqft
Century 21 Optimum Realty
C$164500

Residential For Sale

78 Highland Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2T9
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
912Sqft
Century 21 Optimum Realty
Welcome to this charming starter home in the heart of Glace Bay! This well-maintained three-bedroom, one-bathroom home offers comfortable living with the exciting bonus of an extra lot. The additional lot presents an excellent opportunity to build a rental property or an in-law suite, making this an ideal investment for first-time buyers and investors alike.
C$164500

Residential For Sale

78 Highland Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2T9
Century 21 Optimum Realty
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$164500

Residential For Sale

949 Mclean Street, Halifax, NS B3H 2V2

5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
20Picture(s)
2,370Sqft
PG Direct Realty Ltd.
C$1695000

Residential For Sale

949 Mclean Street, Halifax, NS B3H 2V2
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,370Sqft
PG Direct Realty Ltd.
Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. This prestigious South End Halifax home offers 5 bedrooms & 3.5 baths with over 3,600 sq. ft. of thoughtfully updated living. The main level features an elegant, sun-filled kitchen with granite counters, central island, & spacious living & dining areas.
C$1695000

Residential For Sale

949 Mclean Street, Halifax, NS B3H 2V2
PG Direct Realty Ltd.
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1695000

Residential For Sale

99 Cross Road, Great Village, NS B0M 1L0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
46Picture(s)
1,156Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
C$439900

Residential For Sale

99 Cross Road, Great Village, NS B0M 1L0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,156Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
Completed in 2021, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home is set on approximately 2.2 acres of peaceful countryside, offering space to enjoy the outdoors while still being within a convenient drive to local services and Masstown Market. The property features a pond and a welcoming outdoor setup with a deck that leads to a covered pavilion, creating a comfortable place to relax or entertain.
C$439900

Residential For Sale

99 Cross Road, Great Village, NS B0M 1L0
Hants Realty Ltd.
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$439900

Residential For Sale

215 Alabaster Way, Halifax, NS B3P 0C6

3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
14Picture(s)
2,111Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
C$689900

Residential For Sale

215 Alabaster Way, Halifax, NS B3P 0C6
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,111Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
Versatile Living in Governor’s Brook with Income Potential! Welcome to this spacious and modern 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in the vibrant Governor’s Brook community—offering not just comfort, but flexibility and value. The main level features an open-concept design with a stylish kitchen, bright living room, and a dining area perfect for family meals or hosting friends.
C$689900

Residential For Sale

215 Alabaster Way, Halifax, NS B3P 0C6
RE/MAX Nova
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$689900

Residential For Sale

C-1001 King Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1C3

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
18Picture(s)
3,456Sqft
The Extra Mile Realty
C$467000

Residential For Sale

C-1001 King Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1C3
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,456Sqft
The Extra Mile Realty
OPPORTUNITY WITH OPTIONS IN A PRIME LOCATION! Zoned and taxed as a Residential property, this legal non-conforming three-unit property, with its middle unit rented, and your choice of living in or renting out the main 4-bedroom house with an unfinished basement and separate entrance, covered porch, and two three-season porches, or the other 2-bedroom unit, is just the beginning of its potential.
C$467000

Residential For Sale

C-1001 King Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1C3
The Extra Mile Realty
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$467000

Residential For Sale

1310 Drummond Road, Westville, NS B0K 2A0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
30Picture(s)
1,490Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

1310 Drummond Road, Westville, NS B0K 2A0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,490Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
Beautiful 2-bedroom bungalow, just 2 years old, offering 2 full bathrooms and a bright eat-in kitchen. Features a spacious rec room in the basement and efficient heat pumps on both levels. Situated on a large 29,000 sq ft lot with municipal services. This home is conveniently located close to downtown Westville and Stellarton.
C$325000

Residential For Sale

1310 Drummond Road, Westville, NS B0K 2A0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

18 Royalty Street, Truro, NS B2N 1S9

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
17Picture(s)
766Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
C$239900

Residential For Sale

18 Royalty Street, Truro, NS B2N 1S9
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
766Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
Welcome to 18 Royalty Street, Truro, a well-located home on a quiet dead-end street offering flexibility, value, and strong long-term potential. The main floor features two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a comfortable living room, and an eat-in kitchen, while the upper level provides a versatile space that works well as a third bedroom, home office, or additional living area.
C$239900

Residential For Sale

18 Royalty Street, Truro, NS B2N 1S9
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$239900

Residential For Sale

151 Lingan Road, Sydney, NS B1N 1V4

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
38Picture(s)
1,080Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
C$169900

Residential For Sale

151 Lingan Road, Sydney, NS B1N 1V4
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,080Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
Centrally located three-bedroom bungalow in Whitney Pier, situated on a convenient bus route and offering excellent accessibility. This well-laid-out home features a spacious eat-in kitchen, a large living room, and a versatile den/office located just off the kitchen—ideal for remote work or additional living space.
C$169900

Residential For Sale

151 Lingan Road, Sydney, NS B1N 1V4
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$169900

Residential For Sale

2960 Second Division Road, Concession, NS B0W 1M0

3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
50Picture(s)
3,806Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)
C$1125000

Residential For Sale

2960 Second Division Road, Concession, NS B0W 1M0
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
3,806Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)
Lakefront Living on 12.6 Acres – 2960 Second Division Road Discover this private lakefront retreat at 2960 Second Division Road, offering 12.6 acres of tranquility with beautifully landscaped, low-maintenance perennial gardens. Enjoy the expansive yard with a pool area that provides stunning lake views, ideal for entertaining or relaxing.
C$1125000

Residential For Sale

2960 Second Division Road, Concession, NS B0W 1M0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1125000

Residential For Sale

1718 Cumberland Drive, Coldbrook, NS B4R 1A4

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
49Picture(s)
2,094Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
C$415000

Residential For Sale

1718 Cumberland Drive, Coldbrook, NS B4R 1A4
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
2,094Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
Welcome to 1718 Cumberland Drive, located in a highly desirable area of Coldbrook within the popular Bess View subdivision. This well-designed home offers exceptional flexibility with a fully developed walk-out basement that includes an in-law or secondary suite, making it an ideal option for multigenerational living, hosting guests, or creating potential additional income.
C$415000

Residential For Sale

1718 Cumberland Drive, Coldbrook, NS B4R 1A4
Exit Realty Town & Country
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$415000

Residential For Sale

8042 Highway 8, South Brookfield, NS B0T 1X0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
30Picture(s)
1,166Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
C$295000

Residential For Sale

8042 Highway 8, South Brookfield, NS B0T 1X0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,166Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
Set in a quiet country setting, this 3-bedroom home on 43 acres features a bright, light-filled interior, a functional, timeless layout, and a closed-in porch perfect for enjoying the surroundings in any season. Well maintained over the years, the property offers a wonderful opportunity to make it your own.
C$295000

Residential For Sale

8042 Highway 8, South Brookfield, NS B0T 1X0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$295000

Residential For Sale

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
25Picture(s)
555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
C$199900

Residential For Sale

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
Tucked away on a quiet and private road, this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom cottage offers the perfect lakeside escape. Lovingly maintained and full of cozy character, the home invites you to relax and enjoy nature from the comfort of your own retreat. Whether you’re curling up with a book or sipping coffee on the deck, the views of the sparkling lake just steps away will never grow old.
C$199900

Residential For Sale

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$199900
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