There is no favorite listings!

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.

Sort Option
  • Listing ID
  • Total Finished Area
  • Price
  • Add date
  • Listing Status
Grid
List
Map
RSS

Residential For Sale

24 Northumberland Lane, Halifax, NS B3M 1R7

6Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
47Picture(s)
3,439Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
C$574900

Residential For Sale

24 Northumberland Lane, Halifax, NS B3M 1R7
6Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
3,439Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
Nestled on a quiet lane off the Bedford Highway, this spacious home offers flexibility for a variety of living arrangements or investment opportunities. With over 3,000 sq. ft. of living space, the layout includes multiple entrances, making it well-suited for extended family living, student rental, or even the potential to revisit its history as a former bed and breakfast.
C$574900

Residential For Sale

24 Northumberland Lane, Halifax, NS B3M 1R7
Keller Williams Select Realty
6Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
C$574900

Residential For Sale

70 Hurricane Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1S3

8Bedroom(s)
6Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,550Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)
C$900000

Residential For Sale

70 Hurricane Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1S3
8Bedroom(s)
6Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,550Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)
Surrounded by mature trees and set on Cow Bay Lake with 300 feet of water frontage, this impressive 3,350 sq. ft. home offers a rare combination of space, comfort, and natural beauty. With 8 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, there’s plenty of room for family, extended guests, or even multi-generational living.
C$900000

Residential For Sale

70 Hurricane Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1S3
Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)
8Bedroom(s)
6Bathroom(s)
C$900000

Residential For Sale

1820 Culloden Road, Digby, NS B0V 1A0

5Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
46Picture(s)
5,060Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$2200000

Residential For Sale

1820 Culloden Road, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
5Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
5,060Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Fairytales do come true at 1820 Culloden Road. Welcome to this luxurious estate, perched high on a cliff, overlooking the Bay of Fundy. This home is impressive at every corner and it starts with the view, the privacy, the sunsets, and the clean ocean air, all of these unparalleled and expansive.
C$2200000

Residential For Sale

1820 Culloden Road, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
5Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
C$2200000

Residential For Sale

1101 6369 Coburg Road, South End, NS B3H 4J7

1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
37Picture(s)
680Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
C$339900

Residential For Sale

1101 6369 Coburg Road, South End, NS B3H 4J7
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
680Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
Welcome to 1101 Coburg Place, make this ready to move into and up-to-date South End address your new home. 1101 offers fully updated finishes throughout, open concept kitchen-dining onto spacious Livingroom. Offering an amazing City View from the 11th floor, 1101 is located directly on the north-face, sustaining comfortable temperatures year-round.
C$339900

Residential For Sale

1101 6369 Coburg Road, South End, NS B3H 4J7
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$339900

Residential For Sale

14 Clarence Hirtle Road, Charleston, NS B0J 2H0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
33Picture(s)
1,297Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
C$94900

Residential For Sale

14 Clarence Hirtle Road, Charleston, NS B0J 2H0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,297Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
This two bedroom, one bath home is off the main Medway River Rd on a quiet little street that's safe for children and pets. In the colder season you can enjoy the heat from the wood stove or cosy up in the living room with the pellet stove with the option of turning on the heat pump.
C$94900

Residential For Sale

14 Clarence Hirtle Road, Charleston, NS B0J 2H0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$94900

Residential For Sale

11 Old Cabin Lake Road, Lake Charlotte, NS B0J 2L0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
32Picture(s)
2,600Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$549900

Residential For Sale

11 Old Cabin Lake Road, Lake Charlotte, NS B0J 2L0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
2,600Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
This custom bungalow offers the ideal blend of comfort, value and efficiency with included solar panels and new shingles being installed on the house and garage before closing. The expansive main level features an open plan design, 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 Baths & Laundry ideal for growing families, or mature adults that want everything on the same level.
C$549900

Residential For Sale

11 Old Cabin Lake Road, Lake Charlotte, NS B0J 2L0
Royal LePage Atlantic
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$549900

Residential For Sale

61 York Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1R1

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
35Picture(s)
1,928Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
C$454900

Residential For Sale

61 York Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1R1
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,928Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
Welcome to a home that checks every box for comfort, style, and convenience. This beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2-bath Bridgewater gem blends modern upgrades with timeless character, creating a space that feels both fresh and full of history. Step inside to discover an amazing kitchen and dining area, thoughtfully designed for gatherings and everyday living.
C$454900

Residential For Sale

61 York Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1R1
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$454900

Residential For Sale

166 Oakfield Drive, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 3N7

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,820Sqft
3% Realty Nova Scotia
C$649000

Residential For Sale

166 Oakfield Drive, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 3N7
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,820Sqft
3% Realty Nova Scotia
Your Mira River Dream Awaits at 166 Oakfield Drive. Experience unparalleled waterfront living, a captivating oasis nestled on the beautiful shores of the Mira River. This exceptional property offers a harmonious blend of serene natural beauty and comfortable living, promising a lifestyle defined by tranquility and adventure.
C$649000

Residential For Sale

166 Oakfield Drive, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 3N7
3% Realty Nova Scotia
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$649000

Residential For Sale

12420 Hwy 4, Havre Boucher, NS B0H 1P0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
28Picture(s)
2,155Sqft
SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090
C$310000

Residential For Sale

12420 Hwy 4, Havre Boucher, NS B0H 1P0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
2,155Sqft
SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090
Perched on a hill in the tranquil village of Havre Boucher is this thoughtfully laid out bungalow with a beautiful view of St Georges Bay and Cape Breton Island. Upon entering you are in the mud room with convenient main floor laundry (new dryer). Large kitchen (new propane cook stove) faces the water and has generous eat in space for table and chairs and a hutch.
C$310000

Residential For Sale

12420 Hwy 4, Havre Boucher, NS B0H 1P0
SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$310000

Residential For Sale

14 Maxie Court, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1H2

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
18Picture(s)
720Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
C$40000

Residential For Sale

14 Maxie Court, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1H2
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
720Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
Opportunity awaits with this 3-bedroom semi-detached home located on a quiet street in Glace Bay. Perfect for investors, contractors, or first-time buyers with a vision, this property offers plenty of potential to restore and customize to your taste. The home was purchased through a tax sale and is being sold as is, where is.
C$40000

Residential For Sale

14 Maxie Court, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1H2
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$40000

Residential For Sale

179 Piggott Lake Road, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
45Picture(s)
1,696Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
C$774500

Residential For Sale

179 Piggott Lake Road, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,696Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
This home was redone from top to bottom and inside to out, two years ago and it feels and shows like a two year old home! Sitting on the spring fed waters of Piggott Lake, this property is located within an easy commute to both city and valley and offers buyers lake life at its finest.
C$774500

Residential For Sale

179 Piggott Lake Road, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$774500

Residential For Sale

404-5684 West Street, Halifax, NS B3K 1H7

1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
22Picture(s)
533Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$399900

Residential For Sale

404-5684 West Street, Halifax, NS B3K 1H7
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
533Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Welcome to Unit 404 at 5684 West Street — a stylish one-bedroom condo in the heart of Halifax’s vibrant North End. Built just two years ago, this modern, pet-friendly building features a bright, open-concept layout with floor-to-ceiling windows and a ductless heat pump for efficient year-round comfort.
C$399900

Residential For Sale

404-5684 West Street, Halifax, NS B3K 1H7
Royal LePage Atlantic
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$399900
4251 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern