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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

2799 1 Highway, Upper Clements, NS B0S 1A0

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
48Picture(s)
1,400Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
C$455000

Residential For Sale

2799 1 Highway, Upper Clements, NS B0S 1A0
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,400Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
Ocean front property on the Annapolis Basin! This 4 acre waterfront property with a fully renovated 3 bed / 3 bath home is just minutes from historic Annapolis Royal. Stunning ocean views and direct access to the rails to trails system that will take you to Upper Clements Picnic Park – home of the Ryerson Saltmarsh and Estuary (see video).
C$455000

Residential For Sale

2799 1 Highway, Upper Clements, NS B0S 1A0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$455000

Residential For Sale

994 Pleasant Street, Canning, NS B0P 1H0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,900Sqft
MBA Country Real Estate Brokers
C$499000

Residential For Sale

994 Pleasant Street, Canning, NS B0P 1H0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,900Sqft
MBA Country Real Estate Brokers
The perfect family home, ideally located on a quiet side street in the Village of Canning. Built in 1850 and extensively upgraded and remodeled in the early 2000s. It offers 1,898 sq ft of comfortable living space spread over two floors. A large eat-in kitchen, dining room (or family room) with wood stove, den, living room, bath with laundry, and sunporch make up the main floor.
C$499000

Residential For Sale

994 Pleasant Street, Canning, NS B0P 1H0
MBA Country Real Estate Brokers
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$499000

Residential For Sale

2361 North Wallace Road, North Wallace, NS B0K 1Y0

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,445Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
C$949000

Residential For Sale

2361 North Wallace Road, North Wallace, NS B0K 1Y0
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
2,445Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
Income Potential! The opportunities are endless with this property, AirBnB, Family getaway home, Family home or much more! Located in the beautiful community of North Wallace Nova Scotia.
C$949000

Residential For Sale

2361 North Wallace Road, North Wallace, NS B0K 1Y0
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$949000

Residential For Sale

376 Washington Street, New Glasgow, NS B2H 3M4

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
30Picture(s)
2,098Sqft
Turning Point Real Estate Limited
C$210000

Residential For Sale

376 Washington Street, New Glasgow, NS B2H 3M4
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
2,098Sqft
Turning Point Real Estate Limited
Nestled in the heart of our vibrant neighbourhood lies a unique investment opportunity: a historic mixed-use building that once hosted a beloved family-run pizza shop, Alice's Pizza, on its ground floor, with residential quarters above. If you delve a little deeper into the building's history, you'll discover it once housed a confectionery as well.
C$210000

Residential For Sale

376 Washington Street, New Glasgow, NS B2H 3M4
Turning Point Real Estate Limited
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$210000

Residential For Sale

44 Weir Avenue, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
22Picture(s)
2,547Sqft
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
C$245000

Residential For Sale

44 Weir Avenue, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
2,547Sqft
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
Nestled in the heart of Stellarton, this charming bungalow features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and an expansive rec room in the lower level. With a generous layout, this property presents great opportunities for enhancements to restore its former charm.
C$245000

Residential For Sale

44 Weir Avenue, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$245000

Residential For Sale

3080 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 2G5

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
43Picture(s)
3,079Sqft
Engel & Volkers
C$1099900

Residential For Sale

3080 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 2G5
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
3,079Sqft
Engel & Volkers
Introducing 3080 Purcells Cove Road - a striking new residence by Rosebank Homes in collaboration with award-winning RHAD Architects. This 3,079 sq ft contemporary home blends architectural vision with modern livability, offering 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a setting defined by water views and natural beauty.
C$1099900

Residential For Sale

3080 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 2G5
Engel & Volkers
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1099900

Residential For Sale

39 Mailman Lane, Centrelea, NS B0S 1C0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
47Picture(s)
1,232Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$299800

Residential For Sale

39 Mailman Lane, Centrelea, NS B0S 1C0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,232Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Idyllic riverside dream. Enjoy peace and quiet, privacy, fishing, boating, and swimming in this lovely 3 bedroom chalet. The main floor features a country kitchen, a great room full of windows, a cathedral ceiling and wood stove. Plus a large bedroom, beautiful bathroom and an office. Climb the spiral staircase and find two good size bedrooms and a large storage area.
C$299800

Residential For Sale

39 Mailman Lane, Centrelea, NS B0S 1C0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$299800

Residential For Sale

113 Water Street, Freeport, NS B0V 1B0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
48Picture(s)
1,434Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$309900

Residential For Sale

113 Water Street, Freeport, NS B0V 1B0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,434Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Water view home! This bright charming home on 1.88 acres has an elevated ocean view of the Northeast Cove. In the last years it has been completely renovated including in 2022, new metal roof, replacement of most windows, all new plumbing including pipes, tank and hot water heater, new wiring, heat pumps baseboard heaters and wall heaters.
C$309900

Residential For Sale

113 Water Street, Freeport, NS B0V 1B0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$309900

Residential For Sale

8 Remington Court, Clayton Park, NS B3M 3Y6

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
29Picture(s)
1,522Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
C$429900

Residential For Sale

8 Remington Court, Clayton Park, NS B3M 3Y6
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,522Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
This charming end-unit condo townhouse is nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Clayton Park. Ideally located in a family friendly neighborhood with a walking trail and playground at the end of the street.
C$429900

Residential For Sale

8 Remington Court, Clayton Park, NS B3M 3Y6
Keller Williams Select Realty
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$429900

Residential For Sale

20 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7

5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
5Picture(s)
3,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$989900

Residential For Sale

20 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Introducing The Elizabeth on Gardenia Way- the five-bedroom home you've been waiting for. Cresco's newest two-storey design with a walkout basement offers 3,340 sqft of luxurious living space in The Parks of Lake Charles. Thoughtfully designed with today's most desirable family features, this home includes five bedrooms, 3.
C$989900

Residential For Sale

20 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7
Royal LePage Atlantic
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$989900

Residential For Sale

9 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
4Picture(s)
2,626Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$784900

Residential For Sale

9 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,626Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
This property is subject to a Quick Closing Incentive! Introducing The Portland by Cresco, a sophisticated residence in The Parks of Lake Charles. Spanning 2,626 Sqft, this meticulously designed 3 level home with "look-out" lower level, features 4 bedrooms, 3.
C$784900

Residential For Sale

9 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2
Royal LePage Atlantic
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$784900

Residential For Sale

124 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7

5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
4Picture(s)
3,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$1034900

Residential For Sale

124 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Introducing The Elizabeth on Gardenia Way - the five-bedroom home you've been waiting for, and it is being built on Cresco's premium lot (GW18). Cresco's newest two-storey design with a walkout basement offers 3,340 sqft of luxurious living space in The Parks of Lake Charles. Thoughtfully designed with today's most desirable family features, this home includes five bedrooms, 3.
C$1034900

Residential For Sale

124 Gardenia Way, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C7
Royal LePage Atlantic
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1034900
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