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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

57 Havelock Street, Amherst, NS B4H 3J9

8Bedroom(s)
7Bathroom(s)
Circular DrivewayParking(s)
50Picture(s)
5,252Sqft
Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.
C$539900

Residential For Sale

57 Havelock Street, Amherst, NS B4H 3J9
8Bedroom(s)
7Bathroom(s)
Circular DrivewayParking(s)
5,252Sqft
Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.
Welcome to 57 Havelock Street. A stunning Queen Anne-style home built in 1887 by renowned local builders Rhodes & Curry! Set on a beautifully treed lot in the heart of Amherst, this architectural masterpiece offers timeless charm, thoughtful updates, and incredible versatility for today’s homeowner.
C$539900

Residential For Sale

57 Havelock Street, Amherst, NS B4H 3J9
Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.
8Bedroom(s)
7Bathroom(s)
C$539900

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14 Ryerson Court, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1V6

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
49Picture(s)
1,710Sqft
Century 21 All Points
C$385000

Residential For Sale

14 Ryerson Court, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1V6
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,710Sqft
Century 21 All Points
**Motivated Seller, Open to Offers** Extensively updated home offering plenty of space, two generous bedrooms plus den on main level, and two full baths, with the potential for a main floor bedroom. Tucked away on a quiet street in downtown Yarmouth, this prime location gives you the best of both worlds: peaceful living with easy access to shops, restaurants, and everyday amenities.
C$385000

Residential For Sale

14 Ryerson Court, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1V6
Century 21 All Points
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$385000

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308-476 Main Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
43Picture(s)
1,200Sqft
Exit Realty Metro
C$472700

Residential For Sale

308-476 Main Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
1,200Sqft
Exit Realty Metro
Modern Downtown Chic with Park Like Setting – Mahone Bay Condo Living at Its Finest! Discover stylish, low-maintenance living in this beautifully designed 2-bedroom, 2-bath corner unit, ideally located just a short stroll from all the shops, restaurants, and waterfront charm of Mahone Bay.
C$472700

Residential For Sale

308-476 Main Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
Exit Realty Metro
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$472700

Residential For Sale

1731 West Side Road, West Lochaber, NS B3G 2L3

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
45Picture(s)
3,789Sqft
Engel & Volkers
C$1549900

Residential For Sale

1731 West Side Road, West Lochaber, NS B3G 2L3
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,789Sqft
Engel & Volkers
Welcome home to 1731 West Side Lochaber. This stunning six-year-old cape cod offers 3,789 square feet of luxurious living space along approximately 372 feet of pristine lakefront. Wake each morning to golden sunrises painting Lochaber Lake in brilliant hues while your coffee brews in a custom country kitchen designed for both quiet family moments and lively gatherings with friends.
C$1549900

Residential For Sale

1731 West Side Road, West Lochaber, NS B3G 2L3
Engel & Volkers
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$1549900

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2792 Grand Mira North Road, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 1B1

5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
47Picture(s)
1,532Sqft
3% Realty Nova Scotia
C$474000

Residential For Sale

2792 Grand Mira North Road, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 1B1
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,532Sqft
3% Realty Nova Scotia
Escape to the tranquility of rural living with this charming hobby farm at 2792 Grand Mira North Road in Marion Bridge, NS. Nestled on 41 acres of beautiful countryside, this property offers ample space for homesteading, raising animals, and enjoying the outdoors. A brook runs through the land, providing a natural water source for livestock, easily accessible thanks to an electric fence.
C$474000

Residential For Sale

2792 Grand Mira North Road, Marion Bridge, NS B1K 1B1
3% Realty Nova Scotia
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$474000

Residential For Sale

61 Bolivar Road, Rhodes Corner, NS B4V 5N6

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
44Picture(s)
1,558Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
C$519900

Residential For Sale

61 Bolivar Road, Rhodes Corner, NS B4V 5N6
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,558Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
Perfectly positioned between the vibrant communities of Bridgewater and Lunenburg, this well-maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath bungalow offers the ideal blend of comfort, space, and convenience. Situated on a generous lot, this home features an open-concept main level with a newer kitchen, spacious living room with a cozy wood insert, and a heat pump for efficient year-round comfort.
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Residential For Sale

61 Bolivar Road, Rhodes Corner, NS B4V 5N6
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$519900

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28 Piers Avenue, Halifax, NS B3N 1Z5

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
35Picture(s)
1,743Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$659900

Residential For Sale

28 Piers Avenue, Halifax, NS B3N 1Z5
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,743Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
This well-kept 4-5 bedroom home is just right for a young, growing family. Located in popular Falrmount, just a few blocks away from Springvale Etementary Schooll The freshly painted living room is bathed In natura! lighl, and boasts hardwood floors and an attraclive fireplace. The adjacent dining room leads Into a decent-sized kitchen, which has stalntess steel appliances.
C$659900

Residential For Sale

28 Piers Avenue, Halifax, NS B3N 1Z5
Royal LePage Atlantic
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$659900

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3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
5Picture(s)
2,243Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$744900

Residential For Sale

Stephs Street, Bedford West, NS B4B 0L1
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,243Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Discover The Bellhaven, a 3-bed, 3.5-bath corner unit townhome by Shaughnessy Homes in the desirable Belle Rose Park in West Bedford. Spanning 2,243 sq. ft. across three finished levels, this home blends modern comfort with stylish design. The main floor features a home office, a sleek kitchen with premium finishes, and an open-concept living and dining area perfect for entertaining.
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Royal LePage Atlantic
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$744900

Residential For Sale

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3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
5Picture(s)
2,243Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$729900

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3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,243Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Discover The Bellhaven, a 3-bed, 3.5-bath townhome by Shaughnessy Homes in the desirable Belle Rose Park in West Bedford. Spanning 2,243 sq. ft. across three finished levels, this home blends modern comfort with stylish design. The main floor features a home office, a sleek kitchen with premium finishes, and an open-concept living and dining area perfect for entertaining.
C$729900

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Royal LePage Atlantic
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$729900

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4-62 Western Point Lane, East Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
35Picture(s)
1,358Sqft
Red Door Realty
C$744900

Residential For Sale

4-62 Western Point Lane, East Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,358Sqft
Red Door Realty
Welcome to 62 Western Point Lane, a serene waterfront oasis nestled in the peaceful community of East Uniacke. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on a generous 1.25-acre lot and offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and nature.
C$744900

Residential For Sale

4-62 Western Point Lane, East Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0
Red Door Realty
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$744900

Residential For Sale

926 Highway 304, Overton, NS B5A 5G7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,848Sqft
The Real Estate Store
C$549900

Residential For Sale

926 Highway 304, Overton, NS B5A 5G7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,848Sqft
The Real Estate Store
Welcome to 926 Highway 304 in Overton! If you've dreamed of coastal living, this unique property is for you. A front-row seat to view the marine traffic from your yard, deck, kitchen window, or the chair in your living room, is available from this cozy home.
C$549900

Residential For Sale

926 Highway 304, Overton, NS B5A 5G7
The Real Estate Store
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$549900

Residential For Sale

129 Town Road, Falmouth, NS B0P 1P0

4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
41Picture(s)
3,073Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
C$965000

Residential For Sale

129 Town Road, Falmouth, NS B0P 1P0
4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,073Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
Step into this beautifully preserved and thoughtfully updated lakefront home, boasting over 150 years of history on a spacious, serene lot. With stunning water views and direct lake access, this unique property combines timeless charm with modern comfort. Inside, you'll find 4 generous bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, offering ample space for family and guests.
C$965000

Residential For Sale

129 Town Road, Falmouth, NS B0P 1P0
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
C$965000
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