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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

34 Young Street, Sydney Mines, NS B1V 1V5

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
11Picture(s)
1,120Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
C$34900

Residential For Sale

34 Young Street, Sydney Mines, NS B1V 1V5
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,120Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
Located just minutes from downtown Sydney Mines and close to all local amenities, this single-family homeoffers stunning ocean views and great potential. The property features a 200 Amp electrical panel and is ideal for investors or renovators looking for their next project.This home requires substantial interior work, as shown in the photos, and is being sold "as is, where is.
C$34900

Residential For Sale

34 Young Street, Sydney Mines, NS B1V 1V5
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$34900

Residential For Sale

3419 Malagash Road, Malagash Centre, NS B0K 1E0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
27Picture(s)
1,337Sqft
Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.
C$399000

Residential For Sale

3419 Malagash Road, Malagash Centre, NS B0K 1E0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,337Sqft
Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.
Welcome to this beautiful property at 3419 Malagash Road! What views out to the ocean! Enjoy your own apple trees, and blueberry bush and other flowering plants and shrubs. The home is three bedrooms with one bath, with a 30 x 10 wrap around deck. There is a recreation room on the lower level, along with a ducted heat pump furnace to give you heating and cooling year-round.
C$399000

Residential For Sale

3419 Malagash Road, Malagash Centre, NS B0K 1E0
Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$399000

Residential For Sale

19 River Road, Milton, NS B0T 1P0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
OtherParking(s)
36Picture(s)
1,514Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)
C$259900

Residential For Sale

19 River Road, Milton, NS B0T 1P0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
OtherParking(s)
1,514Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)
This nicely maintained home boasts many extras completed in the last year. Please refer to the LBO for a detailed list of upgrades and repairs. This two-bedroom home features a brand-new bathroom, a large living room, and a combined dining area and kitchen, all nicely laid out over approximately 1,514 sq. ft. of living space.
C$259900

Residential For Sale

19 River Road, Milton, NS B0T 1P0
Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$259900

Residential For Sale

273 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
40Picture(s)
1,390Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)
C$275000

Residential For Sale

273 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,390Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)
Well maintained historic home situated on a tidy, landscaped double lot in the centre of the coastal community of Parrsboro.
C$275000

Residential For Sale

273 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$275000

Residential For Sale

5040b-39 Orchid Court, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0X2

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1Picture(s)
3,059Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$934900

Residential For Sale

5040b-39 Orchid Court, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0X2
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,059Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Welcome to Marchand Homes’ newest model, The Harper, located in the sought-after Indigo Shores community. Situated on 3.48 acres of land on a quiet, desirable street, this stunning two-storey home offers the perfect blend of space, style, and function—ideal for family living.
C$934900

Residential For Sale

5040b-39 Orchid Court, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0X2
Sutton Group Professional Realty
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$934900

Residential For Sale

13510 Hwy 6, Isaacs Harbour North, NS B0H 1S0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
20Picture(s)
1,730Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
C$269000

Residential For Sale

13510 Hwy 6, Isaacs Harbour North, NS B0H 1S0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,730Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
Welcome to this charming and inviting home, where character meets comfort. Featuring three spacious bedrooms and 1.5 baths, this property offers a perfect blend of classic details and thoughtful updates. Recent upgrades include new insulation in the exterior walls, many new vinyl windows, a new oil tank, and a heat pump—keeping energy costs low and the home cozy year-round.
C$269000

Residential For Sale

13510 Hwy 6, Isaacs Harbour North, NS B0H 1S0
Royal LePage Atlantic(Stellarton)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$269000

Residential For Sale

23 Perry Crescent, Stewiacke, NS B0N 2J0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
41Picture(s)
928Sqft
BORDEN REAL ESTATE LIMITED - A586
C$388800

Residential For Sale

23 Perry Crescent, Stewiacke, NS B0N 2J0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
928Sqft
BORDEN REAL ESTATE LIMITED - A586
Another NEW Build in Stewiacke River Crossing. ONLY $388,800. Just paved the driveway. FIVE New Appliances just delivered. This one is 2 Bedroom with 2 full baths. Infloor heat includiung garage. 9 foot ceilings and cathederal ceiling in living room. Quartz Countertops. Heat pump. Finished and ready to go. All landscaped with green grass. Town services sewer and water..
C$388800

Residential For Sale

23 Perry Crescent, Stewiacke, NS B0N 2J0
BORDEN REAL ESTATE LIMITED - A586
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$388800

Residential For Sale

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0

4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
23Picture(s)
1,555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
Centrally located in Liverpool is this beautiful century home that sits on a corner lot near all town amenities. The main level of this home features a gorgeous kitchen that opens into a dining room and large living room. There is also a large foyer along with a sunroom on the front side of the home. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and a full bathroom.
C$325000

Residential For Sale

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1

6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
42Picture(s)
4,005Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4,005Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Exceptional 2.5 storey 4000+ sqft estate on highly sought after street. The location cannot be beat...walking distance to Point Pleasant Park, universities, hospitals and all the amenities Halifax has to offer.
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1
Royal LePage Atlantic
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,200Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,200Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
Welcome to 42 Oldham Road, a beautifully reimagined 4 bedroom 3 full bath 1.5 story home that seamlessly blends traditional charm with modern sophistication. Designed with both family living and effortless functionality in mind, this exceptional property offers three fully finished levels of thoughtfully curated indoor space—alongside an outstanding outdoor experience.
C$599900

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1Picture(s)
2,964Sqft
Engel & Volkers
C$829000

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,964Sqft
Engel & Volkers
Situated a stone throw from The Links at Brunello Golf Course, "The Mayfair" by Ramar Homes is a stunning 2 storey residence offering nearly 3,000 sqft across three beautifully finished levels. Upstairs, you'll find three generous bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite with 5-piece ensuite and an oversized walk-in closet. Conveniently located laundry ensures effortless living.
C$829000

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8
Engel & Volkers
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$829000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
37Picture(s)
1,061Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$560000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
1,061Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Welcome to one of the top-floor units of the Q-Loft in the popular North End of Halifax. This 2-storey loft-style condo is located just minutes from downtown Halifax. Beautifully designed. This unit features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and soaring 16-foot ceilings. Expansive windows fill the open-concept space with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
C$560000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3
Royal LePage Atlantic
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$560000
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