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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

210-5959 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS B3H 1Y5

1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
29Picture(s)
804Sqft
Exit Realty Metro
C$314900

Residential For Sale

210-5959 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS B3H 1Y5
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
804Sqft
Exit Realty Metro
Welcome to this quiet and private corner unit on rear of building at Embassy Towers overlooking a nicely treed area which can be viewed from the ample windows in the unit. The living room with an electric fireplace opens to a large balcony. Carpet free, laminate & ceramic flooring over original parquet hardwood.
C$314900

Residential For Sale

210-5959 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS B3H 1Y5
Exit Realty Metro
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$314900

Residential For Sale

750 Celebration Drive, Fall River, NS B2T 0K6

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3Picture(s)
2,759Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$989900

Residential For Sale

750 Celebration Drive, Fall River, NS B2T 0K6
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
2,759Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Welcome to The Cabot by Marchand Homes, a well-designed bungalow located in a family-friendly community. With over 2,700 square feet of finished living space, this new build blends modern design with high-end finishes in a layout that works for busy families and entertainers alike.
C$989900

Residential For Sale

750 Celebration Drive, Fall River, NS B2T 0K6
Sutton Group Professional Realty
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$989900

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,633Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,633Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
Step into your dream home, perfectly situated on Mattatall Lake. This exquisite 2-story residence combines contemporary design with the beauty of nature, offering a unique blend of style and comfort. With 4 spacious bdrms, including a luxurious primary suite, you'll find peace and relaxation in every corner.
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

1904 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point, NS B0T 1W0

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,147Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
C$899900

Residential For Sale

1904 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point, NS B0T 1W0
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,147Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
Welcome to 1904 Sandy Point Road, a true retreat where coastal beauty, comfort, and versatility come together. With nearly 450 feet of ocean access, two separate living spaces, a spacious garage, and breathtaking sunsets, this remarkable property offers everything you need to unwind, entertain, or simply enjoy the very best of Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
C$899900

Residential For Sale

1904 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point, NS B0T 1W0
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$899900

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,633Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,633Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
Step into your dream home, perfectly situated on Mattatall Lake. This exquisite 2-story residence combines contemporary design with the beauty of nature, offering a unique blend of style and comfort. With 4 spacious bdrms, including a luxurious primary suite, you'll find peace and relaxation in every corner.
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

185 Blackberry Lane, Mattatall Lake, NS B0M 1Z0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$1200000

Residential For Sale

161 Queen Street, Digby, NS B0V 1A0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
47Picture(s)
4,215Sqft
Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)
C$575000

Residential For Sale

161 Queen Street, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4,215Sqft
Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)
One of the most incredible classic Queen Ann style Victorian homes on the market today. Steeped in majesty, elegance, history and superior craftsmanship this spacious home exemplifies "no expenses spared" and showcases the incredible talent that was available and applied for the highest end product that cannot be duplicated today.
C$575000

Residential For Sale

161 Queen Street, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$575000

Residential For Sale

110 Kaakwogook Way, Clam Bay, NS B0J 2L0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
37Picture(s)
1,630Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
C$745000

Residential For Sale

110 Kaakwogook Way, Clam Bay, NS B0J 2L0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,630Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
A Scandinavian-inspired coastal escape located within the exclusive gated community of Abbecombec, 110 Kaakwogook Way blends modern design with the natural beauty of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Set on 1.
C$745000

Residential For Sale

110 Kaakwogook Way, Clam Bay, NS B0J 2L0
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$745000

Residential For Sale

9080 Highway 1, Meteghan River, NS B0W 2L0

5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,910Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$359000

Residential For Sale

9080 Highway 1, Meteghan River, NS B0W 2L0
5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
2,910Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Looking for a move-in ready home near the ocean? Look no further than 9080 Highway 1 in Meteghan River. Perfectly situated in the heart of the Clare community, this charming property offers convenient access to local amenities while boasting breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy and the serene of the Meteghan River.
C$359000

Residential For Sale

9080 Highway 1, Meteghan River, NS B0W 2L0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$359000

Residential For Sale

344 Hart Lake Road, Hart Lake, NS B0M 1G0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
49Picture(s)
1,652Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
C$799990

Residential For Sale

344 Hart Lake Road, Hart Lake, NS B0M 1G0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,652Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
For the first time ever, 344 Hart Lake Road is available! This exceptional property is situated on the highly desirable Hart Lake, showcasing breathtaking views and over 225 feet of prime water frontage. As you step inside, you will instantly feel like you’re in paradise. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining guests.
C$799990

Residential For Sale

344 Hart Lake Road, Hart Lake, NS B0M 1G0
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$799990

Residential For Sale

2162 Hwy 376, Lyons Brook, NS B0K 1H0

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
41Picture(s)
2,365Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
C$769000

Residential For Sale

2162 Hwy 376, Lyons Brook, NS B0K 1H0
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,365Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
Welcome to this exceptional 5-year-old custom-built home, nestled on a beautifully landscaped 1.6-acre lot with captivating harbour views in the highly sought-after community of Lyons Brook, West Pictou. Featuring high-quality craftsmanship and timeless elegance, this move-in-ready home offers style, comfort, and exceptional pride of ownership.
C$769000

Residential For Sale

2162 Hwy 376, Lyons Brook, NS B0K 1H0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$769000

Residential For Sale

4653 Black Rock Road, Canada Creek, NS B0P 1V0

4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
49Picture(s)
1,069Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
C$289900

Residential For Sale

4653 Black Rock Road, Canada Creek, NS B0P 1V0
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,069Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
Charming Seaside Cottage with Bay of Fundy Views Escape to the coast with this delightful four-bedroom cottage, perfectly perched to capture sweeping views of the Bay of Fundy. Located in the welcoming community of Canada Creek, this property offers a serene retreat from the everyday.Enjoy ocean vistas year-round from the sunroom, a cozy space designed for all seasons.
C$289900

Residential For Sale

4653 Black Rock Road, Canada Creek, NS B0P 1V0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$289900

Residential For Sale

80 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 4Z9

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,355Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
C$599000

Residential For Sale

80 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 4Z9
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,355Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
Welcome to 80 Whitney Avenue—a timeless century home nestled on a spacious, landscaped double lot in the heart of Sydney. Meticulously maintained and beautifully designed this property is walking distance to downtown, park, schools, new NSCC campus and 5 minutes to hospital! From the moment you arrive, the manicured landscaping and charming curb appeal set the tone.
C$599000

Residential For Sale

80 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 4Z9
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$599000
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