There is no favorite listings!

Stop Paying Rent!

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! 

 

It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent.  But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t feel like yours.  How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle?  You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home

Well, don’t feel trapped anymore!  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem.  The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner.  With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:

– save for a down payment

– stop lining your landlord’s pockets, and
– stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.

 

6 Little Known Facts That Can Help You Buy Your First Home

 

The problem that most renters face isn’t your ability to meet a monthly payment. Goodness knows you must meet this monthly obligation every 30 days already. The problem is accumulating enough capital to make a down payment on something more permanent.

But saving for this lump sum doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.  Consider the following 6 important points:

You can buy a home with much less down than you think.

There are some local or federal government programs (such as 1st time buyer programs) to help people get into the housing market.  You can qualify as a first time buyer even if your spouse has  owned a home before as long as your name was not registered.  Ensure your real estate agent is informed and knowledgeable in this important area and can offer programs to help you with your options.

You may be able to get your lender to help you with your down payment and closing costs.

Even if you do not have enough cash for a down-payment, if you are debt-free, and own an asset free and clear (such as a car, for example), your lending institution may be able to lend you the down-payment for your home by securing it against this asset.

 

You may be able to find a seller to help you buy and finance your home.

Some sellers may be willing to hold a second mortgage for you as a “seller take-back.”  In this case, the seller becomes your lending institution.  Instead of paying this seller a lump-sum full amount for his or her home, you would pay monthly mortgage installments.

 

You may be able to create a cash down payment without actually going into debt.

By borrowing money for certain investments to a specified level, you may be able to generate a significant tax refund for yourself that you can use as a down-payment.  While the money borrowed for these investments is technically a loan, the monthly amount paid can be small, and the money invested in both home and investment will be yours in the end.

You can buy a home even if you have problems with your credit rating.

If you can come up with more than the minimum down-payment, or can secure the loan with other equity, many lending institutions will consider you for a mortgage.  Alternatively, a seller take-back mortgage could also help you in this situation.

 

You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

Preapproval is easy, and can give you complete peace-of-mind when shopping for your home. Mortgage experts can obtain written preapproval for you at no cost and no obligation, and it can all be done quite easily over-the-phone.  More than just a verbal approval from your lending institution, a written preapproval is as good as money in the bank.  It entails a completed credit application, and a certificate which guarantees you a mortgage to the specified level when you find the home you’re looking for.

 

 

Consider dealing only with a professional who specializes in mortgages.  Enlisting their services can make the difference between obtaining a mortgage, and being stuck in the renter’s rut forever. Typically there is no cost or obligation to enquire.

To sum up, there are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter.  Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with your agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning?

This conversation costs you nothing. And, of course, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to buy a home at the time you review this.  But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the ways you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step.

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! 

 

It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent.  But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t feel like yours.  How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle?  You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home

Well, don’t feel trapped anymore!  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem.  The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner.  With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:

– save for a down payment

– stop lining your landlord’s pockets, and
– stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.

 

6 Little Known Facts That Can Help You Buy Your First Home

 

The problem that most renters face isn’t your ability to meet a monthly payment. Goodness knows you must meet this monthly obligation every 30 days already. The problem is accumulating enough capital to make a down payment on something more permanent.

But saving for this lump sum doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.  Consider the following 6 important points:

You can buy a home with much less down than you think.

There are some local or federal government programs (such as 1st time buyer programs) to help people get into the housing market.  You can qualify as a first time buyer even if your spouse has  owned a home before as long as your name was not registered.  Ensure your real estate agent is informed and knowledgeable in this important area and can offer programs to help you with your options.

You may be able to get your lender to help you with your down payment and closing costs.

Even if you do not have enough cash for a down-payment, if you are debt-free, and own an asset free and clear (such as a car, for example), your lending institution may be able to lend you the down-payment for your home by securing it against this asset.

 

You may be able to find a seller to help you buy and finance your home.

Some sellers may be willing to hold a second mortgage for you as a “seller take-back.”  In this case, the seller becomes your lending institution.  Instead of paying this seller a lump-sum full amount for his or her home, you would pay monthly mortgage installments.

 

You may be able to create a cash down payment without actually going into debt.

By borrowing money for certain investments to a specified level, you may be able to generate a significant tax refund for yourself that you can use as a down-payment.  While the money borrowed for these investments is technically a loan, the monthly amount paid can be small, and the money invested in both home and investment will be yours in the end.

You can buy a home even if you have problems with your credit rating.

If you can come up with more than the minimum down-payment, or can secure the loan with other equity, many lending institutions will consider you for a mortgage.  Alternatively, a seller take-back mortgage could also help you in this situation.

 

You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

Preapproval is easy, and can give you complete peace-of-mind when shopping for your home. Mortgage experts can obtain written preapproval for you at no cost and no obligation, and it can all be done quite easily over-the-phone.  More than just a verbal approval from your lending institution, a written preapproval is as good as money in the bank.  It entails a completed credit application, and a certificate which guarantees you a mortgage to the specified level when you find the home you’re looking for.

 

 

Consider dealing only with a professional who specializes in mortgages.  Enlisting their services can make the difference between obtaining a mortgage, and being stuck in the renter’s rut forever. Typically there is no cost or obligation to enquire.

To sum up, there are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter.  Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with your agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning?

This conversation costs you nothing. And, of course, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to buy a home at the time you review this.  But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the ways you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step.

9 Buyer Traps & How to Avoid Them

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment.  But for many home buyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

* paying too much for the home they want, or
* losing their dream home to another buyer or,
* (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.

This important article discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.

 

The 9 Buyer Traps

Bidding Blind

What price should you offer when you bid on a home?  Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal?  If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bdding blind.  Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.

 

Buying the Wrong Home.

 

What are you looking for in a home?  A simple enough question, but the answer can be quite complex.  More than one buyer has been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small.  Maybe they’re stuck with a longer than desired commute to work, or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down.  Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs.  Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.

Unclear Title.

 

Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed.  The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.

Inaccurate Survey.

As part of your offer to purchase, make sure you request an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries.  If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).  Be very clear on these issues.

Undisclosed Fix-ups.

 

Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to.  Both you and the seller are out to maximize your investment.  Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process.  Consider hiring an independent inspector to objectively view the home inside and out, and make the final contract contingent upon this inspector’s report.  This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.


Not Getting Mortgage Preapproval.

Preapproval is fast, easy and free.  When you have a preapproved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.

 

Contract Misses.

If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement.  Agree ahead of time on a dollar amount for an escrow fund to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on. Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one.

 Hidden Costs.

 

Make sure you identify and uncover all costs – large and small – far enough ahead of time.  When a transaction closes, you will sometimes find fees for this or that sneaking through after the “sub”-total – fees such as loan disbursement charges, underwriting fees etc.  Understand these in advance by having your lender project total charges for you in writing.

 

 

 

Rushing the Closing.

Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on seeing all paperwork the day before you sign.  Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction, and that nothing has been added or subtracted.  Is the interest rate right?  Is everything covered?  If you rush this process on the day of closing, you may run into a last minute snag that you can’t fix without compromising the terms of the deal, the financing, or even the sale itself.

One More Tip…

Find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or “House-hunting Service,” which takes the guesswork out of finding just the right home that matches your needs.  This type of program will crossmatch your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an on-going basis. A program like this can help you to affordably move into
the home of your dreams.

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

Residential For Sale

1271 Highway 1, Little Brook Ns B0w 1m0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
47Picture(s)
1,670Sqft
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
C$589000

Residential For Sale

1271 Highway 1, Little Brook Ns B0w 1m0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,670Sqft
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
Nestled on the gentle coast of St. Mary's Bay, this picturesque oceanfront property offers an unparalleled opportunity to embrace the tranquil beauty of coastal living. Welcome to 1271 Highway 1 - a haven of comfort and style, where the charm of brick architecture meets modern convenience. Step inside, and you'll discover a warm and inviting sanctuary. With three bedrooms and 1.
C$589000

Residential For Sale

1271 Highway 1, Little Brook Ns B0w 1m0
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$589000

Residential For Sale

1524 Highway 215, Tennecape Ns B0n 2r0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
31Picture(s)
660Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
C$550000

Residential For Sale

1524 Highway 215, Tennecape Ns B0n 2r0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
660Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
Here is 80 acres of versatile land, offering ample space for farming, gardening, or simply enjoying the outdoors. The acreage is ideal for various uses, from livestock grazing to trails for hiking and exploration. A cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom residence perfect for a small family or a tranquil retreat.
C$550000

Residential For Sale

1524 Highway 215, Tennecape Ns B0n 2r0
Hants Realty Ltd.
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$550000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
36Picture(s)
1,637Sqft
Century 21 All Points
C$429000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,637Sqft
Century 21 All Points
Charming Lakefront Retreat on Sandy Bottom Lake! Escape to this beautifully upgraded 3-bedroom, 1-bath home or cottage nestled on the tranquil shores of Sandy Bottom Lake. Thoughtfully designed for both comfort and functionality, this property offers an array of upgrades to enhance your lakeside living experience.
C$429000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0
Century 21 All Points
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$429000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
42Picture(s)
1,637Sqft
Century 21 All Points
C$429000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,637Sqft
Century 21 All Points
Charming Lakefront Retreat on Sandy Bottom Lake! Escape to this beautifully upgraded 3-bedroom, 1-bath home or cottage nestled on the tranquil shores of Sandy Bottom Lake. Thoughtfully designed for both comfort and functionality, this property offers an array of upgrades to enhance your lakeside living experience.
C$429000

Residential For Sale

23 Rocky Ridge Road, West Springhill Ns B0s 1a0
Century 21 All Points
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$429000

Residential For Sale

109 Mosher Road, Kingsburg Ns B0j 2x0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
43Picture(s)
1,800Sqft
Duckworth Real Estate(Kingsburg)
C$899000

Residential For Sale

109 Mosher Road, Kingsburg Ns B0j 2x0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,800Sqft
Duckworth Real Estate(Kingsburg)
Two very special year round houses on a 1 acre lot, 100 meters through a historic settlers cemetery to Kingsburg Beach. One (the Schoolhouse) is a converted c.1840 one room schoolhouse with a sleeping loft. The other (the Beach House) is a 30 year old house, designed by Brian MacKay-Lyons, with two lofts joined by a bridge.
C$899000

Residential For Sale

109 Mosher Road, Kingsburg Ns B0j 2x0
Duckworth Real Estate(Kingsburg)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$899000

Residential For Sale

115b Jessome Avenue, Lantz Ns B2s 0c5

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2Picture(s)
1,823Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$549900

Residential For Sale

115b Jessome Avenue, Lantz Ns B2s 0c5
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,823Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Semi detached home in Lantz by Marchand Homes. This family friendly home is located at the end of a cul de sac with a landscaped lot, single car garage and many additional features. Inside you will find a main floor that has an open concept living room, dining area and kitchen. The kitchen has quartz counter tops, white shaker style cabinets to the ceiling and a 3'x5' center island.
C$549900

Residential For Sale

115b Jessome Avenue, Lantz Ns B2s 0c5
Sutton Group Professional Realty
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$549900

Residential For Sale

166 Ocean Gate Drive, Northwest Cove Ns B0j 1t0

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
50Picture(s)
5,784Sqft
Engel & Volkers (Chester)
C$4450000

Residential For Sale

166 Ocean Gate Drive, Northwest Cove Ns B0j 1t0
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
5,784Sqft
Engel & Volkers (Chester)
Discover this jaw-dropping and meticulously designed South Shore oceanfront oasis! Renowned architect Michael Grunsky created this magnificent one-of-a-kind residence for those seeking an extraordinary lifestyle.
C$4450000

Residential For Sale

166 Ocean Gate Drive, Northwest Cove Ns B0j 1t0
Engel & Volkers (Chester)
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$4450000

Residential For Sale

62 Chapel Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,743Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
C$359000

Residential For Sale

62 Chapel Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,743Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
Welcome to 62 Chapel Street in Annapolis Royal.
C$359000

Residential For Sale

62 Chapel Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$359000

Residential For Sale

703 Saint George Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0

4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,210Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$499500

Residential For Sale

703 Saint George Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0
4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,210Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Step into a piece of history with this striking Queen Anne Revival graciously positioned on a large lot fronting on lovely Saint George Street. Grand, sunlit rooms with soaring ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, and timeless architectural details create an atmosphere of sophistication. Thoughtfully modernized for contemporary comfort while retaining its original charm and history.
C$499500

Residential For Sale

703 Saint George Street, Annapolis Royal Ns B0s 1a0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
4Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
C$499500

Residential For Sale

93 Mount Edward Road, Dartmouth Ns B2w 3k7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
47Picture(s)
1,896Sqft
Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.
C$550000

Residential For Sale

93 Mount Edward Road, Dartmouth Ns B2w 3k7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,896Sqft
Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.
Charming 3-Bedroom Home in Woodlawn, Your Low-Maintenance Oasis! Discover this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in the desirable Woodlawn neighborhood. Featuring an oversized backyard with no grass, this fully landscaped retreat includes an eight-person hot tub swim spa and a relaxing sauna perfect for year-round enjoyment.
C$550000

Residential For Sale

93 Mount Edward Road, Dartmouth Ns B2w 3k7
Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$550000

Residential For Sale

354 Horton Point Road, North Shore Ns B0k 1e0

2Bedroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
32Picture(s)
1,032Sqft
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
C$449900

Residential For Sale

354 Horton Point Road, North Shore Ns B0k 1e0
2Bedroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,032Sqft
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
This exceptional 30-acre oceanfront property, nestled along a private road, offers approximately 2700 feet of stunning ocean frontage, providing an idyllic setting for both personal use or an entrepreneurial venture. The serene landscape includes a charming rustic cottage, perfect for use as a cozy retreat or as the foundation for an Airbnb or cottage rental business.
C$449900

Residential For Sale

354 Horton Point Road, North Shore Ns B0k 1e0
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
2Bedroom(s)
C$449900

Residential For Sale

8 Michaela Street, Pictou Ns B0k 1h0

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
ConcreteParking(s)
9Picture(s)
1,900Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
C$474900

Residential For Sale

8 Michaela Street, Pictou Ns B0k 1h0
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
ConcreteParking(s)
1,900Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
This is a Facsimile Listing for a New Build. Photos included are Artist Renderings. Welcome to The Orchid—Your haven of effortless living in seaside Pictou. Discover the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and coastal charm in this stunning 2-level home. Designed for those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle, The Orchid at RoseView Estates offers the ideal retreat - with no condo fees.
C$474900

Residential For Sale

8 Michaela Street, Pictou Ns B0k 1h0
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$474900
4284 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern