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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

15860 Highway 3, Hebbville, NS B4V 6Z8

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
4Picture(s)
1,514Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
C$469000

Residential For Sale

15860 Highway 3, Hebbville, NS B4V 6Z8
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,514Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
Elevated 2.6 acre lot with this 1360 sq ft home located in Hebbville offering wood/oil combo heating, heat pump for central air & backup heating, some hardwood flooring, laminate and ceramic, freestanding 750 sq ft two storey garage/workshop, separate 1 car garage, private rear deck for entertaining. A must see location close to th town of Bridgewater.
C$469000

Residential For Sale

15860 Highway 3, Hebbville, NS B4V 6Z8
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$469000

Residential For Sale

741 Westfield Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
32Picture(s)
700Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
C$129900

Residential For Sale

741 Westfield Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
700Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
Welcome home to 741 Westfield Road, Westfield, a quaint community known as the home of Rivers and Lakes! This affordable and solid 1 bed 1 bath cottage is a clean slate awaiting your finishing touches. Ready for drywall and flooring this lil cutie has an extensive upgrades list including all new plumbing, and electrical including electric wall heaters.
C$129900

Residential For Sale

741 Westfield Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$129900

Residential For Sale

29 Major Court, Upper Sackville, NS B4C 3C7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
47Picture(s)
1,850Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$599900

Residential For Sale

29 Major Court, Upper Sackville, NS B4C 3C7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,850Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Welcome to 29 Major Court, a charming family home ideally situated on a private lot on Little Springfield Lake!. Home offers approx 1,850 sq/ft of comfortable living space, featuring 3 brs & 2 baths. Upon entering, you'll find a bright & spacious foyer that leads into an open-concept living & dining area.
C$599900

Residential For Sale

29 Major Court, Upper Sackville, NS B4C 3C7
Royal LePage Atlantic
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

43 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1L 1H1

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
31Picture(s)
1,890Sqft
Coldwell Banker Boardwalk Realty
C$679999

Residential For Sale

43 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1L 1H1
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,890Sqft
Coldwell Banker Boardwalk Realty
Welcome to your dream home! This brand new build offers an impressive nearly 2000 square feet of living space, complemented by an oversized 590 square foot attached garage. As you approach the property, you'll be captivated by its stunning curb appeal featuring real stone accents, an oversized modern front door, and a sleek garage door.
C$679999

Residential For Sale

43 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1L 1H1
Coldwell Banker Boardwalk Realty
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$679999

Residential For Sale

516 Burgess Mountain Road, Woodville, NS B0P 1G0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
43Picture(s)
3,040Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$799000

Residential For Sale

516 Burgess Mountain Road, Woodville, NS B0P 1G0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,040Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. This exceptional custom-built green home is designed for comfort, efficiency, and accessibility at its core. Set on a private, wooded 5-acre lot just 15 minutes from Kentville, this executive bungalow blends sustainable living with remarkable views of the surrounding forest, the Valley below, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
C$799000

Residential For Sale

516 Burgess Mountain Road, Woodville, NS B0P 1G0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$799000

Residential For Sale

422 East Torbrook Road, South Tremont, NS B0P 1R0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
26Picture(s)
1,870Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
C$524900

Residential For Sale

422 East Torbrook Road, South Tremont, NS B0P 1R0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,870Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
Ready to spend Christmas in your BRAND-NEW HOME ? Welcome to this stunning new construction set on a beautiful 1 acre lot, offering the perfect blend of space, privacy, and modern comfort. This 4 bedroom, 2 bath home features bright, open-concept living and high-end finishes throughout.
C$524900

Residential For Sale

422 East Torbrook Road, South Tremont, NS B0P 1R0
Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$524900

Residential For Sale

49 Crownridge Drive, West Bedford, NS B4B 0X4

5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
4,192Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
C$1469900

Residential For Sale

49 Crownridge Drive, West Bedford, NS B4B 0X4
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4,192Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
Inviting and beautifully designed, this home offers a perfect blend of modern upscale finishes and warm, welcoming spaces ideal for hosting family and friends both inside and out. A dramatic “tall wall” of expansive windows adds architectural character while bathing the interior in natural light and overlooking your resort-style backyard.
C$1469900

Residential For Sale

49 Crownridge Drive, West Bedford, NS B4B 0X4
Keller Williams Select Realty
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1469900

Residential For Sale

15 Foster Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1X4

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
41Picture(s)
2,415Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
C$519900

Residential For Sale

15 Foster Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1X4
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,415Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
Fantastic location on a quiet side street in Kentville! This well-maintained bungalow offers excellent walkability to town amenities, nearby recreation trails, and is just minutes from the hospital, schools, and quick highway access. Situated on a larger lot, the south-facing backyard is a standout feature with an in-ground saltwater pool.
C$519900

Residential For Sale

15 Foster Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1X4
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$519900

Residential For Sale

159 Bondi Drive Lot 5058, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0W3

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1Picture(s)
3,722Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$1154900

Residential For Sale

159 Bondi Drive Lot 5058, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0W3
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,722Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Welcome to the Cumberland by Marchand Homes. This stunning newly designed two-storey home offers four bedrooms (three up, one down), three full bathrooms, one half bathroom, and a double attached heated garage, with a fully finished basement for a total of 3,722 sq. ft. of beautifully planned living space. Situated on 2.
C$1154900

Residential For Sale

159 Bondi Drive Lot 5058, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0W3
Sutton Group Professional Realty
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1154900

Residential For Sale

2133 Highway 3, Barrington, NS B0W 1E0

5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,360Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Barrington Passage)
C$449000

Residential For Sale

2133 Highway 3, Barrington, NS B0W 1E0
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
2,360Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Barrington Passage)
Here is a rare opportunity to own a MOVE-IN ready historical home with a 2 storey garage/barn on a beautifully landscaped property bordered with rock walls. , All of the big projects have been done. Most recently all new exterior wooden shingles, front door and asphalt roof. The 2.5 storey home sets back from the road offering privacy.
C$449000

Residential For Sale

2133 Highway 3, Barrington, NS B0W 1E0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Barrington Passage)
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$449000

Residential For Sale

32 Common Street, Sydney, NS B1P 3L1

5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
28Picture(s)
1,920Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
C$369900

Residential For Sale

32 Common Street, Sydney, NS B1P 3L1
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,920Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
This beautifully maintained and extensively updated home offers comfort, style, and flexibility in a great Sydney neighbourhood, just minutes from shopping, services, and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. The main floor features a bright, spacious living room, upgraded kitchen, three bedrooms, and a full bathroom.
C$369900

Residential For Sale

32 Common Street, Sydney, NS B1P 3L1
Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$369900

Residential For Sale

1184 Lake Charlotte Water Access Way, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 2L0

1Bedroom(s)
NoneParking(s)
10Picture(s)
168Sqft
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
C$99900

Residential For Sale

1184 Lake Charlotte Water Access Way, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 2L0
1Bedroom(s)
NoneParking(s)
168Sqft
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
This beautiful 1.76-acre lot with 168ft of shoreline has been partially cleared and has a large level area that is perfect to build your dream cottage. The current building that is on site is 14x12, is less than three years old and is currently weather tight but needs to be finished.
C$99900

Residential For Sale

1184 Lake Charlotte Water Access Way, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 2L0
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
1Bedroom(s)
C$99900
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