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.

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.

Property Type

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Residential For Sale

5030 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P1

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

47Picture(s)

2,726Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

C$1800000

Residential For Sale

5030 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P1

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

2,726Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

Welcome to 5030 Grand Narrows Highway—a stunning waterfront estate boasting 350 feet of pristine shoreline, a private boat launch, and a 120-foot, four-season wharf perfect for boating, swimming, and year-round enjoyment.This beautifully crafted ICF home spans over 2,700 sq. ft. and features 3 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

C$1800000

Residential For Sale

5030 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P1

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$1800000

Residential For Sale

3148 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

32Picture(s)

1,404Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$399900

Residential For Sale

3148 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,404Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Great Opportunity in East Chester. Located on a generous 1.56-acre lot with Mixed Use zoning, this property offers exceptional potential for investors, developers, or buyers looking to create something special. The existing 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is a fixer-upper ideal for first time homebuyers or those ready to roll up their sleeves or reimagine the space entirely.

C$399900

Residential For Sale

3148 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$399900

Residential For Sale

117 Long Cove Road, Port Medway, NS B0J 2T0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

41Picture(s)

885Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

C$289900

Residential For Sale

117 Long Cove Road, Port Medway, NS B0J 2T0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

885Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

Escape to the coastal charm of Port Medway with this extensively renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home or cottage. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this property offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and seaside tranquility. Step inside to discover a beautifully transformed interior, where the views have been captured.

C$289900

Residential For Sale

117 Long Cove Road, Port Medway, NS B0J 2T0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$289900

Residential For Sale

25 North Road, Charlos Cove, NS B0H 1T0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

46Picture(s)

1,335Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

C$339000

Residential For Sale

25 North Road, Charlos Cove, NS B0H 1T0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,335Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

Well maintained, Contemporary style home with outstanding views of Charlos Cove! This lovely 3 BR/2 Bath home sits house on 2.9 acres of land with a detached garage. The home was custom designed to provide maximum views with an open concept kitchen/dining area that opens to the living room with wood burning fireplace! Lots of windows to allow light and views in every direction.

C$339000

Residential For Sale

25 North Road, Charlos Cove, NS B0H 1T0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$339000

Residential For Sale

37 Theresa Court, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B1

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

31Picture(s)

2,240Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

C$479900

Residential For Sale

37 Theresa Court, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B1

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,240Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

Discover 37 Theresa Court, a great starter home nestled in a quiet area on a mature and private 16,000 sq. ft. lot. This charming property has seen two additions over the years, creating a spacious layout perfect for families and those who love to entertain.

C$479900

Residential For Sale

37 Theresa Court, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B1

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$479900

Residential For Sale

351 Big Tancook Road, Big Tancook Island, NS B0J 3G0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

42Picture(s)

1,125Sqft

Listing courtesy of Land & Sea Real Estate Services Inc

C$325000

Residential For Sale

351 Big Tancook Road, Big Tancook Island, NS B0J 3G0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

1,125Sqft

Listing courtesy of Land & Sea Real Estate Services Inc

L&S#1289. Idyllic, peaceful, romantic, serene, bucolic, timeless …… all those cliches and more! Circa 1790, this enchanting early cape is one of the oldest homesteads on Big Tancook, the timber cut and milled on the mainland and floated out the six miles or so to the island.

C$325000

Residential For Sale

351 Big Tancook Road, Big Tancook Island, NS B0J 3G0

Listing courtesy of Land & Sea Real Estate Services Inc

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$325000

Residential For Sale

103-42 Bigelow Street, Wolfville, NS B4P 0A4

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

37Picture(s)

1,236Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)

C$469000

Residential For Sale

103-42 Bigelow Street, Wolfville, NS B4P 0A4

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,236Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)

Beautiful Ground-Level Condo in the Heart of Wolfville! Welcome to pond-side living in one of Wolfville’s most sought-after addresses. Nestled just a short stroll from downtown shops, cafés, and Acadia University, this elegant 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers over 1,230 sq. ft. of single-level living with all the comfort and charm of a detached home—minus the maintenance.

C$469000

Residential For Sale

103-42 Bigelow Street, Wolfville, NS B4P 0A4

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (New Minas)

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$469000

Residential For Sale

9372 Highway 6 Highway, Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

44Picture(s)

1,553Sqft

Listing courtesy of Starscape Realty Ltd.

C$219000

Residential For Sale

9372 Highway 6 Highway, Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,553Sqft

Listing courtesy of Starscape Realty Ltd.

Character and Charm in this 4 bedroom home, situated on the edge of a seaside community, the ocean is close enough to smell. Resting on 1.2 acres of land, this home offers a larger detached garage (now barn) and a smaller detached workshop. Plenty of space to roam inside and out. The character still lives in the design with a covered front porch, a combination mud room and laundry.

C$219000

Residential For Sale

9372 Highway 6 Highway, Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0

Listing courtesy of Starscape Realty Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$219000

Residential For Sale

26 Millview Avenue, Bedford, NS B4A 1G7

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

38Picture(s)

3,277Sqft

Listing courtesy of Verve Realty Group

C$878000

Residential For Sale

26 Millview Avenue, Bedford, NS B4A 1G7

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,277Sqft

Listing courtesy of Verve Realty Group

Welcome home to 26 Millview Avenue, located in the heart of Bedford! This well maintained four bedroom, three bath two story home with a double garage will impress you from the moment you arrive.

C$878000

Residential For Sale

26 Millview Avenue, Bedford, NS B4A 1G7

Listing courtesy of Verve Realty Group

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$878000

Residential For Sale

290 Eastside Grand River, Grand River, NS B0E 1M0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

44Picture(s)

1,088Sqft

Listing courtesy of Cape Breton Realty

C$389000

Residential For Sale

290 Eastside Grand River, Grand River, NS B0E 1M0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,088Sqft

Listing courtesy of Cape Breton Realty

Welcome to 290 Eastside Grand River, a serene and beautifully maintained waterfront property offering exceptional value and unmatched privacy. Set on 6 acres with lovely mature trees with approximately 600 feet of shoreline, this is a rare opportunity to own a turn-key escape in one of Cape Breton’s most peaceful settings.

C$389000

Residential For Sale

290 Eastside Grand River, Grand River, NS B0E 1M0

Listing courtesy of Cape Breton Realty

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$389000

Residential For Sale

192 Harriet Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

47Picture(s)

864Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)

C$275000

Residential For Sale

192 Harriet Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

864Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)

Welcome to 192 Harriet Street! Set atop a gentle rise on one of Shelburne’s most desirable streets, this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home is full of character, comfort, and everyday convenience. Step inside through the spacious back porch and laundry area—a practical entry with plenty of room to keep your outerwear and daily essentials organized.

C$275000

Residential For Sale

192 Harriet Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

Listing courtesy of Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$275000

Residential For Sale

23 Lancaster Drive, Clayton Park, NS B3S 1E7

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

4,254Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

C$969900

Residential For Sale

23 Lancaster Drive, Clayton Park, NS B3S 1E7

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

4,254Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

Welcome to this stunning two-storey executive home, a former QEII Lottery Dream Home, ideally located in the highly desirable Clayton Park West community. Expertly crafted and well maintained, this luxurious residence offers almost 4,300 square feet of fully finished living space across three levels — perfect for large or growing families. Situated on a spacious 7,914 sq. ft.

C$969900

Residential For Sale

23 Lancaster Drive, Clayton Park, NS B3S 1E7

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$969900

4898 Results returned.Per Page

Stop Paying Rent

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

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

– 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Buying the Wrong Home.

Unclear Title.

Inaccurate Survey.

Undisclosed Fix-ups.

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.

Hidden Costs.

Rushing the Closing.

One More Tip…

Residential For Sale

5030 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

3148 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

117 Long Cove Road, Port Medway, NS B0J 2T0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

25 North Road, Charlos Cove, NS B0H 1T0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

37 Theresa Court, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

351 Big Tancook Road, Big Tancook Island, NS B0J 3G0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

103-42 Bigelow Street, Wolfville, NS B4P 0A4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

9372 Highway 6 Highway, Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

26 Millview Avenue, Bedford, NS B4A 1G7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

290 Eastside Grand River, Grand River, NS B0E 1M0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

192 Harriet Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

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

* 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.