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.

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Residential For Sale

204-15 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C2

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

8Picture(s)

940Sqft

Listing courtesy of Atlantis Realty Ltd.

C$475000

Residential For Sale

204-15 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C2

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

940Sqft

Listing courtesy of Atlantis Realty Ltd.

Welcome to unit 204 at King's Wharf, where ocean living is at its finest! This spacious, open concept condo with balcony is only steps away from the ocean, King's Wharf marina, Alderney Landing ferry, Downtown Dartmouth with local shops, restaurants, and bars! The Anchorage offers an exercise facility, recently renovated rooftop lounge and patio, with BBQ and a view.

C$475000

Residential For Sale

204-15 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C2

Listing courtesy of Atlantis Realty Ltd.

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$475000

Residential For Sale

Camden Road, Smithfield, NS B6L 3C4

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

34Picture(s)

484Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

C$129900

Residential For Sale

Camden Road, Smithfield, NS B6L 3C4

2Bedroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

484Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

Nestled in the serene wilderness of Smithfield, Nova Scotia, this secluded 1 acre lakefront cottage on Barren Lake offers unparalleled tranquility and natural beauty. The cozy, single-level 24.1x20.1 cottage is surrounded by lush forest, with a private dock extending into the pristine lake, perfect for swimming, canoeing, or fishing for trout and perch.

C$129900

Residential For Sale

Camden Road, Smithfield, NS B6L 3C4

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

C$129900

Residential For Sale

408 Pictou Road, Truro, NS B2N 2T7

More Details

6Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,092Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

C$499900

Residential For Sale

408 Pictou Road, Truro, NS B2N 2T7

6Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,092Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

Exceptional Investment Opportunity or Ideal Multi-Generational Home in the Heart of Bible Hill! This freshly updated duplex offers flexibility, functionality, and fantastic income potential. With a total of 6 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, this 2,100 sq.ft. property sits on a spacious 0.34-acre lot and is fully vacant—ready for your vision.

C$499900

Residential For Sale

408 Pictou Road, Truro, NS B2N 2T7

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

6Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$499900

Residential For Sale

171 Elm Street, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

20Picture(s)

728Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)

C$185000

Residential For Sale

171 Elm Street, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

728Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)

Welcome to this beautifully upgraded 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home that combines charm, efficiency, and style in one perfect package. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, this well-maintained home is ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers, or anyone looking for low-maintenance living without sacrificing comfort.

C$185000

Residential For Sale

171 Elm Street, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$185000

Residential For Sale

30 Harrison Avenue, Sydney, NS B1S 2Y2

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

29Picture(s)

1,078Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

C$240000

Residential For Sale

30 Harrison Avenue, Sydney, NS B1S 2Y2

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,078Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

Welcome to an excellent opportunity in Sydney’s desirable Shipyard area, a property that’s been extensively renovated and is just waiting for the right buyer to finish the job. This home features all-new exterior siding, energy-efficient windows, and new exterior doors, providing peace of mind and strong curb appeal.

C$240000

Residential For Sale

30 Harrison Avenue, Sydney, NS B1S 2Y2

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$240000

Residential For Sale

13 Viscaya Place, Dartmouth, NS B2X 3J3

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

37Picture(s)

1,806Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

C$465000

Residential For Sale

13 Viscaya Place, Dartmouth, NS B2X 3J3

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

1,806Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

13 Viscaya Place is a fun, fresh, cheerful home in the family friendly neighbourhood of Montebello! Fully finished on all 3 levels, this 4 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home has good proportions, a functional layout, and open living areas. The large wrap around desk with SW orientation inspires easy entertaining. Move in, unpack and start living.

C$465000

Residential For Sale

13 Viscaya Place, Dartmouth, NS B2X 3J3

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$465000

Residential For Sale

1564 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

9Picture(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

C$325000

Residential For Sale

1564 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

Property has suffered smoke damage due to fire next door. Property is being sold strictly as-is where is. Investment opportunity in Lower Sackville for seasoned renovators or developers ready to restore in a well connected community. The community is close to First Lake Greenway, recreational parks, playgrounds and sports facility.

C$325000

Residential For Sale

1564 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$325000

Residential For Sale

1562 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1Picture(s)

1,120Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

C$165000

Residential For Sale

1562 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,120Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

Property is heavily damaged by fire and smoke. Property is being sold strictly as-is where is. Investment opportunity in Lower Sackville for seasoned renovators or developers ready to restore or rebuild a home in a well connected community. The community is close to First Lake Greenway, recreational parks, playgrounds and sports facility.

C$165000

Residential For Sale

1562 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$165000

Residential For Sale

107 Stellar Street, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

37Picture(s)

1,210Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

C$279000

Residential For Sale

107 Stellar Street, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,210Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

Welcome to this charming 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath home nestled on a quiet one-way street in Stellarton, directly across from the ball field and just a short stroll to Main Street’s shops, restaurants, and amenities. Step inside to find a beautifully renovated main floor where the living and dining room flow seamlessly together, complete with a cozy pellet stove for those chilly evenings.

C$279000

Residential For Sale

107 Stellar Street, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$279000

Residential For Sale

249 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1J8

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

38Picture(s)

1,974Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

C$744900

Residential For Sale

249 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1J8

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

1,974Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

STUNNING and RARE 5-BED CENTURY HOME IN PRIME 5-CORNERS LOCATION! This beautifully updated property offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience in the sought-after Hawthorne School District, just steps from downtown.

C$744900

Residential For Sale

249 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1J8

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$744900

Residential For Sale

2160 Lower Branch Road, Lower Branch, NS B4V 4J7

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

10Picture(s)

2,113Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$799999

Residential For Sale

2160 Lower Branch Road, Lower Branch, NS B4V 4J7

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

2,113Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. Just 15 minutes from Bridgewater, this updated 4-bed, 2-bath home on 9.62 acres blends style, and country charm. The open-concept main floor features a renovated kitchen with stainless appliances, updated flooring, and fresh paint throughout. Enjoy FibreOp high-speed internet, ideal for remote work or homeschooling.

C$799999

Residential For Sale

2160 Lower Branch Road, Lower Branch, NS B4V 4J7

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$799999

Residential For Sale

254 Shore Road, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,344Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

C$697000

Residential For Sale

254 Shore Road, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,344Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

Welcome to your coastal retreat in Caribou River! This three-year-old bungalow sits on eight private acres, offering a peaceful lifestyle just minutes from Waterside Beach. Inside, the home features an open-concept layout with two spacious bedrooms and two full baths. The primary suite includes a walk-in closet and a beautiful ensuite.

C$697000

Residential For Sale

254 Shore Road, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$697000

4906 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

204-15 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Camden Road, Smithfield, NS B6L 3C4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

408 Pictou Road, Truro, NS B2N 2T7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

171 Elm Street, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

30 Harrison Avenue, Sydney, NS B1S 2Y2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

13 Viscaya Place, Dartmouth, NS B2X 3J3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1564 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1562 Riverside Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2Y7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

107 Stellar Street, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

249 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1J8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2160 Lower Branch Road, Lower Branch, NS B4V 4J7

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.