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

34 Hatchett Lane, Hatchet Lake, NS B3T 1S1

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

16Picture(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$489900

Residential For Sale

34 Hatchett Lane, Hatchet Lake, NS B3T 1S1

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. Discover this charming OPEN CONCEPT living bungalow-style END UNIT condo directly on the lake with unobstructed views in a quiet, hidden community on Hatchet Lake.

C$489900

Residential For Sale

34 Hatchett Lane, Hatchet Lake, NS B3T 1S1

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$489900

Residential For Sale

87 Church Street, Inverness, NS B0E 1N0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

19Picture(s)

768Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

C$259000

Residential For Sale

87 Church Street, Inverness, NS B0E 1N0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

768Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

Located on a corner lot in the centre of Inverness, this detached two bedroom home offers a beautiful water view and unbeatable convenience. Just a ten minute walk to Central Avenue, you will have easy access to all of the Town's amenities, including a grocery store, churches, hospital, banks, restaurants, the beach and more.

C$259000

Residential For Sale

87 Church Street, Inverness, NS B0E 1N0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$259000

Residential For Sale

4539 Highway 242, Maccan, NS B0L 1B0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,503Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$449900

Residential For Sale

4539 Highway 242, Maccan, NS B0L 1B0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,503Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

Superb renovated farmhouse on 60 acres of mature woodland. 5 possible bedrooms and 2 baths, a wonderful family home! Every facet of this home has been looked after with efficiency top of mind. Total power consumption for heat and power last year was only $2453 due to closed loop geothermal furnace.

C$449900

Residential For Sale

4539 Highway 242, Maccan, NS B0L 1B0

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$449900

Residential For Sale

7062 East Bay Highway, Big Pond, NS B1J 1T1

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,040Sqft

Listing courtesy of VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139

C$589900

Residential For Sale

7062 East Bay Highway, Big Pond, NS B1J 1T1

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,040Sqft

Listing courtesy of VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139

This Bras d’Or Lakes 4.4 acre property with 243 feet of waterfront is where you will want to relax and enjoy swimming or boating in the lake, beautiful sunsets and starry nights at the fire pit. It features a stunning landscape complete with rock gardens, amazing flower beds, a pond with plenty of fish, blackberries and wild crab apples, just to name a few.

C$589900

Residential For Sale

7062 East Bay Highway, Big Pond, NS B1J 1T1

Listing courtesy of VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$589900

Residential For Sale

1429 Highway 2, Brentwood, NS B0N 1C0

More Details

8Bedroom(s)

7Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

49Picture(s)

7,674Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

C$998000

Residential For Sale

1429 Highway 2, Brentwood, NS B0N 1C0

8Bedroom(s)

7Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

7,674Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

The Ponds of Brentwood represents a rare opportunity to create the life you’ve dreamed of. Set on 25.4 acres of peaceful countryside, this one-of-a-kind estate invites you to imagine a life with space to grow, gather, and thrive.

C$998000

Residential For Sale

1429 Highway 2, Brentwood, NS B0N 1C0

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

8Bedroom(s)

7Bathroom(s)

C$998000

Residential For Sale

5274 & 5278 Highway 3, Lower Shag Harbour, NS B0W 3B0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

15Picture(s)

655Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Barrington Passage)

C$260000

Residential For Sale

5274 & 5278 Highway 3, Lower Shag Harbour, NS B0W 3B0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

655Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Barrington Passage)

Three bedroom/one bath bungalow located in the village of Shag Harbour. Appliances include: fridge, stove, microwave, deep freeze, washer and dryer as well as all other contents to remain (Itemized list will be provided to approved buyer). In addition there is a second PID adjacent to this property which has also has a well and septic (septic on this lot is a holding tank, well is a dug well).

C$260000

Residential For Sale

5274 & 5278 Highway 3, Lower Shag Harbour, NS B0W 3B0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Barrington Passage)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$260000

Residential For Sale

500 Eustace Comeau Road, Saulnierville, NS B0W 2Z0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

20Picture(s)

1,474Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$290000

Residential For Sale

500 Eustace Comeau Road, Saulnierville, NS B0W 2Z0

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,474Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. Versatile income property or spacious family home on 3.22 acres—this well-maintained duplex offers excellent flexibility & value. Currently generating $2,200/month (including utilities) with an estimated 6.9% CAP rate, it’s an ideal investment or easily converted back to a single-family home.

C$290000

Residential For Sale

500 Eustace Comeau Road, Saulnierville, NS B0W 2Z0

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$290000

Residential For Sale

6019 Highway 3, Jordan Falls, NS B0T 1W0

More Details

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

47Picture(s)

3,132Sqft

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

C$349000

Residential For Sale

6019 Highway 3, Jordan Falls, NS B0T 1W0

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

3,132Sqft

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

Century farmhouse on approx. 18 acres including large saltwater pond and cleared fields. Converted to a summer camp known as “Camp Jordan" by the locals; it was established in 1962 and gets its name as the property extends to the shores of salt water Jordan River where the river flows to meet Jordan Bay.

C$349000

Residential For Sale

6019 Highway 3, Jordan Falls, NS B0T 1W0

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$349000

Residential For Sale

36 Drury Lane, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

47Picture(s)

1,760Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

C$749000

Residential For Sale

36 Drury Lane, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

1,760Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

Step into timeless charm and contemporary luxury with this impeccably restored century home, ideally situated in the very heart of Annapolis Royal. Nestled on an expansive and private lot, this exceptional property offers rare walkability to all the town’s amenities, restaurants, galleries, and cultural attractions—an unbeatable location for both lifestyle and convenience.

C$749000

Residential For Sale

36 Drury Lane, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$749000

Residential For Sale

11301 Highway 105, Aberdeen, NS B0E 3M0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

26Picture(s)

852Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

C$250000

Residential For Sale

11301 Highway 105, Aberdeen, NS B0E 3M0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

852Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

Perfect for First-Time Home Buyers! This competitively priced 3-bedroom, 1-bath home sits on an expansive 40-acre property—ideal for anyone seeking privacy, space, or even future development potential. Located just 5 minutes from Whycocomagh and only 15 minutes to Baddeck, you’ll enjoy rural tranquility with quick access to all essential amenities.

C$250000

Residential For Sale

11301 Highway 105, Aberdeen, NS B0E 3M0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$250000

Residential For Sale

15 Brynlees Lane, Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

26Picture(s)

928Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

C$270000

Residential For Sale

15 Brynlees Lane, Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

928Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

Fàilte gu Màbu! Welcome to the heart of Cape Breton’s cultural and musical soul. This beautifully-maintained 2019 Prestige Mini Home (16 x 58) offers modern, efficient living with a ductless heat pump, electric baseboards, and full municipal services.

C$270000

Residential For Sale

15 Brynlees Lane, Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$270000

Residential For Sale

30 Templar Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

24Picture(s)

1,290Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Enfield)

C$139900

Residential For Sale

30 Templar Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,290Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Enfield)

Welcome to 30 Templar. A character filled 3-bedroom, 1-bath home nestled in the scenic coastal town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. This property offers the perfect blend of small-town charm, comfortable living, and a spacious private backyard that feels like your own little oasis — complete with mature pear trees for you to enjoy fresh fruit right at home.

C$139900

Residential For Sale

30 Templar Street, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Enfield)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$139900

4893 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

34 Hatchett Lane, Hatchet Lake, NS B3T 1S1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

87 Church Street, Inverness, NS B0E 1N0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

4539 Highway 242, Maccan, NS B0L 1B0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

7062 East Bay Highway, Big Pond, NS B1J 1T1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1429 Highway 2, Brentwood, NS B0N 1C0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

5274 & 5278 Highway 3, Lower Shag Harbour, NS B0W 3B0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

500 Eustace Comeau Road, Saulnierville, NS B0W 2Z0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

6019 Highway 3, Jordan Falls, NS B0T 1W0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

36 Drury Lane, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

11301 Highway 105, Aberdeen, NS B0E 3M0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

15 Brynlees Lane, Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

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.