There is no favorite listings!

Stop Paying Rent

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

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

 

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

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

– save for a down payment

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

9 Buyer Traps & How to Avoid Them

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

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

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

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

 

The 9 Buyer Traps

Bidding Blind

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

 

Buying the Wrong Home.

 

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

Unclear Title.

 

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

Inaccurate Survey.

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

Undisclosed Fix-ups.

 

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


Not Getting Mortgage Preapproval.

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

 

Contract Misses.

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

 Hidden Costs.

 

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

 

 

 

Rushing the Closing.

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

One More Tip…

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

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

Residential For Sale

452 Highway 236, Stanley, NS B0N 2H0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
45Picture(s)
1,662Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$475000

Residential For Sale

452 Highway 236, Stanley, NS B0N 2H0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
1,662Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Welcome to 452 Highway 236 in Stanley Nova Scotia! This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home sits on a peaceful 0.9-acre lot, and is being sold with the adjoining parcel of 6.
C$475000

Residential For Sale

452 Highway 236, Stanley, NS B0N 2H0
Royal LePage Atlantic
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$475000

Residential For Sale

159 Magenta Drive, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0M7

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,461Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
C$984900

Residential For Sale

159 Magenta Drive, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0M7
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,461Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
This stunning Marchand Home is built in the prestigious Indigo Shores, this 3 Bedroom, 3 bath home offers a spacious open-concept layout. The beautifully landscaped, fully fenced backyard is a private oasis, featuring an in ground, heat pump-heated pool, surrounded by elegant interlocking stone and convenient pool shed.
C$984900

Residential For Sale

159 Magenta Drive, Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0M7
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$984900

Residential For Sale

33 Klondyke Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1J1

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
38Picture(s)
2,083Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
C$544900

Residential For Sale

33 Klondyke Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1J1
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
2,083Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
Welcome to this beautiful and spacious 2.5 storey home nestled in the heart of Kentville. With over 2,000 square feet of living space, this charming 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers the perfect blend of character, comfort, and functionality—ideal for a growing family. Inside, you’ll find classic hardwood floors and elegant French doors that open into the inviting living and dining rooms.
C$544900

Residential For Sale

33 Klondyke Street, Kentville, NS B4N 1J1
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$544900

Residential For Sale

106 Island View Subdivision Road, Malagash, NS B0K 1E0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
40Picture(s)
1,095Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
C$299900

Residential For Sale

106 Island View Subdivision Road, Malagash, NS B0K 1E0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1,095Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
Step into this attractive, fully furnished, open-concept summer home featuring 3 bedrooms, a 4-piece bath, laundry facilities, cathedral-like ceilings and a cozy wood stove. The kitchen, dining, and living areas flow seamlessly, with the wood finish hard to ignore. Take in sunsets from the expansive new 30’ x10’ deck overlooking ocean, or enjoy view indoors through new 5’ glass sliders.
C$299900

Residential For Sale

106 Island View Subdivision Road, Malagash, NS B0K 1E0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Pictou)
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$299900

Residential For Sale

Douglaswood Drive Lot 15, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4Picture(s)
2,021Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
C$975000

Residential For Sale

Douglaswood Drive Lot 15, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,021Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
Experience the pinnacle of green living. Explore your new custom built, net-zero ready home, the house is solar ready/optional. With focus on creating passive living, helping you to eliminate the skyrocketing utility costs.
C$975000

Residential For Sale

Douglaswood Drive Lot 15, Lakelands, NS B0N 1Z0
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$975000

Residential For Sale

3126 Highway 7, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B2

DoubleParking(s)
13Picture(s)
0.80Acre
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$359900

Residential For Sale

3126 Highway 7, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B2
DoubleParking(s)
0.80Acre
Royal LePage Atlantic
This lakefront home, boasting breathtaking views of the water, is a rare opportunity for someone with vision and a passion for transformation. Currently taken back to the studs, the house is waiting to be finished and brought back to life.
C$359900

Residential For Sale

3126 Highway 7, Lake Echo, NS B3E 1B2
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$359900

Residential For Sale

501 Mill Cove Shore Road, Birchy Head, NS B0J 1T0

6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
50Picture(s)
4,310Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$989900

Residential For Sale

501 Mill Cove Shore Road, Birchy Head, NS B0J 1T0
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
4,310Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Oceanfront Investment Opportunity - a rare opportunity to own a beautifully upgraded home with exceptional ocean views in the tranquil community of Birchy Head, Nova Scotia. Currently operating as a successful Airbnb, this property offers significant income potential for investors seeking a turnkey rental business or those looking for a vacation home with financial upside.
C$989900

Residential For Sale

501 Mill Cove Shore Road, Birchy Head, NS B0J 1T0
Royal LePage Atlantic
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$989900

Residential For Sale

377 Shore Road, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0

1Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
50Picture(s)
985Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
C$575000

Residential For Sale

377 Shore Road, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0
1Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
985Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
Experience the epitome of east coast living with this meticulously renovated 1-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home, nestled on an expansive 4.30+/- acre lot.
C$575000

Residential For Sale

377 Shore Road, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0
Exit Realty Town & Country
1Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$575000

Residential For Sale

2 Cyrus Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 6J7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
26Picture(s)
1,592Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
C$289000

Residential For Sale

2 Cyrus Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 6J7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,592Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
Welcome to this charming 3 bedroom split-level home, perfect for comfortable family living and entertaining. The main level features an open concept kitchen/dining with lots of natural light and cabinet space. The main floor also features a spacious Primary bedroom , 4 piece bath and living room.
C$289000

Residential For Sale

2 Cyrus Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 6J7
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$289000

Residential For Sale

202 Lakecrest Drive, Mount Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
23Picture(s)
1,653Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
C$735000

Residential For Sale

202 Lakecrest Drive, Mount Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,653Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty
Welcome to your dream retreat at Lewis Lake, one of Mount Uniacke's largest and most picturesque lakes. This stunning cedar log home blends rustic charm with modern convenience in a serene setting. The main level features an open concept design, integrating the living, dining, and kitchen areas, highlighted by hardwood floors and pine ceilings.
C$735000

Residential For Sale

202 Lakecrest Drive, Mount Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0
Keller Williams Select Realty
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$735000

Residential For Sale

145 North Range Cross Road, Barton, NS B0W 1H0

3Bedroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
10Picture(s)
1,300Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$65000

Residential For Sale

145 North Range Cross Road, Barton, NS B0W 1H0
3Bedroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,300Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Beautiful acreage with fruit trees, shrubs and a frontage on a large pond. The older 3 bedroom home has been gutted and could be brought back to its former glory. From the home there are views of St. Mary's Bay and the ponds on either side of the land. The current owner has begun construction of a sturdy 16 x 16 shed and has a NS Power entrance in place. There is a dug well.
C$65000

Residential For Sale

145 North Range Cross Road, Barton, NS B0W 1H0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
3Bedroom(s)
C$65000

Residential For Sale

5-693 Masons Beach Road, First South, NS B0J 2C0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AssignedParking(s)
44Picture(s)
1,851Sqft
Easy List Realty Ltd.
C$1075000

Residential For Sale

5-693 Masons Beach Road, First South, NS B0J 2C0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AssignedParking(s)
1,851Sqft
Easy List Realty Ltd.
For more information, please click the "More Information" button. Oceanfront Living point of the peninsula: Unit 5, 693 Mason Beach Rd. Offers Luxury living or Investment Potential.
C$1075000

Residential For Sale

5-693 Masons Beach Road, First South, NS B0J 2C0
Easy List Realty Ltd.
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$1075000
4758 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern