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

5 Queen Street, Amherst, NS B4H 1P7

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

49Picture(s)

1,640Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.

C$324900

Residential For Sale

5 Queen Street, Amherst, NS B4H 1P7

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,640Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.

This incredibly well-maintained home sits on a generous 14,550 sq/ft parcel and features an impressive 24x32 detached dream garage with 12-foot ceilings and 10-foot doors—perfect for hobbyists, tinkerers, or anyone with recreational vehicles or toys! The paved driveway is expansive—more like a private parking lot—ideal for RV parking or multiple vehicles.

C$324900

Residential For Sale

5 Queen Street, Amherst, NS B4H 1P7

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Cumberland Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$324900

Residential For Sale

185 Smokey Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 3B8

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

28Picture(s)

2,024Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$484900

Residential For Sale

185 Smokey Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 3B8

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,024Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Welcome to 185 Smokey Drive in the heart of Lower Sackville—a bright, well-maintained split-entry home that blends comfort, accessibility, and charm. Thoughtfully designed with a rear ramp that’s cleverly disguised as a backyard deck, this home offers easy access without compromising curb appeal.

C$484900

Residential For Sale

185 Smokey Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 3B8

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$484900

Residential For Sale

774 Brinton Road, Port Lorne, NS B0S 1R0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,032Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

C$216500

Residential For Sale

774 Brinton Road, Port Lorne, NS B0S 1R0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,032Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

Welcome to the historic fishing village of Port Lorne on the iconic Bay of Fundy – world famous for having the highest tides in the world. This century home has been in the same family for over 50 years. Being an easy walk from public beach access at Port Lorne Warf, you will be able to enjoy many beachcombing adventures on this stretch of flat rocked, walk-able stone beach.

C$216500

Residential For Sale

774 Brinton Road, Port Lorne, NS B0S 1R0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$216500

Residential For Sale

1-3190 Highway 1, Port Maitland, NS B5A 5T3

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

39Picture(s)

2,223Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)

C$299000

Residential For Sale

1-3190 Highway 1, Port Maitland, NS B5A 5T3

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

2,223Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)

Charming Home with Income Potential in Port Maitland, NS – Steps from the Beach Located in the heart of Port Maitland, just 20 minutes from Yarmouth, this well-maintained 4-bedroom home with a 1-bedroom attached income suite offers comfort, versatility, and charm. Whether you're looking for a family home with mortgage help, a vacation property, or a smart investment, this one delivers.

C$299000

Residential For Sale

1-3190 Highway 1, Port Maitland, NS B5A 5T3

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Shelburne)

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$299000

Residential For Sale

4609 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P4

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

37Picture(s)

915Sqft

Listing courtesy of Harvey Realties Limited (St.Peters)

C$529000

Residential For Sale

4609 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P4

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

915Sqft

Listing courtesy of Harvey Realties Limited (St.Peters)

This is an incredible location. The home sits facing the road with some amazing panoramic water views. There are large clear fields from the home to the road. The rear portion of the property is wooded which also has an incredible wood road carved out of the site to the rear. This property also has a beautiful separate water front site. The home is incredible. Completely done over.

C$529000

Residential For Sale

4609 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P4

Listing courtesy of Harvey Realties Limited (St.Peters)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$529000

Residential For Sale

919 White Hills Run, Hammonds Plains, NS B4B 1V6

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,896Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

C$849900

Residential For Sale

919 White Hills Run, Hammonds Plains, NS B4B 1V6

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,896Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

Welcome to your new home on White Hills Run in Hammonds Plains, your family and friends are sure to enjoy visiting this lovely 2 acre property with many stand out features.

C$849900

Residential For Sale

919 White Hills Run, Hammonds Plains, NS B4B 1V6

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$849900

Residential For Sale

136 Ns 340 Highway, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5Z6

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

32Picture(s)

2,180Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

C$299900

Residential For Sale

136 Ns 340 Highway, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5Z6

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

2,180Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

Step back in time with this Historic 1861 Italianate Masterpiece. Once the stately residence of John C. Blackadar—one of the village’s most prominent early citizens—this elegant Italianate home offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Yarmouth’s rich history.

C$299900

Residential For Sale

136 Ns 340 Highway, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5Z6

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$299900

Residential For Sale

Lake Charlotte, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 1P0

More Details

NoneParking(s)

18Picture(s)

386Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

C$89900

Residential For Sale

Lake Charlotte, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 1P0

NoneParking(s)

386Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

Have you dreamed of owning lakefront property and having that off-grid area to sit back and enjoy everything nature offers? Then look no further, as this Lot with a cabin and small sandy beach is locate on the gorgeous, sought-after Lake Charlotte. The lot has over 300 ft of waterfrontage, which boasts all the fun water activities of Nova Scotia Lakes.

C$89900

Residential For Sale

Lake Charlotte, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 1P0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

C$89900

Residential For Sale

1394 Wentworth Road, Sweets Corner, NS B0N 2T0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,814Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

C$749900

Residential For Sale

1394 Wentworth Road, Sweets Corner, NS B0N 2T0

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,814Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

Welcome to 1394 Wentworth Road, where country charm meets modern comfort! Set on 2.69 acres and just a short drive to Halifax, this beautifully updated 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath home blends country character with thoughtful upgrades. Step into a spacious foyer that leads to a bright, open kitchen and family room, the true heart of the home.

C$749900

Residential For Sale

1394 Wentworth Road, Sweets Corner, NS B0N 2T0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Dartmouth)

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$749900

Residential For Sale

43 Berm Street Lot 29a, Herring Cove, NS B3R 0H2

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

PavedParking(s)

19Picture(s)

2,335Sqft

Listing courtesy of PLUMB LINE REALTY INC. - 12234

C$639900

Residential For Sale

43 Berm Street Lot 29a, Herring Cove, NS B3R 0H2

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

PavedParking(s)

2,335Sqft

Listing courtesy of PLUMB LINE REALTY INC. - 12234

Legal secondary suite in the basement to support the mortgage! Now roof tight with time to choose your finishes before a May completion. This lovely large, super bright, brand new semi-detached home is 2335 sqft and has lots of character.

C$639900

Residential For Sale

43 Berm Street Lot 29a, Herring Cove, NS B3R 0H2

Listing courtesy of PLUMB LINE REALTY INC. - 12234

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$639900

Residential For Sale

219-15 Knightsridge Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3S9

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AssignedParking(s)

40Picture(s)

1,089Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

C$375000

Residential For Sale

219-15 Knightsridge Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3S9

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AssignedParking(s)

1,089Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

Tucked into a quiet, tree-lined corner of Clayton Park, this move-in ready condo offers the kind of space, style, and location that’s hard to find - especially at this price point. Welcome to 219 - 15 Knightsridge Drive. With nearly 1,100 square feet across two levels, you’ll have room to stretch out, settle in, and actually enjoy your home. Inside, you'll find 2 spacious bedrooms, 1.

C$375000

Residential For Sale

219-15 Knightsridge Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3S9

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$375000

Residential For Sale

989-991 Glasgow Avenue, Greenwood, NS B0P 1R0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

10Picture(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)

C$279000

Residential For Sale

989-991 Glasgow Avenue, Greenwood, NS B0P 1R0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)

Over/under duplex centrally located in Greenwood, walking distance to the Greenwood Mall, CFB Greenwood and many other amenities. The upper level unit is a 2 bedroom + den unit (paying $1200 per month) and lower level unit is a 2 bedroom unit (paying $710 per month). The units are easy to rent as there is strong demand for rentals in this area.

C$279000

Residential For Sale

989-991 Glasgow Avenue, Greenwood, NS B0P 1R0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Greenwood)

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$279000

4728 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

5 Queen Street, Amherst, NS B4H 1P7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

185 Smokey Drive, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 3B8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

774 Brinton Road, Port Lorne, NS B0S 1R0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1-3190 Highway 1, Port Maitland, NS B5A 5T3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

4609 Grand Narrows Highway, Beaver Cove, NS B1T 1P4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

919 White Hills Run, Hammonds Plains, NS B4B 1V6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

136 Ns 340 Highway, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5Z6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Lake Charlotte, Upper Lakeville, NS B0J 1P0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1394 Wentworth Road, Sweets Corner, NS B0N 2T0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

43 Berm Street Lot 29a, Herring Cove, NS B3R 0H2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

219-15 Knightsridge Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3S9

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.