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

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0

4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
23Picture(s)
1,555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,555Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
Centrally located in Liverpool is this beautiful century home that sits on a corner lot near all town amenities. The main level of this home features a gorgeous kitchen that opens into a dining room and large living room. There is also a large foyer along with a sunroom on the front side of the home. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and a full bathroom.
C$325000

Residential For Sale

130 School Street, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
4Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$325000

Residential For Sale

617 Highway 277, Dutch Settlement, NS B2S 2C7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
48Picture(s)
2,467Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
C$599900

Residential For Sale

617 Highway 277, Dutch Settlement, NS B2S 2C7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
2,467Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
Welcome to an exceptional 4-level side-split home, perfectly positioned on a private, south-facing 3-acre lot with direct river frontage on the stunning Shubenacadie River.
C$599900

Residential For Sale

617 Highway 277, Dutch Settlement, NS B2S 2C7
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

163 Upper Mclean Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2L4

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
46Picture(s)
1,796Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
C$279900

Residential For Sale

163 Upper Mclean Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2L4
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,796Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
HThis well-maintained family home showcases pride of ownership and offers options for multi-generational living or future income potential. The main house features 3 bedrooms, a 4-piece bathroom, a spacious eat-in kitchen, a den/TV room, living and dining rooms, and main floor laundry. The lower level, previously developed, could be finished again to add more living space.
C$279900

Residential For Sale

163 Upper Mclean Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2L4
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$279900

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1

6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
42Picture(s)
4,005Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4,005Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Exceptional 2.5 storey 4000+ sqft estate on highly sought after street. The location cannot be beat...walking distance to Point Pleasant Park, universities, hospitals and all the amenities Halifax has to offer.
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

940 Young Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 2W1
Royal LePage Atlantic
6Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$2295000

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
3,200Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,200Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
Welcome to 42 Oldham Road, a beautifully reimagined 4 bedroom 3 full bath 1.5 story home that seamlessly blends traditional charm with modern sophistication. Designed with both family living and effortless functionality in mind, this exceptional property offers three fully finished levels of thoughtfully curated indoor space—alongside an outstanding outdoor experience.
C$599900

Residential For Sale

42 Oldham Road, Enfield, NS B2T 1E2
Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$599900

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
1Picture(s)
2,964Sqft
Engel & Volkers
C$829000

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,964Sqft
Engel & Volkers
Situated a stone throw from The Links at Brunello Golf Course, "The Mayfair" by Ramar Homes is a stunning 2 storey residence offering nearly 3,000 sqft across three beautifully finished levels. Upstairs, you'll find three generous bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite with 5-piece ensuite and an oversized walk-in closet. Conveniently located laundry ensures effortless living.
C$829000

Residential For Sale

78 Provence Way Lot 55, Timberlea, NS B3T 0N8
Engel & Volkers
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$829000

Residential For Sale

31 Barry Crescent, Herring Cove, NS B3R 2L7

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
49Picture(s)
2,144Sqft
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
C$609000

Residential For Sale

31 Barry Crescent, Herring Cove, NS B3R 2L7
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
SingleParking(s)
2,144Sqft
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
Welcome to this beautifully appointed, executive split-entry home located in the heart of family-friendly Herring Cove. Featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, a dedicated office, and 2 full bathrooms & one 1/2, this home offers both functionality and refined comfort. From the moment you step into the grand foyer, the curved staircase and upgraded finishes make a lasting impression.
C$609000

Residential For Sale

31 Barry Crescent, Herring Cove, NS B3R 2L7
Royal LePage Anchor Realty
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$609000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
37Picture(s)
1,061Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$560000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
1,061Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
Welcome to one of the top-floor units of the Q-Loft in the popular North End of Halifax. This 2-storey loft-style condo is located just minutes from downtown Halifax. Beautifully designed. This unit features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and soaring 16-foot ceilings. Expansive windows fill the open-concept space with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
C$560000

Residential For Sale

319-5662 Roberts Street, Halifax, NS B3K 0E3
Royal LePage Atlantic
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$560000

Residential For Sale

34 Cranton Drive, Porters Lake, NS B3E 1G1

1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
18Picture(s)
608Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
C$379000

Residential For Sale

34 Cranton Drive, Porters Lake, NS B3E 1G1
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
608Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic
A beautiful, brand new, little starter home in popular Porters Lake, just off Myra Road in a very quiet and peaceful neighbourhood. This 28 x 21'8 one floor house has only 608 sqft. but everything you need on one level. A spacious open concept living/dining kitchen area, bathroom with tub and a good size bedroom. A loft could easily be turned into a storage or even sleeping area.
C$379000

Residential For Sale

34 Cranton Drive, Porters Lake, NS B3E 1G1
Royal LePage Atlantic
1Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$379000

Residential For Sale

476 Main Street Suite 105, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
34Picture(s)
1,402Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
C$399900

Residential For Sale

476 Main Street Suite 105, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
UndergroundParking(s)
1,402Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
Condo Living by the Sea – Welcome to The Quinlan in Mahone Bay! Now this is coastal living without compromise. Set in the heart of Mahone Bay, one of Nova Scotia’s most charming seaside towns, this condo puts you just steps from everything—cafés, restaurants, waterfront festivals, boutique shops, and nightly music at the bandstand.
C$399900

Residential For Sale

476 Main Street Suite 105, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$399900

Residential For Sale

32 Forman Street, North Sydney, NS B2A 3K4

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
9Picture(s)
1,000Sqft
W. Black & Son Real Estate Ltd.
C$65000

Residential For Sale

32 Forman Street, North Sydney, NS B2A 3K4
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
1,000Sqft
W. Black & Son Real Estate Ltd.
Looking for a fixer upper ? This home has lots of potential , nice size corner lot, Newer main roofing shingles , 100 amp breakers. Home did leak on one side of the home but owner put new roof shingles on it but did not do the ceilings in the bedrooms on one side. Owner recently removed the ceiling so its open to fix as required.
C$65000

Residential For Sale

32 Forman Street, North Sydney, NS B2A 3K4
W. Black & Son Real Estate Ltd.
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$65000

Residential For Sale

35679 Cabot Trail, Ingonish, NS B0C 1K0

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
49Picture(s)
1,800Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
C$575000

Residential For Sale

35679 Cabot Trail, Ingonish, NS B0C 1K0
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
1,800Sqft
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
Located in beautiful North Ingonish, this lovingly maintained four-bedroom chalet-style home sits on 8 acres of level and treed land, offering a private retreat with ample potential. Just minutes from the beach, the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, local restaurants, and other convenience and attractions.
C$575000

Residential For Sale

35679 Cabot Trail, Ingonish, NS B0C 1K0
RE/MAX Park Place Inc.
4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$575000
3525 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern