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

158 Skye Crescent, Hammonds Plains Ns B4b 1w8

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

47Picture(s)

3,687Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

C$839900

Residential For Sale

158 Skye Crescent, Hammonds Plains Ns B4b 1w8

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,687Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

Welcome to 158 Skye Crescent, a well-maintained 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home located in the desirable community of Glen Arbour—known for its peaceful surroundings, excellent schools, and the renowned Glen Arbour Golf Course. Set on a generous 1.32-acre lot, this home offers a comfortable blend of classic charm and thoughtful updates.

C$839900

Residential For Sale

158 Skye Crescent, Hammonds Plains Ns B4b 1w8

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$839900

Residential For Sale

4164 Highway 201, Bridgetown Ns B0s 1c0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,934Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

C$364900

Residential For Sale

4164 Highway 201, Bridgetown Ns B0s 1c0

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,934Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

*Brand New Propane Furnace Has Been Installed* Welcome to this meticulously maintained 5 bedroom 2 bathroom home in the quaint community of Bridgetown. Sitting on an oversize lot of nearly half an acre with a spacious double car garage, fenced in above ground pool and a lovingly manicured lawn.

C$364900

Residential For Sale

4164 Highway 201, Bridgetown Ns B0s 1c0

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$364900

Residential For Sale

147 Horne Settlement Road, Enfield Ns B2t 1g8

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

47Picture(s)

1,430Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

C$469900

Residential For Sale

147 Horne Settlement Road, Enfield Ns B2t 1g8

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,430Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

Welcome to 147 Horne Settlement Road, a beautifully maintained and move-in ready home offering the perfect blend of rural charm and modern convenience. Located just 20 minutes to Dartmouth Crossing and only 10 minutes from the Halifax Airport, this property is ideal for anyone looking for space, privacy, and proximity to amenities - all without the city hustle and bustle.

C$469900

Residential For Sale

147 Horne Settlement Road, Enfield Ns B2t 1g8

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$469900

Residential For Sale

36 Gail Avenue, Lower Branch Ns B4v 4r2

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,614Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$749900

Residential For Sale

36 Gail Avenue, Lower Branch Ns B4v 4r2

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

3,614Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

This beautifully updated 5 bedroom & 4 bathroom home sits in a quiet, highly desirable area just outside of Bridgewater—offering the perfect mix of peaceful living with quick access to all town amenities, including schools, shopping, restaurants, and more. A scenic walking trail nearby even leads down to the LaHave River.

C$749900

Residential For Sale

36 Gail Avenue, Lower Branch Ns B4v 4r2

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$749900

Residential For Sale

10250 Highway 4 Highway, Broadway Ns B0k 1g0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

40Picture(s)

1,688Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

C$319000

Residential For Sale

10250 Highway 4 Highway, Broadway Ns B0k 1g0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,688Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

Beautiful country home conveniently located minutes from the main highway which makes the property a desirable location for people looking to commute to either New Glasgow or Antigonish while still having all the tranquility that country living offers.

C$319000

Residential For Sale

10250 Highway 4 Highway, Broadway Ns B0k 1g0

Listing courtesy of Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$319000

Residential For Sale

802-105 Dunbrack Street, Halifax Ns B3m 3g7

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

19Picture(s)

700Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$314000

Residential For Sale

802-105 Dunbrack Street, Halifax Ns B3m 3g7

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

700Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Beautiful top-floor penthouse in Parkhill Terrace featuring 9-foot ceilings, rich mahogany laminate flooring, and tasteful décor. The spacious layout includes a living room, kitchen, and dining area with a stylish mirrored closet/pantry that reflects light from the wall-to-wall windows and provides extra storage.

C$314000

Residential For Sale

802-105 Dunbrack Street, Halifax Ns B3m 3g7

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$314000

Residential For Sale

106 Belleshire Drive, Lower Sackville Ns B4c 1m7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,033Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Real Estate Professionals

C$494900

Residential For Sale

106 Belleshire Drive, Lower Sackville Ns B4c 1m7

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,033Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Real Estate Professionals

Back to market at no fault of its own and waiting for you to start your next chapter is 106 Belleshire Drive in the heart of Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. From driveway to doorway this property is pure charm. This well cared for side split single family home is tucked away on a quiet, family-friendly street.

C$494900

Residential For Sale

106 Belleshire Drive, Lower Sackville Ns B4c 1m7

Listing courtesy of Exit Real Estate Professionals

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$494900

Residential For Sale

6266 Liverpool Street, Halifax Ns B3l 1x8

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

24Picture(s)

1,408Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Maritime Realty

C$699900

Residential For Sale

6266 Liverpool Street, Halifax Ns B3l 1x8

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,408Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Maritime Realty

Stylish West End Townhouse at 6268 Liverpool Street. Located in the heart of Halifax’s vibrant West End, this fully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo townhouse offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and low-maintenance living.

C$699900

Residential For Sale

6266 Liverpool Street, Halifax Ns B3l 1x8

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Maritime Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$699900

Residential For Sale

6145 Highway 215, Cheverie Ns B0n 2a0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

22Picture(s)

1,120Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

C$319000

Residential For Sale

6145 Highway 215, Cheverie Ns B0n 2a0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,120Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

Set on nearly 3 acres of land, this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath mini home offers peaceful country living with wide-open space to enjoy. Whether you're relaxing on the back deck or exploring the expansive backyard, this property is ideal for families, pet owners, or anyone craving more outdoor space.

C$319000

Residential For Sale

6145 Highway 215, Cheverie Ns B0n 2a0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$319000

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

33Picture(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

C$309900

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

Just outside the Town of Yarmouth is 2473 Chebogue Road. This property has evolved over time . It started out as a summer home and then with an addition became a dual purpose property. One section is un finished and the other section is finished for year round living. There is 4.15 acres here with good frontage on Bunkers Island Road.

C$309900

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$309900

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

33Picture(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

C$309900

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

C$309900

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

Listing courtesy of The Real Estate Store

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$309900

Residential For Sale

32 Circle Drive, Halifax Ns B3p 1k2

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

29Picture(s)

1,015Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

C$345000

Residential For Sale

32 Circle Drive, Halifax Ns B3p 1k2

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,015Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

New price! This newly renovated bungalow is perfect for young families or those looking to downsize. It features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a spacious living room. The kitchen overlooks a large, private backyard, making it ideal for children to play or for relaxing on the deck. The basement includes laundry hookups, storage space, and a workspace.

C$345000

Residential For Sale

32 Circle Drive, Halifax Ns B3p 1k2

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$345000

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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

158 Skye Crescent, Hammonds Plains Ns B4b 1w8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

4164 Highway 201, Bridgetown Ns B0s 1c0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

147 Horne Settlement Road, Enfield Ns B2t 1g8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

36 Gail Avenue, Lower Branch Ns B4v 4r2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

10250 Highway 4 Highway, Broadway Ns B0k 1g0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

802-105 Dunbrack Street, Halifax Ns B3m 3g7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

106 Belleshire Drive, Lower Sackville Ns B4c 1m7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

6266 Liverpool Street, Halifax Ns B3l 1x8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

6145 Highway 215, Cheverie Ns B0n 2a0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2473 Chebogue Road, Sand Beach Ns B5a 4h2

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.