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

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

25Picture(s)

555Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$225900

Residential For Sale

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

555Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

Tucked away on a quiet and private road, this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom cottage offers the perfect lakeside escape. Lovingly maintained and full of cozy character, the home invites you to relax and enjoy nature from the comfort of your own retreat. Whether you’re curling up with a book or sipping coffee on the deck, the views of the sparkling lake just steps away will never grow old.

C$225900

Residential For Sale

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$225900

Residential For Sale

139 Loch Bhreagh Lane, Northside East Bay, NS B1J 0A4

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

49Picture(s)

2,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

C$599000

Residential For Sale

139 Loch Bhreagh Lane, Northside East Bay, NS B1J 0A4

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

Escape to this truly rare find, where a quaint country setting meets unparalleled convenience. This beautiful 2.5-acre property offers a private, serene, and therapeutic retreat, yet it's only 4 minutes from the East Bay sandbar, 9 minutes from the ski hill, golf course, and marina, and less than 20 minutes to Sydney River. The stunning views are just the beginning.

C$599000

Residential For Sale

139 Loch Bhreagh Lane, Northside East Bay, NS B1J 0A4

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

2Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$599000

Residential For Sale

1470 Brickyard Road, Mira Gut, NS B1K 2V7

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,350Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

C$649000

Residential For Sale

1470 Brickyard Road, Mira Gut, NS B1K 2V7

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,350Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

Welcome to 1470 Brickyard Road, a beautifully appointed family home set on 13.5 sprawling acres with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. This exceptional property offers an unmatched lifestyle—combining the rugged beauty of the coastline with the comforts of a spacious, modern home and the practicality of a hobby farm .

C$649000

Residential For Sale

1470 Brickyard Road, Mira Gut, NS B1K 2V7

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$649000

Residential For Sale

2438 Hillside Boularderie, Southside Boularderie, NS B1Y 2S5

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

49Picture(s)

2,210Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

C$675000

Residential For Sale

2438 Hillside Boularderie, Southside Boularderie, NS B1Y 2S5

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

2,210Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

A Rare Cape Breton Gem – 209 Acres of Agricultural Land with Waterfront Views on the Bras d'Or Lake. Your dream property—where farmhouse charm meets acreage & boundless potential. This beautifully built and cared-for home sits proudly on 209 acres of versatile land, complete with a waterfront lot on the Bras d'Or Lake.

C$675000

Residential For Sale

2438 Hillside Boularderie, Southside Boularderie, NS B1Y 2S5

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$675000

Residential For Sale

7047 Highway 337 Cape George Point, Cape George Point, NS B2G 2L2

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

16Picture(s)

504Sqft

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

C$149000

Residential For Sale

7047 Highway 337 Cape George Point, Cape George Point, NS B2G 2L2

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

504Sqft

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

Sparkling clean seasonal dwelling located on 2.8 acres with captivating views of Northumberland Strait/St. George's Bay - fully furnished 1 bedroom, full bathroom, and open concept kitchen/dining living room.

C$149000

Residential For Sale

7047 Highway 337 Cape George Point, Cape George Point, NS B2G 2L2

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$149000

Residential For Sale

288 Main Street, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,542Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.

C$399000

Residential For Sale

288 Main Street, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,542Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.

This beautiful century home is located on Main Street, but set back from the Street for privacy. The main floor has a full kitchen with patio doors to a side deck, dining room, living room, den and a 1/2 bath. The second floor has four bedrooms, and a full bath with sauna room. The lower level is partially finished with a rec room with bar and a wood stove, laundry, storage and cold room.

C$399000

Residential For Sale

288 Main Street, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0

Listing courtesy of Sunrise Brokerage & Sales Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$399000

Residential For Sale

6 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

9Picture(s)

1,986Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$629900

Residential For Sale

6 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,986Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

Discover these beautiful, semi-detached homes, perfectly designed for modern living in a convenient urban location. Each home offers 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, delivering comfort, style, and functionality for families or tenants alike. Located near schools, parks, shopping, and public transit, these homes offer the ideal blend of city convenience and neighborhood charm.

C$629900

Residential For Sale

6 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$629900

Residential For Sale

8 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

9Picture(s)

1,986Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$629900

Residential For Sale

8 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,986Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$629900

Residential For Sale

8 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$629900

Residential For Sale

650 Ketch Harbour Road, Portuguese Cove, NS B3V 1K1

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,138Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

C$774900

Residential For Sale

650 Ketch Harbour Road, Portuguese Cove, NS B3V 1K1

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

2,138Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

Seaside charm nestled in the peaceful seaside community of Portuguese Cove! This character filled home blends timeless charm with thoughtful living spaces and has been lovingly maintained over the years. With 2 bath, 3 bedrooms, one offering flexible use as a loft, office, or creative retreat, this home adapts to your lifestyle.

C$774900

Residential For Sale

650 Ketch Harbour Road, Portuguese Cove, NS B3V 1K1

Listing courtesy of Sutton Group Professional Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$774900

Residential For Sale

24 Annavista Heights, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,955Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

C$900400

Residential For Sale

24 Annavista Heights, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0

5Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

2,955Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

Welcome to 24 Annavista Heights, Bay View—an extraordinary custom-built home perched with perfect poise on an elevated hillside lot, commanding mesmerizing views of the Annapolis Basin. This is more than just a home; it’s a dream realized—where quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and breathtaking natural beauty come together in harmony.

C$900400

Residential For Sale

24 Annavista Heights, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

5Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

C$900400

Residential For Sale

1407 North Shore Rd, North Shore, NS B0K 1E0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,248Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

C$692900

Residential For Sale

1407 North Shore Rd, North Shore, NS B0K 1E0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,248Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

Nestled on a scenic 3-acre lot in the sought-after North Shore area of Malagash, this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home blends comfort, space, and natural beauty. Enjoy private waterfront access and 292 ft of beach frontage just steps from your backyard—perfect for swimming, kayaking, and other water sport activities in the warm summer months.

C$692900

Residential For Sale

1407 North Shore Rd, North Shore, NS B0K 1E0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic (Enfield)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$692900

Residential For Sale

53 Ocean Ave, Dominion, NS B1G 1R4

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

17Picture(s)

1,539Sqft

Listing courtesy of Re/Max Park Place Inc (Baddeck)

C$250000

Residential For Sale

53 Ocean Ave, Dominion, NS B1G 1R4

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,539Sqft

Listing courtesy of Re/Max Park Place Inc (Baddeck)

Well maintained home in a great location in the heart of Dominion with Ocean views! 3 bedroom home with a large garage and paved driveway. This lovely home has lots of space for that growing family. Good sized upper floor bedrooms. Laundry conveniently located on the upper floor so you don't have to carry laundry up and down the stairs. Updated 4 piece bathroom.

C$250000

Residential For Sale

53 Ocean Ave, Dominion, NS B1G 1R4

Listing courtesy of Re/Max Park Place Inc (Baddeck)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$250000

4816 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

270 Dean Lake Road, Westfield, NS B0T 1B0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

139 Loch Bhreagh Lane, Northside East Bay, NS B1J 0A4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1470 Brickyard Road, Mira Gut, NS B1K 2V7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2438 Hillside Boularderie, Southside Boularderie, NS B1Y 2S5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

7047 Highway 337 Cape George Point, Cape George Point, NS B2G 2L2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

288 Main Street, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

6 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

8 Williams Lake Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1S5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

650 Ketch Harbour Road, Portuguese Cove, NS B3V 1K1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

24 Annavista Heights, Bay View, NS B0V 1A0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1407 North Shore Rd, North Shore, NS B0K 1E0

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.