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

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,610Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$799900

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,610Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

Welcome to lake life at its finest on the breathtaking shores of Molega Lake—one of South Shore's most sought-after destinations for boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Known for its size and scenic coves, Molega is a haven for outdoor lovers and weekend warriors alike.

C$799900

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$799900

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,610Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$799900

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,610Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$799900

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$799900

Residential For Sale

953 Highway 2, Elmsdale, NS B2S 1M6

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

WiredParking(s)

49Picture(s)

1,344Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

C$625000

Residential For Sale

953 Highway 2, Elmsdale, NS B2S 1M6

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

WiredParking(s)

1,344Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

An exceptional opportunity to blend luxury, function, and business potential in one rare package in this gorgeous home set on over a half an acre.

C$625000

Residential For Sale

953 Highway 2, Elmsdale, NS B2S 1M6

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$625000

Residential For Sale

228 Vimy Road, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4J9

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

37Picture(s)

1,461Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Fairlane Realty

C$524900

Residential For Sale

228 Vimy Road, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4J9

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,461Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Fairlane Realty

What a Rare Opportunity Awaits You, be the first to view this amazing 1.38 acre property located in the Village of Bible Hill. Location, curb appeal & endless opportunities await the new home owner of this beautifully positioned property.

C$524900

Residential For Sale

228 Vimy Road, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4J9

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Fairlane Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$524900

Residential For Sale

937 Highway 6, Bayhead, NS B0K 1V0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

43Picture(s)

791Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$259000

Residential For Sale

937 Highway 6, Bayhead, NS B0K 1V0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

791Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Discover your dream retreat with this amazing property, perfect as a summer getaway, a home for retirement or a cozy starter home. This well-maintained, winterized cottage boasts 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath, all within an inviting open-concept design that seamlessly blends comfort and tranquility.

C$259000

Residential For Sale

937 Highway 6, Bayhead, NS B0K 1V0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$259000

Residential For Sale

152 Milsom Street, Halifax, NS B3N 3M5

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

44Picture(s)

4,176Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$1369000

Residential For Sale

152 Milsom Street, Halifax, NS B3N 3M5

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

4,176Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Welcome to this immaculate 4,176 sq ft home, ideally located on a tree-lined street in the highly sought-after Fairmount neighborhood—just minutes from top-rated public and private schools.

C$1369000

Residential For Sale

152 Milsom Street, Halifax, NS B3N 3M5

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$1369000

Residential For Sale

2427 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS B3K 4C1

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

34Picture(s)

1,766Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$799900

Residential For Sale

2427 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS B3K 4C1

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

1,766Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Alive on Agricola – Where Character Meets Commercial Potential. Welcome to 2427 Agricola Street - A Beautiful Blend of Character, Upgrades & Opportunity. This five-bedroom, two-bathroom gem offers a rare chance to own a solid, updated character home in the heart of Halifax’s thriving North End - all at a price point that makes sense in today’s market.

C$799900

Residential For Sale

2427 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS B3K 4C1

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$799900

Residential For Sale

321 Beeches Road, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

12Picture(s)

1,652Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$610000

Residential For Sale

321 Beeches Road, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,652Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. Introducing the first release at Bellville Condo Development—Pictou’s newest premier community on the scenic grounds of the former golf course. This brand-new 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo features 1,652 sq ft of stylish open-concept living, plus a 392 sq ft attached garage.

C$610000

Residential For Sale

321 Beeches Road, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$610000

Residential For Sale

44 Confederation Road, Diligent River, NS B0M 1S0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

47Picture(s)

2,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

C$270000

Residential For Sale

44 Confederation Road, Diligent River, NS B0M 1S0

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

2,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

Welcome to 44 Confederation Road, this former Confederation Farm consists of approximately 2.5 acres. The 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom farmhouse offer a very private setting as it is located over 200m in from the main road with a well treed private road leading to the home and large 40'x 29.5' barn.

C$270000

Residential For Sale

44 Confederation Road, Diligent River, NS B0M 1S0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$270000

Residential For Sale

68 Salzburg Place, Halifax, NS B3S 0C6

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

5,392Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$1124900

Residential For Sale

68 Salzburg Place, Halifax, NS B3S 0C6

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

5,392Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Executive Home in Prestigious Mount Royal Subdivision – Over 5,000 Sq Ft of Living Space! Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the sought-after Mount Royal subdivision, this beautifully upgraded executive single-family home offers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and function. With over 5,000 sq ft of living space, this residence is ideal for families and entertainers alike.

C$1124900

Residential For Sale

68 Salzburg Place, Halifax, NS B3S 0C6

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$1124900

Residential For Sale

3577 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

38Picture(s)

1,431Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

C$349000

Residential For Sale

3577 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,431Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

Bordering Hwy 3 and Chester Shore Road, in East Chester, this house sits on 1.6 acres. There is a wooded area to the side and back of the property. There are mature trees and shrubs. The house does need some work and updating, but there are some new windows and the roof had new shingles installed this Spring. Its just the right size for a starter home or for those downsizing.

C$349000

Residential For Sale

3577 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$349000

Residential For Sale

14 Cross Street, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

30Picture(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)

C$282900

Residential For Sale

14 Cross Street, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,100Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)

Welcome to the charm of 14 Cross Street, nestled atop a gentle hill in the scenic village of Bear River—the Switzerland of Nova Scotia. This single-family residence presents an ideal haven for first-time home buyers or retirees looking to embrace village life amidst natural beauty.

C$282900

Residential For Sale

14 Cross Street, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Annapolis Royal)

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$282900

4824 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

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

436 Harry Freeman Road, Labelle, NS B0T 1E0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

953 Highway 2, Elmsdale, NS B2S 1M6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

228 Vimy Road, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4J9

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

937 Highway 6, Bayhead, NS B0K 1V0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

152 Milsom Street, Halifax, NS B3N 3M5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2427 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS B3K 4C1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

321 Beeches Road, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

44 Confederation Road, Diligent River, NS B0M 1S0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

68 Salzburg Place, Halifax, NS B3S 0C6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

3577 Highway 3, East Chester, NS B0J 1J0

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.