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

183 Cottage Street, Berwick, NS B0P 1E0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

46Picture(s)

3,656Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

C$575000

Residential For Sale

183 Cottage Street, Berwick, NS B0P 1E0

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

3,656Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

Welcome to a place where style and elegance allow the old and modern to blend together to create warmth and luxury. This two storey + house has everything a person could hope for. Within walking distance to all amenities and fine dining in Berwick, this beautifully landscaped property allows for both convenience and privacy.

C$575000

Residential For Sale

183 Cottage Street, Berwick, NS B0P 1E0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$575000

Residential For Sale

207 Hebb Point Road, Heckmans Island, NS B0J 2C0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,218Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty(Lunenburg)

C$1387000

Residential For Sale

207 Hebb Point Road, Heckmans Island, NS B0J 2C0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,218Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty(Lunenburg)

HILLTOP SPLENDOR! -- Quality meets style & comfort in this 2200 sq ft 'Passive Design' hilltop home. Thoughtfully positioned on its 2.2 acre lot at the crest of a hill on Heckmans Island, the home enjoys panoramic ocean views. Inside, polished concrete floors & a muted colour palette unite the interior spaces creating a sophisticated, warm & inviting residence.

C$1387000

Residential For Sale

207 Hebb Point Road, Heckmans Island, NS B0J 2C0

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty(Lunenburg)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$1387000

Residential For Sale

267 Sugarwood Court Lot 21, Porters Lake, NS B3E 0C7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

10Picture(s)

1,482Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$685900

Residential For Sale

267 Sugarwood Court Lot 21, Porters Lake, NS B3E 0C7

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,482Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Welcome to the extremely popular Nature Ridge subdivision in beautiful Porters Lake where Nature Ridge Homes is proud to bring you the quality and custom craftmanship you’ve grown accustomed to at a very affordable price.

C$685900

Residential For Sale

267 Sugarwood Court Lot 21, Porters Lake, NS B3E 0C7

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$685900

Residential For Sale

80 Quarry Road, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1G1

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

25Picture(s)

1,041Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

C$234900

Residential For Sale

80 Quarry Road, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1G1

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,041Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

Charming Family Home! This well-maintained three-bedroom residence offers an ideal combination of comfort and convenience, perfectly positioned near essential amenities including Glace Bay Elementary School and the local hospital. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a growing family, this property delivers both practicality and potential.

C$234900

Residential For Sale

80 Quarry Road, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1G1

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$234900

Residential For Sale

379 York Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2M9

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,150Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

C$479000

Residential For Sale

379 York Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2M9

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

3,150Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

This stunning two-story R-2000 energy-efficient home sits on a beautifully landscaped lot with a double paved driveway and a brand-new covered deck. Inside, the home offers 3 new heat pumps , offering efficient heat in the cold months and cooling in the summer months.

C$479000

Residential For Sale

379 York Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2M9

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Park Place Inc.

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$479000

Residential For Sale

56 Lighthouse Road, Fox Point, NS B0J 1T0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

36Picture(s)

1,154Sqft

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

C$599000

Residential For Sale

56 Lighthouse Road, Fox Point, NS B0J 1T0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,154Sqft

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

Outstanding 1.9 acre south facing property with over 500 feet of direct ocean frontage. The home has 1,154 square feet of living area plus a full basement with walkout. The main level features a family room with a wood stove as an economical heat source. A mini split heat pump takes care of the living room, and an electric convection wall heater is in the dining room.

C$599000

Residential For Sale

56 Lighthouse Road, Fox Point, NS B0J 1T0

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$599000

Residential For Sale

11 Ashby, Sydney, NS B1P 2R7

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

16Picture(s)

1,176Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

C$144000

Residential For Sale

11 Ashby, Sydney, NS B1P 2R7

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,176Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

Discover this incredible five-bedroom property perfectly positioned in downtown Sydney, offering endless possibilities for savvy investors or first-time homebuyers ready to take charge of their future. This spacious home features one full bathroom and a convenient half bath, providing comfortable living arrangements in one of Sydney's most sought-after locations.

C$144000

Residential For Sale

11 Ashby, Sydney, NS B1P 2R7

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Optimum Realty

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$144000

Residential For Sale

81 Pleasant Street, Kingsport, NS B0P 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

38Picture(s)

946Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

C$350000

Residential For Sale

81 Pleasant Street, Kingsport, NS B0P 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

946Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

Rarely available and beautifully updated, this delightful 2-bedroom home is nestled in the heart of the charming seaside community of Kingsport - just a short stroll from the beach. Fully renovated throughout, the home blends modern comfort with cozy coastal character.

C$350000

Residential For Sale

81 Pleasant Street, Kingsport, NS B0P 1H0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$350000

Residential For Sale

166-168 Seaman Street, Margaretsville, NS B0S 1N0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

C$449900

Residential For Sale

166-168 Seaman Street, Margaretsville, NS B0S 1N0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

Extended Family or Income Opportunity the choice is yours. Two homes with views of the world famous Bay of Fundy. The original Century home is full of character and charm. You will love the kitchen with sky light and beamed ceiling feature, a cozy living room, main floor bedroom and laundry with additional loft bedroom for complete privacy. The little library doubles as a guest room or office.

C$449900

Residential For Sale

166-168 Seaman Street, Margaretsville, NS B0S 1N0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$449900

Residential For Sale

789 West Jeddore, Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

39Picture(s)

1,680Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

C$499000

Residential For Sale

789 West Jeddore, Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,680Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

Stunning 4 bed, 2 bath family home with frontage on Jeddore Harbour! Discover your dream home nestled on nearly an acre of picturesque property with 105 feet of oceanfront. This beautifully updated home is perfect for those seeking the solitude of country living within a commutable distance to metro.

C$499000

Residential For Sale

789 West Jeddore, Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$499000

Residential For Sale

446 Ketch Harbour Road, Bear Cove, NS B3V 1P7

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

49Picture(s)

6,407Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$3150000

Residential For Sale

446 Ketch Harbour Road, Bear Cove, NS B3V 1P7

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

6,407Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

This magnificent 6400 sq ft estate offers an astounding 155 feet of unobstructed ocean frontage with panoramic views. As you enter the property via the private, stone-lined driveway, you'll be captivated by the beautifully landscaped grounds and breathtaking vistas.

C$3150000

Residential For Sale

446 Ketch Harbour Road, Bear Cove, NS B3V 1P7

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$3150000

Residential For Sale

4742 Highway 366, Tidnish Cross Roads, NS B4H 3X9

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

38Picture(s)

1,041Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$299999

Residential For Sale

4742 Highway 366, Tidnish Cross Roads, NS B4H 3X9

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,041Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

Charming 2-Bedroom Home with versatile Workshop on 1 Acre Near the Northumberland Strait! Tucked away on a beautiful 1-acre lot just minutes from the stunning Northumberland Strait, this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers the perfect mix of comfort, functionality, and potential.

C$299999

Residential For Sale

4742 Highway 366, Tidnish Cross Roads, NS B4H 3X9

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$299999

4814 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

183 Cottage Street, Berwick, NS B0P 1E0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

207 Hebb Point Road, Heckmans Island, NS B0J 2C0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

267 Sugarwood Court Lot 21, Porters Lake, NS B3E 0C7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

80 Quarry Road, Glace Bay, NS B1A 1G1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

379 York Street, Glace Bay, NS B1A 2M9

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

56 Lighthouse Road, Fox Point, NS B0J 1T0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

11 Ashby, Sydney, NS B1P 2R7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

81 Pleasant Street, Kingsport, NS B0P 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

166-168 Seaman Street, Margaretsville, NS B0S 1N0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

789 West Jeddore, Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

446 Ketch Harbour Road, Bear Cove, NS B3V 1P7

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.