There is no favorite listings!

Stop Paying Rent

How to Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home

 

Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! 

 

It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent.  But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t feel like yours.  How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle?  You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home

Well, don’t feel trapped anymore!  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem.  The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner.  With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:

– save for a down payment

– stop lining your landlord’s pockets, and
– stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.

 

6 Little Known Facts That Can Help You Buy Your First Home

 

The problem that most renters face isn’t your ability to meet a monthly payment. Goodness knows you must meet this monthly obligation every 30 days already. The problem is accumulating enough capital to make a down payment on something more permanent.

But saving for this lump sum doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.  Consider the following 6 important points:

You can buy a home with much less down than you think.

There are some local or federal government programs (such as 1st time buyer programs) to help people get into the housing market.  You can qualify as a first time buyer even if your spouse has  owned a home before as long as your name was not registered.  Ensure your real estate agent is informed and knowledgeable in this important area and can offer programs to help you with your options.

You may be able to get your lender to help you with your down payment and closing costs.

Even if you do not have enough cash for a down-payment, if you are debt-free, and own an asset free and clear (such as a car, for example), your lending institution may be able to lend you the down-payment for your home by securing it against this asset.

 

You may be able to find a seller to help you buy and finance your home.

Some sellers may be willing to hold a second mortgage for you as a “seller take-back.”  In this case, the seller becomes your lending institution.  Instead of paying this seller a lump-sum full amount for his or her home, you would pay monthly mortgage installments.

 

You may be able to create a cash down payment without actually going into debt.

By borrowing money for certain investments to a specified level, you may be able to generate a significant tax refund for yourself that you can use as a down-payment.  While the money borrowed for these investments is technically a loan, the monthly amount paid can be small, and the money invested in both home and investment will be yours in the end.

You can buy a home even if you have problems with your credit rating.

If you can come up with more than the minimum down-payment, or can secure the loan with other equity, many lending institutions will consider you for a mortgage.  Alternatively, a seller take-back mortgage could also help you in this situation.

 

You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

Preapproval is easy, and can give you complete peace-of-mind when shopping for your home. Mortgage experts can obtain written preapproval for you at no cost and no obligation, and it can all be done quite easily over-the-phone.  More than just a verbal approval from your lending institution, a written preapproval is as good as money in the bank.  It entails a completed credit application, and a certificate which guarantees you a mortgage to the specified level when you find the home you’re looking for.

 

 

Consider dealing only with a professional who specializes in mortgages.  Enlisting their services can make the difference between obtaining a mortgage, and being stuck in the renter’s rut forever. Typically there is no cost or obligation to enquire.

To sum up, there are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter.  Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with your agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning?

This conversation costs you nothing. And, of course, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to buy a home at the time you review this.  But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the ways you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step.

9 Buyer Traps & How to Avoid Them

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment.  But for many home buyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

* paying too much for the home they want, or
* losing their dream home to another buyer or,
* (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.

This important article discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.

 

The 9 Buyer Traps

Bidding Blind

What price should you offer when you bid on a home?  Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal?  If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bdding blind.  Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.

 

Buying the Wrong Home.

 

What are you looking for in a home?  A simple enough question, but the answer can be quite complex.  More than one buyer has been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small.  Maybe they’re stuck with a longer than desired commute to work, or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down.  Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs.  Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.

Unclear Title.

 

Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed.  The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.

Inaccurate Survey.

As part of your offer to purchase, make sure you request an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries.  If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).  Be very clear on these issues.

Undisclosed Fix-ups.

 

Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to.  Both you and the seller are out to maximize your investment.  Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process.  Consider hiring an independent inspector to objectively view the home inside and out, and make the final contract contingent upon this inspector’s report.  This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.


Not Getting Mortgage Preapproval.

Preapproval is fast, easy and free.  When you have a preapproved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.

 

Contract Misses.

If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement.  Agree ahead of time on a dollar amount for an escrow fund to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on. Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one.

 Hidden Costs.

 

Make sure you identify and uncover all costs – large and small – far enough ahead of time.  When a transaction closes, you will sometimes find fees for this or that sneaking through after the “sub”-total – fees such as loan disbursement charges, underwriting fees etc.  Understand these in advance by having your lender project total charges for you in writing.

 

 

 

Rushing the Closing.

Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on seeing all paperwork the day before you sign.  Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction, and that nothing has been added or subtracted.  Is the interest rate right?  Is everything covered?  If you rush this process on the day of closing, you may run into a last minute snag that you can’t fix without compromising the terms of the deal, the financing, or even the sale itself.

One More Tip…

Find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or “House-hunting Service,” which takes the guesswork out of finding just the right home that matches your needs.  This type of program will crossmatch your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an on-going basis. A program like this can help you to affordably move into
the home of your dreams.

Sort Option
  • Listing ID
  • Total Finished Area
  • Price
  • Add date
  • Listing Status
Grid
List
Map
RSS

Residential For Sale

2285 Highway 221, Dempseys Corner, NS B0P 1C0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,240Sqft
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
C$435000

Residential For Sale

2285 Highway 221, Dempseys Corner, NS B0P 1C0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,240Sqft
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
JUST RE-LISTED! Looking for a place to call home where you can relax & enjoy a beautiful view while sitting on your deck or sunroom? Well, You have found it! Located at the base of the North Mountain (just minutes away from Berwick Heights Golf Course & about 10min from Greenwood Mall), rests this beautiful 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home.
C$435000

Residential For Sale

2285 Highway 221, Dempseys Corner, NS B0P 1C0
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$435000

Residential For Sale

163 Orchard Street, Berwick Ns B0p 1e0

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
41Picture(s)
2,232Sqft
RE/MAX Advantage
C$505000

Residential For Sale

163 Orchard Street, Berwick Ns B0p 1e0
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
2,232Sqft
RE/MAX Advantage
Step up to an outstanding neighborhood, a community within a community on the outskirts of the ever popular Town of Berwick. Complete with a large lot and partially fenced area this home offers more space in and out that meets the eye on a drive by. Inside the style is open concept with opportunities for various lifestyles.
C$505000

Residential For Sale

163 Orchard Street, Berwick Ns B0p 1e0
RE/MAX Advantage
4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$505000

Residential For Sale

14 Breakwater Lane, Brooklyn Ns B0j 1h0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
41Picture(s)
1,873Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
C$329900

Residential For Sale

14 Breakwater Lane, Brooklyn Ns B0j 1h0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
1,873Sqft
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
Located in Brooklyn this 3 bedroom oceanfront home is ready to move into and enjoy the views and all the work that has been done to it. The roof has been reshingled , the whole house outside has been scraped and painted also the inside the floors and walls have been redone.
C$329900

Residential For Sale

14 Breakwater Lane, Brooklyn Ns B0j 1h0
EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$329900

Residential For Sale

1011 14 Highway, Upper Vaughan Ns B0n 2t0

3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
50Picture(s)
4,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
C$999900

Residential For Sale

1011 14 Highway, Upper Vaughan Ns B0n 2t0
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
4,340Sqft
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
New Price! Gorgeous Lakefront Property in Nova Scotia just one hour from Halifax and 30 min from Chester! This exquisite lakefront property offers a luxurious and serene living experience with unparalleled amenities. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom executive bungalow with over 4300 s.f.
C$999900

Residential For Sale

1011 14 Highway, Upper Vaughan Ns B0n 2t0
Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)
3Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$999900

Residential For Sale

56 Lonesome Hunters Inn Lane, Upper Ohio Ns B0t 1w0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
45Picture(s)
1,200Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Shelburne)
C$219000

Residential For Sale

56 Lonesome Hunters Inn Lane, Upper Ohio Ns B0t 1w0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,200Sqft
Keller Williams Select Realty (Shelburne)
Riverfront Cottage For Sale – Beautifully Upgraded & Move-in Ready! Enjoy your own private retreat with over 300 feet of serene river frontage along the Roseway River. Swim directly from your property or kayak downstream to Phillip Lake when water levels allow. A charming creek transforms into a rushing brook each spring, adding to the tranquility.
C$219000

Residential For Sale

56 Lonesome Hunters Inn Lane, Upper Ohio Ns B0t 1w0
Keller Williams Select Realty (Shelburne)
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$219000

Residential For Sale

38 Moores Road, Glen Margaret Ns B3z 3g3

3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
35Picture(s)
1,600Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$925000

Residential For Sale

38 Moores Road, Glen Margaret Ns B3z 3g3
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,600Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Swimming, sailing and spectacular sunsets all in your own backyard. Wonderful deep water anchorage, a rare find with over 2 fathoms just off shore and a little further out is a channel dropping to 5.4 fathoms for mooring. This private paradise is located on coveted and beautiful St. Margaret’s Bay with easy access to the city but far from the hustle and bustle of the madding crowd.
C$925000

Residential For Sale

38 Moores Road, Glen Margaret Ns B3z 3g3
Sutton Group Professional Realty
3Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$925000

Residential For Sale

Grant 12417 Rushy Lake, Jacksons Mountain Ns B0w 3m0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
27Picture(s)
576Sqft
The Real Estate Store
C$299900

Residential For Sale

Grant 12417 Rushy Lake, Jacksons Mountain Ns B0w 3m0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
576Sqft
The Real Estate Store
If you are looking for a remote and unique property this may be for you. 76 acres on Rushy Lake and adjoining waterway offers solitude and off grid living. The 24X24 well-built cottage is well done and can be operated by generator. Two storage buildings offer lots of storage and the frontage on Rushy Lake is good and has boat launching access.
C$299900

Residential For Sale

Grant 12417 Rushy Lake, Jacksons Mountain Ns B0w 3m0
The Real Estate Store
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$299900

Residential For Sale

3152 Highway 1, Belliveaus Cove Ns B0w 3t0

5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
50Picture(s)
2,293Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$297500

Residential For Sale

3152 Highway 1, Belliveaus Cove Ns B0w 3t0
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
2,293Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Welcome to 3152 Highway 1, Belliveaus Cove, NS. This 5 bedroom home sits just minutes outside of the town of Weymouth, and overlooks St. Mary's Bay. With loads of character throughout: from the breakfast nook, the built-ins, to the woodworking: this home has charm like no other. Well maintained and awaiting a new family to make it their own.
C$297500

Residential For Sale

3152 Highway 1, Belliveaus Cove Ns B0w 3t0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
5Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$297500

Residential For Sale

173 Pleasant Valley Road, Pleasant Valley Ns B0n 1x0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
25Picture(s)
729Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
C$109000

Residential For Sale

173 Pleasant Valley Road, Pleasant Valley Ns B0n 1x0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
729Sqft
Hants Realty Ltd.
Welcome to this cozy and inviting home, nestled in a friendly, tight-knit community. Perfectly sized for those looking to enjoy simple living, this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers everything you need for comfort and warmth. Inside, you'll find two wood stoves, perfect for creating a cozy ambiance during cooler months, and a heat pump to keep things comfortable year-round.
C$109000

Residential For Sale

173 Pleasant Valley Road, Pleasant Valley Ns B0n 1x0
Hants Realty Ltd.
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$109000

Residential For Sale

114 Hammond Road, Jordan Bay Ns B0t 1w0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
28Picture(s)
1,250Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Barrington Passage)
C$269000

Residential For Sale

114 Hammond Road, Jordan Bay Ns B0t 1w0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
1,250Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Barrington Passage)
Discover your dream retreat in this spacious, sun filled 3-bedroom, 1-bath home perched atop a hill, offering breathtaking ocean views. Located just 10 minutes from town and only 2 minute’s to a picturesque winery, this property perfectly combines tranquility with convenience.
C$269000

Residential For Sale

114 Hammond Road, Jordan Bay Ns B0t 1w0
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Barrington Passage)
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$269000

Residential For Sale

501 Stonehurst Road, Stonehurst North Ns B0j 2c0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
38Picture(s)
730Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
C$279000

Residential For Sale

501 Stonehurst Road, Stonehurst North Ns B0j 2c0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
730Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
This charming 2-bedroom home is a true gem, nestled on a beautifully landscaped lot with stunning ocean views, set along a peaceful lane. Thoughtfully renovated by a skilled boat builder, the home boasts unique details such as pegged wood floors and a warm, inviting wood ceiling on the second level.
C$279000

Residential For Sale

501 Stonehurst Road, Stonehurst North Ns B0j 2c0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate (Bridgewater)
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$279000

Residential For Sale

Shoreline Bluff Lane Lot 3, Fox Point Ns B0j 1t0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
2Picture(s)
1,670Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
C$793700

Residential For Sale

Shoreline Bluff Lane Lot 3, Fox Point Ns B0j 1t0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
GravelParking(s)
1,670Sqft
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
This stunning turnkey home build package offers the epitome of coastal living, situated in a picturesque oceanside setting. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by an open-concept living space illuminated by natural light streaming in through large windows, offering breathtaking ocean views.
C$793700

Residential For Sale

Shoreline Bluff Lane Lot 3, Fox Point Ns B0j 1t0
RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$793700
4802 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern