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.

Property Type

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Residential For Sale

707 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS B0E 2V0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

32Picture(s)

3,298Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

C$589000

Residential For Sale

707 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS B0E 2V0

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

3,298Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

Discover this exceptional 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath executive style home, offering 3,298 square feet of luxurious living space, located within walking distance to all amenities in Port Hawkesbury.

C$589000

Residential For Sale

707 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS B0E 2V0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty(Sydney,Townsend St.)

5Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$589000

Residential For Sale

601-2250 Maitland Street, Halifax Ns B3k 2z9

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

13Picture(s)

705Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$596900

Residential For Sale

601-2250 Maitland Street, Halifax Ns B3k 2z9

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

705Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

OPEN HOUSES ARE LOCATED AT THE SALES CENTRE AT 2179 GOTTINGEN ST. Floor Plan B8 Live: Contemporary, calm spaces to live in. The perfect tonic to the hustle & bustle outside your front door. "Live” is the place we design as the canvas for our life, what we cultivate as our home and personal zone.

C$596900

Residential For Sale

601-2250 Maitland Street, Halifax Ns B3k 2z9

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$596900

Residential For Sale

524 Maders Cove Road, Maders Cove Ns B0j 2c0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

47Picture(s)

2,134Sqft

Listing courtesy of ViewPoint Realty Services Inc.(Lunenburg)

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

524 Maders Cove Road, Maders Cove Ns B0j 2c0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,134Sqft

Listing courtesy of ViewPoint Realty Services Inc.(Lunenburg)

This contemporary and beautifully designed oceanside home is well crafted and an absolute pleasure. Inside, there are three spacious bedrooms, two full custom baths, a large living room, a pantry to die for and a stylish kitchen/dining area that opens onto a front deck.

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

524 Maders Cove Road, Maders Cove Ns B0j 2c0

Listing courtesy of ViewPoint Realty Services Inc.(Lunenburg)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

47 Great Village Lornevale Road, Great Village Ns B0m 1l0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

18Picture(s)

2,633Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

C$239900

Residential For Sale

47 Great Village Lornevale Road, Great Village Ns B0m 1l0

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

2,633Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

Looking for a country home in the Nova Scotia countryside? Here is your chance to own a country estate home that looks to be from the turn of the century. This home is nestled away in Great Village, close to all amenities including schools, shopping, gas and just a quick drive to the north tip of the Cobequid Bay. This home boasts over 2600 sqft of living space.

C$239900

Residential For Sale

47 Great Village Lornevale Road, Great Village Ns B0m 1l0

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$239900

Residential For Sale

1112 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point Ns B0t 1w0

More Details

7Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

9,720Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

1112 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point Ns B0t 1w0

7Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

9,720Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

Discover the epitome of coastal luxury with this magnificent, one of a kind oceanfront estate located on the picturesque Shelburne Harbour. Spanning over 9,700 square feet, this property offers unparalleled elegance and comfort, perfect for those seeking the ultimate waterfront lifestyle.

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

1112 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point Ns B0t 1w0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

7Bedroom(s)

5Bathroom(s)

C$1295000

Residential For Sale

818 Whitehead Road, Lower Whitehead Ns B0h 1t0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

3Picture(s)

1,188Sqft

Listing courtesy of Del Mar Realty Inc.

C$132900

Residential For Sale

818 Whitehead Road, Lower Whitehead Ns B0h 1t0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,188Sqft

Listing courtesy of Del Mar Realty Inc.

4.5 acres of land on Demming Island with approximately 180’ of very private oceanfront including an older house that is mostly renovated . It has a truly marvellous view of the Whitehead Harbour with its islands and wildlife. There is also a garage. The harbour is a dream for recreational boating and fishing. The property will be sold “as is , where is”.

C$132900

Residential For Sale

818 Whitehead Road, Lower Whitehead Ns B0h 1t0

Listing courtesy of Del Mar Realty Inc.

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$132900

Residential For Sale

Westside Drive Lot 13, Wileville Ns B4v 8v5

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

10Picture(s)

1,822Sqft

Listing courtesy of Holm Realty Limited

C$509900

Residential For Sale

Westside Drive Lot 13, Wileville Ns B4v 8v5

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,822Sqft

Listing courtesy of Holm Realty Limited

FACSIMILE - Contemporary living for today and tomorrow. Brand new, spacious, 1,822 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath Kent Home (The Home Centre, Bridgewater). The open concept kitchen offers form and function with an island suited for cooking, serving, and hosting. Exquisite bathrooms include modern finishes to keep the bathrooms warm and bright.

C$509900

Residential For Sale

Westside Drive Lot 13, Wileville Ns B4v 8v5

Listing courtesy of Holm Realty Limited

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$509900

Residential For Sale

50 Rosewood Drive, Amherst Ns B4h 4s6

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

35Picture(s)

1,184Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$253900

Residential For Sale

50 Rosewood Drive, Amherst Ns B4h 4s6

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,184Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

THREE YEAR-OLD MINI-HOME! This mini-home features 1184 square feet of living space with beautiful floor to ceiling windows allowing for the most natural light possible. Entering through the main door you enter into a large mudroom with built-in bench and storage, double closet and laundry area. Continuing into the main living space you will find an open concept dining, kitchen and living room.

C$253900

Residential For Sale

50 Rosewood Drive, Amherst Ns B4h 4s6

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$253900

Residential For Sale

5226 Hwy #3, Shag Harbour Ns B0w 3b0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,300Sqft

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

C$850000

Residential For Sale

5226 Hwy #3, Shag Harbour Ns B0w 3b0

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,300Sqft

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

This listing is made up of 3 properties to give a total acreage of 21.73 acres +/-. The home is a two storey Cape Cod style. It is 23 years old and built by the seller. The home sits high on a hill and has a beautiful ocean view across the road. The large back patio has space for a family gathering or maybe you just want to relax and watch the wild deer that abound in the area.

C$850000

Residential For Sale

5226 Hwy #3, Shag Harbour Ns B0w 3b0

Listing courtesy of East Bay Realty Ltd.

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$850000

Residential For Sale

1487 Southside Harbour Road, Southside Harbour Ns B2g 2l4

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

33Picture(s)

4,903Sqft

Listing courtesy of SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090

C$1890000

Residential For Sale

1487 Southside Harbour Road, Southside Harbour Ns B2g 2l4

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

4,903Sqft

Listing courtesy of SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090

ATTENTION GOLFERS! THE GORGEOUS INVERNESS GOLF COURSES ARE ONLY AN HOUR AND A BIT AWAY!!! A feeling of peace & serenity descend as you approach this exquisite estate situated on 26.7 very private harbourfront acres in the sought-after location of Southside Harbour, approx. 10 minutes from Antigonish. Birds sing joyfully while deer & fawn graze nearby.

C$1890000

Residential For Sale

1487 Southside Harbour Road, Southside Harbour Ns B2g 2l4

Listing courtesy of SCELES REALTY LIMITED - ANTIGONISH - D0090

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$1890000

Residential For Sale

7656 Shore Road, Hampton Ns B0s 1c0

More Details

SingleParking(s)

32Picture(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate(Annapolis Royal)

C$475000

Residential For Sale

7656 Shore Road, Hampton Ns B0s 1c0

SingleParking(s)

1,600Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate(Annapolis Royal)

Nature abounds on this large acreage near the rugged shoreline of the Bay of Fundy. On offer is a 152-acre property, mostly old growth forest, with a traditional forestry road winding its entire length. Here the new owner will have a place to escape from the cares of this modern world and to enjoy the tranquil peace and beauty of a rural oasis.

C$475000

Residential For Sale

7656 Shore Road, Hampton Ns B0s 1c0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate(Annapolis Royal)

C$475000

Residential For Sale

3767 Sonora Road, Sherbrooke Ns B0j 3c0

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,044Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

C$649900

Residential For Sale

3767 Sonora Road, Sherbrooke Ns B0j 3c0

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,044Sqft

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

Located only 2 km from Historic Sherbrooke Village, this 2.3-acre waterfront property has extraordinary potential for residential or commercial use. Currently used as a 1 BR home, this level property was originally developed for a campground/marina.

C$649900

Residential For Sale

3767 Sonora Road, Sherbrooke Ns B0j 3c0

Listing courtesy of Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.(Antigonish)

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$649900

4781 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

707 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS B0E 2V0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

601-2250 Maitland Street, Halifax Ns B3k 2z9

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

524 Maders Cove Road, Maders Cove Ns B0j 2c0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

47 Great Village Lornevale Road, Great Village Ns B0m 1l0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1112 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point Ns B0t 1w0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

818 Whitehead Road, Lower Whitehead Ns B0h 1t0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Westside Drive Lot 13, Wileville Ns B4v 8v5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

50 Rosewood Drive, Amherst Ns B4h 4s6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

5226 Hwy #3, Shag Harbour Ns B0w 3b0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1487 Southside Harbour Road, Southside Harbour Ns B2g 2l4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

7656 Shore Road, Hampton Ns B0s 1c0

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.