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

1335 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1B3

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

32Picture(s)

1,434Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$699900

Residential For Sale

1335 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1B3

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

OtherParking(s)

1,434Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Welcome to 1335 Purcells Cove Road, a beautifully updated, character-rich home with sweeping views of the Northwest Arm. This 2-bedroom + den, 2-bathroom property blends timeless charm with thoughtful modern upgrades. The main level features high ceilings, large windows drenched in natural light, a cozy propane fireplace, and a stylish powder room.

C$699900

Residential For Sale

1335 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1B3

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$699900

Residential For Sale

717 High Road, Fall River, NS B2T 1E8

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,156Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$749900

Residential For Sale

717 High Road, Fall River, NS B2T 1E8

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,156Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

You'll love the privacy and serenity of this Fall River property. From the stately mahogany gates at the end of the driveway you'll find this beautiful bungalow great for anyone looking for one level living with accessibility in mind. From the foyer you'll find the spacious formal dining room with double french doors which leads to the bright white kitchen.

C$749900

Residential For Sale

717 High Road, Fall River, NS B2T 1E8

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$749900

Residential For Sale

4 Arthur Lismer Court, Bedford, NS B4A 4B4

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,282Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$925000

Residential For Sale

4 Arthur Lismer Court, Bedford, NS B4A 4B4

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

2,282Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Brick townhouse just 40 feet from the water in Bedford with no condo fees! This three-level home features unobstructed Bedford Basin views and is within walking distance to DeWolf Park, Bedford Yacht Club and local amenities, with Halifax, Dartmouth, and the airport only 20 minutes away.

C$925000

Residential For Sale

4 Arthur Lismer Court, Bedford, NS B4A 4B4

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$925000

Residential For Sale

249 Ridge Road, South Branch, NS B0N 2P0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,725Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$725000

Residential For Sale

249 Ridge Road, South Branch, NS B0N 2P0

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,725Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Imagine stunning sunrises, a large front deck with an unobstructed view of the meadow below and a hot cup of coffee to start your day! This 3 year old bungalow offers you peaceful country living while being only 30 minutes from most amenities.

C$725000

Residential For Sale

249 Ridge Road, South Branch, NS B0N 2P0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$725000

Residential For Sale

23 Maple Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1A8

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

28Picture(s)

1,056Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

C$235000

Residential For Sale

23 Maple Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1A8

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,056Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

Welcome to 23 Maple Lane, a delightful and well-cared-for 3-bedroom mini home, tucked away in a quiet, affordable, and pet-friendly park in the beautiful seaside community of Eastern Passage. Step inside to find cathedral ceilings and a bright, open-concept layout that feels spacious and inviting.

C$235000

Residential For Sale

23 Maple Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1A8

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Ltd.

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$235000

Residential For Sale

181 Bay St Lawrence Road, Cape North, NS B0C 1G0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

19Picture(s)

2,951Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blueberry Commercial Real Estate Limited

C$374900

Residential For Sale

181 Bay St Lawrence Road, Cape North, NS B0C 1G0

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

2,951Sqft

Listing courtesy of Blueberry Commercial Real Estate Limited

Perched on a hillside in Cape North, this beautiful two-storey home radiates rustic charm and warmth. Exposed beam ceilings, wood floors throughout, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace create an inviting atmosphere. Large windows in the living room frame breathtaking views of the mountain range and North Harbour.

C$374900

Residential For Sale

181 Bay St Lawrence Road, Cape North, NS B0C 1G0

Listing courtesy of Blueberry Commercial Real Estate Limited

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$374900

Residential For Sale

19 Ottawa Avenue, Amherst, NS B4H 1L1

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

48Picture(s)

1,102Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$219900

Residential For Sale

19 Ottawa Avenue, Amherst, NS B4H 1L1

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,102Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

3 Bedroom home on a large lot close to all amenities, located on a quiet dead end street. This home recently had a ducted heat pump installed along with a 200amp service in 2024, also the exterior walls were recently insulated and a new hot water heater was installed in January 2025.

C$219900

Residential For Sale

19 Ottawa Avenue, Amherst, NS B4H 1L1

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$219900

Residential For Sale

15 Grand Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2Z7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

33Picture(s)

1,232Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Yarmouth)

C$359000

Residential For Sale

15 Grand Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2Z7

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,232Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Yarmouth)

Centrally located and full of character, this well-maintained home offers comfort and practicality. Inside, you’ll find hardwood floors throughout most of the home, and a spacious kitchen with plenty of cupboard space. The layout includes three bedrooms and a full bath upstairs, plus a convenient half bath on the main level.

C$359000

Residential For Sale

15 Grand Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2Z7

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Yarmouth)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$359000

Residential For Sale

3395 Highway 358, Arlington, NS B0P 1H0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

48Picture(s)

1,854Sqft

Listing courtesy of Homelife City & Valley

C$659000

Residential For Sale

3395 Highway 358, Arlington, NS B0P 1H0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,854Sqft

Listing courtesy of Homelife City & Valley

Breathtaking panorama of the Minas Basin, the Annapolis Valley and the South Mountain range await from this beautifully kept four bedroom two bath character home. The single-family residence features a country kitchen with a large window overlooking a private backyard and garden-patio doors leading to a spacious front deck where one can sit and enjoy the spectacular view.

C$659000

Residential For Sale

3395 Highway 358, Arlington, NS B0P 1H0

Listing courtesy of Homelife City & Valley

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$659000

Residential For Sale

777 Cobequid Road, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 4A2

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,186Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$799000

Residential For Sale

777 Cobequid Road, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 4A2

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,186Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Set back from the road on 4 acres of private, treed land, 777 Cobequid Road offers a well-maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home with over 3,000 square feet offinished space. Built in 1992, this property is ideal for those seeking privacy, space, and functional living, all within minutes of Lower Sackville’s amenities.

C$799000

Residential For Sale

777 Cobequid Road, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 4A2

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$799000

Residential For Sale

108 Church Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2E4

More Details

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

28Picture(s)

3,351Sqft

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

C$739900

Residential For Sale

108 Church Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2E4

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

3,351Sqft

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

Great location! Great Home! Well maintained 6 bedroom 2 bathroom century home with spacious lot within walking distance of shops, schools, and everything the town of Antigonish has to offer! Your timing couldn't be better to enjoy the heated inground swimming pool in a very private backyard with its own patio area surrounded by grapevines, a hot tub, lots of perennial gardening and space to gro

C$739900

Residential For Sale

108 Church Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2E4

Listing courtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE HIGHLAND PROPERTIES - D100

6Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$739900

Residential For Sale

1456 Prospect Road, Hatchet Lake, NS B2T 1P7

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

39Picture(s)

1,553Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$349900

Residential For Sale

1456 Prospect Road, Hatchet Lake, NS B2T 1P7

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,553Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

1456 Prospect road is now For sale, put your cosmetic touches on this large, solid Hatchet Lake neighbourhood home with SO much to offer at this price tag. RB-1 Zoning, Updated roof, 125 Amp electrical, large Primary bedroom, ductless heat pump system with 2 woodstoves available to use in the lower level. Large lot with circular driveway and nice curb appeal.

C$349900

Residential For Sale

1456 Prospect Road, Hatchet Lake, NS B2T 1P7

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$349900

4721 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

1335 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1B3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

717 High Road, Fall River, NS B2T 1E8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

4 Arthur Lismer Court, Bedford, NS B4A 4B4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

249 Ridge Road, South Branch, NS B0N 2P0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

23 Maple Lane, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1A8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

181 Bay St Lawrence Road, Cape North, NS B0C 1G0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

19 Ottawa Avenue, Amherst, NS B4H 1L1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

15 Grand Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2Z7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

3395 Highway 358, Arlington, NS B0P 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

777 Cobequid Road, Lower Sackville, NS B4C 4A2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

108 Church Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2E4

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.