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

180 Birchview Crescent, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5T5

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

20Picture(s)

2,399Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$469500

Residential For Sale

180 Birchview Crescent, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5T5

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,399Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. This inviting North End home offers generous living space, thoughtful design, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Step inside to a striking oak staircase that sets the tone for the home’s character.

C$469500

Residential For Sale

180 Birchview Crescent, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5T5

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$469500

Residential For Sale

1749 Mcleans Lake Road, Port Lhebert, NS B0T 1V0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

20Picture(s)

864Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

C$799000

Residential For Sale

1749 Mcleans Lake Road, Port Lhebert, NS B0T 1V0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

864Sqft

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

Visit REALTOR® website for additional information. Turn-key 2.33-acre lakeside retreat on McLeans Lake with 190’ of frontage. 2-bed cottage w/ vaulted ceilings, wood stove & new screened sunroom. Heated pool, floating dock, swim deck & boat launch. 16’x28’ insulated/heated garage, 12’x20’ boathouse & 10’x12’ shed. RV plug & generator connection for hosting.

C$799000

Residential For Sale

1749 Mcleans Lake Road, Port Lhebert, NS B0T 1V0

Listing courtesy of PG Direct Realty Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$799000

Residential For Sale

63 Junction Road, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

3Picture(s)

1,231Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$125900

Residential For Sale

63 Junction Road, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,231Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

Centrally located 4 bedroom home. The main floor features large kitchen, dining and living room with the back of the home has a sunroom. The second floor offers 4 good size bedrooms and full bath.

C$125900

Residential For Sale

63 Junction Road, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

4Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$125900

Residential For Sale

366 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 5A7

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

47Picture(s)

1,006Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Limited (Sydney)

C$275000

Residential For Sale

366 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 5A7

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,006Sqft

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Limited (Sydney)

Are you looking for a property that is affordable, well maintained with efficient heating costs..this could be the one for you. One level living in a good neighborhood, great curb appeal, established flower beds and large level back yard. The home offers a 18’ deck leading to the front entrance which in turn leads to open concept living room, dining area & kitchen.

C$275000

Residential For Sale

366 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 5A7

Listing courtesy of Century 21 Trident Realty Limited (Sydney)

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$275000

Residential For Sale

217 Borgalds Drive, Chester Basin, NS B0J 1K0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,952Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

C$1750000

Residential For Sale

217 Borgalds Drive, Chester Basin, NS B0J 1K0

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,952Sqft

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

TIMELESS SEASIDE ESTATE,CHESTER BASIN. Enjoy the best of seaside living close to amenities. A serene country lane takes one to the plethora of coloured mature rhododendrons that line the entrance to this extremely well built, spacious classic 4000 sq. ft home plus double attached garage, on 1+ acres with mature landscaping.

C$1750000

Residential For Sale

217 Borgalds Drive, Chester Basin, NS B0J 1K0

Listing courtesy of Engel & Volkers (Chester)

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$1750000

Residential For Sale

238 Jones Harbour Road, East Sable River, NS B0T 1V0

More Details

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

32Picture(s)

706Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Canada

C$429900

Residential For Sale

238 Jones Harbour Road, East Sable River, NS B0T 1V0

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

706Sqft

Listing courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Canada

Perched at the end of a quiet road in picturesque East Sable River, this remarkable property presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Nova Scotia’s stunning coastline. 238 Jones Harbour Road is a captivating coastal retreat that redefines relaxed seaside living.

C$429900

Residential For Sale

238 Jones Harbour Road, East Sable River, NS B0T 1V0

Listing courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Canada

1Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$429900

Residential For Sale

10 Starr Street, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

1Picture(s)

1,230Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$134900

Residential For Sale

10 Starr Street, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

NoneParking(s)

1,230Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

Great family home in quiet neighborhood, the main floor of this home offers living room, kitchen laundry room and bath also back porch. The second floor offers 3 bedrooms and full bath there are 2 sheds.

C$134900

Residential For Sale

10 Starr Street, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$134900

Residential For Sale

4303 3 Highway, Chester, NS B0J 1J0

More Details

6Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

46Picture(s)

2,332Sqft

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

C$949000

Residential For Sale

4303 3 Highway, Chester, NS B0J 1J0

6Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

Circular DrivewayParking(s)

2,332Sqft

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

Presenting two homes in pristine condition, built with high end materials and thoughtful architectural design, on a gorgeous 1.7-acre pastoral setting. Upon entering the main house, the living room has a bright ambiance with large windows throughout. Design features abound; a stately fireplace mantle, polished concrete flooring, shiplap walls, inset ceiling lighting and high ceilings.

C$949000

Residential For Sale

4303 3 Highway, Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Listing courtesy of Duckworth Real Estate(Chester)

6Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$949000

Residential For Sale

48 Pentz Road, Lunenburg, NS B0R 1G0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

40Picture(s)

1,536Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$895000

Residential For Sale

48 Pentz Road, Lunenburg, NS B0R 1G0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,536Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Experience unparalleled coastal living in this stunning Lunenburg architectural heritage home. Built in 1839, this character-filled residence has been meticulously updated (2023-2025) to offer all the modern luxury comforts while preserving its historic charm & story telling including its 2 century old General Store structure.

C$895000

Residential For Sale

48 Pentz Road, Lunenburg, NS B0R 1G0

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$895000

Residential For Sale

158 Silistria Drive, Cole Harbour, NS B2W 6A9

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,856Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$479900

Residential For Sale

158 Silistria Drive, Cole Harbour, NS B2W 6A9

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,856Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Welcome to 158 Silistria Drive in Forest Hills, a well-maintained, carpet-free semi-detached home offering a bright and spacious living room with ductless heat pump and built-in electric fireplace with a 50" TV above, a functional kitchen with pantry, dining area with walkout to the deck, and aconvenient powder room on the main level.

C$479900

Residential For Sale

158 Silistria Drive, Cole Harbour, NS B2W 6A9

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$479900

Residential For Sale

23 Molly Lane, Brookdale, NS B4H 3Y1

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,827Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

C$654900

Residential For Sale

23 Molly Lane, Brookdale, NS B4H 3Y1

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,827Sqft

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

Quality construction and just 11 years old! This rural home is situated in a sought-after county subdivision with town water and only 5 minutes from Amherst's amenities. It's a large 2.4 acre lot located just off of Riverbend Drive on a quiet, very private cul de sac. Designed on a slab, it offers one level living with the bonus of a spacious loft that can serve as a bedroom or office.

C$654900

Residential For Sale

23 Molly Lane, Brookdale, NS B4H 3Y1

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Performance Realty

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$654900

Residential For Sale

37 Chater Street, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1N7

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

47Picture(s)

1,463Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

C$419900

Residential For Sale

37 Chater Street, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1N7

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

1,463Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

37 Chater is a well-kept 4 bed, 1.5 bath home in the seaside community of Eastern Passage. The bright, open-concept main level flows seamlessly between the kitchen, dining, and living areas, with a bedroom and powder room also on this floor. Downstairs offers a convenient laundry nook, a spacious primary, two additional bedrooms, and a tastefully updated main bath.

C$419900

Residential For Sale

37 Chater Street, Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1N7

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$419900

4779 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

180 Birchview Crescent, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5T5

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

1749 Mcleans Lake Road, Port Lhebert, NS B0T 1V0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

63 Junction Road, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

366 Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 5A7

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

217 Borgalds Drive, Chester Basin, NS B0J 1K0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

238 Jones Harbour Road, East Sable River, NS B0T 1V0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

10 Starr Street, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

4303 3 Highway, Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

48 Pentz Road, Lunenburg, NS B0R 1G0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

158 Silistria Drive, Cole Harbour, NS B2W 6A9

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

23 Molly Lane, Brookdale, NS B4H 3Y1

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.