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

110 Oakridge Road, Mill Road, NS B0J 2M0

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
40Picture(s)
1,907Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
C$797000

Residential For Sale

110 Oakridge Road, Mill Road, NS B0J 2M0
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,907Sqft
Sutton Group Professional Realty
Your Dream Lakeside Escape on Wallaback Lake Awaits! Welcome to your very own slice of paradise, where every day feels like a vacation! This incredible year-round home offers 170 feet of private frontage on the stunning Wallaback Lake.
C$797000

Residential For Sale

110 Oakridge Road, Mill Road, NS B0J 2M0
Sutton Group Professional Realty
2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$797000

Residential For Sale

3 Yolanda Drive, Sydney, NS B1M 1A7

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
PavedParking(s)
50Picture(s)
1,540Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
C$399900

Residential For Sale

3 Yolanda Drive, Sydney, NS B1M 1A7
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
PavedParking(s)
1,540Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
Located in the sought-after Kytes Hill subdivision, 3 Yolanda Drive is a solid and well-cared-for side split family home set on a nearly one-acre lot. Surrounded by mature trees, flowering shrubs, and a lush green lawn, the property offers space, privacy, and curb appeal. A paved driveway and front walkway lead to the welcoming main entrance.
C$399900

Residential For Sale

3 Yolanda Drive, Sydney, NS B1M 1A7
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc. (Sydney)
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$399900

Residential For Sale

417 Main Street, Florence, NS B1Y 1K8

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
23Picture(s)
714Sqft
VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139
C$129000

Residential For Sale

417 Main Street, Florence, NS B1Y 1K8
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
714Sqft
VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139
Very well kept 2 bedroom mobile home Main Street Florence. The mobile has had the hitch and wheeled removed, is attached to an addition and is adhered to wooden and concrete blocking. This home has an open concept kitchen/living room with added on porch and is heated by a heat pump and electric baseboard heaters.
C$129000

Residential For Sale

417 Main Street, Florence, NS B1Y 1K8
VALMAC REALTY LTD. - 16139
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$129000

Residential For Sale

292 East Pennant Road, East Pennant, NS B3V 1L9

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
OtherParking(s)
21Picture(s)
941Sqft
Red Door Realty
C$419000

Residential For Sale

292 East Pennant Road, East Pennant, NS B3V 1L9
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
OtherParking(s)
941Sqft
Red Door Realty
Just 5 minutes from Crystal Crescent Beach and only 25 minutes to downtown Halifax, 292 East Pennant Road is a fully renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom bungalow that's move-in ready.
C$419000

Residential For Sale

292 East Pennant Road, East Pennant, NS B3V 1L9
Red Door Realty
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$419000

Residential For Sale

56 Woodland Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3A 3K1

4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
48Picture(s)
2,026Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
C$539900

Residential For Sale

56 Woodland Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3A 3K1
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
DetachedParking(s)
2,026Sqft
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
Discover the exceptional potential of 56 Woodland Avenue, a property that truly has it all. This unique home combines charm and modern convenience, offering something for everyone. A brand-new, legal one-bedroom apartment on the lower level provides an excellent opportunity to offset your mortgage.
C$539900

Residential For Sale

56 Woodland Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3A 3K1
The Agency Real Estate Brokerage
4Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$539900

Residential For Sale

510 Tom Wallace Road, Morganville, NS B0S 1B0

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
Circular DrivewayParking(s)
45Picture(s)
1,170Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
C$175000

Residential For Sale

510 Tom Wallace Road, Morganville, NS B0S 1B0
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
Circular DrivewayParking(s)
1,170Sqft
Exit Realty Town & Country
Tucked away in serene surroundings, this is the getaway that truly lets you get away. Perfectly perched on an elevated lot with views of the West Branch Bear River, this peaceful off-grid retreat offers privacy, serenity and a deep connection to nature.
C$175000

Residential For Sale

510 Tom Wallace Road, Morganville, NS B0S 1B0
Exit Realty Town & Country
2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$175000

Residential For Sale

272 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
18Picture(s)
1,925Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
C$725000

Residential For Sale

272 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
1,925Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
TBA
C$725000

Residential For Sale

272 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
RE/MAX Nova
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$725000

Residential For Sale

122 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

2Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
32Picture(s)
4,144Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
C$994900

Residential For Sale

122 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
2Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
4,144Sqft
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
Modern elegance meets comfort on sought-after Hawthorn Road in Mahone Bay. This 1.5-storey home offers exceptional space with a warm, welcoming feel—ideal for both entertaining and quiet retreats. Featuring 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, including a spacious primary suite with ensuite and walk-in closet, plus a private upstairs guest suite complete with its own balcony and full bath.
C$994900

Residential For Sale

122 Hawthorn Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
Royal Lepage Atlantic (Mahone Bay)
2Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$994900

Residential For Sale

78 Riverview Drive, Bridgetown, NS B0S 1C0

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
46Picture(s)
2,080Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
C$374900

Residential For Sale

78 Riverview Drive, Bridgetown, NS B0S 1C0
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
2,080Sqft
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
Set on a beautifully landscaped corner lot on a quiet street, this well-maintained bungalow offers exceptional versatility, charm, and comfort. Surrounded by lush perennials, flowering shrubs, and sweeping views of fields and the South Mountain, it’s a true gardener’s paradise and a peaceful place to call home.
C$374900

Residential For Sale

78 Riverview Drive, Bridgetown, NS B0S 1C0
RE/MAX Banner Real Estate
3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
C$374900

Residential For Sale

102 Maple Boulevard, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4N3

5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
25Picture(s)
3,012Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
C$699500

Residential For Sale

102 Maple Boulevard, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4N3
5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
DoubleParking(s)
3,012Sqft
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
This just might be one of the nicest homes available in Bible Hill today. Offering a total of 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, this property features a fully-furnished lower level with 3 bedrooms, large rec. room, a full bathroom, kitchenette, and a separate entrance – perfect for guests, extended family or rental opportunities.
C$699500

Residential For Sale

102 Maple Boulevard, Bible Hill, NS B2N 4N3
Viewpoint Realty Services Inc.
5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
C$699500

Residential For Sale

192 Amesbury Gate, Bedford, NS B4B 1H6

5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
45Picture(s)
3,329Sqft
Parachute Realty
C$1139000

Residential For Sale

192 Amesbury Gate, Bedford, NS B4B 1H6
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
AttachedParking(s)
3,329Sqft
Parachute Realty
There's a certain kind of home that instantly puts you at ease. The kind where light pours in, the energy feels right, and everything just flows. In a world that moves fast, coming home should feel like a reset. 192 Amesbury Gate does just that. From the moment you step through the front door, this meticulously maintained home invites you to relax.
C$1139000

Residential For Sale

192 Amesbury Gate, Bedford, NS B4B 1H6
Parachute Realty
5Bedroom(s)
4Bathroom(s)
C$1139000

Residential For Sale

134 Malagawatch Cemetery Road, River Denys, NS B0E 2Y0

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
33Picture(s)
936Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
C$519900

Residential For Sale

134 Malagawatch Cemetery Road, River Denys, NS B0E 2Y0
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
No GarageParking(s)
936Sqft
RE/MAX Nova
Tucked away on a breathtaking 3.58 acre lot with 485 feet of panoramic frontage on the Bras D'Or Lake, this brand new custom home is a beautiful blend of modern comfort and quality, timeless craftsmanship.
C$519900

Residential For Sale

134 Malagawatch Cemetery Road, River Denys, NS B0E 2Y0
RE/MAX Nova
3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
C$519900
4663 Results returned.Per Page
Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern