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

7-36 Fauxburg Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DrivewayParking(s)

47Picture(s)

1,156Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$498900

Residential For Sale

7-36 Fauxburg Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DrivewayParking(s)

1,156Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

NEW PRICE! Modern Living Meets Coastal Charm. Discover the perfect blend of style, comfort, and convenience in this beautifully renovated (2018) 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo just moments from picturesque downtown Mahone Bay. Thoughtfully updated throughout, this home features porcelain tile, engineered hardwood floors, and tasteful, modern finishes that create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

C$498900

Residential For Sale

7-36 Fauxburg Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$498900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1Picture(s)

737Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$289900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

737Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

Inviting, well-maintained home just steps from the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait. Built in 2015, this bright coastal property offers an open layout with a spacious great room for cooking, and entertaining, plus two bedrooms, a 3-piece bath, and in-home laundry with storage. Enjoy the outdoors from the balcony or 16' x 16' ground-level deck.

C$289900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$289900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1Picture(s)

737Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$289900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

737Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$289900

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$289900

Residential For Sale

26 Delaney Drive, Beaver Bank, NS B4G 1E4

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

46Picture(s)

2,157Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

C$579900

Residential For Sale

26 Delaney Drive, Beaver Bank, NS B4G 1E4

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

2,157Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

Welcome to 26 Delaney Drive in Beaver Bank! This beautiful three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with a double attached garage is the one you’ve been waiting for. Step inside to a bright and inviting layout, featuring three ductless heat pumps, ceramic flooring in the kitchen, and hardwood throughout the main living areas.

C$579900

Residential For Sale

26 Delaney Drive, Beaver Bank, NS B4G 1E4

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$579900

Residential For Sale

196 Confederation Avenue, Fall River, NS B2T 0P8

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

42Picture(s)

3,180Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

C$1050000

Residential For Sale

196 Confederation Avenue, Fall River, NS B2T 0P8

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,180Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

Welcome to 196 Confederation Drive in Fall River, NS. This executive two-story home is truly impressive and offers numerous custom features. With almost 3200 sq ft of living space, this home is fully finished on all three levels and includes four oversized bedrooms and four well appointed bathrooms. Designed and built by Gerald Mitchell Contracting, it's sure to impress.

C$1050000

Residential For Sale

196 Confederation Avenue, Fall River, NS B2T 0P8

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Metro

4Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$1050000

Residential For Sale

45 Salter Avenue, Truro, NS B2N 1A6

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,639Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)

C$348500

Residential For Sale

45 Salter Avenue, Truro, NS B2N 1A6

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

1,639Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)

*Spacious Three-Bedroom Home with a 2 bedroom In-Law Suite** Looking for the perfect home that accommodates the entire family? This inviting three-bedroom residence with an attached in-law suite may be just what you need! - **In-Law Suite:** Two additional bedrooms with its own entrance, driveway, and power meter for privacy and convenience.

C$348500

Residential For Sale

45 Salter Avenue, Truro, NS B2N 1A6

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Truro)

5Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$348500

Residential For Sale

59 Transvaal Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

28Picture(s)

760Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)

C$175000

Residential For Sale

59 Transvaal Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

760Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)

Affordable Three-Bedroom Home on an Oversized Lot in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. This charming one-and-a-half-storey home is located on an oversized lot in the town of Shelburne, just minutes from schools, shopping, and local amenities. The home offers three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a convenient ensuite off the primary bedroom.

C$175000

Residential For Sale

59 Transvaal Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake (Liverpool)

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$175000

Residential For Sale

275 Dufferin Street, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

28Picture(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$234900

Residential For Sale

275 Dufferin Street, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,200Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

Perched on an elevated setting that captures beautiful sunsets, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath home stands proudly in the heart of the Town of Lunenburg. Originally built in the 1800s, this character-filled property has already seen several key upgrades and is ready for its next chapter.

C$234900

Residential For Sale

275 Dufferin Street, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$234900

Residential For Sale

14 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1S 1G3

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

45Picture(s)

1,682Sqft

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

C$599000

Residential For Sale

14 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1S 1G3

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,682Sqft

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

Welcome to 14 EMERSON DRIVE --a stunning brand new modern home located in HOWIE CENTERS newest desirable sub divisions Featuring 9 foot ceilings throughout. This three bedroom 2.5 bath offers exceptional design and comnfort. The bright open concept main living area features custom kitchen cabinetry and a walk in pantry.

C$599000

Residential For Sale

14 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1S 1G3

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$599000

Residential For Sale

20 Bremner Drive, Hacketts Cove, NS B3Z 3L3

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,236Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

C$664900

Residential For Sale

20 Bremner Drive, Hacketts Cove, NS B3Z 3L3

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

3,236Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

20 Bremner Drive is truly one of a kind. This remarkable home in picturesque Hackett's Cove defies the ordinary, blending artistry, space, and natural beauty in equal measure. Just 35 minutes from Halifax, it sits between the beauty of the Atlantic and the serenity of the forest.

C$664900

Residential For Sale

20 Bremner Drive, Hacketts Cove, NS B3Z 3L3

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$664900

Residential For Sale

82 Sunnyvale Crescent, Lower Sackville, NS B4E 2G9

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

42Picture(s)

1,849Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

C$569900

Residential For Sale

82 Sunnyvale Crescent, Lower Sackville, NS B4E 2G9

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

No GarageParking(s)

1,849Sqft

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

Have you been looking for a home in an excellent location, beautifully landscaped along with being impeccably cared for and well maintained? Then 82 Sunnyvale Crescent should be at the top of your viewing list! This 3/4* bedroom, 2 bath home sits on a 6000 sq ft landscaped and fenced in lot. Perennial plants make upkeep a breeze each year while keeping the yard lush and park-like.

C$569900

Residential For Sale

82 Sunnyvale Crescent, Lower Sackville, NS B4E 2G9

Listing courtesy of Hants Realty Ltd.

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$569900

Residential For Sale

481 Chute Road, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

More Details

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

C$899000

Residential For Sale

481 Chute Road, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

Secluded Waterfront Estate. This Enchanting Contemporary Homestead on 21 Private Acres. For the first time in 25 years, this exceptional property is available! Nestled on 21 private acres, it offers 900± feet of frontage on the stunning Bear River, plus 1,100± feet along a charming creek with a seasonal waterfall.

C$899000

Residential For Sale

481 Chute Road, Bear River, NS B0S 1B0

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

5Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$899000

4283 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

7-36 Fauxburg Road, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

39 Heron Drive, Caribou River, NS B0K 1H0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

26 Delaney Drive, Beaver Bank, NS B4G 1E4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

196 Confederation Avenue, Fall River, NS B2T 0P8

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

45 Salter Avenue, Truro, NS B2N 1A6

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

59 Transvaal Street, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

275 Dufferin Street, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

14 Emerson Drive, Howie Centre, NS B1S 1G3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

20 Bremner Drive, Hacketts Cove, NS B3Z 3L3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

82 Sunnyvale Crescent, Lower Sackville, NS B4E 2G9

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.