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

65 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

17Picture(s)

1,950Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$770900

Residential For Sale

65 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

SingleParking(s)

1,950Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

This property is subject to a quick-closing incentive! Welcome to The Sullivan on Pearl Garden Close - a spacious detached home with a walkout, located in The Parks of Lake Charles. This newly constructed two-storey home offers 1950 sqft of finished living space, featuring three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

C$770900

Residential For Sale

65 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

3Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$770900

Residential For Sale

87 Lemarchant Drive, Canaan, NS B4N 4K1

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

47Picture(s)

2,305Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

C$629900

Residential For Sale

87 Lemarchant Drive, Canaan, NS B4N 4K1

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,305Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

What a beautiful place to live. This property has so many wonderful features, all tucked away on a private 3-acre lot just outside of New Minas. Let's start with the 3-bedroom home, so bright and spacious, gracious-sized rooms, new kitchen, everything is painted throughout, in-floor electric hot water heat.

C$629900

Residential For Sale

87 Lemarchant Drive, Canaan, NS B4N 4K1

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty (Kentville)

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$629900

Residential For Sale

202 Titanium Crescent, Halifax, NS B3P 0J2

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

PavedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,182Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

C$555000

Residential For Sale

202 Titanium Crescent, Halifax, NS B3P 0J2

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

PavedParking(s)

2,182Sqft

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

Welcome to 202 Titanium Crescent, a 2019 build tucked into the heart of Governor’s Brook — one of Spryfield’s most sought-after family communities. Known for its quiet streets, green surroundings, and strong sense of community, it’s the perfect place to raise your family while still being just 15 minutes from downtown Halifax.

C$555000

Residential For Sale

202 Titanium Crescent, Halifax, NS B3P 0J2

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Nova (Halifax)

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$555000

Residential For Sale

5315 Granville Road, Granville Ferry, NS B0S 1A0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

38Picture(s)

2,577Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

C$699000

Residential For Sale

5315 Granville Road, Granville Ferry, NS B0S 1A0

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

DetachedParking(s)

2,577Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

Pre-inspected and move-in ready! Set on 4 acres with water views, this well-built Georgian home offers space, privacy, and comfort for family living. The house has been extensively updated for everyday function while retaining its characteristic accents. Offering 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths, the layout is practical and welcoming.

C$699000

Residential For Sale

5315 Granville Road, Granville Ferry, NS B0S 1A0

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic - Valley(Windsor)

4Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$699000

Residential For Sale

2099 Comeaus Hill Road, Comeaus Hill, NS B0W 1B0

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

27Picture(s)

1,150Sqft

Listing courtesy of Modern Realty

C$249000

Residential For Sale

2099 Comeaus Hill Road, Comeaus Hill, NS B0W 1B0

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

1,150Sqft

Listing courtesy of Modern Realty

Nestled along the scenic shoreline of Yarmouth County, 2099 Comeaus Hill Road combines the comfort of a well-kept home with the charm of coastal living. Set on 4.44 acres of landscaped and treed property, this 1.5 storey home offers three bedrooms, including a main-floor primary, and one full bathroom.

C$249000

Residential For Sale

2099 Comeaus Hill Road, Comeaus Hill, NS B0W 1B0

Listing courtesy of Modern Realty

3Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$249000

Residential For Sale

607-31 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C1

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

50Picture(s)

1,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

C$584900

Residential For Sale

607-31 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C1

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

1,000Sqft

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

Wake up each day with the harbour in front of you and the city just behind, at King’s Wharf, you truly get the best of both worlds. This renovated two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo at The Keelson offers modern waterfront living with Dartmouth’s shops, dining, and marina only steps away.

C$584900

Residential For Sale

607-31 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C1

Listing courtesy of Royal LePage Atlantic

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$584900

Residential For Sale

5838 Highway 22 Catalone Highway, Catalone, NS B1S 1G3

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

15Picture(s)

600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

C$119500

Residential For Sale

5838 Highway 22 Catalone Highway, Catalone, NS B1S 1G3

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

600Sqft

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

2be3droom bungalow that is wheel chair accessible and has wheel chair available kitchen cupboards are lowered for person in wheelchair, over an acre of property goes with this home.

C$119500

Residential For Sale

5838 Highway 22 Catalone Highway, Catalone, NS B1S 1G3

Listing courtesy of Roger Burns Real Estate Ltd.

2Bedroom(s)

1Bathroom(s)

C$119500

Residential For Sale

64 Maple Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

More Details

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

50Picture(s)

2,450Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

C$749000

Residential For Sale

64 Maple Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

DoubleParking(s)

2,450Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

Mahone Bay beauty with an income suite!! Some homes quietly blend in, and then some homes stop you in your tracks. 64 Maple Street is a home that’s as full of personality as it is possibility. From the moment you step inside, you’ll feel the difference. This isn’t just a house, it’s a curated space where warmth, colour, and character come together in perfect harmony.

C$749000

Residential For Sale

64 Maple Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

Listing courtesy of EXIT Realty Inter Lake

4Bedroom(s)

3Bathroom(s)

C$749000

Residential For Sale

71 Dow Road, New Minas, NS B4N 3R4

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

27Picture(s)

1,416Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

C$374900

Residential For Sale

71 Dow Road, New Minas, NS B4N 3R4

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

GravelParking(s)

1,416Sqft

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

Welcome to 71 Dow Road in the community of New Minas. This property sits on an impressive 0.89 acres of land with both a fenced front and backyard perfect for pets, children, or simply enjoying the extra space. A well-kept barn adds convenient storage or hobby space, and the large front deck provides a great spot to relax or entertain.

C$374900

Residential For Sale

71 Dow Road, New Minas, NS B4N 3R4

Listing courtesy of Exit Realty Town & Country

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$374900

Residential For Sale

307-10 Regency Park Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 1P2

More Details

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

31Picture(s)

1,296Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

C$450000

Residential For Sale

307-10 Regency Park Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 1P2

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

1,296Sqft

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

Welcome to 10 Regency Park, Unit 307 — a beautifully maintained, move-in-ready condo in one of Clayton Park’s most desirable buildings. This spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suite offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, featuring newer flooring and fresh paint throughout.

C$450000

Residential For Sale

307-10 Regency Park Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 1P2

Listing courtesy of EXP Realty of Canada Inc.

2Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$450000

Residential For Sale

5899 Gainsborough Place, Halifax, NS B3K 5R7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

43Picture(s)

1,504Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

C$424900

Residential For Sale

5899 Gainsborough Place, Halifax, NS B3K 5R7

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

UndergroundParking(s)

1,504Sqft

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

Welcome to 5899 Gainsborough Place, a spacious and stylish 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium townhouse located in Halifax’s vibrant North End, offering breathtaking views of the Halifax Harbour.

C$424900

Residential For Sale

5899 Gainsborough Place, Halifax, NS B3K 5R7

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Select Realty

3Bedroom(s)

2Bathroom(s)

C$424900

Residential For Sale

19 Foxberry Hill, Glen Haven, NS B3Z 2V7

More Details

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

50Picture(s)

3,573Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

C$949900

Residential For Sale

19 Foxberry Hill, Glen Haven, NS B3Z 2V7

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

AttachedParking(s)

3,573Sqft

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

Tucked away on over 35,000 square feet of land in the heart of Mariners Anchorage, this warm and welcoming two-level home offers a rare blend of rustic elegance, expansive space, and everyday comfort — all just minutes from the water’s edge in St. Margaret’s Bay.

C$949900

Residential For Sale

19 Foxberry Hill, Glen Haven, NS B3Z 2V7

Listing courtesy of Red Door Realty

3Bedroom(s)

4Bathroom(s)

C$949900

4280 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

65 Pearlgarden Close, Dartmouth, NS B2X 0C2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

87 Lemarchant Drive, Canaan, NS B4N 4K1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

202 Titanium Crescent, Halifax, NS B3P 0J2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

5315 Granville Road, Granville Ferry, NS B0S 1A0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

2099 Comeaus Hill Road, Comeaus Hill, NS B0W 1B0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

607-31 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0C1

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

5838 Highway 22 Catalone Highway, Catalone, NS B1S 1G3

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

64 Maple Street, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

71 Dow Road, New Minas, NS B4N 3R4

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

307-10 Regency Park Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 1P2

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

Residential For Sale

5899 Gainsborough Place, Halifax, NS B3K 5R7

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.