A frequently ask question I get all the time is- how do you get paid as a real estate agent? My answer is simple! First, understand how it works. Typically, if you are purchasing a home, you do not have to pay the real estate agent! A buyer's agent gets paid by the seller! So using a real estate agent to purchase a home is FREE for you! Use the resources and time of a real estate agent to help you narrow down the properties your interested to see! There are many advantages of using a real estate agent to purchase a home. Here are just a few that pop out the most. 1. Help you find a property you love! 2. Help negotiate and determine the value of the home. 3. Help book inspections and meet closing requirements. 4. Help make the buying process as simple and as hassle free! 5. Keep files and documentation organized. Secondly, if you want to sell your home - you will pay commission to the listing agent (seller's agent) and also the real estate agent that brings the buyer.(under normal circumstances). Using a real estate agent to sell your home is the best way to get the most VALUE and to sell within the LEAST amount of time! Some markets can be tough, which can make selling your home more difficult due to all homes on the market. It is best to consult with a real estate agent and see how your property will be marketed, priced, and managed for best results! Christian Bailey Licensed Real Estate Professional 902-579-3231 Lone Parent Student Affordable Rental Housing This program aims to provide affordable rental properties to lone parents who are attending university. The properties vary between private units and cooperative housing projects. To be eligible for this rental grant, you have to be attending university and working towards an undergraduate degree in an official university based in Nova Scotia. To apply for this program, get in contact with your local housing authority. Cooperative and Non-profit Housing These projects are in place to assist Nova Scotia residents in finding affordable housing for individuals, seniors, and both low & moderate income families. Non-profit housing projects are owned by a sponsored non-profit or group whereas cooperative housing is owned by the actual residents. If you receive a low salary, you can be eligible to receive a rent supplement by housing Nova Scotia Housing. More info on this matter can be located at the Nova Scotia office of the Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada. Rent Supplement Program The rent supplement program assists individuals, seniors and low incoming families in paying rental fees in both cooperative and privately owned homes within Nova Scotia. This supplement is based on your monthly income and how much you can afford, and is paid to the landlords each month. To apply for this program you must meet the guidelines for residency, income, and core need. Candidates are picked from the public housing waiting lists, so an application must be completed to apply. Get in touch with your local housing authority for more info. Public Housing for Seniors The public housing for seniors program provides affordable, suitable, rental properties to people 58 years or older who also have low incomes. Each property contains the essential appliances and amenities such as a stove, refrigerator and hot water. Speak with your nearest housing authority office for more info. Public Housing for Families For eligible families, this program provides rental properties at affordable prices. The rental rates are based from the monthly income of the family. Some units are accessible to disabled people, and all of them contain all the necessary amenities. Priority is given to those who have suffered from family and domestic violence, as well as those who need to live near a hospital. Contact the local housing authority in your area to get more info, and apply. To get more information on the programs available visit: http://housing.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services Christian Bailey Licensed Real Estate Professional 902-579-3231 Halifax Central Library Halifax Central Library recently opened its gates to the public on the 13th of December, 2014. It is an upgrade from Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library. The new Halifax Central Library is based in Spring Garden Road in the center of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Going from green priorities and goals when constructing the new Halifax Library, and this has certainly been shown with the “green design” that it was built on. The library is hoping to achieve leadership in energy and environmental design certification (LEED) which will be awarded by the CaGBC, or Canada Green Building Council. Such environmental and green features include: • A green roof which is covered in grass and different plants, a system that feeds rain water to the green roof which makes it a self-sufficient garden and will, in turn create solar energy that reduces the heat island effect at the same time as providing an aesthetic experience for library-goers. • The library encourages alternative forms of transport; it provides secure bike storage and has bus routes passing through the buildings proximity. • Excess rain water will also get used for flushing within the library. • The building was constructed using as much recycled materials as was possible. There are many more green features, too many to list here, more info can be found on their official website… Modern architecture has been used throughout the construction of this library. The libraries unique shape, a cuboid on top of a wider cuboid, with most of the exterior being transparent it is a vibrant and exciting building to see, and be inside. Halifax central Library is fundraising to revamp and fill their collection of books, DVD’s, EBooks, magazines and more. They are doing so through their “Share the Wow campaign" that asks Halifax and Nova Scotia Residents to contribute to the library that will have a positive effect on all of society. People who donate $25 or more can choose a book off the shelf in the library, and get a customized template printed onto the first page, which states that this book was donated by “donator’s name”. This is a great way for citizens to really feel like they are getting involved, and if it wasn't for them, this amazing library wouldn't have been possible. Source: http://www.halifaxcentrallibrary.ca/ Christian Bailey Licensed Real Estate Professional 902-579-3231 Home Buyers Program This program offers down payment programs via an RRSP where you can withdraw up to $25,000, completely tax free, towards the down payment of your new home. The full amount will be paid back by you, into your RRSP within 15 years of the withdrawal. If you have a spouse, they can also withdraw up to $25,000 as well to go towards a mutual home down payment, so a couple can withdraw a total of $50,000 from their RRSP. You need to have good credit score, you have to qualify through your bank or mortgage broker but it’s an excellent way to get into your new home if you do have good credit. Your RRSP also has to be opened for at least 90 days prior to withdrawing with the home buyers program. Contact me today for a FREE consultation with one of my Mortgage Specialists! qualified today by speaking with a mortgage specialist!: http://www.soldbyrealtor.com/about.html This is a great option if you want to quickly move into a new home, if you want to stop having to pay rent, for starting a family with your spouse, or even on your own. Re-payments are made over a time of 15 years. 1/15 of the withdrawal amount must be paid back annually until it has been paid back. Payments are paid back by making contributions to your RRSP’s account during the year that payment is due, or up to 60 days until the following year. The conditions and requirements for participating in the Home Buyers Program include: A written agreement must be made, you must use the new home as your primary place of residence, you must be seen as a first time house buyer, neither you nor your spouse may own the property can own the home for more than 30 days before the withdrawal occurs, you must be a Canadian resident, you must complete the T1036 form for each withdrawal you apply for, you cannot receive all withdrawals in the same year, $25,000 is the maximum that can be withdrawn, you have until October 1st of the following year after the withdrawal to buy or build the new home, and you must file an income tax & benefit return form. Source: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hbp/ Christian Bailey Licensed Real Estate Professional 902-579-3231 |
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