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Home Buying

Welcome to the ActiveRain Home Buying section. This is the place where you'll find comprehensive information on everything connected to purchasing a home – and we mean everything.


What exactly goes on in a home inspection and how is it different from a home appraisal? Curious about what it takes to purchase that foreclosure you've had your eye on? You'll find out how to do it right here. Look around: the professionals at ActiveRain have the information you need.


ActiveRain is the top real estate social network in the world. So, while you may find articles about purchasing a home on other websites, only at ActiveRain do you have the opportunity to read the words of wisdom from over 300,000 real estate industry professionals. From real estate agents to lenders to home inspectors and stagers -- that's a lot of brain power and we've harnessed it, right here at AR.


What are you waiting for? Everything you need to know about home buying awaits you on the following pages!

Recent blogs on Home Buying
By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Culver City Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Adobe Grande RECENTLY SOLD Buckingham | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 1269 sq. ft. | $795,000 Beverlywood West RECENTLY SOLD Overland Avenue | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1612 sq. ft. | $995,000 Raintree Condominiums RECENTLY SOLD Raintree Circle | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1116 sq. ft. | $790,000 Sumner House BACK ON THE MARKET Sumner Way | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1038 sq. ft. | $630,000
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
New Rules for Home Buying in 2024? Struggling to Afford a Home? Here’s What You Need to Know! In today’s market, the classic “30% rule” for housing costs just doesn’t cut it anymore. Home prices are soaring, making it nearly impossible for many first-time buyers to stay within that guideline. With the average home price at $439,000, potential monthly costs can easily eat up nearly half of your income! Why Are Homes So Expensive? It’s not just about high interest rates; the real issue is a severe shortage of available homes. This supply crunch, which started before the pandemic, keeps pushing prices up. Even if rates drop, inventory is unlikely to surge, so affordability challenges will remain. New Rules for Buying in 2024? For some, spending 50% of their income on housing is becoming th...
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Wilshire Corridor Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Beverly West RECENTLY SOLD Club View Drive | 2 bedrooms | 3 baths | 3605 sq. ft. | $4,950,000 Park Wilshire RECENTLY SOLD Wilshire Boulevard | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 2345 sq. ft. | $1,975,000 Wilshire Boulevard | 3 bedrooms | 3.5 baths | 2826 sq. ft. | $2,499,999 The Westholme BACK ON THE MARKET Wilshire Boulevard | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 2038 sq. ft. | $1,495,000 The Wilshire Regent RECENTLY SOLD Wilshire Boulevard | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 646 sq. ft. | $599,000 Wilshire Selby West BACK ON THE MARKET Wilshire Boulevard | 1 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 738 sq. ft. | $700,000 RECENTLY SOLD Wilshire Boulevard | 1 bedrooms | 2 baths | 948 sq. ft. | $675,000 Wilshire Boulevard | 1 bedrooms | 2 baths | 853 sq. ft. | $658,800
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Playa Vista Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Bridgeway Mills RECENTLY SOLD Playa Vista Drive | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 2101 sq. ft. | $1,550,000 Carabela RECENTLY SOLD Agustin Place | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1270 sq. ft. | $1,150,000 Agustin Place | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1420 sq. ft. | $1,175,000
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Sylmar Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Olive Mountain View RECENTLY SOLD Hubbard Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1195 sq. ft. | $455,000 Shadow Mountain Trail BACK ON THE MARKET Foothill Boulevard | 2 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1090 sq. ft. | $650,000
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Downtown Los Angeles Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 1100 Wilshire NEWLY LISTED Wilshire Boulevard | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 710 sq. ft. | $519,000 Barker Block Lofts RECENTLY SOLD S Hewitt Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 950 sq. ft. | $735,000
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By Millie Gil, Florida Broker Owner, Port St Lucie Florida
(Bold Real Estate Group, Inc.)
SUNDAY OPEN HOUSEVITALIA PORT ST LUCIE FLORIDA12:00PM-3:00PMCALL FOR GATE ACCESS 772-224-1634
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Glendale Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Casa De Valley View RECENTLY SOLD Valley View Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1232 sq. ft. | $679,000 Monterey Island NEWLY LISTED Monterey Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1640 sq. ft. | $1,099,000 Sinclair Gardens NEWLY LISTED Sinclair Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 929 sq. ft. | $595,000
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By Joan Cox, Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
(House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373)
My website attracts many visitors each month, and some potential buyers and sellers sign up to receive information.   In today's times, where everyone wants to remain anonymous, I am excited when someone wants more information!The CRS designation gave me many tools to assist those coming from out of state, or even out of the country!    Not two states do the same thing, and sometimes can be difficult to explain to clients!    Contracts, processes, zoning, inspections, construction, and even who you close with can differ.     This all needs to be relayed to clients.I have buyers coming in later this week for 4 days to look for horse property and live in Michigan.    Our Colorado Association of REALTORS has a few documents that are so helpful to upload into CTM (our digital contracts) and...
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Ready to live on a golf course lot in sunny Scottsdale Arizona? Sure you are! (Photo Golf Scottsdale: Heidi B, Pixabay)Here is your list UPDATED DAILY for Scottsdale golf course homes for sale on the MLS listed by all brokers. Check here for pictures, prices and details of single family detached homes, condos, townhomes and patio homes on golf course lots.   Golf, sunsets, cacti, patio looking on the fairway now we are talking. Like golf course water views? Also, for a variation, check out Scottsdale waterfront homes for sale. Call/Text me Jeff Masich 480-242-6500 as your Buyer's REALTOR® for any homes listed on the MLS. Scottsdale golf course homes with great views are very nice!Scottsdale Arizona Golf Course Homes UPDATED DAILY on MLSScottsdale Golf Course Homes for Sale (all types) f...
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Westwood Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Malcolm Westwood NEWLY LISTED Malcolm Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 825 sq. ft. | $649,000 The Malcolm Westwood NEWLY LISTED Malcolm Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 825 sq. ft. | $649,000 Kelton De Ville NEWLY LISTED Kelton Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1841 sq. ft. | $1,149,000
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Canoga Park Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Country Walk Topanga NEWLY LISTED Gault Street | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1106 sq. ft. | $375,000 Warner Gardens BACK ON THE MARKET Alabama | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 868 sq. ft. | $440,000
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Van Nuys Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Galaxy Victory Townhomes RECENTLY SOLD Victory Boulevard | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1120 sq. ft. | $529,000 Grace Green BACK ON THE MARKET Erwin Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1052 sq. ft. | $430,000 Montecito Gardens BACK ON THE MARKET Woodley Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1028 sq. ft. | $469,000 Sandhill Condominiums RECENTLY SOLD Langdon Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1122 sq. ft. | $514,999 The Colonies NEWLY LISTED Victory Boulevard | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1148 sq. ft. | $589,000 Valley Oaks I RECENTLY SOLD Sherman Way | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 959 sq. ft. | $475,000 Walnut Gardens I NEWLY LISTED Lennox Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 994 sq. ft. | $399,999 West Pointe BACK ON THE MARKET Erwin Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 ba...
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Santa Monica Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Ocean Towers RECENTLY SOLD Ocean Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 868 sq. ft. | $725,000 Ocean Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 906 sq. ft. | $1,150,000 The Waverly BACK ON THE MARKET Ocean Avenue | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 2399 sq. ft. | $5,299,000 1007 20th St RECENTLY SOLD 20Th Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1338 sq. ft. | $1,175,000 1144 17th St RECENTLY SOLD 17Th Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 961 sq. ft. | $950,000 El Patio RECENTLY SOLD 12Th Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1042 sq. ft. | $998,000 Pacific Gardens NEWLY LISTED 5Th Street | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1450 sq. ft. | $1,625,000 Quintas Malaga RECENTLY SOLD 20Th Street | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1905 sq. ft. | $1,850,000
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Sherman Oaks Weekly Market Update October 21st - 27th, 2024 Country Club Condominiums RECENTLY SOLD Cedros Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1298 sq. ft. | $599,000 Fulton Terrace BACK ON THE MARKET Fulton Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1673 sq. ft. | $899,900 Palmia Condominiums BACK ON THE MARKET Fulton Avenue | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1350 sq. ft. | $799,000 Tilden Manor BACK ON THE MARKET Tilden Avenue | 3 bedrooms | 1 baths | 1352 sq. ft. | $599,000
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
197 Sparkleberry Blvd, Quincy, FL Click here to Get Directions$425000 4 Beds - 3 Baths - 1.31 acres Lot Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Welcome to this inviting 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home nestled on over an acre of land, perfect for families and entertaining. The oversized Primary Suite includes his and her walk-in closets, making organization a breeze. High vaulted ceilings enhance the open layout, allowing for natural light to brighten every corner. The kitchen features durable granite countertops and bar seating. Enjoy the outdoors from the spacious deck or relax on the covered patio, both offering views of your expansive backyard. With a 2-car garage, this home combines comfort and functionality for modern living. Follow This Home
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
197 Sparkleberry Blvd, Quincy, FL Click here to Get Directions$425000 4 Beds - 3 Baths - 1.31 acres Lot Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Welcome to this inviting 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home nestled on over an acre of land, perfect for families and entertaining. The oversized Primary Suite includes his and her walk-in closets, making organization a breeze. High vaulted ceilings enhance the open layout, allowing for natural light to brighten every corner. The kitchen features durable granite countertops and bar seating. Enjoy the outdoors from the spacious deck or relax on the covered patio, both offering views of your expansive backyard. With a 2-car garage, this home combines comfort and functionality for modern living. Follow This Home
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
4536 Argyle Lane, Tallahassee, FL Click here to Get Directions$549,000 3 Beds - 2 Baths - Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Peaceful enjoyment outside the city on over an acre with LOTS of extra space for the hobbyist! Rocking chair front porch invites you into this spacious home featuring 2 living spaces and separate dining area. Kitchen of your dreams complete with Corian countertops, Viking refrigerator and dishwasher, commercial grade SS gas range, and coffee bar area overlooks the inviting living room with Built-in entertainment system and wood burning fireplace. Primary suite has dual sink vanity and walk-in-closet. Whole house generator gives peace of mind along with metal tile shingle roof. 2 car attached carport AND not one but TWO detached heated and cooled garages. One featu...
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By Patty Clark, Helping Families Move with Care
(Morningside Homes, LLC 720-231-5200)
Pre-approval is a comprehensive process where the lender verifies the buyer's financial information, including credit history, income, and assets. Pre-approval provides a conditional commitment from the mortgage company to lend a specific amount, pending appraisal of the property.Pre-qualification is an initial assessment based on self-reported financial information provided by the buyer. It gives a rough estimate of how much a buyer might be able to borrow but it is merely an opinion.Despite the well-known advantages of getting pre-approved for a mortgage early in the home-buying process, many buyers remain resistant even to their detriment. Here are several reasons why:Some buyers may not fully understand the benefits of pre-approval or may underestimate its importance. They might see...
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Need a home in Arizona for YOU and YOUR HORSE and/or Toys (RV, Motorcycle, Quads, Camper, Tools and Supplies)? Are you and your horse searching for an Arizona Ranch on an acre or more? Or LAND to build your own Home or park a trailer while you are getting set to build? Welcome to Arizona Homes and Land. Arizona home with 5 acres of land (Photo: Jeff Masich)If you want a home with some acreage, here are UPDATED DAILY Homes and Ranches with 1+ acre in Arizona For Sale. Grab a cup of coffee and browse though what is available for sale in Maricopa County on my Free MLS that I provide to you and other areas of the Grand Canyon State. My team, the Arizona Homes and Land Group with HomeSmart are here to help you find the right home at the right price. Or if you want Arizona land to build on, s...
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