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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 Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
Carlsbad Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Alta Mira RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Verde | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1623 sq. ft. | $750,000 Bayshore RECENTLY SOLD Beachwood Court | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 2352 sq. ft. | $1,575,000 Carlsbad Crest RECENTLY SOLD Ginger Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 0 baths | 1028 sq. ft. | $810,000 Buttercup Road | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1028 sq. ft. | $799,999 Colina De La Costa RECENTLY SOLD Alicante Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1284 sq. ft. | $759,000 Flave La Costa RECENTLY SOLD Viejo Castilla | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 976 sq. ft. | $525,000 La Costa Alta RECENTLY SOLD Ballena Way | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 968 sq. ft. | $666,666 La Costa Hills RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Sierra | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 773 sq. ft. | $560,000 La Costa View RECENTLY SOLD Altism...
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By Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
Rancho Bernardo Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Bernardo Villas RECENTLY SOLD Bernardo Center Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1040 sq. ft. | $575,000 Garretson in Del Sur RECENTLY SOLD Gill Loop | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1628 sq. ft. | $1,048,888 Haciendas RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Vecinos | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1176 sq. ft. | $489,000 Il Palio NEWLY LISTED Alta Carmel Court | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1036 sq. ft. | $610,000 Las Brisas RECENTLY SOLD Paseo Lucido | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1240 sq. ft. | $737,000 Mandolin RECENTLY SOLD Christopher Ridge Terrace | 4 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 2302 sq. ft. | $1,275,000 Mira Lago RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Pasadero | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1606 sq. ft. | $895,000 Morada RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Pasadero | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1222 sq. f...
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
2058 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL Click here to Get Directions$400000 4 Beds - Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Remodeled Duplex in the heart of Tallahassee! This charming and cozy duplex has been tastefully updated with ample parking and easy, walkable access to Midtown, local parks, and shopping. Great opportunity for investors or homeowners that want to live on one side, rent the other. Outstanding opportunity for income production for gameday weekends, too! Follow This Home
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
2058 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL Click here to Get Directions$400000 4 Beds - Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Remodeled Duplex in the heart of Tallahassee! This charming and cozy duplex has been tastefully updated with ample parking and easy, walkable access to Midtown, local parks, and shopping. Great opportunity for investors or homeowners that want to live on one side, rent the other. Outstanding opportunity for income production for gameday weekends, too! Follow This Home
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By Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
Mission Beach Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Ensenada Court Villas RECENTLY SOLD Ensenada Court | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1396 sq. ft. | $1,575,000
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By GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Good post from Keith, and worthy of our Daily Re-Blog. BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV /Helping Arizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor,sell my house, 2025 Market, Chandler  I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all the men and women who’ve served our country. Your sacrifice, dedication, and courage mean the world to all of us.   I’m actually working with a buyer right now who’s relocating from Bahrain. She’s active-duty military and she didn’t realize she could use her VA loan again, or even be stationed overseas and still buy a primary home here in the U.S. as long as her family resides in it.   That’s one of the incredible benefits our veterans and active-duty service members have earned, and too many people don’t even know they still ...
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By Keith O. Royal, MAPA, Real Estate Professional, W. Central Gulf Coast FL
(People's Trust Realty)
I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all the men and women who’ve served our country. Your sacrifice, dedication, and courage mean the world to all of us. I’m actually working with a buyer right now who’s relocating from Bahrain. She’s active-duty military and she didn’t realize she could use her VA loan again, or even be stationed overseas and still buy a primary home here in the U.S. as long as her family resides in it.  That’s one of the incredible benefits our veterans and active-duty service members have earned, and too many people don’t even know they still qualify. So, if you’re a veteran or currently serving, reach out. Even if you’ve used your VA loan before, Your Agent will go over your options and make sure you’re getting every benefit you deserve. 🇺🇸
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
2058 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL Click here to Get Directions$400000 4 Beds - Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Remodeled Duplex in the heart of Tallahassee! This charming and cozy duplex has been tastefully updated with ample parking and easy, walkable access to Midtown, local parks, and shopping. Great opportunity for investors or homeowners that want to live on one side, rent the other. Outstanding opportunity for income production for gameday weekends, too! Follow This Home
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By Patty Clark, Helping Families Move with Care
(Morningside Homes, LLC 720-231-5200)
  There's a classic example used in behavioral psychology: the marshmallow test. In this experiment, children were given a choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait a little while and get two. The lesson? Those who could delay gratification tended to experience greater success later in life. That same principle applies beautifully to homeownership. If your ultimate goal is to one day have your home completely paid off, the question becomes: are you willing to make small sacrifices now so you can reap bigger rewards later? Or will you choose comfort and consumption today and carry the financial burden of a mortgage into your retirement years? Making regular additional principal payments on your mortgage is one of the smartest forms of delayed gratification. It's not glamorous. It means dr...
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Localist Realty)
Cypress Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Cypress Monterey BACK ON THE MARKET Lido Way | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 929 sq. ft. | $660,000 Tanglewood RECENTLY SOLD Dina Court | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1426 sq. ft. | $689,000 Tanglewood North RECENTLY SOLD Paseo De Oro | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1056 sq. ft. | $795,000 Willow Tree Estates RECENTLY SOLD Belmont Street | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1564 sq. ft. | $874,900
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By Jim Signor, Live the Florida Keys Lifestyle
(LoKation Real Estate - Florida Keys)
A 50-year mortgage sounds extreme—but in the Florida Keys, the real question is how long you plan to own the home and how the full cost fits your goals.I shared my perspective, local context, and an FAQ covering when a longer term might make sense for flexibility or investment strategy.Read the full post here → https://www.keyslistings.com/blog/should-you-consider-50-year-mortgage-florida-keys/
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By GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Thank you Manfred for calling out these heros. Bill GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV /Helping Arizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor,sell my house, 2025 Market, ChandlerToday, we pause to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans. Thank you to all who have served and protected our freedom. Let’s celebrate our heroes—past and present—who make this nation proud. Happy Veterans Day! #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #veteransday #thankyou #a111125 #realestate #realtor #realestateagent
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Localist Realty)
Mission Viejo Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Baja Finisterra BACK ON THE MARKET Orbita | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1506 sq. ft. | $755,000 Eastbrook RECENTLY SOLD Fernbrook | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1570 sq. ft. | $999,000 Emerald Pointe II BACK ON THE MARKET Park Terrace Lane | 2 bedrooms | None.5 baths | 1317 sq. ft. | $725,000 Finisterra on the Lake RECENTLY SOLD Chipiona | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1333 sq. ft. | $1,199,800 Las Palmas RECENTLY SOLD La Real | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 693 sq. ft. | $529,000 Mallorca Condos NEWLY LISTED Deya | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 1221 sq. ft. | $825,000 BACK ON THE MARKET Porreras | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1477 sq. ft. | $849,900 Valencia RECENTLY SOLD Los Viveros | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 790 sq. ft. | $495,000 Los Viveros | 2 bedrooms | 1 b...
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By Wendy Rawley, Straight Talk. Clear Guidance. Real Results.
(The Wendy Rawley Team)
"Wendy, should we buy in Yorba Linda or Placentia?"I get this question at least twice a week. After 15+ years and hundreds of transactions in both cities, I've developed a systematic way to help families answer it.The truth? Both cities are exceptional. But they're unique in fundamentally different ways. Understanding those differences is critical when you're writing a seven-figure check.WHY THIS COMPARISON MATTERS RIGHT NOWNovember 2025 market conditions make this decision more complex than ever. Interest rates have remained elevated, inventory levels have shifted, and the price gap between these neighboring cities has widened to $400,000-500,000.That's not a rounding error. That's a life-changing amount of money that affects everything from your monthly mortgage payment to your retire...
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Localist Realty)
Fullerton Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Casa Del Amo RECENTLY SOLD Associated Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 965 sq. ft. | $519,995 Coyote Hills Bluffs RECENTLY SOLD Coventry Circle | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 888 sq. ft. | $599,000 Coventry Circle | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 888 sq. ft. | $599,900 Coventry Circle | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1181 sq. ft. | $679,900 Heritage Fullerton RECENTLY SOLD W Houston Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1016 sq. ft. | $549,800 Malvern Creek RECENTLY SOLD Whitewater Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1381 sq. ft. | $849,000 Creekside Drive | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1372 sq. ft. | $870,000 Quail Ridge RECENTLY SOLD Quail Ridge | 1 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 831 sq. ft. | $435,000 Shadow Lane NEWLY LISTED Shadow Lane | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 1100 sq....
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By Ryan Case, Realtor servicing all of Southern California
(Localist Realty)
Anaheim Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Gateway Americana RECENTLY SOLD N Conestoga Way | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 847 sq. ft. | $565,000
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By Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
Escondido Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Hidden Meadows Condos RECENTLY SOLD Mountain Meadow Road | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 558 sq. ft. | $339,000 Shadow Mountain NEWLY LISTED White Oak Place | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 856 sq. ft. | $415,000 White Oak Estates NEWLY LISTED White Oak Place | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 856 sq. ft. | $415,000 Morningside Woods NEWLY LISTED Mahogany | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1645 sq. ft. | $699,999
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By Desiree Whalen, The Whalen Team
(Nest Realty)
by The Whalen Team.😱😱😱**SHocKING V1dE0!!**😱😱😱 Stunning 2br/2bth 1st-floor condo overlooking the pool & pond for sale in The Gardens, Wilmington NC! How much closer to the pool & pond can you get?!?🤯 Beautifully renovated & perfect centralized location close to schools, shopping, parks, & just minutes from area beaches! Call us TODAY w/offers - This Is The One! (Watch to the end for DRAMATIC aerial finale!!😵)PICS/PRICING/INFO!! >> https://www.desireewhalen.com/property/ushive-f56efb0e9ef108a14cb6379c66c0e77d/
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By Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
Pacific Beach Weekly Market Update November 3rd - 9th, 2025 Missouri Pacific RECENTLY SOLD Missouri Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 500 sq. ft. | $459,000 Oliver Villas NEWLY LISTED Oliver Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 804 sq. ft. | $755,000 Pacific Beach Sands NEWLY LISTED Hornblend Street | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1262 sq. ft. | $1,175,000 Pacific Tower RECENTLY SOLD Cass Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1100 sq. ft. | $975,000 Pacific Woodlands RECENTLY SOLD Pico Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 625 sq. ft. | $375,000 Rose Point RECENTLY SOLD Roosevelt Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1012 sq. ft. | $810,000 See the Sea RECENTLY SOLD Ocean Boulevard | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1290 sq. ft. | $1,550,000 The Plaza RECENTLY SOLD Lamont Street | 0 bedrooms | 1 baths | 420 sq. ft. | $434,00...
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By Sandra Nickel, The Hat Team
(Sandra Nickel REALTORS)
Honoring our heroesBuying a home is always a big decision — but for our military families, who often move every few years, it can feel like an even bigger one. Whether you’re stationed at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base or transferring into the River Region, finding that perfect home in Montgomery takes a little planning and a whole lot of heart.🏡 Do Your Homework EarlyBefore those moving boxes pile up, start digging into the neighborhoods around Montgomery. Take a drive through Cloverdale, Pike Road, or East Montgomery to get a feel for the vibe. Not yet in town? Check out listings online and make yourself a “must-have” list — things like a fenced yard for the dog, a short commute to Maxwell, or a good school zone for the kids.Keep an eye on how long homes stay on the market and whether ...
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