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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 Manfred Lewis Leslie Horne & Associates, Realtor Spartanburg and Greenville SC
(Leslie Horne &Associates )
More than 6 in 10 Americans think they have to put 20% down to buy a home, and that misconception could be keeping some would-be buyers on the sidelines. 🏡 There are a variety of loan programs with different down payment requirements, so it’s worth talking with a trusted loan officer to learn what options may be available to you. #thehelpfulagent #houseexpert #a091026 #realestate #dreamhouse
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Give me land where the Buffalo Roam and the Skies Are Not Cloudy All Day. (photo: Michelle Raponi, Pixaby)Do you need an Arizona Home with LAND (1+ acre)? You have come to the right place. We have it at Arizona Homes and Land for you and also right here in this post. You are in the right place with homes with LAND for sale updated here daily on the MLS.Do you need a home with at least an acre of land? Well, that sounds like the "American Dream" to me. Read on for homes for sale in Arizona with 1+ Acre! You have come to Arizona Homes and Land where you need to be. Read on for an always up to date list with pictures, prices and details...Example, 5/4 with Double RV Gates, 3,697sf ((Photo: 7860 E Davenport Dr, Scottsdale AZ)You need a home in Arizona for YOU and YOUR HORSE and/or Toys (RV,...
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First-Time Home Buyer in Simi Valley? You May Need Less Cash Than You ThinkThink you need 20% down, perfect credit and a huge savings account to buy your first home in Simi Valley?You may want to take another look.One of the biggest mistakes I see potential first-time buyers make is deciding they can't afford to buy before they've actually talked with a knowledgeable Realtor and lender.They see Simi Valley home prices.They look at mortgage rates.They hear how much someone else supposedly needed for a down payment.Then they think:"There's no way I can buy a home."But buying a home isn't determined by one number.There may be financing options, low-down-payment programs, California assistance programs, seller credits, interest-rate strategies, gift funds and other tools that can potentiall...
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Homes for Sale in Simi Valley Under $800,000: What Can You Actually Buy in 2026?If you're searching for homes for sale in Simi Valley under $800,000, you're probably asking one very important question:Can I still buy a good home in Simi Valley for under $800,000?The short answer is: opportunities do exist.But finding the right home isn't just about setting a maximum price on a real estate website and scrolling through listings.The better question is:How can I get the most home, location and long-term value for my budget?I'm Ken Grech, a Simi Valley Realtor® with more than 25 years of real estate experience. I've helped buyers and sellers through changing markets, rising and falling interest rates, multiple-offer situations, slower markets and just about everything in between.And one thi...
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By Jennifer Graff, Realtor serving the Las Vegas Valley
(The New Home Experts at Simply Vegas)
Most builder comparisons you’ll find online are marketing copy with a ranking bolted on. This one is organized differently — by what your price point actually buys you, and by who owns the builder whose model home you’re standing in.That second part matters more than it used to. The Las Vegas building industry has consolidated hard in the last five years, and the name on the sign no longer tells you who you’re buying from. Two parent companies now own product across three different tiers of this market.Here’s how it actually breaks down.The Entry TierDR Horton. Century Communities. KB Home. StoryBook. Beazer.These are the volume builders, and between them they move more homes in this valley than everyone else combined. That’s the business model, and for a lot of buyers it’s the right on...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Is it a buyer’s market? Knowing the signs—higher inventory, slower sales, price reductions, and seller concessions—can help buyers and sellers make smarter decisions. But real estate markets vary by location, so local conditions matter most. Learn what to watch for and what steps to take in today’s market! On September 8, 2026, Allaire Conte published very good helpful interesting report on Realtor.com about how to tell if it is a buyer market and what to do about it. 1. What does a buyer’s market mean? 2. Indicators of a buyer’s market,     a. High inventory,     b. Slower sales     c. Price drop    Concessions 3. Is it a buyer’s market right now, 4. Local and regional variations matter most, Perhaps there might be other helpful list of tips for how to tell if it is a buyer market and ...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc)
Moving to Auburn Alabama: What Relocating Buyers Should Know Before Choosing a NeighborhoodMoving to Auburn Alabama involves more than finding a house you like. One of the most important things relocating buyers can do is spend enough time understanding Auburn and Opelika before deciding where they want to live.Auburn isn’t an enormous city.But don’t let its size fool you.Where you live can change your everyday experience considerably.One buyer wants to be close to Auburn University.Another wants a larger lot.Someone else wants convenient access to Downtown Auburn.Another buyer may spend more time shopping and dining around Tiger Town or Opelika.And some buyers simply want to get home from work without spending unnecessary time in the car.The house matters. But so does where that house ...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc)
Retiring in Auburn Alabama: Choosing a Home for the Years Ahead Retiring in Auburn Alabama isn’t simply about finding a smaller house or moving somewhere new. It’s an opportunity to think carefully about how you really want to live in the years ahead — and whether your next home will make that life easier. Maybe you want one-level living. Maybe you’re ready for a smaller, more manageable yard. Perhaps being closer to family matters more now. You may want convenient access to medical care, church, shopping, restaurants or Auburn University activities. And that enormous house you once thought you needed? You may decide you don’t need quite so much of it anymore. The best retirement home isn’t necessarily the largest or most impressive house. It’s the one that supports the way you actuall...
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By Marie-Noelle Metseye, Reward Trust with Excellence
(RE/MAX Northwest)
If you are buying a luxury home with a view in Bothell, how can you determine whether the view is likely to last, and whether the premium you are paying for it is justified?A spectacular view can add meaningful appeal to a Bothell luxury home, but you should not assume that today's view will remain unchanged. Before paying a significant view premium, investigate the neighboring parcels, zoning, development activity, tree conditions, recorded property rights, and the specific characteristics that make the view valuable to you.There is a moment that happens when you walk into the right luxury home.You move through the entry, notice the finishes and architecture, and then your attention goes straight through the windows.1. First, Define What You Are Actually Paying ForBefore investigating ...
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By Doug Haney, Springfield Ohio Real Estate Agent
(The Haney Group / Coldwell Banker Heritage)
Do You Need a Well & Septic Inspection to Buy a Home Near Beavercreek Township, Ohio? No Ohio law requires one — but your lender might, and the order you do things in can cost you a closing date. Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published September 2026 · Updated September 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage, working alongside Lisa Ackerman, Brad Shuman, and Amanda Russell to help buyers and sellers navigate Beavercreek Township, Springfield, Ohio, and the surrounding market every day. Quick Answer Ohio has no statewide law requiring a septic or well inspection before a home sale, and neither Clark County nor Greene County runs a mandatory point-of-sale program. Both health departments will ins...
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On September 8, 2026, Allaire Conte published very good helpful interesting report on Realtor.com about how to tell if it is a buyer market and what to do about it.1. What does a buyer’s market mean?2. Indicators of a buyer’s market,    a. High inventory,    b. Slower sales    c. Price drop   Concessions3. Is it a buyer’s market right now,4. Local and regional variations matter most,Perhaps there might be other helpful list of tips for how to tell if it is a buyer market and what to do about it. For complete more detailed information about Allaire Conte’s report for list of tips on how to tell if it is a buyer market and what to do about it, please click HERE
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By Jonathan McNabb, Local Roots | Global Reach
(Nest Ahead)
West Katy looks different today than it did even a few years ago.One of the most visible examples is Texas Heritage Marketplace, the large development taking shape along I-10 at Texas Heritage Parkway.Lowe's opened there on September 4th, and Target has announced an October 11th opening date. Sam's Club is under construction, while additional retail, restaurants and services have been announced for the development.Those openings are certainly convenient for people who live west and southwest of Katy.But as a REALTOR® who lives and works in the Katy area, I think the more interesting story is what developments like this tell us about how the area is changing.Retail Often Follows RooftopsFor years, residential development has been pushing farther west and southwest of Katy.Communities suc...
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
Renovated Cul-de-Sac Home with Exceptional Outdoor Living 2408 Ionic Court, Tallahassee, FL 32303 $300,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1,748 Sq Ft Cul-de-Sac Location Modern Updates, Flexible Space & a Private Outdoor Retreat Set on a peaceful cul-de-sac, 2408 Ionic Court brings together an extensively refreshed interior and outdoor spaces designed to be enjoyed. Offered at $300,000, this Tallahassee home provides 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and approximately 1,748 square feet of versatile living space. Recent improvements include fresh interior and exterior paint, updated plumbing and lighting fixtures, newer windows, multiple flooring finishes, two new water heaters, and additional updates completed between 2024 and 2026. Outside, a spacious wraparound deck and screened patio overlook the pr...
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
A Newly Renovated Tallahassee Home with a Style All Its Own 2306 Kami Creek Trail, Tallahassee, FL 32303 $350,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1,561 Sq Ft Renovated Inside & Out Distinctive Character Meets an Extensive Renovation 2306 Kami Creek Trail isn't simply another updated home. Offered at $350,000, this distinctive Tallahassee residence features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,561 square feet brought to life through an extensive renovation inside and out. A dramatic double-sided fireplace anchors the interior, while stone and tile walk-in showers, new flooring, cabinets, windows, doors, lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and fresh paint give the home a completely refreshed presentation. Outside, new landscaping, detailed pathways, and an expansive new deck create an equally memo...
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By Jennifer Graff, Realtor serving the Las Vegas Valley
(The New Home Experts at Simply Vegas)
The 30-year fixed averaged 6.97% this afternoon — up eight basis points from yesterday, and the highest daily average since June 2025. The 15-year fixed moved too, up five basis points to 6.54%. That’s two weeks running that daily averages have set a new 2026 high, and Freddie Mac’s weekly number is sitting right up there with it.So let’s talk about what’s actually driving this, because it isn’t the housing market.Oil tankers and the inflation premiumYesterday, the U.S. announced it had destroyed five oil tankers in Iran and signaled more strikes coming. Markets immediately started pricing in what that does to global oil supply — and oil is one of the loudest inputs into inflation expectations.Here’s the mechanism most buyers never hear explained: lenders don’t price loans off today’s i...
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Want a good deal on a home? Well, you Must Move to Marvelous Mesa Arizona! (Photo: Mesa City Website)Hey, there is always a #1 and a #2, but what about a #3? There are a number of reasons to buy a home in Mesa which is the #3 largest city in Arizona and a suburb of Phoenix with 517,000 residents and borders Scottsdale to the Southeast.Want the reasons, well I recommend you call me as your Mesa buyer's REALTOR® and I will look out for your best interests and help you find the right home at the right price!However, if you want to know more about Mesa, you can find out right here and also look at Mesa homes for sale and create your own free MLS search portal.There are actually, 2 "number 1" reasons to buy a home in Mesa Arizona? Yes!2 different #1 reasons to buy a home in Mesa Arizona (pho...
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By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Should I Buy a House Now or Wait?Learn why 2026 may offer smart opportunities for homebuyers despite current mortgage rates, and why personal readiness often matters more than trying to perfectly time the market. Most people already believe buying a home comes down to one question: What will mortgage rates do next?It rarely does.The bigger question is what happens to your finances, home prices, rent, and competition while you wait.For many buyers, 2026 presents a different kind of opportunity. Mortgage rates may ease further, but home prices can continue rising because housing inventory remains limited in many markets. Waiting for the perfect rate can mean buying the same house later at a higher price. What happens when you buy now?Buying today gives you the opportunity to start buildin...
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By Jennifer Graff, Realtor serving the Las Vegas Valley
(The New Home Experts at Simply Vegas)
Building a new construction home in Spring Valley, Nevada gives buyers more customization than most resale options, from floor plans and finishes to smart-home features, while benefiting from Clark County’s 2024 building codes, rising inventory, and a market where builders are offering meaningful incentives as of fall 2026.Can you really build a customized dream home with new construction in Spring Valley?Yes, new construction in Spring Valley, Nevada gives buyers a level of personalization that resale homes rarely match. From choosing your floor plan and finish levels to opting into smart-home packages at the build stage, production and semi-custom builders in this part of Clark County let you shape a home around your life, not someone else’s. And with active inventory rising and media...
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By Devin Todd Azbill, Top Rated Berea, KY REALTOR® – Devin Todd Azbill
(Todd & Company KY | BHHS Foster Realtors)
One of my favorite conversations in real estate starts with a simple question:“If you were me, what would you do?”That's usually when I know a first-time buyer is beginning to understand that buying a house isn't just about finding one they like.It's about figuring out whether the home, the payment, the location, the condition, and the overall transaction make sense for their life.For buyers looking at Berea KY real estate, Richmond KY homes, or properties throughout Madison County, that's an important distinction.Because your first home doesn't have to be perfect.It needs to be right for you right now.And sometimes, those are two very different things.Start With the Budget, Not ZillowI know. That's not nearly as fun.Most buyers would rather scroll through homes than sit down and talk a...
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By DANIEL PATTON, Real Estate agent serving Hampton Road VA.
(Prodigy Realty)
A lot of buyers are asking some version of "is now a bad time to buy?" given where rates are, so here's the honest, numbers-based answer for Hampton Roads.Nationally, the 30-year fixed has hovered around 6.7% this month, and it's showing up in the data — existing-home sales fell 1.7% in July compared to June, and first-time buyer affordability is about as tight as it's been recently. That's the demand pullback everyone's feeling.Locally, it's not uniform. Virginia remains, technically, a seller's market — but the softness is concentrated in the attached-home segment. Suffolk's townhome/condo supply sits at 4.3 months, Portsmouth's at 3.7, both comfortably into buyer-leverage territory, while Virginia Beach single-family detached homes are still moving in a tight 2.1-month-supply environ...
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