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!

Trending blogs on Home Buying
By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Gates at Castleberry, Cumming, Georgia - July 2020Gates at Castleberry is a single-family home subdivision built between 2013 and 2020. Gates at Castleberry is in Cumming, Georgia west of Castleberry Road off of Trowbridge Drive. There are currently 2 homes in Gates at Castleberry for sale ranging from $420,000 to $420,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $1,670 2,853 ft2 2015 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 3315 Camelot Way 5 4.0 $420,000 3315 Trowbridge Dr. 5 4.0 $420,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 3415 Trow Creek Ln. 5 3.1 $399,990 3215 Trowbridge Dr. 4 3.1 $365,000 3565 Trowbridge Dr. 5 3.0 $399,990 3505 Wiltshire Way 4 3.1 $384,560 3220 Trowbridge Dr. 5 4.1 $397,990 3545 Trowbridge Dr. 4 2.1 $384,000 View All Recent Sales SCHOOLS School Level District George W....
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By Micheal John
(Micheal John)
The popularity of cryptocurrency trading has got a lot to do with cryptocurrency exchanges. The seamless experience and trading facilities offered by these institutes have propelled the favoritism for crypto trading in India. It is with the help exchanges that people are able to trade digital currencies in the most hassle-free way. Thus, one can say that these exchanges have simplified cryptocurrency buying and selling to a great extent.  So, if you are in search of legit crypto exchange to buy bitcoin in India, here are the features you need to look for:Interactive User Interface:             A cryptocurrency exchange should feature a simple and user-friendly interface to enable traders to have smooth trading experience. The interface should be appealing, as well as easy to navigate. I...
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River Bank Lofts is a loft style condo building located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois at 550 N Kingsbury. River Bank Lofts is located close to public transportation, expressways, restaurants and more. Amenities include a 24 hour doorman, fitness center and dry cleaners on site. Average taxes in River Bank Lofts $7,617 Average association fees in River Bank Lofts $575 ($318 - $1,240) Average home size in River Bank Lofts 1,378 ft2 Average lot size in River Bank Lofts 0.00 acres Average year built in River Bank Lofts 1914 Photos of River Bank Lofts Homes for sale in River Bank Lofts Address Beds Baths Built Price 550 Kingsbury St. #220 3 2 1910 $700,000 550 Kingsbury St. #604 3 2 1920 $1,250,000 550 Kingsbury St. #618 2 2 1910 $499,000 550 Kingsbury St. #212 2 1   $...
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Milwaukee German Immersion, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - July 2020There are currently 2 homes that attend Milwaukee German Immersion for sale ranging from $174,900 to $180,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $2,507 1,112 ft2 1948 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 3954 N. 78th St. 3 1.0 $180,000 3846 N. 82nd 3 1.5 $174,900 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 4078 N. 84th St. 2 1.0 $115,000 7819 W. Lynmar Ct. 3 1.5 $99,000 7936 W. Keefe Ave. 2 2.0 $142,000 4272 N. 69th St. 3 2.0 $62,250 Marco Amidei is a WI licensed real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Metro Multiple Listing Service, Inc.. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Metro MLS are marked with ...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Arbor Meadows, Cumming, Georgia - July 2020Arbor Meadows is a single-family home subdivision built between 2004 and 2005. Arbor Meadows is in Cumming, Georgia south of Spot Rod and west of Bettis Tribble Gap Road. There is currently 1 home in Arbor Meadows for sale ranging from $558,000 to $558,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $3,770 4,030 ft2 2005 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 4875 Arbor Meadows Dr. 5 4.1 $558,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 4630 Arbor Meadows Dr. 5 4.0 $340,000 4830 Arbor Meadows Dr. 6 5.0 $439,000 4950 Arbor Meadows Dr. 4 3.1 $394,500 4610 Arbor Meadows Dr. 5 4.1 $394,000 4750 Arbor Meadows Dr. 5 4.1 $416,000 4820 Arbor Meadows Dr. 6 5.0 $415,000 View All Recent Sales SCHOOLS School Level District Coal Mountain Elementary School Elementary F...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Waterfall Glen is a condo and townhouse community built in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Waterfall Glen is located in Darien, Illinois on Fontage Road and Lemont Road south of I-55. Average taxes in Waterfall Glen $4,383 Average association fees in Waterfall Glen $265 ($230 - $385) Average home size in Waterfall Glen 1,699 ft2 Average lot size in Waterfall Glen 0.00 acres Average year built in Waterfall Glen 1999 Homes for sale in Waterfall Glen Address Beds Baths Built Price 2305 Sokol Ct. — —   $695,000 9334 Waterfall Glen Blvd. 3 2 1998 $275,000 9321 Forest Glen Ct. 2 3 1998 $287,000 9315 Forest Glen Ct. 3 2.1 1998 $325,000 Sales Summary for Waterfall Glen  (Jul 29, 2019 - Jul 28, 2020) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 66 $248,950 $237,417 95.4...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Columbus High School, Columbus, Wisconsin - July 2020There are currently 3 homes that attend Columbus High School for sale ranging from $1 to $325,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $2,481 1,765 ft2 1952 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price N2755 N. Hwy T 5 1.5 $325,000 131 S. Spring St. 4 2.0 $268,500 N3688 County Road Bb 3 1.0 $1 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 226 W. Mill St. 2 1.5 $157,000 634 Park Ave. 3 1.5 $257,100 138 E. Prairie St. 3 1.0 $82,500 N2547 Hughes Rd. 3 1.5 $150,000 618 Warner St. 2 1.5 $139,900 351 S. Water St. 3 2.0 $143,000 View All Recent Sales Marco Amidei is a WI licensed real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Metro Multiple Listing Serv...
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By Christopher Pataki, Hockessin Delaware Real Estate
(RE/MAX Associates)
In June, the number of first-time homebuyers accounted for 35% of the existing homes sold, a trend that’s been building steadily throughout the year. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “The share of first-time buyers increased in March through June—right into the heart of the pandemic period and the surge in unemployment—and is now trending higher than the 29% to 32% average in past years since 2012.” (See graph below): Why the rise in first-time homebuying? NAR continues to say: “The major factor is, arguably, low mortgage rates. As of the week ended July 16, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 2.98%. With rates so low that are locked in under a 30-year mortgage, the typical mortgage payment, estimated at $1,036, has fallen below the median rent, at $1,045...
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Columbus Middle School, Columbus, Wisconsin - July 2020There are currently 3 homes that attend Columbus Middle School for sale ranging from $1 to $325,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $2,462 1,832 ft2 1952 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price N2755 N. Hwy T 5 1.5 $325,000 131 S. Spring St. 4 2.0 $268,500 N3688 County Road Bb 3 1.0 $1 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 226 W. Mill St. 2 1.5 $157,000 634 Park Ave. 3 1.5 $257,100 138 E. Prairie St. 3 1.0 $82,500 N2547 Hughes Rd. 3 1.5 $150,000 618 Warner St. 2 1.5 $139,900 351 S. Water St. 3 2.0 $143,000 View All Recent Sales SUBDIVISIONS Subdivision Level Average Hoods Hollow Hoods Hollow is a single family home neighborhood. Hoods Hollow is located in Caledonia, Wisconsin east of Highway 38 and south of 4 Mile Road. $330,000 ...
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Madison Elementary School, West Allis, Wisconsin - July 2020There are currently 2 homes that attend Madison Elementary School for sale ranging from $165,000 to $199,500. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $3,183 1,332 ft2 1949 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 1134 S. 106th St. 4 2.0 $165,000 8919 W. Dakota 3 1.5 $199,500 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 937 S. 102nd St. 3 1.0 $161,000 1028 S. 103rd St. 2 1.5 $170,000 1333 S. 103th St. 4 2.0 $215,000 10326 W. Schlinger Ave. 3 1.0 $164,900 10432 W. Schlinger Ave. 3 1.0 $142,900 736 S. 105th St. 3 1.0 $177,000 View All Recent Sales SUBDIVISIONS Subdivision Level Average Biwers Woods Biwers Woods is a condominium and single family home neighborhood. Biwers Woods is located in West Allis, Wisconsin north of Lincoln Avenue and east...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Commonwealth, Cumming, Georgia - July 2020Commonwealth is a single-family home subdivision built between 1984 and 1986. Commonwealth is in Cumming, Georgia west of Peachtree Parkway off of Commonweath Trail. There are currently 2 homes in Commonwealth for sale ranging from $270,000 to $347,900. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $1,938 2,803 ft2 1986 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 1720 Commonwealth Tr. 4 2.1 $347,900 1730 Commonwealth Tr. 3 2.1 $270,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 1630 Commonwealth Tr. 3 2.0 $244,000 1825 Commonwealth Rd. 5 4.0 $425,000 1825 Commonwealth Ln. 4 2.0 $300,000 1910 Commonwealth Ct. 4 3.1 $306,000 1715 Commonwealth Ave. 3 2.0 $240,000 1930 Commonwealth Ave. 5 4.1 $515,000 View All Recent Sales SCHOOLS School Level District Big Creek Element...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Young Deer Harbour, Cumming, Georgia - July 2020Young Deer Harbour is a single-family home subdivision built between 1998 and 2003. Young Deer Harbour is in Cumming, Georgia west of Shady Grove Rod and north of Lanier Drive. There is currently 1 home in Young Deer Harbour for sale ranging from $1,700,000 to $1,700,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $3,561 3,908 ft2 1999 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 7695 Harbour Walk 6 6.1 $1,700,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 7745 Harbour Walk 4 3.1 $830,000 7770 Leeward Cove Ct. 4 2.1 $314,900 7725 Harbour Walk 4 4.1 $800,000 7720 Leeward Cove 4 2.1 $315,000 7640 Harbour Walk 5 3.1 $830,000 7740 Leeward Cove Ct. 3 2.1 $317,500 View All Recent Sales SCHOOLS School Level District Chattahoochee Elementary School Elementary Forsyt...
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About Hawthorn Elementary School South Hawthorn Elementary School South is a K-5 school in District 73, and is located at 430 N Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills, IL. It services homes in Indian Creek, Libertyville, Mettawa, Mundelein, and Vernon Hills. Average taxes $9,611 Average year built 1997 Photos of Hawthorn Elementary School South Homes for sale that attend Hawthorn Elementary School South Address Beds Baths Built Price 318 Greenbrier Ln., Vernon Hills, IL 6 3 1961 $379,900 732 Darby Ct., Indian Creek, IL 4 2.1 2003 $389,000 1208 Tiffany Ct., Indian Creek, IL 3 2.1 2002 $374,900 285 Colonial Dr., Vernon Hills, IL 5 5.1 2002 $624,900 215 Redwood Ct., Vernon Hills, IL 2 1.1 1978 $171,900 View all 50 homes for sale that attend Hawthorn Elementary School South »Sales Summary  (Jul 29, 2...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Bentley Ridge, Cumming, Georgia - July 2020Bentley Ridge is a single-family home subdivision built between 2011 and 2013. Bentley Ridge is in Cumming, Georgia east of Campground Road and north of Bentley Road. There is currently 1 home in Bentley Ridge for sale ranging from $379,000 to $379,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $2,898 3,207 ft2 2012 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 6535 Bentley Ridge Dr. 4 2.1 $379,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 6640 Bentley Ridge Dr. 4 3.1 $357,000 6520 Bentley Ridge Dr. 4 2.1 $335,000 6605 Bentley Ridge Dr. 6 4.1 $360,000 6635 Bentley Ridge Dr. 5 3.1 $350,000 6535 Bentley Ridge Dr. 4 2.1 $328,000 6755 Bentley Ridge Dr. 4 3.1 $378,000 View All Recent Sales SCHOOLS School Level District Vickery Creek Elementary School Elementary Forsy...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Built in 2001, Farallon is located at 600 N Dearborn in River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.Consisting of 161 units, it also has parking, 24-hour doorman,laundry and exercise room. This 22-story luxury residential condo building has great views of the Chicago skyline. The Near North Side is one of 77 well defined community areas of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located north of the Chicago River and the downtown central business district (the Loop). River North is a neighborhood in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois. It is bound by Michigan Avenue to the east, Chicago Avenue to the north, and the Chicago River to the south and west. This neighborhood, home of The River North Gallery District, has the largest concentration of art galleries in the ...
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Jackson Elementary School, Manitowoc, Wisconsin - July 2020There are currently 3 homes that attend Jackson Elementary School for sale ranging from $117,500 to $299,900. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $2,436 1,628 ft2 1954 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 2316 Paul Rd. 2 2.0 $134,900 3924 Menasha Ave. 3 3.0 $299,900 1017 N. 20th 3 2.0 $117,500 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 1117 Park Row Blvd. 4 1.0 $129,000 1508 Kuhl St. 4 2.5 $253,000 1311 Manila 3 2.0 $101,400 1122 N. 17th St. 4 1.5 $129,000 1840 Belmont 2 1.0 $99,900 1824 Menasha Ave. 3 1.5 $125,000 View All Recent Sales Marco Amidei is a WI licensed real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Metro Multiple Li...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Tiara is a condo high-rise building built in the mid 1960s, Tiara is located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago on Sheridan Road north of Lake Shore Drive at 6145-6147 N. Sheridan. Average taxes in Tiara $2,574 Average association fees in Tiara $924 ($750 - $2,044) Average home size in Tiara 1,666 ft2 Average lot size in Tiara 0.00 acres Average year built in Tiara 1969 Photos of Tiara Homes for sale in Tiara Address Beds Baths Built Price 6145 Sheridan Rd. #21D 3 2 1970 $335,000 6145 Sheridan Rd. #23D 3 2 1970 $287,000 Sales Summary for Tiara  (Jul 29, 2019 - Jul 28, 2020) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 97 $282,317 $254,300 90.1% HomesByMarco has sold 47 homes in Chicago Thinking of selling your home in Chicago? We are experts in the area. We...
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By Marco Amidei
(RE/MAX Suburban )
Inverness Woods is a townhome community built in the early 1990s. Inverness Woods is located in Downers Grove, Illinois north of Maple Avenue and west of Belmont Road. Average taxes in Inverness Woods $4,097 Average association fees in Inverness Woods $281 ($219 - $348) Average home size in Inverness Woods 1,515 ft2 Average lot size in Inverness Woods 0.00 acres Average year built in Inverness Woods 1991 Photos of Inverness Woods Homes for sale in Inverness Woods Address Beds Baths Built Price 5441 Ashbrook Pl. 2 2.1 1990 $300,000 Sales Summary for Inverness Woods  (Jul 29, 2019 - Jul 28, 2020) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 65 $279,116 $263,650 94.5% HomesByMarco sold over 300 homes last year Thinking of selling your home in Downers Grove? We are e...
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The Residences At The Grove is a townhouse and condo community built starting in 2007 by Focus Development. The Residences At The Grove features condominiums with floor plans ranging from 846 to 1,760 square feet of living space. The Residences At The Grove is located in Forest Park, Illinois on Grove Lane and Van Buren Street west of Des Plaines Avenue. Average taxes in The Residences At The Grove $4,887 Average association fees in The Residences At The Grove $335 ($222 - $489) Average home size in The Residences At The Grove 1,236 ft2 Average lot size in The Residences At The Grove 0.00 acres Average year built in The Residences At The Grove 2006 Homes for sale in The Residences At The Grove Address Beds Baths Built Price 7757 Van Buren St. #402 2 2 2006 $359,900 522 Grove Ln. 2 2.1 2...
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Three Lakes High School, Three Lakes, Wisconsin - July 2020There is currently 1 home that attend Three Lakes High School for sale ranging from $118,000 to $118,000. AVERAGES Taxes Sq. Ft. Year Built $3,447 1,593 ft2 1961 HOMES FOR SALE Address Beds Baths Price 253 Wesley Rd. 1 0.0 $118,000 RECENT SALES Address Beds Baths Sold 6617 W. Forest Home Ave. 4 2.0 $86,900 8117 Hwy X 3 2.0 $320,000 7477 Lodge Cir. 3 1.5 $253,000 1314 Hwy 32 4 2.0 $380,000 Marco Amidei is a WI licensed real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Metro Multiple Listing Service, Inc.. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Metro MLS are marked with the Metro MLS Broker Reciprocity logo or th...
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