--- title: Orange County Real Estate Blog | Inspira Group | First Time Buyer (2) description: First Time Buyer | The Inspira Group blog houses helpful information and insight on how to successfully buy, sell, or finance a home. (2) --- [![Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hs-fs/file-507215217-png/Logos/Inspira-Group-Logo-with-Tag.png?width=285&height=94&name=Inspira-Group-Logo-with-Tag.png "Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate")](https://www.inspiragroup.com/)       [(949) 387-0500](tel:19493870500) - [About](https://www.inspiragroup.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://www.inspiragroup.com/about-us/our-team) - [Why Inspira?](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services) - [Home Buying](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-buying) - [Home Selling](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-selling) - [Home Financing](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-financing) - [Success Stories](https://www.inspiragroup.com/success-stories) - [Contact](https://www.inspiragroup.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog) [949-387-0500](tel:949-387-0500) [![logo-2.png](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/main-logo.png?width=358&name=main-logo.png "logo-2.png")](https://www.inspiragroup.com/) - [About](https://www.inspiragroup.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://www.inspiragroup.com/about-us/our-team) - [Why Inspira?](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services) - [Home Buying](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-buying) - [Home Selling](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-selling) - [Home Financing](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-financing) - [Success Stories](https://www.inspiragroup.com/success-stories) - [Contact](https://www.inspiragroup.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog) # Inspira Group Orange County Real Estate Blog Search ## [Home Buying 101: Closing Costs](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-closing-costs) Posted by [Bob Dalsimer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/author/bob-dalsimer) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate Image](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/ins-blog-image-2.png)](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-closing-costs) I’m often asked, “How much are closing costs?” By being well-informed and educated on every aspect of the home buying and loan process, you can enjoy the experience even more and [make sure it’s a time full of happy memories](https://inspiragroup.wistia.com/medias/94brsjk2ql). Something that first time home buyers need to especially be aware of and educated on are closing costs. [Keep Reading This Post](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-closing-costs) Topics: [First Time Buyer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer) ## [Home Buying 101: Should I get Pre-Approved or Pre-Qualified?](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-should-i-get-pre-approved-or-pre-qualified) Posted by [Bob Dalsimer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/author/bob-dalsimer) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate Image](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hs-fs/hub/349540/file-648947188-jpg/Blog_Images/Home_Buying_101-_Should_I_Get_Pre-Approved_or_Pre-Qualified.jpg)](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-should-i-get-pre-approved-or-pre-qualified) Buying your first home is an experience that you’ll never forget. That’s why it’s best to [make it a positive one](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/buying-a-home-in-irvine-california)! This can be easily achieved with the right real estate team working beside you, as well as a clear understanding of the [home buying process](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-buying). Something that most first time buyers are not aware of is the concept of pre-approval and pre-qualification. [Keep Reading This Post](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/home-buying-101-should-i-get-pre-approved-or-pre-qualified) Topics: [First Time Buyer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer) ## [Which is Better: Tustin, Irvine, or Laguna Niguel?](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/which-is-better-tustin-irvine-or-laguna-niguel) Posted by [Bob Dalsimer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/author/bob-dalsimer) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate Image](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/ins-blog-image-1.png)](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/which-is-better-tustin-irvine-or-laguna-niguel) As a professional real estate agent and mortgage broker, I get asked the question “Which area is better?” all the time. The answer really depends on each family’s own goals and priorities, and determining which area is best for your family is definitely a personal choice. The best way to demonstrate this is to take a closer look at four real families that we’ve worked with in the past. I helped each one buy, sell, and finance their homes, and each of these families chose different areas based on their personal goals and priorities. Below are the four homes that these families chose in February 2014 that are all within a similar price range, but are located in different areas. [Keep Reading This Post](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/which-is-better-tustin-irvine-or-laguna-niguel) Topics: [First Time Buyer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer), [Move Up Buyers](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/move-up-buyers), [Selling Your Home](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/selling-your-home) ## [Lessons from an Open House: Listen, Listen Listen](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/listen-listen-listen) Posted by [Bob Dalsimer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/author/bob-dalsimer) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Inspira Group Irvine Real Estate Image](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hs-fs/hub/349540/file-1013518192-jpg/Blog_Images/Lessons_from_an_Open_House-_Listen,_Listen,_Listen.jpg)](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/listen-listen-listen) Yesterday I was showing homes in Ladera Ranch to a nice family looking to purchase their first home. We arrived at an Open House where the Realtor greeted us and started telling us about the home. Before I could even get my bearings, I was being told about this feature and that feature and how this home was great. My mind shut off quickly as I just wanted to be with the home and inquire what my clients that they thought of this home. We walked upstairs and I was happy to finally be able to look around and understand the dynamics of the home and see if it was a possibility for my clients. We stopped in the master bedroom and I asked them what they thought? “Oh no!” The agent walks in and tells us the homeowner just replaced the bathroom floor with tile and how the community has good parking and is freeway close and where he lives in relationship to the home and how this community is perfect. [Keep Reading This Post](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/listen-listen-listen) Topics: [First Time Buyer](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer), [Move Up Buyers](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/move-up-buyers), [Relocation Buyers](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/relocation-buyers) [Previous](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer/page/1) [All posts](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog/topic/first-time-buyer/page/3) ### Sign up for Blog Updates [![real estate agent in Irvine](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/349540/9a64a938-7942-42f9-a806-2372004a5985.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/349540/9a64a938-7942-42f9-a806-2372004a5985) [![Have questions about the home buying process? 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We are an Equal Opportunity Lender. [CFPB - Privacy Act Policy](https://www.inspiragroup.com/hubfs/20131_cfpb_Privacy-Policy.pdf) ### Resources - [Home](https://www.inspiragroup.com) - [About ](https://www.inspiragroup.com/about-us) - [Services](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services) - [Home Buying](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-buying) - [Home Selling](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-selling) - [Home Financing](https://www.inspiragroup.com/services/home-financing) - [Contact](https://www.inspiragroup.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://www.inspiragroup.com/blog) ### Recent Posts © 2016 [Inspira Group, Inc.](https://www.inspiragroup.com/)  [Privacy and Terms](https://www.inspiragroup.com/privacy-and-terms). 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