House Hunters

Justin Sloggatt runs a growing film and video production company from inside a shrinking one-bedroom apartment. Now he's on a mission to buy a house for both business and pleasure. He'll need room for all of his equipment and a small staff, plus a generous private space to unwind at the end of the day.

Ellie and Anthony Perico bought a pristine new home in the suburbs when they got married. But now, two years later, they are fed up with the long commute and miss their family and friends back in town.

Marsha Payne is a single mother of 20-something daughters Monique and Melanie, who both still live at home. Mom Marsha believes it is time for them to leave the nest and find a place of their own. Marsha's mother bought her a home when she was starting out, and now she wants to pass along that tradition to her girls.

Jill Bigelow and Gabriel Morales own a successful restaurant. They dated for several years before moving into an apartment together four years ago, but now they are ready to sign their final rent check and buy a place to call their own. While they love their current neighborhood, it is pricey, so they will have to move farther out to find a place they can afford.

Sixteen years ago Rosana and Edward Chermisqui left Brazil and moved to Beverly Hills, Calif. A few years later they bought what they thought would be a starter home. But after raising their two boys and making lots of upgrades, the Chermisquis are still there.

Mario Cunha is a successful clothing designer who moved to California from Brazil several years ago. He has outgrown the small one-bedroom apartment that doubles as an office and is ready to find a space of his own.

Kristine Sabella and Allen Yang fell in love two years ago at a local theater group. The free-spirited, young couple quickly got engaged and moved into a one-bedroom apartment while they planned for the wedding.

Megan and Mike Corcoran are ready to let go of their hip, urban loft and move to a more traditional house in the suburbs. They have grown tired of trudging down nine floors and across two city blocks to walk their dog, Dot.

Like a lot of newlyweds, Dana and Anthony Behar wanted to buy a house as soon as they were married, but because of the red-hot market, they have had to keep that dream on the back burner for the last three years.

Maricela Hurtado and Robert Marinovich are getting married soon. They currently they live in separate rooms in his parents' home, but they are intent on finding their own place before their wedding day. And they aren't willing to settle for just anything.

When Lili married Brian Lillie she became Lili Lillie--and that was just the beginning of the fun. They bought a condo, which they updated themselves, and settled into nicely with their dog, Ringo, and their collection of monkey art.

Colleen McCurdy and Armen Kaprelian want to buy a home before their wedding day. She lives with her parents, while he lives in a two-bedroom bachelor pad with Colleen's brother, Ryan. With the ceremony just 10 weeks away, the pressure's on.

Andrea Peterson and Michael Gonzales want to begin their married life together in a new home. Right now they live in two different places--he rents a town house, and she owns a condo. They are looking for a modern three-bedroom with an open flow that is closer to Peterson's work. Real estate agent Robin Zacha signs on to help the newlyweds.