How to Buy a Home: The #1 First Time Home Buyer Podcast

Mortgage rates aren’t falling the way buyers expect—and this interview breaks down why “waiting for a crash” may backfire, plus what realistic first-time buyer strategies still work in today’s market.   Zachary Foust explains why mortgage rates haven’t followed Fed cuts the way people assume, and how bond investors, inflation risk, and the mortgage-to-bond “spread” affect what buyers actually...

Think you need to wait until you’re “ready” to talk to a lender? Think again. In this episode, David sits down with expert lender Kelly Cort to explain why early conversations — even a year or two in advance — can save you time, money, and stress. If you’re serious about buying a home, this is the episode that could change your entire timeline.   Most first-time buyers delay talking to a lend...

Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! Connect with me  to find a trusted realtor in your area or to answer your burning questions! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel @HowToBuyaHome Instagram  @ HowtoBuyAHomePodcast Tik Tok  @HowToBuyAHome Visit our Resource Center to "Ask...

Learn the essential “last-mile” steps that prevent closing-day surprises—and how to use your first home as the foundation for smarter next-move planning. This final installment of the 2026 first-time homebuyer checklist breaks down what really happens between offer acceptance and getting your keys—especially the details that tend to blindside buyers in the last week before closing. You’ll learn wh...

Emily and Patrick share how they went from a cramped $2,400/month one-bedroom rental to owning a 1,400 sq ft Southern California townhome by trusting the numbers, timing the market, and staying organized through the entire process.   After renting for years and assuming Southern California homeownership would be out of reach, Emily and Patrick learned their buying power by working through the...

Learn how to negotiate smarter by using flexibility, contract timelines, and inspection strategy—without giving up the protections first-time buyers need. This episode breaks down what actually drives real estate negotiations (and why preparation months ahead protects your leverage). You’ll learn how earnest money, contingency timelines, seller disclosures, and home inspections shape both your ris...

Part 2 of the 2026 essential checklist shows first time homebuyers how to research neighborhoods, tour homes strategically, and protect themselves while shopping in today’s weird housing market.  This episode jumps from planning into the “fun stuff”: a practical checklist for researching neighborhoods and shopping for homes like a pro instead of a scrolling-Zillow zombie. You’ll learn how to...

A first-time buyer shares how early planning, relocating for affordability, and buying with a family member helped three roommates become homeowners in California.    Eric, his partner, and their cousin Alex were priced out of San Jose and chose to explore Bakersfield after realizing it fit their budget and lifestyle goals. They spent time learning the city firsthand (including a smart U...

This interview breaks down how self-employed first-time homebuyers can use intentional tax strategy to improve mortgage qualification and avoid higher-cost loan options.    In this interview, CPA and licensed loan professional Dan Mullen explains why many self-employed first-time homebuyers are incorrectly told they cannot qualify for a mortgage. He breaks down the critical difference be...

Part 1 of the 2026 essential checklist walks first-time homebuyers through the smartest way to start—by building a financing plan, avoiding common internet myths, and getting a real pre-approval early.  This episode kicks off a multi-part “essential checklist” with a focus on financing and loan strategy, including a rapid-fire myth bust around “deal” listings like short sales and tax lien pro...

Get the exact “move fast without panicking” checklist Gideon and Caroline used to get under contract in under a week—numbers first, must-haves clear, team aligned.   Gideon and Caroline share how they got under contract in under a week by doing the prep that prevents regret: running numbers early, narrowing to a true non-negotiable, and leaning on a coordinated lender/realtor team. They also...

This episode explains why a rare January buyer’s market is creating real affordability opportunities for first-time homebuyers right now, without waiting on government “fixes.”    Synopsis With sellers outnumbering buyers by 47%—including 631,000 more sellers than buyers in January 2026—the episode breaks down why leverage has quietly shifted back to homebuyers. It outlines practica...

This episode breaks down the biggest myth in home buying: how affordability is really calculated. Most first-time buyers ask, “What can I afford?”—but that question leads to the wrong answers. David explains how bad math, bad advice, and outdated thinking have made homeownership feel further away than it actually is. Learn how debt-to-income ratios, down payments, and private mortgage insurance ac...

John and Chrissy share how they turned early inheritance and smart planning into a successful first home purchase in pricey California. After renting for over 18 years, John and Chrissy navigated skyrocketing rents, family support, and strategic planning to buy a $700,000 home in San Luis Obispo. With only $5,000 in savings, an unexpected offer of early inheritance shifted their mindset from survi...

Most first-time homebuyers don’t need a miracle — they just need a system. In Part 2 of this playbook series, David Sidoni gives you the exact monthly roadmap to go from renting to owning in one year or less. The housing industry ignores renters during the most important phase — the planning stage. But that’s exactly where first-time buyers need the most support. In this episode, David Sidoni deli...

This episode introduces the Rent Replacement Strategy as a powerful mindset shift for first-time homebuyers.   In part one of the First-Time Homebuyer Playbook, David Sidoni lays out the essential mindset every buyer needs before they ever look at a home: the rent replacement strategy. Rather than comparing rent and mortgage as separate costs, David explains how your rent can—and should—be re...

Abigail and her husband thought they needed $50,000 before they could even think about buying a home. But after reaching out for budgeting advice, they learned they were already closer to ownership than they imagined. With guidance from a Unicorn team, family gift funds, and smart loan planning, they closed on a $400,000 home in under 90 days. This episode details how early conversations and the r...

You’ve made it through the offers and inspections—now don’t let closing day blindside you. Learn what to expect (and what can still go wrong) in the final stretch of buying your first home. If you’re like most first-time buyers, you think you’re in the clear once your offer is accepted. But the final 4 to 6 weeks—known as “closing”—are packed with surprises that can derail your timeline, your budg...

The origin, mission, and standards behind the “Unicorn Realtor” and how they transform outcomes for first-time homebuyers. Unicorn Realtors aren’t mythical—they’re real estate pros who specialize in first-time buyers and uphold elite, client-first standards. In this origin story, David Sidoni shares how the unicorn concept emerged as a radical answer to an industry that sidelines first-time buyers...

This episode gives you 20 must-ask questions to confidently hire the right realtor and avoid costly mistakes. Most first-time buyers don’t know the real estate industry is built to push them toward the wrong agents. In this episode, David reveals why so many buyers end up with inexperienced or undertrained realtors — and how to avoid becoming one of them. You’ll learn the exact 20 questions to ask...

Think the market needs to crash before you can buy? Think again. Discover why a flat market gives first-time buyers the edge in 2026. Most people are sitting around waiting for 3% interest rates or a price crash to make their move. But in this episode, David Sidoni explains why those waiting are missing the point — and the opportunity. 2026 may not bring exciting headlines, but that’s exactly what...

Think you understand the homebuying process? Here’s the full truth, from start to finish — and why skipping the first ten steps can wreck everything.   Most "how to buy a home" guides are missing the most important details. In this episode, David Sidoni lays out the  entire homebuying journey — from day one to closing — with over 50 real steps, and exposes why popular webinars and checkl...

Elizabeth turned fear into confidence, buying her first home at 26 in Ohio with smart strategy, a DIY mindset, and just 5% down.   When Elizabeth first reached out, she described the homebuying process as "daunting" and didn’t want to get screwed. But just a few months later, she and her husband closed on a $164K home in Ohio — fully prepped, budget-savvy, and calm under pressure. In this epi...

Feeling overwhelmed by the homebuying process? This episode gives first-time buyers a clear starting point by showing how to use the How to Buy a Home Episode Guide to build confidence, clarity, and a personal education plan. How to Buy a Home 2025 Episode Guide This end-of-year road trip episode is designed for renters who don’t know where to begin — or who feel stuck trying to make sense of conf...

Millicent and Milo thought buying a home would take months—until they listened to Millicent’s mom. With a lease ending and low expectations, they closed on their first home in under 30 days thanks to prep work, a unicorn team, and the confidence to act fast.   What started as a casual conversation turned into a life-changing decision for Millicent and Milo. Encouraged by Millicent’s mom—an av...