How to Buy a Home

The internet can be your best resource or your biggest distraction when buying your first home. In this episode, David Sidoni breaks down how to use online research the right way — without falling for clickbait, myths, or bad advice. Learn how to combine your own research with your Realtor’s expertise to find the perfect neighborhood and home faster.

Most first-time buyers start their home search online — and that’s okay, as lon...

A real estate expert breaks down the confusing language of real estate so you can finally understand what lenders, agents, and lawyers are talking about. From pre-qualification to escrow, this episode is your cheat sheet to translating homebuying jargon into plain English.

If you’ve ever felt like everyone in the homebuying process was speaking another language, this episode will be your turning point.

David Sidoni, host of H...

Why do so many first-time homebuyers end up with regrets? Because they skipped this step. In Step 6 of the How to Buy a Home starter series, David breaks down how goal-setting — done the right way — isn’t just fluff. It’s a strategic tool that shapes your entire homebuying journey and helps you avoid costly mistakes.

You’re halfway through the 10 steps, and now it’s time to get serious. Step 6 is where emotional clarity meets st...

Think you need 20% down to buy a home? Think again. In Step 5 of the 10-Step How to Buy a Home System, David Sidoni breaks down how much you really need to save — and how to start now, even if you’re juggling debt.

Saving for a home is the step that scares most renters away from ever getting started. In this episode, David busts the biggest myth in homebuying — that you need a massive 20% down payment — and replaces it with a re...

You don’t need to be debt-free to buy a home—this episode shows you how to work smarter with your debt, not fear it.

In today’s housing market, waiting to eliminate all your debt before buying a home might actually hurt your long-term financial stability. In this must-listen episode of the How to Buy a Home podcast, we tackle the misunderstood middle child of the Big Three—debt—and explain why managing it strategically can often...

Credit scores can make or break your first-home dream — but most of what you’ve heard about them is wrong. In this essential step of the How to Buy a Home system, David Sidoni cuts through the myths and reveals how to build the kind of credit that actually gets you approved. Whether your score is 820 or 520, this episode shows you exactly how to work with — not against — the credit system so you can buy smarter and sooner.

Your ...

Choosing the right realtor and lender is the most important decision of your entire home-buying journey. In this foundational step of the How to Buy a Home Starter Kit, David Sidoni reveals how to build your real estate “dream team” — one that guides, protects, and empowers you from day one. This episode exposes the industry myths that keep first-time buyers confused and shows you how to find professionals who work for you, not jus...

Before credit checks, down payments, or Zillow searches — the first step is deciding. In this kickoff to the 10-step Homebuying 101 series, David Sidoni breaks down the mindset every first-time homebuyer must have before any of the practical steps even matter. If you’ve been stuck renting, overwhelmed by myths, or waiting for “the right time,” this episode will change how you see yourself — and your ability to buy a home.

Welcome to the official starting point of How to Buy a Home.

If you’re ready to stop renting but don’t know where to start, this is your map. In this episode, David Sidoni introduces the 10 Steps System — the complete homebuying education plan trusted by first-time buyers across the U.S.

You won’t learn every step today — this episode is your orientation.

David explains how the system works, what you’ll learn in the episodes ahe...

Buying a home isn’t just about payments — it’s about building a future.

In this episode, David sits down with Nick, a first-time buyer who went from having just $1,500 in the bank to closing on a $312,000 home in less than a year. Nick shares the fears, doubts, and breakthroughs that turned his “someday” dream into reality — including the pivotal moment he realized that an extra $1,000 a month wasn’t just rent, it was buying him...

We’re revisiting one of the most powerful first-time buyer stories ever shared on the show. DeShawn’s journey from homelessness at 15 to homeowner proves that with the right plan, a unicorn team, and determination, you can buy a home—even when the odds seem stacked against you.

In this replay of Episode 247, we revisit DeShawn and Katrina’s inspiring path to homeownership. ...

First-time homebuyers often get stuck in the same myths and mistakes. This episode shares overlooked tips and critical warnings that can protect you and boost your confidence.

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but a few insider strategies can make the process smoother — and safer. In this episode, David Sidoni shares hard-earned lessons from two decades of guiding first-time buyers. You’ll learn how lenders calculate...

How one first-time buyer left city renting behind and built her rural dream life — with just 5% down.

Dreaming of wide open space, a garden, and room for animals? Samantha made it happen. In this episode, David Sidoni talks with Samantha, a first-time buyer who left apartment living to purchase a 2-acre homestead in Texas. Her journey shows how early planning, flexibility, ...

Too many renters delay buying because they think they need far more cash than reality. In this updated replay, David Sidoni explains why the “wait and save” mindset is one of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make—and how much you actually need to bring to closing.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines thinking you need $50,000, $80,000, or even $100,000 saved before buying, this episode is for you. In today’s shifting 20...

What if everything you were told about homeownership was a lie? This episode breaks down the death of the boomer American Dream — and introduces a smarter, realistic path to owning a home today.

You’ve heard the narrative: the housing market is broken, homeownership is out of reach, and the American Dream is dead. And in a way, that’s true — but not for the reasons you think.

In this episode, David Sidoni tackles one of the b...

After years of thinking they weren’t ready, Isaac and his wife realized they’d been holding themselves back for the wrong reasons. In this episode, they share how financial fears, wedding expenses, and career changes delayed their decision to buy — and why they now believe starting earlier would have saved them money and stress. A real-world reminder that “readiness” doesn’t require perfection.

Meet Isaac, a first-time buyer who...

Buying your first home? This episode breaks down the new vs. resale debate with clear pros, cons, and strategies to help you make the best choice for your future.

For first-time buyers, the choice between a brand-new home and a resale property can feel overwhelming. Each option has unique benefits and hidden challenges, and the best decision depends on your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

In this episode, D...

Finally — some good news for first-time homebuyers. Housing supply is rising, interest rates are dipping, and builders are offering real incentives. This episode breaks down why 2025 may finally be your chance to buy smarter — before competition heats back up.

For years, first-time buyers have been stuck facing high prices, low inventory, and discouraging rates. But late summer 2025 is bringing a shift: seven major U.S. citi...

After back-to-back rental letdowns, Tim and Vanessa decided they’d had enough. This episode dives into their journey from frustration to finally buying their first home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, with insights every first-time buyer can use.

Tim and Vanessa’s story begins with a double blow from their landlord — first being kicked out for renovations, then again just weeks later when the landlord decided to sell. The final stra...