How to Buy a Home

Let’s be real—trying to buy your first home in 2025 feels overwhelming. This episode gives you the truth about where to begin, why generic advice won’t work, and how to find your actual first step based on your situation.

If you’re feeling stuck, skeptical, or straight-up discouraged about buying a home in 2025—you’re not wrong. Rates are high, affordability is brutal, and ...

High interest rates aren’t your biggest obstacle — fear and bad advice are. In this episode, David Sidoni shows you how to win anyway.

Synopsis

If you’re waiting on mortgage rates to drop before you buy a home, you may be setting yourself up to lose thousands. This episode breaks down the real math of affordability — and why obsessing over interest rates could cost you far more than you think. David walks through the truth behind...

Think you’re too young or unqualified to buy a home? Meet Ella and Mitchell. At just 19, Ella swapped a cramped $1,500/month apartment for a 3-bedroom home on 1.3 acres — and they did it in under a week. This episode proves it’s possible, even when you think it’s not.

Ella and her boyfriend Mitchell were renting young, paying more than they liked, and doubting homeownership...

Can you really buy a $400,000 home on your own with just $12,000? In this episode, David interviews Carrie, a single elder millennial who didn’t think homeownership was possible… until it was. Hear her story of belief, flexibility, and what it really takes to make your homebuying goals happen — even when the system feels stacked against you.

This episode is an inspiring, eye-opening interview with Carrie, a self-described elde...

Mortgage rates are dropping — so why are buyers still stuck on the sidelines? This episode breaks down the latest market update with July 2025 data, unpacking how inflation, job reports, and interest rate speculation are shaping first-time buyer behavior.

In this episode, David delivers a critical market update recorded just after the July 4th weekend in 2025. Despite a notable drop in mortgage rates — the fifth consecu...

Looking for the perfect binge-listen while road tripping this summer? In this special Independence Day episode, David Sidoni shares the ultimate guide to navigating 360+ episodes of How to Buy a Home. Whether you’re brand new or halfway through your buying prep, this episode will help you pinpoint exactly which episodes to queue up next.

It’s a holiday weekend and David Sid...

The final four questions from the 20 most-asked by first-time buyers — including real-life success stories and crucial myths to stop believing now.

In this episode, David Sidoni closes out the 7-part series on the 20 most common questions from first-time homebuyers. Questions 17 through 20 tackle some of the biggest decision points in the journey: What type of property is best for you? Are HOAs really that bad? Who actually pays...

Think you're too young or not ready to buy a home? Meet Allison and Mitchel — 22 and 24 years old — who went from renters to owning a duplex in just six weeks. With only $12,000 in closing costs, their story proves it’s not just possible — it’s smart.

In this inspiring episode, David interviews Allison and Mitchel, a young Ohio couple who defied the odds and bought a duplex at just 22 and 24 years old. With the help of a unicorn...

Think owning a home will bring surprise expenses that wreck your budget? This episode breaks down exactly what you’ll pay—and why it’s not as scary as you’ve heard.

Synopsis:

In this myth-busting continuation of the 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions, David Sidoni tackles one of the biggest fears holding renters back: hidden costs. From rising property taxes and insurance to repairs and HOAs, David exposes the truth behind these ...

Most first-time buyers lose out because they’re not ready to act—this episode shows you exactly how to prepare before the home even hits your inbox.Too many buyers start shopping before they’re ready to offer—and it costs them. In Part 5 of the Real Answers series, you’ll learn what it really means to be “offer-ready” and how to prepare for your first purchase with confidence and clarity. From contingencies and timelines to communi...

Rent feels safer—but in 2025, skipping the full math could cost you more than you think. In this episode, David Sidoni breaks down the timeless rent vs. buy debate with a 2025 twist, delivering a deep-dive into the full financial picture first-time buyers need to make smart choices. While renting may seem cheaper at first glance, David walks listeners through the overlooked math that makes homeownership a long-term wealth builder—e...

Think PMI is a scam? You’ve been lied to—and in this episode, David sets the record straight with no filter. Part three of the Real Answers series takes a detour from step-by-step guidance and instead serves up a fiery PSA. David tackles the myth that first-time buyers must wait to save 20% down to avoid PMI—calling out the financial “experts” giving bad advice and explaining why this outdated thinking is hurting renters. There’s n...

Most buyers obsess over interest rates—but this episode reveals why waiting for the “perfect rate” might cost you far more than you think. In part two of the “Top 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions” series, this episode dives into one of the biggest fears first-time buyers face: today’s interest rates. David Sidoni tackles the myth that 3–4% mortgage rates will return and explains why waiting could backfire. You’ll hear why “timing...

Confused by conflicting advice on down payments, loans, and affordability? This episode clears it all up with real answers to the most common first-time buyer questions flooding the internet. In Part 1 of this myth-busting series, David Sidoni addresses the chaos of conflicting homebuying advice from Google, Reddit, friends, and even real estate pros. He explains why different sources offer wildly different answers—and how that noi...

This first-time buyer went from $0 savings and defaulted student loans to buying a $170K home on a teacher’s salary—here’s how she did it. In this inspiring episode, David interviews Claudia, a middle school drama teacher who beat the odds to become a homeowner by 35. Starting with zero savings and a credit report dominated by student loan defaults, Claudia mapped out a three-year plan and stuck to it. She shares honest insights in...

Still think homeownership is a distant dream? This episode shows how renters like you can follow a monthly roadmap that leads to keys in hand—faster than you ever thought possible. Think you’re years away from buying a home? You’re not alone—and you’re probably closer than you think. In this episode, David uses a real life example to break down the “Last Lease Ever” plan, a proven strategy designed for renters who feel stuck, unsur...

Whether your credit score is 520 or 790, this expert interview reveals the overlooked steps that can immediately improve your homebuying power. Credit scores remain one of the most confusing and fear-inducing hurdles for first-time homebuyers. In this special interview, credit expert Jeanne Kelly—known as “The Credit Genie”—returns to offer actionable insights that go far beyond generic internet advice. With over 25 years of experi...

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 budget, and your sanity. In this myth-b...

When a failed inspection nearly derailed her plans, Ashley found a unicorn agent who helped her buy the right home in just 72 hours—right before Christmas. Ashley’s first-time homebuying journey in New Jersey wasn’t smooth—but it was transformational. After months of frustration, low inventory, and a realtor who didn’t get it, she hit a wall: mold, rodents, and a roof issue revealed by a failed inspection. Instead of settling, Ashl...