Beginner to Buyer

Homeownership is good for families, businesses, and the broader community—but historical barriers have made it difficult for many to succeed at buying a home. So what should you know about the history, data, and current trends in homeownership before you buy? And why should you care?

In this episode, Beginner to Buyer podcast host Nadeska Alexis sits down with Cerita Battles, Head of Community & Affordable Lending at Chase to talk a...

Is homeownership really for me? How do I know if I’m ready to buy a home? And can I afford to buy and still live the life I love?

These are just a few of the questions people ask as they consider buying a home for the first time. They may sound elementary, but as Beginner to Buyer host Nadeska Alexis uncovers, they are actually essential starting points for a successful journey to homeownership. In this episode, she hears from a fir...

Credit scores, concerns about income and debt, and estimated monthly payments: the financial details before you even make an offer on a house can quickly feel overwhelming. In this episode, Host Nadeska Alexis hears the concerns of a single mom navigating the housing market and checks in with a certified financial planner to help it all make sense.

Nadeska talks with Nadia Harrald, who lives in Chicago with her nine-year-old daughte...

Let’s face it: mortgages are complicated. Would-be buyers have to think about prequalifying, down payments, and an array of mortgage types. Luckily, home lending advisors are here to help. In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis sits down with a new homeowner to hear about her mortgage experience, and then checks in with a veteran home lending manager to get expert tips and resources.

First Nadeska talks with Rita Hill, a veteran and a...

Having the right team of trusted advisers along with you on your homebuying journey is key. In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis chats with a potential first-time homebuyer who’s currently trying to select a real estate agent. Nadeska also brings in a veteran agent to provide expert advice on how to go about assembling a top-notch team to guide your own buying process.

Nadeska first sits down with China Wheeler, a prospective buyer,...

Prequalified for your mortgage and signed with a real estate agent? You’re ready for the fun (and hard!) part: finding your dream home. In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis sits down with recent homebuyers who discuss their complicated path to finding the right home—and then she brings in television personalities Drew and Jonathan Scott to offer an expert perspective on how to identify the kind of home that will fit both your short...

Falling in love with your dream house feels wonderful—until you start to feel anxious about making an offer. How much should you offer? What about contingencies? How soon do you need to act? In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis talks with a woman who is feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of putting in an offer on a house in a hot real estate market. Nadeska gets many of her questions answered when she sits down later with real est...

Congratulations, your offer was accepted! But there are still a few steps to take before you get those keys in hand. In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis talks with prospective buyers and a real estate expert to discuss what to expect when your offer is accepted, and what comes next.

Andrew and Lauren Adams are based in Columbus, Ohio, with their one-year-old daughter. They paused their original search three years ago when an offer ...

The closing process can feel complex and overwhelming. With so many important details to manage, many people choose to hire an attorney to counsel them through the legal process, and some states require it. For 29-year-old homebuyer Omar George, the closing process was frustrating and anything but smooth. He talks with Beginner to Buyer host Nadeska Alexis about his experience with closing on his first home—an apartment in Chicago.

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The end of the homebuying process is just the kickoff to your homeownership journey. And, as new homeowner Amaya Gunasekera finds, the excitement comes along with some new questions—and new worries.

Amaya was thrilled when she moved into her very own house in Greenville, SC, last summer. As a single person working full time, though, she has found it tedious to accomplish home improvement projects alone. On top of that, she has also ...

Now that you have the home you worked so hard for, you might feel ready to continue your real estate adventure with an investment property. If so, there are many pros and cons to consider and in this episode of Beginner to Buyer host Nadeska Alexis will cover them all.

Nadeska is joined by homebuyer Matt Sustaita who successfully navigated the expensive San Francisco real estate market and is now, with his wife, enjoying the process...

What is an ADU and how can adding one help you earn income from your property? Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are becoming more and more popular to add space and potentially generate rental income. Navigating the decision to build one or convert an existing space can be tricky, but with this episode of Beginner to Buyer, we’ll take you through the process and what you need to do to be prepared if an ADU is the right choice for ...

Does home ownership make you happier? The research is mixed, but most people agree that the security and stability of owning your own home offers a significant benefit and one that represents a level of achievement many strive for.

In this episode of Beginner to Buyer, host Nadeska Alexis speaks with new homeowner Holly Sprinkle about what home ownership means to her. Holly shares her experience as a single mom of two boys and the d...

How do you know if it’s a good time to buy a home? Are you ready personally? How does the housing market with its changing interest rates affect the decisions you make?

In this episode of Beginner to Buyer host Nadeska Alexis begins by interviewing Jason Roberts, a California renter who recently experienced some of the ups and downs of the home buying process. They discuss Jason’s experience with a hot housing market and the decisio...

Now that you have the home you’ve always wanted, how do you make it your own? Whether you bought a fixer-upper to save money and have a list of projects to take on, or you just want to bring your personality to home decor, in this episode of Beginner to Buyer, we’ll take you through how to make your home what you want it to be.

Host Nadeska Alexis is first joined by Lindsay DeAlba who lives with her family and owns a home in Norther...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. How do you know if you’re finally ready to make the leap? How much do you need to have for a down payment? What other expenses should you be prepared for as a new homeowner? Are there programs available that could help you as a first-time homebuyer?

In this episode, host Nadeska Alexis looks at all these questions for a deep dive into how to make sure you’re f...

Whether you are a new homeowner or just beginning to think about how you will buy your first home, you’ve probably realized you have a lot to learn. From saving for a down payment, to taking advantage of special lending programs for first-time buyers, it’s important to have expert advice and insights from experienced professionals.

In Season 1 of Beginner to Buyer, we walked you through the basics of planning for and buying your fir...

If you’re like many people these days, your home-buying journey likely started online, browsing listings on platforms like Redfin and Zillow. Offering an easy way to view huge numbers of listings in any zip code, these platforms have surged in popularity— especially during the pandemic-influenced real estate bubble of the last several years. While online browsing can be a great way to start your search, there’s really no substitute...