A first-time buyer shares how education, the right team, and a clear plan helped her buy a $348,000 home with just $23,000 total—despite fear, student loans, and a volatile market.

Saly and her husband were ready to purchase their first home in April 2022, just before the interest rates went wild. Learn how their unicorn team helped them navigate the crazy real estate waters, gave them an amazing experience and helped them realize their homeowner dreams.

“I grew up thinking buying a house was just for rich people. And boy, I was all wrong.”

— Saly

Saly thought homeownership was only for rich people and believed she needed 20% down. After learning how low-down-payment loans, PMI, and real numbers actually work, fear stopped driving her decisions. With the right Realtor and lender running personalized scenarios, she replaced misinformation with clarity. Eight months after starting with $5,000 saved, she became a homeowner—and realized she could have done it even sooner.

• Do you really need 20% down to buy your first home?
• How much do student loans actually affect buying a home?
• What happens when fear delays your homebuying timeline?
• Why is planning more important than timing the market?

• 429 - 3 Years Later... Does Saly Regret Buying Her First Home? (Interview)
• 400 – Introduction: How to Buy a Home Starter Series (START HERE)
• 388 – The Playbook VOL. 1: The Rent Replacement Strategy
• 389 – The Playbook VOL. 2: Your Last Lease Ever
• 363 – Buying a Home Right Out of College without 2 Years on the Job - INTERVIEW
• 418 – 2026 Housing Market Predictions (and What 2025 Taught First Time Home Buyers)

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This podcast was created for YOU - to cut through the confusion and empower you to buy your first home. Let's change how the real estate industry treats first-timers, one buyer at a time- starting with YOU!

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David Sidoni, the "How to Buy a Home Guy," is a seasoned real estate professional and consumer advocate with over 18 years of experience helping first-time homebuyers navigate the real estate market. His podcast, "How to Buy a Home," is a trusted resource for anyone looking to buy their first home. It offers expert advice, actionable tips, and inspiring stories from real first-time homebuyers. With a focus on making the home-buying process accessible and understandable, David breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow steps, covering everything from budgeting and financing to finding the right home and making an offer.

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Resources Mentioned:

https://www.howtobuyahome.com/services/find-a-realtor/