Closing the Deal

Thinking about buying your first home? The journey starts long before you get your keys. In Episode 37 of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson (Realtor) and Sam Enright (Lender) break down a step-by-step 12-month roadmap to homeownership. From checking your credit to building savings, avoiding costly mistakes, and prepping your offer strategy, this episode covers everything first-time buyers need to succeed.

Whether you’re 12 months out or just beginning the process, you’ll get insider tips, real-world examples, and professional insights to guide you from planning to closing.

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes packed with practical advice on home buying, lending, and navigating today’s real estate market.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro & why the journey starts a year before closing

01:00 – Sam’s stressful loan story & why planning matters

05:00 – 12 months out: Checking credit, paying debt, and starting savings

09:45 – Why free credit apps don’t tell the full story

13:20 – The importance of accurate credit reports & building savings early

15:00 – 6–9 months out: Boosting savings, avoiding big purchases, researching loans

18:30 – Zach on saving traps & DTI pitfalls for first-time buyers

19:30 – 3–6 months out: Pre-approval, organizing documents, lender tips

26:50 – Real estate side: Defining buy boxes, neighborhoods & interviewing agents

30:00 – Why today’s market demands early prep

32:00 – 0–3 months out: Locking in financing & offer strategies

35:30 – Constructing winning offers with seller incentives

38:45 – Buying a home is a marathon, not a sprint

41:00 – Final thoughts & episode wrap-up

Welcome back to Closing the Deal for another Saturday Talks! In Episode 4, Zach and Sam dive into a jam-packed week of sports and life updates. From fantasy football draft strategies and hot takes on the NFL season, to Ohio State’s defense and their Friends Tour golf championship, this episode has it all.

🔥 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Fantasy football draft reactions, trades, and sleeper QB talk
• NFL bold predictions: who’s overrated, who’s underrated, and teams to watch in 2025
• Breaking down Ohio State’s defense under Matt Patricia and first impressions of Julian Sayin
• The epic finish to the Friends Tour golf season and championship results
• Future travel plans, life updates, and looking ahead to fall

If you’re into football, golf, or just a fun Saturday conversation, this one’s for you. Drop your takes in the comments ⬇️ — how are you feeling about your fantasy squad, the Buckeyes, or your NFL team this season?

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Football is back & post-Labor Day vibes 02:30 – Is football a hobby or an obsession? 03:15 – Fantasy Football Draft Recap & live draft stories 07:20 – Draft strategies: QBs early vs. late, trades, & sleepers 15:00 – NFL Bold Predictions (Zach’s Lions hot take!) 21:30 – Division breakdowns: NFC North, NFC South, AFC East 23:00 – Matt Patricia & Ohio State’s revamped defense 26:50 – Why defensive football is the most fun 31:00 – First look at QB Julian Sayin 34:00 – Ohio State WR room & offensive outlook 35:30 – Friends Tour Golf Championship Recap 41:30 – Looking ahead to the Ryder Cup event 42:30 – Fall vibes, trips, weddings, and life updates 46:00 – Travel plans: Cancun & Europe trip ideas 47:45 – Wrapping up & listener shoutouts

Buying a home is exciting—but how do you really know how much house you can afford? 🏡

In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson (Realtor) and Sam Enright (Lender) break down the difference between what the bank says you can afford vs. your true budget. They reveal hidden costs, real-world client examples, and the tried-and-true 28/36 rule to help first-time buyers avoid becoming house poor.

You’ll learn: ✅ Why the bank’s approval number isn’t the number you should buy at ✅ How taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance impact your true payment ✅ Real client stories of stretching vs. playing it safe ✅ The “resentful homeowner” trap and how to avoid it ✅ How to prepare for unexpected expenses when budgeting

Whether you’re buying in 2025 or just starting your homeownership journey, this episode gives you the tools to buy smart, stress-free, and on budget.

👉 Subscribe to Closing the Deal for weekly real estate insights, first-time buyer strategies, and real-world advice from a Realtor + Lender team.

• 00:00 | Bank vs. Real Budget: Why Your Approval Number is Misleading
• 01:48 | Client Story: $450K Approval vs. $300K Comfort Zone
• 05:22 | Hidden Costs That Lenders Don’t Count (Utilities, Insurance, Subscriptions)
• 06:31 | Zach’s Experience: Excitement vs. Reality Check
• 09:23 | Lifestyle Choices: Wants vs. Needs in Homeownership
• 13:22 | The Resentment Factor: Why House Poor = Buyer’s Regret
• 14:26 | How to Calculate Affordability: The 28/36 Rule Explained
• 19:53 | Real-World Examples: $50K, $100K, and $150K Incomes
• 26:23 | Credit, Debt, and Stretching Your Budget
• 32:28 | Why Your First Step Should Be Talking to a Lender
• 35:11 | The Role of Unexpected Expenses in Your Home Budget
• 36:12 | Don’t Drain Your Savings: Why You Need a Buffer
• 38:19 | Key Takeaways + Wrapping Up

Should you buy a home in 2025 or wait it out? With interest rates, home prices, and affordability on everyone’s mind, this week’s episode of Closing the Deal breaks down the housing market in 2025. Hosts Sam Enright and Zach Dickson go beyond the headlines with real numbers, market data, and actual case studies comparing home purchases in 2022 vs 2025.

👉 We cover:

• Where mortgage rates, inventory, and prices stand right now
• Whether waiting for rates to drop really saves you money
• Real examples from Ohio homes showing equity gained (or lost)
• The case for buying now vs. the case for waiting
• Why personal circumstances matter more than the market

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an investor, or just curious where the market is heading, this episode will help you make a smarter decision.

⚡ Chapters & Timestamps below 👇

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Should you buy in 2025 or wait?

01:36 – Why this decision is one of life’s biggest financial moves

02:46 – Buying a home as part of the “American Dream”

04:30 – How personal life factors play into timing a purchase

05:30 – The 2025 market update: rates, prices, and inventory

07:46 – Home prices, inventory, and what the numbers mean

09:16 – Supply, demand, and price trends explained

12:01 – Interest rate movement: how much does it really change payments?

15:57 – The case for buying in 2025 (equity, appreciation, refinancing options)

23:12 – The case for waiting: affordability challenges & timing concerns

29:09 – Emotional barriers: seeing what homes used to cost

31:58 – Will we ever see COVID-era rates again?

32:02 – Case study #1: Newark, OH home (2022 vs 2025) 3

9:39 – Does waiting save money? The numbers say…

39:39 – Case study #2: Columbus, OH home (2022 vs 2025)

43:17 – Interest rate outlook: will they fall, rise, or stay steady?

49:19 – Wrapping it up: the real answer to “buy now or wait”

50:38 – Why it all comes down to your personal situation

54:10 – Listener call-to-action: share your 2022–2025 housing story

Thinking about buying a home but worried your offer won’t get accepted? In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach and Sam break down proven strategies first-time buyers can use to make their offers stand out in today’s competitive real estate market. From understanding seller priorities to crafting a winning offer without overpaying, you’ll learn insider tips that can help you land your dream home.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just looking to sharpen your homebuying skills, this episode gives you the edge you need to compete with confidence.

👉 Topics covered in this episode:

• How to make your offer more attractive without always going higher on price
• Contingencies that matter (and which ones you can adjust)
• The importance of timing and communication with sellers
• Mistakes first-time buyers often make when submitting offers

This week on Saturday Talks, Sam relives the not-so-glorious day he took a golf ball straight to the head. 🏌️‍♂️💥 From the initial shock to the laughs that followed, Zach and Sam break down the full story and what it taught them about golf, timing, and maybe a little bit about luck.Tune in for laughs, stories, and our usual Closing the Deal banter!

In this solo episode, Sam takes a deep dive into the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) programs and how they can benefit first-time homebuyers across Ohio. Whether you’re buying your first home, assisting a client, or just want to better understand down payment assistance, tax credits, and reduced-rate mortgage options—this episode breaks it all down in simple, straightforward terms.

Sam walks through the most popular OHFA programs, eligibility requirements, and what buyers need to know before applying. If you’ve ever wondered how the OHFA can help you (or your clients) make homeownership more affordable, this episode is a must-listen.

📍 Perfect for:

First-time buyers • Real estate professionals • Loan officers • Anyone navigating the homebuying process in Ohio

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🎧 Listen now and learn how OHFA can make your homebuying journey a whole lot easier.

For more real estate tips and buyer-focused education, follow Closing the Deal wherever you get your podcasts.

Ep. [30] – Red Flags to Watch for When Touring a Home

Before you fall in love with a property, make sure it isn’t hiding any dealbreakers. In today’s episode, Zach and Sam break down some of the most common red flags buyers overlook when touring a home—from funky smells and foundation cracks to odd DIY fixes and neighborhood warning signs.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned house hunter, this episode will help sharpen your eye and save you money down the road.

What we cover:

– Red flags in the home’s structure and systems

– Neighborhood and location considerations

– Signs of water damage, pests, or poor renovations

– What isn’t a red flag (but often gets treated like one)

– When to walk away vs. when to dig deeper

Touring smarter = buying better.

Buying a home below market value sounds great—but what’s the catch? In today’s episode, we break down three of the most misunderstood paths to homeownership: foreclosures, short sales, and real estate auctions. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for a deal or an investor trying to spot opportunity, this episode covers the risks, rewards, and realities of each buying strategy.

We’ll explain:

• What each term actually means
• How these properties hit the market
• Financing and inspection challenges
• What to expect at an auction
• How to know if the deal is worth it

Don’t go chasing discounted properties without the full picture. This episode will help you understand what makes these deals different—and whether they’re the right move for your situation.

From shady deals and nightmare transactions to hilarious surprises at the closing table—this episode dives into the wildest business stories we’ve ever experienced. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even learn what not to do. Whether you’re a homebuyer, seller, investor, or just someone who loves a good story, this one delivers. Buckle up—things get weird.