Ever notice how the pros make everything look easy? That's because they have guides who know all the shortcuts. In this episode, David Sidoni reveals why finding your own real estate "unicorn" – an experienced, caring guide – is the game-changer most first-time buyers miss. Learn why choosing the right team early unlocks hidden paths to homeownership and saves you thousands, even if you think you're not ready to buy.

Quote: "Finding and working all your options - that's the best play to success. And the right people, they have your best interests at heart, and your 'best interest' - that's a phrase that unicorn-type realtors and lenders don't take lightly."

Highlights:

• Could starting with a pre-qualification actually limit your homebuying options? Discover why David recommends finding your "unicorn" realtor before talking to lenders.
• What if everything you've read online about the first steps to buying a home is backward? Learn why the conventional wisdom about starting with a mortgage pre-qualification might be selling you short.
• Is your real estate agent just a "door opener"? Uncover the crucial differences between order-taking agents and true professional guides who can reveal paths to homeownership you didn't know existed.
• How much training do real estate agents actually receive? (Spoiler: It's less than your barber!) Find out why choosing experienced representation is more important than you think.
• What's the real reason most online advice tells you to get pre-qualified first? David exposes how "big mortgage" tries to capture buyers early and potentially limits their options.
• Could you be closer to homeownership than you think? Learn why 72% of David's listeners who thought they were 12-18 months away from buying were actually under contract in just over 3 months.

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 5: The Biggest Dirty Little Secret in Real Estate
• Episode 11: The Perils of Online Lenders
• Episode 16: Mortgage Broker vs Bank
• Episode 32: VA Loans
• Episode 66: Getting the Best Rate
• Episode 153: Getting a Loan Right Out of College
• Episode 164: The Chutes and Ladders of Homebuying
• Episode 192: Why Google Sometimes Sucks
• Episode 229: Finding Your Unicorn
• Episode 242: Listener Lender Questions
• Episode 261: More on Getting the Best Rate
• Episode 301: Homebuying 101

Connect with me to find a trusted realtor in your area or to answer your burning questions!

Subscribe to our:

YouTube Channel: @HowToBuyaHome

Instagram: @HowtoBuyAHomePodcast

TikTok: @HowToBuyAHome

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!

Visit our Resource Center to "Ask David" AND get your FREE Home Buying Starter Kit!

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.

Subscribe for regular market updates, and leave a review to help us reach more people. Ready for an honest, informed home-buying experience? Viva la Unicorn Revolution - join us!