Whether you’re a year out or just starting to think about buying, these 8 tips will help you lay the groundwork — no pressure, no overwhelm, just smart moves to set yourself up right.

Not sure where to start your homebuying journey? In Part 3 of our financial prep series, David lays out 8 high-impact tips for first-time buyers — the exact things he’d tell a friend or family member who wants to buy in the next year or two. These are not one-size-fits-all steps. Instead, they’re practical strategies that can give you a serious edge when you’re ready to get serious.

You’ll learn how to automate your savings, build a basic emergency fund, test-drive a homeowner budget, and prep your credit score. David explains why doing the right things in the right order — before you even look at homes — can save you time, stress, and thousands of dollars when it counts most.

“If you’re still a year out, this is exactly the stuff that gets you ready the smart way — without wasting time or money.”

Highlights:

• A full 8-tip roadmap to help future buyers get ahead
• How to start saving without feeling deprived
• Why building a basic emergency fund is part of the plan
• Tools and apps to simplify your budget
• How to “practice” your mortgage before you own one
• The truth about credit report errors (and how long fixes take)
• What to prioritize now vs. later in your timeline
• David’s real-world advice to his own family about where to start

Referenced Episodes

• 400 - Introduction to the How to Buy a Home 10 steps
• 403 - How to Buy a Home - Step 3: Improving Your Credit Score (16 Pro Tips)
• 315 - How a 20-Year-Old Outsmarted the Market—And How You Can Too UNICORN INTERVIEW
• 358 - INTERVIEW: How to Buy a Duplex at 22 with $12K

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

Learn how to turn your budget into a strategic homebuying tool. Whether you're brand new to saving or ready to fine-tune your plan, this is your playbook for building confidence with your money.

If you want to prepare financially to buy a home, your budget should be your power tool. In this financial prep replay episode, David Sidoni, a nationwide homebuying coach walks through the best budgeting frameworks for renters who are ready to become owners and how to pick the right app for your lifestyle.

David gives you the TOP 5 budgeting apps for 2025 and gives two bonus options for spreadsheet lovers. He also flags the common mistakes and predatory traps that first-time buyers need to avoid when choosing budgeting tools.

Highlights:

• Why budgeting is about empowerment, not deprivation
• How zero-based budgeting gives every dollar a job
• The 50/30/20 rule as a starting point for intentional saving
• Top 5 budgeting apps for first-time buyers in 2025
• Why free budgeting apps often fall short
• Predatory pitfalls to avoid when choosing financial tools

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

This episode kicks off a new financial prep series designed specifically for first-time homebuyers. Whether you’re 2 weeks or 2 years away from buying, this is the financial clarity you’ve been missing.

Most financial advice for first-time buyers is either too vague or too late. In this episode, David Sidoni breaks down the two essential elements of real financial prep: aligning your finances with what lenders actually want to see, and starting as early as possible — ideally 12–24 months before you buy.

You’ll learn why saving money isn’t enough and why you might be closer to homeownership than you think. This is the guide to understanding what makes you approvable, not just how to save blindly. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not ready,” this episode will give you a step-by-step mindset shift to start planning with confidence and clarity.

“Most people are way closer to buying a home than they think — they just don’t have the right information.”

• Why traditional savings advice misses the mark for future buyers
• How mortgage lenders view your financial profile (and how to fit into their system)
• The power of 12–24 months of advanced planning
• Why realigning your finances can be more powerful than saving more money
• How early preparation leads to more options, less stress, and faster homeownership
• The truth behind approval standards — and why you might already qualify

• Episode 400 – Start of the 10-Step Home Buying Series

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

This episode shares the practical story of Will and Annie, first-time buyers in Asheville, NC, who bought a $375K fixer-upper while managing fears of affordability. From working with a credit union to building confidence through education, their journey shows how to buy smart — even without being married.

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — especially if you're unsure about money or the process. Will and Annie started out anxious and unsure how to qualify together. But within two months, they were under contract — with a plan, a great agent, and a fixer-upper they could afford.

They share how they used a credit union, stayed patient through the search, and budgeted for renovations without feeling house poor. Don’t miss the surprise moment at the end that every nervous renter needs to hear.

“I thought owning a home meant we’d feel broke, but it’s been the opposite.” - Will

Highlights

• How to start your homebuying journey even if you're anxious or unsure where to begin
• Why using a credit union gave Will and Annie more clarity and confidence
• What it takes to buy a home as an unmarried couple — and how to qualify together
• How to avoid “Zillow fatigue” and stay patient while house hunting
• Why buying a fixer-upper didn’t mean they felt broke — and how they budgeted for renovations
• What made their realtor the right fit — and how the right agent changes everything
• How hearing other success stories helped them build belief
• What they wish more first-time buyers knew after closing

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

From PMI myths to hard credit pull fears, this listener Q&A episode breaks down the most common first-time homebuyer questions with real math and no fluff. Learn the right order of operations, how to shop for your mortgage, and when to start talking to a lender — all straight from the expert trusted by thousands of new homeowners.

This episode dives into 10 of the most frequent and misunderstood questions first-time buyers ask when preparing to purchase a home. David Sidoni continues the “listener question” series with practical, myth-busting guidance on everything from pre-approvals and FICO scores to the real math behind PMI and rent replacement.

Listeners will discover why starting early is the most powerful move, how to safely run a hard credit pull without hurting your chances, and why “shopping the rate” is one of the biggest traps new buyers fall into. Instead, David explains why “shopping the team” — the right realtor and lender — is what truly determines your long-term success and financial comfort.

“Don’t shop numbers — shop service. Realtor first. Unicorn realtor first.” – David Sidoni

• The correct order of operations: Realtor first, lender second, rate third
• Why PMI isn’t the enemy — it’s a tool that gets you into the game sooner
• The myth of “wait until you’re debt-free” or “save 20%” before buying
• How much a hard credit pull really affects your score (spoiler: not much)
• Mortgage broker vs. bank vs. online lender: what actually matters
• The new FICO top tier: 780+ and why that matters for rates
• Why credit unions are great for cars, not mortgages
• When and how to use a 401(k) loan to buy your first home
• Real math: PMI vs. waiting 40 months to save — $6,000 vs. $100,000 in rent
• The one question that can make or break your lender interview

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

Subscribe on YouTube

@HowtoBuyaHome

If you’re stuck in a lease but dreaming about owning a home, this episode shows you how the math may already be on your side. Learn how breaking a lease — the move most renters fear — can actually save you thousands and help you start building wealth sooner.

For most renters, breaking a lease feels like throwing money away. But what if that short-term fee could unlock long-term financial freedom? In this episode, you’ll discover the real numbers behind one of the biggest decisions first-time buyers face — whether to wait for a lease to end or jump in and start owning sooner.

You’ll learn how to compare the cost of your rent to the value of a mortgage payment, why the “perfect timing” myth keeps people stuck, and how to calculate whether breaking a lease actually puts you ahead. This episode breaks down real examples showing how a $2,000 lease fee can translate into an $18,000 financial gain once you account for rent replacement, appreciation, and tax benefits.

You’ll also learn about current buyer advantages — from reduced competition and falling rates to new down payment assistance programs — that make this season one of the best times in years to purchase your first home. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just wait until my lease is up,” this episode gives you the clarity to see what that waiting could really cost.

By the end, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to run your own numbers and decide when you are financially ready — not when your lease says you are.

“The question shouldn’t be when your lease ends — the question should be when the math favors you most.” – David Sidoni

• Why breaking a lease might actually save you money
• How to calculate your true rent replacement value
• Real math: $2,000 fee vs. $20,000 lost in rent = $18,000 net gain
• The hidden advantage of skipping your first mortgage payment cycle
• Why lease dates rarely align with the best buying opportunities
• Current buyer window: lower competition, better prices, and new programs
• Over 2,600 down payment assistance options available nationwide
• How even small appreciation (2–4%) adds thousands to your wealth
• Why waiting for “perfect timing” can cost more than acting early
• The mindset shift: stop letting your lease control your financial future

355, 388, 411, 180

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

Subscribe on YouTube

@HowtoBuyaHome

Flat prices, stable rates, rising inventory — this episode reveals why today’s “boring” market is a gift for first-time buyers.

This 2025 market update breaks down why the so-called “stagnant” housing market is actually filled with opportunity for first-time buyers. David exposes how media headlines overlook improving buyer conditions — like falling interest rates, more flexible credit score requirements, and the quiet rise of new inventory.

You’ll also get clarity on why ultra-low rates aren’t coming back, how to read between the lines of housing data, and what recent buyer wins say about your chances. If you’re prepping to buy in 2025 or 2026, this is the episode that shows you where the opportunity really is.

“Flat and stagnant isn’t sexy for homeowners — but it’s a dream for you.”

• Why “bad” real estate news is actually good for buyers
• How today’s media frames the market from a homeowner’s perspective
• Updates on credit score flexibility and lender shifts in late 2025
• Signs that interest rates may be stabilizing or easing
• Real stories of first-time buyers winning in today’s market
• The truth about inventory and what’s changing with new builds
• How to read housing headlines with a buyer’s lens, not a seller’s
• Encouragement for listeners coming off the 10-step educational series (Ep 400–410)

• Episodes 400–410: The Complete “How to Buy a Home” 10-Step Starter Series
• 355 - Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
• 391 - New Build Inventory & Incentives - Late Summer Promo 2025
• 180 - Online Mortgage Calculators Are GARBAGE - Here’s Why
• 383 - 2025 Crucial Housing Market Shift Pt 2: Sales, Inventory & Affordability

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

The market changes fast — and most of what you’ve heard about buying a home is already outdated. In this final step of the How to Buy Your First Home system, David Sidoni explains how to read today’s housing data, block out bad advice, and use real-time insight to make your move with confidence.

You’ve reached Step 10 — the finish line of the HBH system. This episode shows why up-to-date market knowledge is your biggest edge as a first-time buyer.

David breaks down how to track what’s happening now — from low inventory to shifting rates — and why relying on old information or family anecdotes can lead you astray. Learn how “location, timing, timing” replaces the outdated mantra and how to use data, not fear, to guide your offer and negotiation strategy.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly where to find reliable pros, what to ignore online, and how all ten steps come together to help you act decisively in a market that never sits still.

• Market knowledge changes fast — most advice is already outdated
• Real data vs. recycled opinions: how to tell the difference
• “Location, timing, timing” — why time in the market beats timing the market
• What 2025–2026 trends mean for first-time buyers
• How to adjust offers and strategies as conditions shift
• Why trusted, vetted experts are your best source of current info

OFFICIAL 2025 EPISODE GUIDE

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

Stop fearing your future mortgage payment — and start preparing for it. In this episode, David Sidoni shows you how to rehearse homeownership before you buy by using your rent phase to train your budget. Learn how to set up automated savings that match your future mortgage, shift your mindset from “budget pain” to “financial power,” and walk into homeownership confident, calm, and ready.

Worried your new mortgage payment will crush your lifestyle? It won’t — if you start practicing now. David explains how to simulate your future homeowner budget before you ever buy. By automating savings equal to your projected mortgage and expenses, you’ll make the transition from renter to homeowner smooth and stress-free.

This step turns budgeting into empowerment. Instead of fearing costs, you’ll build habits that make financial stability automatic — and keep saving even after you buy.

• Learn how to rehearse your mortgage before you buy
• Turn budgeting into financial freedom, not restriction
• Build confidence by automating your savings
• Stay ahead of “house poor” stress after closing

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!

The internet can be your best resource or your biggest distraction when buying your first home. In this episode, David Sidoni breaks down how to use online research the right way — without falling for clickbait, myths, or bad advice. Learn how to combine your own research with your Realtor’s expertise to find the perfect neighborhood and home faster.

Most first-time buyers start their home search online — and that’s okay, as long as you know how to use those tools wisely. David explains how to separate helpful data from sales-driven misinformation, showing you what to look for (and what to ignore) when browsing sites like Zillow, Redfin, or Google Maps.

You’ll learn how to research neighborhoods, compare amenities, and spot trends without getting lost in research overload. David also shows why your “unicorn Realtor” is still the key player who helps interpret that data correctly, so you don’t waste months chasing inaccurate listings or bad information.

By the end of Step 8, you’ll understand how to bring your online findings into productive conversations with your team — turning your curiosity into confidence.

• How to use online tools to explore neighborhoods and listings without wasting time
• The difference between real data and clickbait
• Why Zillow estimates aren’t the same as real home values
• How to make your Realtor partnership stronger through smart research
• The mindset shift from “DIY buyer” to “informed co-pilot”

OFFICIAL 2025 EPISODE GUIDE

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

Tik Tok @HowToBuyAHome

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 two decades 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!