The home inspection process is one of the most intimidating parts of buying your first home. That’s why this episode, originally aired as Episode 110, has been updated with critical 2025 insights on smart homes, solar panels, attic access, and more.

David explains why inspections feel overwhelming (spoiler: they’re supposed to), what your general inspector actually does, and how to spot real red flags vs. normal wear and tear. Learn why a sewer scope is worth every penny, how inspections affect negotiations, and how to turn your report into a personalized to-do list instead of a panic attack.

Quote:

“The inspection is not a pass/fail test—it’s a to-do list. And it could be your best negotiation tool if you know how to use it.” — David Sidoni

Highlights:

1. Why does your inspection report make it feel like your home is falling apart?

2. What’s the difference between cosmetic issues and safety hazards?

3. How can a $250 sewer scope save you from an $8,000 sinkhole?

4. Do inspectors check attics, electrical panels, and smart home systems? (They should!)

5. What does “working condition” really mean—and why sellers love that term?

6. Should you ever waive your inspection in a competitive market?

7. How do you turn a scary inspection into a smart homeowner checklist?

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions

• Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers

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

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel @HowToBuyaHome

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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!

In this timely April 2025 market update, David Sidoni unpacks rate drops, rising inventory, and why some condos are suddenly less affordable—even as their prices fall. The latest housing market data is in, and David breaks it all down so first-time buyers can cut through the headlines and plan smarter. In this episode, you’ll learn how a 10% stock market correction and tariff policies may be helping mortgage rates fall—and what that means for your buying timeline.

David also dives into surprising shifts in the condo market, with record-high HOA fees and insurance spikes making some of the most “affordable” homes trickier than they seem. Plus, he covers regional buyer wins, like opportunities in cities such as Omaha and Charleston, and revisits the #1 thing still driving home prices: low inventory.

Quote:

“It’s not how to buy a home next week. It’s how to plan to buy a home in six months—or even 18 to 24 months from now.” — David Sidoni

Highlights:

1. What do stock market volatility and global tariffs have to do with your mortgage rate?

2. Could rate cuts be coming sooner than expected—and how should buyers prepare?

3. Are bidding wars finally dying out, or is that just national data masking local reality?

4. Why are condos selling below list—but still becoming less affordable for many buyers?

5. What’s really included in your monthly payment—and how can rising HOA and insurance fees change the math?

6. Which cities are quietly winning for renters ready to make a move in 2025?

7. Is now the time to buy—or the time to start building your plan before the rush?

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 326 – Assumable Mortgages

• Episode 272 – How to Use the Podcast Library

• Episodes 175–177 – Winning a Bidding War

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions

• Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers

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!

After nine years of renting and years of casual house-hunting, Christina thought she wasn’t ready to buy—but just three months after getting a unicorn team, she was closing on her dream home. Christina left Brooklyn for Cleveland thinking homeownership was still a year or two away. But once she connected with David and got matched with a unicorn realtor, the process moved fast—and worked. She bought a fixer-upper that fit her personal and professional life, avoided bidding wars, and gained instant equity at closing. With guidance, family support, and smart planning, she made the jump from renting to owning on her own terms.

Quote:

“I needed a space where I could run my business from home without customers walking through my whole house.” — Christina

Highlights:

• What happens when you go from renting for 9 years to closing in 3 months?

• Could a fixer-upper be your smartest option in a competitive market?

• What if you’re self-employed—can a partner’s income really carry the loan?

• Is “pre-inheritance” the key to affording a down payment in your 30s?

• How can an appraisal surprise help you gain equity instantly?

• Why is a sewer scope one of the most underrated steps in homebuying?

• Can you really run a business from home without sacrificing privacy?

• What’s the deal with delaying your first mortgage payment—and how can that help?

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 is more than a replay—it’s a full-circle moment. Back in Episode 244, David answered a listener’s in-depth questions about down payments, credit scores, and monthly payments. Now, in Episode 329, you’ll hear the amazing follow-up—how that same listener used the advice to buy a $650K home, win a bidding war, and walk away with a smarter mortgage strategy than most pros could dream up.

This episode revisits a real listener journey that began with an email and turned into a personalized coaching moment in Episode 244. Now, months later, they’re homeowners—with $90 PMI instead of 20% down, $100K in reserves still invested, and a clear plan to keep building wealth.

From credit moves to appraisal gap strategies, from picking the right lender to planning for a second property down the road, this episode proves that when you stop Googling and start planning, you unlock real results.

Quote:

“Although we had over 20% to put down, we ended up just putting 5% down because the PMI was only $90 per month. We decided to keep our money in investments and watch it grow.” — Listener featured in Episode 329

Highlights:

• How a first-time buyer used Episode 244’s coaching to win a bidding war

• Why they chose terms over rate when picking a lender

• Locked in at 6.3% after starting at 7.25%—and how timing made the difference

• Why they kept 20% in investments instead of using it for a down payment

• $90/month PMI that helped them stay liquid—and why that strategy matters

• How her 720 credit score got fixed in just months

• Planning ahead: Why she stayed off the loan to possibly buy a second property later

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 244 – Details Matter: On-Air Coaching With a Real Listener

• Episodes 175–177 – How to Win a Bidding War

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

• Episode 198 & 216 – Using PMI Strategically

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!

If you’re tired of feeling stuck, this is the episode that gets you unstuck. David lays out a step-by-step action plan—from boosting your credit and automating savings to leveraging AI, understanding taxes, assumable mortgages, and more. No generic advice here. These are real moves first-time buyers can make today to start building momentum, no matter your timeline or income. Plus, David exposes a new wave of shady “cash back” apps and explains how they work—so you don’t get trapped by fake perks and unvetted agents.

Quote:

“Research is great, but passive learning can stunt your growth. It’s time for action.” — David Sidoni, Episode 328

Highlights:

1. Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to research terms, markets, and neighborhoods.

2. Report rent payments to boost your credit—the right way, with professional guidance.

3. Automate your savings and treat it like a non-negotiable bill.

4. Understand homeownership tax benefits that can improve your take-home pay.

5. Explore assumable mortgages for access to 2–3% interest rates (listen to Episode 326).

6. Track your progress visually—thermometers on the fridge, kindergarten-style.

7. Create a parallel financial plan—save and pay down debt at the same time.

8. Consider rate buy-downs to lower your monthly payment (see Episode 262).

9. Fix your partner’s credit score (without starting a fight).

10. Prep for bidding wars—and why being “ready” is more than just finances.

BONUS WARNING:

• Learn how “cashback” platforms like Gravy use shiny perks to lock you into unvetted agents and lenders who pay to be recommended.

• Discover the truth behind those “free” savings—and why they may cost you tens of thousands more in the long run.

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 94: Real Estate Terms and Definitions

• Episode 251: Tracking Progress with Thermometers

• Episode 262: Mortgage Rate Buy-Downs

• Episode 300: Deep Dive on Credit Scores

• Episodes 175–177: Bidding War Tactics

• Episode 326: Assumable Mortgages

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!

Elizabeth thought she was 12–18 months away from buying her first home. Just four months later, she and her partner Joseph were moving into a sun-filled home they love—for less than list price and with instant equity. This interview breaks down how it happened. After discovering the podcast on Spotify, Elizabeth reached out expecting to take it slow. But with the help of a unicorn lender, she uncovered investment assets she didn’t know she could use, built a plan, and closed fast—without rushing.

She shares how she and Joseph trusted their gut, prioritized layout and light over square footage, and used a job offer letter to qualify for their mortgage. Most importantly, she shows what’s possible when buyers have the right team, real information, and support that puts their goals first.

Quote:

“This is our own place. We don’t have to worry about other people… If there’s problems, we’re in control and we can deal with it ourselves.” — Elizabeth, Episode 327

Highlights:

1. From savings to ownership in 4 months—how a plan made it happen fast.

2. They started with $3,100—and ended up putting 20% down by tapping into investment accounts.

3. Job offer letters work—how Joseph’s future income helped them qualify.

4. The lender made all the difference—six meetings, full education, no pressure.

5. Bank vs. Unicorn Lender—why they ditched the lower rate for real service.

6. Appraisal surprise—they paid under list and the home appraised higher.

7. Light over size—why layout and natural light won over square footage.

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 301 – Start of the 10-Step First-Time Homebuyer Starter 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!

Think low interest rates are gone? Not if you know where to look. In this game-changing episode, David Sidoni is joined by Ryan, aka The Assumable Guy, to break down assumable mortgages—a rare but powerful way first-time buyers could score a 2-3% interest rate in today’s high-rate market.

Assumable mortgages sound too good to be true—but they’re real, and most agents don’t even know how they work. David and Ryan explain how these loans let buyers take over a seller’s low-interest mortgage, slashing monthly payments by hundreds. They cover the step-by-step process, how to find these deals, the challenges, and why this could be the ultimate first-time buyer hack—especially if you’re willing to get creative with house hacking too.

✅ Plus—specific instructions if you want help finding assumable mortgages in your area.

Quote:

“Not only will you pay, on average, $1,000 less a month in your mortgage, but you’re going to spend $80,000 less in interest in just the first five years alone.” — Ryan, Episode 326

Highlights:

• What is an assumable mortgage? How it works—and how buyers benefit.

• How to inherit a 2-3% interest rate—even when market rates are 7%+.

• The truth about VA, FHA, and USDA loans—who can assume them and the biggest misconceptions.

• What’s the catch? Equity gaps, longer timelines, and lender roadblocks explained.

• House hacking meets assumables—how Ryan used this strategy to build his real estate portfolio from $35K/year to financial freedom.

• Down payment options—what happens if the seller has a lot of equity and how to finance the gap.

• Why most realtors have no idea this strategy exists—and how a unicorn agent makes all the difference.

Referenced Links & Resources:

• Follow Ryan (The Assumable Guy) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.assumable.guy/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.assumable.guy

• Learn more about assumables and house hacking at TheAssumableGuy.com

IMPORTANT – Get Local Assumable Mortgage Info:

If you want specific assumable mortgage options in YOUR area, go to HowToBuyAHome.com and click Ask David. Tell him you want info on assumables, and he’ll connect you with the right unicorn experts. 

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!

In this one-of-a-kind episode, David Sidoni sits down with Maya, a conversational AI chatbot designed for natural dialogue—not real estate advice. What happens when a general-purpose AI is asked to weigh in on one of life’s biggest decisions—buying a home? David puts Maya to the test in this completely unscripted conversation to see what AI understands about the homebuying journey. Together, they explore renting vs. buying, the emotional connection to homeownership, what makes a great realtor, and the persistent myths that hold buyers back.

Maya wasn’t designed for homebuyers, but the conversation reveals just how far AI has come—and why understanding tech like this matters as the real estate world evolves.

Quote:

“You’re a myth buster, a champion for the underdog, guiding them through the labyrinth of homeownership.” — Maya, Episode 325

Highlights:

• Can a general AI chatbot really discuss homebuying?

• Renting vs. buying—Maya breaks down the emotional and financial sides.

• What makes a great realtor? Maya nails the top 5 traits buyers need.

• The 20% down payment myth—why it’s still holding buyers back.

• The rise of AI in real estate—what’s helpful and what’s risky.

• Why first-time buyers are older than ever—and how misinformation delays them.

Referenced Resources:

• Learn more about Maya’s AI technology from Sesame: https://www.sesame.com/research/crossing_the_uncanny_valley_of_voice

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 pulls back the curtain on what happens when a unicorn realtor, a killer team, and a well-prepared first-time buyer come together. David Sidoni is joined by Melissa and her realtor Alton to break down exactly how Melissa bought her first home—a $675K corner-unit condo—in a high-cost area without getting house poor. Buying in Southern California is tough—but Melissa, a first-time buyer and pharmacist, made it happen. In this episode, Melissa and Alton share how preparation, strategy, and the right team helped Melissa win a gorgeous, light-filled condo—with no bidding war and no major compromises. From dodging HOA disasters to insider tips on finding hidden value, this episode is packed with lessons for anyone buying in a competitive market.

Quote:

“This is my first home and I’m by myself. I didn’t really have anybody I could talk to who understood real estate… So I think [Alton] kind of just helped guide me… explaining things, putting in terms that I would quickly understand… I needed somebody to kind of guide me and to do that. I didn’t have anybody else like that.” — Melissa

Highlights:

• How Melissa’s preparation and spreadsheets made the homebuying process fast and smooth.

• The HOA disaster that saved her thousands—and how the right team caught it.

• Why natural light, a corner unit, and safety were dealbreakers—and how she got it all.

• The truth about physician loans—and why Melissa didn’t need one.

• How holiday buying season helped reduce competition and secure her dream home.

• What happens when you go under contract, back out, and still win the right home.

• The power of having a unicorn realtor who builds relationships and gets deals done.

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!

In this special replay, David Sidoni dives into one of the most common first-time buyer questions—should you buy a home directly from the seller? Plus, the truth about Zillow’s Zestimate and why relying on it could cost you thousands.Buying directly from a seller (For Sale By Owner / FSBO) sounds like a great way to score a deal—but is it? David breaks down the real risks of buying without representation and why FSBO deals often leave first-time buyers unprotected and overpaying. Plus, he exposes the shocking inaccuracy of Zillow’s Zestimate, and what you should do instead if you want to make a smart offer.

Quote:

“The seller pays for your realtor. You shouldn’t have to do this alone, especially because you can hire a pro for free.” – David Sidoni

Highlights:

• Why most FSBO deals don’t save you money—and often cost you more.

• The real reason sellers skip listing on the open market (hint: it’s not to give you a deal).

• How Zillow’s Zestimate is often off by thousands—straight from Zillow’s own data.

• What buyers miss out on without professional representation—and why it’s risky.

• Why timing the market wrong can cost you more than “overpaying” today.

• How amortization works—and what you REALLY pay over the life of a loan.

• Why owner financing might sound appealing—but often benefits the seller, not you.

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!