Ever notice how the pros make everything look easy? That's because they have guides who know all the shortcuts. In this episode, David 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.

"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."

• 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.

• 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

Tik Tok @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!

In this foundational episode of the "Ten Basic Steps to Buy a Home" series, David Sidoni challenges conventional wisdom by revealing that Step 1 isn't about getting pre-approved or finding a realtor – it's about making the fundamental decision to start planning your homebuying journey. Through real-world examples and myth-busting insights, he demonstrates why deciding to view homebuying as a rent replacement strategy, rather than a new expense, can transform your entire approach to homeownership. This mindset shift, backed by the confidence that comes from understanding the true process, is what sets successful first-time homebuyers apart in 2025's competitive market.

Quote: "Buying a home is not taking on a new crazy expense... Buying a home is a rent replacement strategy."

Highlights:

• What if you could start planning your home purchase today at no cost, even if you're 2-3 years away from buying?
• Could your belief in common myths like needing 20% down or a 700+ credit score be holding you back from starting your homebuying journey?
• Is "waiting for the crash" actually costing you more than taking action now with a solid plan?
• What's the real reason behind rising home prices in 2025, and how can understanding inventory levels help inform your decision?
• How might converting your monthly rent payment into mortgage payments help build long-term wealth instead of just covering 30 days of living?
• Could working with the right professionals earlier in your journey - way earlier than most people think - give you an advantage in today's market?

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 40, 48, 51 - "I Did It" success stories
• Episode 53 - Madison's condo purchase story
• Episode 151, 162, 168, 192, 219, 225 - Market updates and changes
• Episode 251 - The Last Lease Ever plan
• Episode 274, 299 - JT's perspective episodes
• Episode 290 - 2025 Forecast and Predictions
• Episode 296 - Market follow-up
• Episode 98 - David's personal rental story
• Episode 164 - Chutes and Ladders analogy

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

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!

Think homeownership is years away? In this kickoff episode, David reveals why first-time buyers are waiting longer than ever (now averaging 38 years old!) and shares three simple 30-minute actions that can jumpstart your journey today. No sales pitch, just straight talk about how to make your homebuying dreams a reality sooner than you might think.

Quote:

"Every single buyer told me when I handed them the keys to their brand new home was like, 'Damn, Sidoni, if I'd started planning with you and the lender way earlier, I could have done this a lot earlier and save tons of money that I wasted renting.'"

Highlights

• What if the real estate industry's "one-size-fits-all" approach is actually holding you back from homeownership?
• Could you be closer to buying than you think? (Surprising fact: 45% of buyers in 2024 got rates under 5%)
• Is your student loan debt really the roadblock you think it is? (Spoiler: You don't need to be debt-free)
• How can you create a personalized road map to homeownership in just 30 minutes?
• Why are first-time buyers waiting until age 38 to buy when they could have done it years earlier?

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

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!

Through a real consultation with "Spartacus," a buyer with perfect credentials (20% down, 750+ credit score, no debt), David reveals how even the most qualified buyers dramatically underestimate their options by focusing on traditional affordability metrics. This milestone 300th episode demonstrates why working with professionals early in your journey unlocks possibilities you won't find through online research alone.

Quote:

"Housing affordability is stupendously oversimplified when you research it online." - David Sidoni

Highlights:

• What if traditional housing affordability calculators are actually limiting your options? Discover how focusing solely on monthly payment comparisons could be holding you back from building significant wealth
• Could putting less than 20% down actually improve your financial position? Learn how strategic use of PMI might help you keep more cash liquid while still building equity
• Is waiting to talk to professionals until you're "ready" costing you money? Explore why starting the conversation 12 months before buying could reveal options you never knew existed
• What if your dream home is more attainable than you think? Understand how mortgage payments act as a forced savings account while providing immediate quality of life benefits
• Could fear of professional conversations be your biggest obstacle to homeownership? See how the "age of convenience" mindset might be preventing you from discovering your true buying power

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 299: Buying a Home at 30 - JT's Perspective

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

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!

When our usual host gets the flu, the podcast's creative director hijacks the mic to share the wildest success story he's edited (spoiler: it involves Germany) and spill some insider tea about potential mortgage changes coming in 2026. Not your typical "how to buy a home" episode, but maybe that's exactly what you need to hear right now.

Highlights:

• Could your biggest homebuying obstacle be knowledge, not finances? Discover how understanding your situation might unlock unexpected paths to homeownership
• What can a military safety inspector stationed in Germany teach us about persistence? Learn how Brianna overcame a 9-hour time difference, competitive market, and strict safety requirements to secure her family's home
• How might the potential end of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's conservatorship in 2026 affect your future mortgage rates? Get ahead of the headlines with this early insight
• Is the 2008 housing crisis still impacting today's homebuyers? Understand how past events shape current lending practices and what changes might be coming
• What makes the "good realtors" different? Learn why some agents specifically choose to help first-time buyers despite the challenges

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 119: Military Mom Buys Home While Stationed in Germany (Brianna's Story)
• Episode 274: JT's Story

Links Mentioned:

• Conservatorship Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwyPE8OMN2g&t=105s
• Brianna's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91FMiuzL47Q

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

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!

Think a housing market crash is the answer to your homeownership dreams? Think again! This episode breaks down why a "soft landing" might actually be good news, and reveals how to conquer those pesky student loans and down payment hurdles that are holding you back. Plus, learn the truth behind misleading headlines in Part 2 of this demystified series helping you understand the facts of buying your first home.

Quote: "Don't focus on the fearful and inflammatory headlines. Let the data be your guide!"

Highlights:

• What if your student loans aren't the roadblock you think they are?
• Is it possible to buy a home with less than 20% down? (Spoiler alert: YES!)
• Are you missing out on local down payment assistance programs that could save you thousands?
• Could finding the right local realtor be the key to unlocking your homeownership dreams?

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 250: Down Payment Assistance Program
• Episode 125 & 126: (Focus on Student Debt)
• Episode 186, 195, & 233: (Real-life stories of homebuyers with student debt)

Links Mentioned:

• https://www.myloansense.com/
• https://www.campusdoor.com/company/

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

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!

Don't let those screaming headlines scare you away from homeownership! David Sidoni breaks down misleading real estate news and empowers first-time buyers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate today's market. It's time to ditch the fear and get on the solution side of your homeownership journey!

Quote: "Time in the market is far more valuable than trying to time the market."

Highlights:

• Could those scary headlines actually be clickbait?
• What if you could buy your first home sooner than you think, even with student loan debt?
• Is it possible to find affordable options in today's market?
• Are you missing out on the long-term benefits of homeownership?
• What are the hidden costs of renting that no one talks about?
• Are you aware of the down payment assistance programs available?

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

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!

David breaks down the latest housing market data and reveals why the start of 2025 might be your unexpected chance to buy a home, even if you think you're not ready. He dives deep into the numbers (with less jargon, more laughs) and explains why now is the time to act.  

Quote: "Although some prospective home buyers are fatigued by higher rates and still limited inventory, growing pent-up demand in the market will likely be unleashed during the first quarter of 2025 as rates begin to fall and inventory increases." - Lisa Sturtevant, Bright MLS chief economist  

Highlights:

• What if you could snag a home in Austin, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale at a discount right now?  
• Could those new-build incentives in the Sun Belt actually help you buy a resale home?  
• Is it possible that the "housing shortage" headlines aren't the whole story?  
• Could the fact that homes are sitting on the market for 60+ days be a good sign for you?  
• Is the "lock-in effect" creating more opportunities for first-time buyers in the Northeast and Midwest?   

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

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!

David tackles listener questions head-on, revealing insider strategies to conquer bidding wars (even when the market's hotter than ever) and busting the myth that you need to stay put to become a homeowner.

Quote: "The only way to play the game of timing the market is to get a game piece. And if you don't buy, you don't have a game piece!"  

Highlights:

• What if you could win a bidding war even if your offer isn't the highest?  
• Is it possible to buy a home with LESS than 20% down AND make it work for you financially?  
• Could buying a home actually be BETTER than renting, even if you move in a couple of years?  
• Is there a way to time the market without missing out on the benefits of homeownership?  
• What hidden tricks do realtors know that could give you an edge in a competitive market?  

Referenced Episodes: 198, 251, 175, 176, 177, 46, 49, 73, 75, 84, 198, 216, 54, 69, 106, 131   

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

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!

Think you need to be a financial whiz to buy your first home? Think again! David breaks down the most common questions he gets from first-time homebuyers like YOU – from credit scores and inspections to interest rates and loan options – and gives you actionable steps to conquer your fears and finally ditch that landlord.

Loan & Lender Podcast Episodes:

Ep 11 - Online Lenders 

Ep. 16 - Bank vs Broker

Ep. 32 - VA loans

Ep. 66 & 261 - How To Shop For The BEST Mortgage Interest Rate 

Ep. 153 - buy without 2 years of employment

Ep. 180 - online mortgage calculators are garbage

Ep. 192 - Google sucks: Financial Basics You Should Know to Buy Your First Home.

Ep. 242 – TEN commonly asked lender questions

Highlights:

• What if you could start saving for a home, NO MATTER your current debt situation?
• Is it possible to improve your credit score while saving for a down payment... at the same time?
• Could you be closer to buying a home than you think, even with rising interest rates?
• What if shopping for the "best" interest rate is actually the WRONG way to find the best loan?
• Could working with the right team be the secret weapon you need to navigate the homebuying process?

Other Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 186
• Episode 192
• Episode 201
• Episode 251

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

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!