Once you've had your planning meeting, the next step is finding the right realtor, but not just any realtor will do. I'm breaking down the FAME framework I use to vet realtors for first-time buyers: first-time homebuyer friendly, available, market knowledge, and experience. You'll learn exactly when to reach out, what questions to ask, and how realtor compensation actually works so nothing catches you off guard.

➞ Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why you should connect with a realtor 6 to 12 months before you want to move (and the math behind that timeline)

• The FAME framework for vetting a realtor: first-time homebuyer friendly, available, market knowledge, and experienced

• The exact numbers to ask about: years of experience, total sales, and how many are with first-time buyers

• Why the busiest realtor in town might not be the right realtor for you

• How realtor compensation actually works, and why it usually doesn't cost you anything out of pocket

• What happens on your first call with a realtor and what they'll ask you

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Find a First-Time Home Buyer Agent

• Home Buying 101 | Free Class

• How Much House Can I Afford | Workbook

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Step two: finding the right realtor

• 01:22 — When to reach out to a realtor (and the math behind the timeline)

• 04:47 — The FAME framework: how to vet a realtor as a first-time buyer

• 08:17 — The exact questions to ask a realtor before you commit

• 09:34 — What happens on your first call with a realtor

• 11:02 — How realtor compensation actually works

• 12:46 — Why having a FAME realtor changes the whole process

Where do you actually start when you want to buy a house? Before you talk to a realtor or a lender, there's one conversation you need to have first, and skipping it is why so many buyers panic or overspend the moment the right house hits the market. This is the first episode in a new series walking through exactly where to start, and today it's your planning meeting: your finances, your location, and your must-haves, so you can move fast and with confidence when the time comes.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why you have to make your big decisions before you start looking, not while you're standing in the house you love

• The two money questions to answer first: how much you can spend upfront, and how much you're comfortable spending monthly

• How to set a "flex number" above your budget for the exact right home, before emotions are involved

• How to narrow down your top neighborhoods and search radius before you start touring

• How to build a must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers list, and why doing it separately from your partner first matters

• Why taking your time means doing the prep work early, not looking at 60 houses before deciding

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Find a First-Time Home Buyer Agent

• Home Buying 101 | Free Class

• How Much House Can I Afford | Workbook

PAST EPISODES TO LISTEN TO:

• Episode 33: How to Set a Realistic Budget for Your First Home (Without Going House Poor)

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Where do you actually start when you want to buy a house?

• 02:35 — Step zero: the home buying planning meeting nobody tells you to have

• 03:59 — Why you have to decide everything in advance (the market moves fast)

• 07:44 — How to actually set up your planning meeting

• 08:18 — The money conversation: upfront cash and your monthly budget

• 11:43 — Deciding on your top locations

• 12:49 — Building your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers list

• 16:34 — What's next: finding a realtor and testing your criteria online

Wondering if you're actually ready to buy a house, or just going through the motions because that's what you're "supposed" to do? There are four specific things you need in place before you're ready: knowing your why, a plan to stay put for at least five years, enough saved, and a monthly payment you can comfortably afford. I'm walking through all four so you know exactly where you stand, and exactly what to work on if you're not there yet.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why "buying is better than renting" isn't a good enough reason on its own, and the real question to ask before you commit

• How to identify your one true non-negotiable, even in a market where you'll have to compromise on almost everything else

• Why you need a plan to stay in your next home for at least five years, and what it costs you if you sell sooner

• The minimum you actually need saved before you're ready to buy

• How to know if your monthly payment is actually comfortable, not just what a lender approves you for

• What to do next if you're missing one (or more) of these four pieces

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• How much house can I afford? Workbook

PAST EPISODES TO LISTEN TO:

• Episode 1: How Do You Know If You're REALLY Ready to Buy a House?

• Episode 29: Is Buying a House Worth It in 2026? The Truth First-Time Buyers Need to Hear

• Episode 18: The First-Time Buyer's Guide to Turning Your Home Into an Investment

• Episode 49: How Much Should You Have Saved Before You Start Looking to Buy Your First Home?

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — How do you know you're ready to buy a house?

• 02:04 — Key 1: Know your why (and your one non-negotiable)

• 05:52 — Key 2: Plan to stay in the home for at least 5 years

• 07:32 — Key 3: Have the savings (down payment + closing costs)

• 08:34 — Key 4: A monthly payment you can comfortably afford for 5–10 years

• 10:45 — Recap: the 4-point readiness checklist

• 11:21 — Your next step: connecting with a realtor

If you've heard that owning a home comes with big tax write-offs, the real answer is more nuanced than that. I'm breaking down exactly what's tax deductible when you own a home (mortgage interest, discount points, and property taxes) plus the 2026 SALT cap change that just raised how much homeowners can deduct. I'll also walk through the difference between itemizing and taking the standard deduction, and why I don't think you should buy a house for the tax benefits alone.

Quick disclaimer: I'm not a tax professional or CPA. This is general education, not tax advice. Talk to an accountant about your specific situation.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• The two main categories of homeowner tax deductions: mortgage interest and property taxes

• How discount points and home equity line of credit interest can also count as deductions

• What changed with the 2026 SALT cap (property tax deduction limits went up under the "Big Beautiful Bill")

• The difference between the standard deduction and itemizing — and how to know which one actually saves you money

• Why your Form 1098 matters at tax time and where to find it

• Why I don't recommend buying a home based on the tax benefits alone

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• How much house can I afford? Workbook

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — What tax benefits do you actually get from buying a house?

• 01:26 — The two types of homeowner tax deductions: mortgage interest and property taxes

• 02:10 — How mortgage interest and amortization work (and why it's deductible)

• 04:29 — Property taxes and the new 2026 SALT cap change

• 06:03 — Standard deduction vs. itemizing, explained with real numbers

• 08:48 — Where to find your Form 1098

• 09:17 — Why I wouldn't buy a house for the tax benefits alone

Most first-time buyers think the minimum down payment is all they need saved before they start touring homes… but that's only half the number. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how much you need for your down payment, your closing costs, and the buffer you'll want after closing, using real dollar examples so you know your actual savings target before you start house hunting.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why 3% down doesn't mean you only need 3% of the purchase price saved to start looking

• The real dollar breakdown of down payment plus closing costs on a $400,000 home

• When a seller assist can let you finance closing costs instead of paying them upfront, and when it won't fly in a competitive market

• Why a lower down payment means a higher monthly payment (and how that affects what you can actually afford)

• How much to set aside after closing for repairs, updates, and a real emergency fund

• The one question to answer before you ever calculate a down payment: what monthly payment you're actually comfortable with

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• Fannie Mae closing costs calculator

• Zillow mortgage payment calculator

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — How much money do you need saved before house hunting?

• 00:46 — Window shopping vs. serious shopping (and why pre-approval comes first)

• 02:44 — The minimum down payment: 3% and what it actually gets you

• 04:04 — Figure out your monthly payment comfort zone first

• 05:08 — Closing costs: the number most buyers forget to save for

• 08:37 — What to set aside after closing: repairs, updates, and your emergency fund

If your goal is to buy a house in the next six to twelve months, you've probably wondered whether you're supposed to get pre-approved first or start touring homes first... and most people freeze right there. I'm walking through exactly what to do at 12 months out, 6 months out, and 3 to 4 months out, from researching neighborhoods and setting your search criteria to connecting with a realtor and lender. By the end, you'll know exactly where you are in the process and what to do next.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why most people who "just start looking" on Zillow end up wasting months chasing homes outside their budget

• How to research neighborhoods and price ranges before you ever tour a house

• The difference between must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers, and how to build your list before you start touring

• When to actually connect with a realtor, and what to look for

• Why getting pre-approved is a process, not a one-time conversation, and when to start it

• The realistic timeline from finding a house to closing, including how your state affects it

• How open houses can save you months of wasted time once you're seriously looking

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• Episode 33: How to Set a Realistic Budget for Your First Home (Without Going House Poor)

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Where do you start if you want to buy a house in 6–12 months?

• 01:30 — The research phase: what to do about a year out

• 02:11 — Why you should check home prices online before you start touring

• 05:00 — Open houses: the low-pressure way to test your assumptions

• 06:03 — Deciding on a location before you fall in love with a house

• 09:42 — Building your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers list

• 12:23 — When to connect with a realtor and a lender (6 months out)

• 16:15 — Getting pre-approved and starting your home tours (3–4 months out)

When you're touring homes for the first time, it's easy to get caught up in the staging and the kitchen and start mentally moving in before you've even left. But there are things you should be paying attention to that most first-time buyers completely miss. In this episode, I sit down with home inspector James Lee of GBG Inspection to talk about the red flags you can spot during a tour, why mold is his biggest deal-breaker, what most people get wrong about new construction, and how to find an inspector who actually does the job right.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• The first things to look for when you walk into a house, including signs of water damage, ceiling discoloration, and fresh paint that might be hiding something

• Why mold is one of the biggest deal-breakers for a home inspector and how to spot (and smell) the signs during a tour

• The big-ticket items that determine whether a home is worth it: roof, foundation, HVAC, and their life expectancies

• How to use data plates on your AC unit, water heater, and major systems to find out how old they are

• Why new construction homes aren't automatically problem-free, and the quality control issues inspectors find regularly, including water leaks and mold in brand-new builds

• The three phases of new construction inspections: pre-pour, pre-drywall, and final, and why skipping them can cost you

• How to evaluate a home inspector before you hire one, including the one thing you should always ask for

• Maintenance tips for after you buy: when to recaulk, when to check the roof, and how often to schedule follow-up inspections

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• Episode 30: 7 Best Pieces of Advice and Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

• James Lee / GBG Inspection: Instagram (@homeinspectorjams) | Website

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Meet James Lee: home inspector and new construction specialist

• 01:07 — Red flags to watch for when you're touring a home for the first time

• 02:47 — How to spot water damage: ceiling stains, discoloration, and fresh paint

• 04:42 — Non-negotiable deal-breakers: mold, foundation, roof, and HVAC

• 07:05 — Flip houses vs. older homes: what to expect and how to budget

• 08:10 — New construction isn't always better: quality control issues inspectors find regularly

• 11:13 — The three phases of new construction inspections and what each one catches

• 12:43 — How to choose a home inspector: the one question to always ask

• 14:26 — Common issues first-time buyers miss (and which cracks actually matter)

• 16:42 — Home maintenance after you buy: filters, caulking, roof checks, and follow-up inspections

• 19:20 — Final advice: don't fall in love before the inspection

Student loan debt is one of the biggest reasons first-time buyers assume they can't qualify for a mortgage… but the data says otherwise. One-third of first-time homebuyers in 2025 had student loan debt when they closed (and I'm one of them). In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how lenders calculate your student loan payment for approval, whether you should pay off your loans before buying, and how to run the debt-to-income numbers yourself before you ever talk to a lender.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Whether student loan debt actually disqualifies you from buying a home (33% of 2025 first-time buyers had it and still closed)

• How lenders calculate your student loan payment for pre-approval, even if you're on an income-based repayment plan, in deferment, or in forbearance

• The exact debt-to-income ratio math lenders use, with a real dollar example you can run with your own numbers

• Why low down payment options like 3% down for first-time buyers matter even more when student debt is part of the picture

• How to decide whether to pay off your student loans first or put that money toward a down payment instead

• The interest rate comparison that tells you which option actually saves you more money

• Why a free conversation with a local lender is the fastest way to get a real answer

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• Episode 34: How Much of Your Income Should You Spend on a House? Budgeting Formulas for First-Time Buyers

• Zillow mortgage payment calculator

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Can you buy a house with student loan debt?

• 01:00 — What the data says: 33% of 2025 first-time buyers had student loans

• 02:04 — How lenders calculate your student loan payment for pre-approval

• 04:15 — The debt-to-income ratio math (with a real dollar example)

• 07:07 — Should you pay off your student loans before buying a house?

• 08:57 — What you can actually afford (budgeting beyond your pre-approval number)

• 10:19 — Your next step: connecting with a FAME agent

Most first-time homebuyers only talk to one lender, and it's one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Research shows that shopping around for mortgage lenders can save you over $60,000 across a 30-year loan, and the process is a lot simpler than most people think. In this episode, I share my insider perspective as a former mortgage loan officer and break down exactly how to compare lenders, what to look for beyond the interest rate, and how to use competing quotes to negotiate a better deal, without hurting your credit score.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• Why the difference between a 6.5% and 7% interest rate costs you $47,000 over 30 years (and $133/month)

• How to get pre-approved with multiple lenders within the 14-day credit pull window so it only counts as one inquiry

• What to look for on a closing cost estimate beyond the interest rate, including lender fees and points

• How some lenders advertise low rates that actually come with thousands in hidden upfront costs

• When you can (and can't) lock in your interest rate, and how the loan estimate protects you after you're under contract

• How to take a better quote from one lender and ask another to match it, and what lenders will actually do when you ask

• Why an experienced agent's lender recommendations are one of the most underrated advantages in the home buying process

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

• Mortgage News Daily — current mortgage rates

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Why shopping for lenders can save you $60,000 on your mortgage

• 01:02 — Stacie's insider perspective as a former mortgage loan officer

• 03:05 — Shopping for a mortgage is just like shopping for a car — here's how

• 04:04 — Why a low rate means nothing if the lender can't get you to closing

• 05:12 — The 14-day credit pull window: how to compare lenders without hurting your score

• 07:24 — Why you should get all of your pre-approvals in the same week

• 08:04 — How to read a closing cost estimate and spot hidden lender fees and points

• 11:05 — When to lock your rate and how the loan estimate protects you

• 13:09 — How to negotiate by showing one lender a better quote from another

What happens when you outgrow your first home and you're ready for the next one? Even if you've been through the buying process before, selling and buying at the same time brings a whole new set of decisions, and the order you do things in matters more than most people realize. In this episode, I walk through the three main strategies for making the move: buying first then selling, selling first then buying, and doing both at the same time. I also break down the one financial question that determines your entire game plan, how to calculate what you'll actually walk away with when you sell, and the timeline to keep in mind so you're not scrambling.

Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!)

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY:

• The three strategies for buying your next home and selling your current one, and the tradeoffs of each

• Why buying first is the easiest option but comes with the risk of carrying two mortgage payments

• How a sale contingency works and why it depends on your local market conditions

• The one question to ask a lender before you do anything: can you qualify to carry both mortgages?

• How to calculate your home equity after closing costs (and why seller costs are higher than you think)

• What your agent will walk through with you to get your home ready to sell for the highest price

• Why starting 6–12 months before your ideal move date gives you the most flexibility

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free)

• Free homebuying masterclass

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Visit my website

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — What happens when you're ready to buy your second home

• 01:07 — The three strategies: buy first, sell first, or do both at once

• 02:40 — Strategy 2: Sell first and rent or stay with family temporarily

• 02:58 — Strategy 3: Close on both the same day with a sale contingency

• 04:31 — The first question to answer: do you need to sell in order to afford the next home?

• 06:40 — How to calculate what you'll actually walk away with after selling

• 09:02 — What the selling timeline looks like from listing to closing

• 12:26 — Why starting early gives you the most options