When a failed inspection nearly derailed her plans, Ashley found a unicorn agent who helped her buy the right home in just 72 hours—right before Christmas. Ashley’s first-time homebuying journey in New Jersey wasn’t smooth—but it was transformational. After months of frustration, low inventory, and a realtor who didn’t get it, she hit a wall: mold, rodents, and a roof issue revealed by a failed inspection. Instead of settling, Ashley walked away. With guidance from a unicorn agent she found through the HBH podcast, her fortunes changed fast. This episode breaks down the decisions, mindset shifts, and real-world lessons that helped her go from confusion to closing—with a signed contract just three days after finding the right home. A must-listen for anyone feeling stuck or unsure in their buying journey.

“We don’t need you to fit the home—we need to find the home that fits you.” – Ashley's Unicorn Realtor

• How Ashley knew it was time to switch realtors—and what happened next
• What a home inspection revealed that nearly trapped her in a money pit
• The emotional shift from “can we do this?” to “we bought a house!”
• How unicorn agents empower first-time buyers to walk away from bad deals
• Why trusting the process (and yourself) is more powerful than market conditions
• A play-by-play of how she found, bid on, and locked down her home in just three days

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

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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!

The best lenders reveal why waiting to talk to a pro can cost you thousands—and how early planning unlocks smarter, cheaper options for your first home loan. In this episode, David Sidoni shares insights from 250 top first-time homebuyer lenders on what they wish buyers did months before applying for a mortgage. He explains why relying on Google or AI can backfire, and how professional advice early on can tailor your loan for better long-term outcomes. Real-life examples show how small strategic moves, like adjusting debt or rethinking a down payment, can drastically lower monthly costs. Whether you’re a year out or just getting curious, this episode shows why it pays—literally—to start planning now.

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“It’s not just ‘can you get approved?’—it’s are you in the best position possible with the loan structured around your full financial picture?”

Highlights

• What 250 mortgage pros say they wish clients did earlier
• The massive mistake of waiting until you’re “ready” to get pre-approved
• Why Google, webinars, and AI can’t replace tailored financial advice
• A real buyer example where paying off a car instead of boosting a down payment saved big
• How pre-planning transforms your buying power—not just your approval odds
• The difference between a cookie-cutter loan and a custom strategy
• Why a free consult with a realtor-lender team could be your smartest first move

Referenced Episodes

• 129 – Quasi: Bought out of college with the degree—proof you don’t need 2 years.
• 304 – Everything you need to know about credit.
• 182 – Interview with a buyer who had a zero credit score and still bought a home.
• 246 – Lease breaking: Why it shouldn’t stop your buying plan.
• 22, 58, 75, 113 – Using a 401K for your down payment.
• 72, 199 – Myths about credit pulls.
• 309 – Practice your mortgage payment before buying.
• 69, 106 – Dave Ramsey episodes.
• 198 – PMI is a privilege.
• 216 – PMI is still a privilege—not the devil.

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 hoping to buy a home in 2025, these four foundational steps will give you the strategy, support, and clarity you need to finally make it happen. Most first-time buyers don’t get blocked by credit or income—they get stuck because they’re guessing their way through the process. In this episode, David breaks down the four most important things you need to focus on right now to become a homeowner in 2025. From how to plan your offer timing to why your lender might be more important than your budget, this episode gives you a real roadmap—not just a motivation boost.

Whether you’re a renter trying to time the market or already saving and unsure what to do next, this is your starting line.

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Highlights:

• Why the market isn’t crashing—and what to expect in 2025
• The four pillars every first-time buyer must lock in before they start shopping
• How to know the right time to act (even if your lease isn’t up yet)
• Why rate watching and budget guessing are slowing you down
• How your lender—not just your pre-approval—can make or break your offer
• What to do if your credit, savings, or timeline still feel off

Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions
• Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers
• Episode 341 – May 2025 Market Update
• Episode 340 – Lending Strategy with Kelly Cort

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!