Your First Home: How To Buy a House For First-Time Home Buyers

Stacie Rihl | First-Time Homebuying Expert
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Welcome to Your First Home Podcast - I'm your host and homebuying expert Stacie Rihl and I've spent the last 8 years helping first-time homebuyers like you make their dreams of owning a home reality. Buckle up, because we're about to demystify the process and learn everything we should have been taught in school about the biggest and most exciting purchase you'll ever make. Your first home.

  1. Oct 21

    56. How to Buy a House Alone in Your 20s, with Sarena Tseng

    Can you actually buy a house on your own in your 20s in this market? My guest Sarena Tseng did it at 26, buying in the Austin area in 2025 as a solo first-time homebuyer. She's sharing the real numbers with us: how much she had saved, why she put just 3% down and happily pays PMI, how house hacking with roommates makes her mortgage work, and the $12,000 kitchen refresh that turned an outdated house into one she loves. We also get into the costs nobody warned her about and what owning a home alone looks like once you have the keys. ➞ 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: How much a solo first-time homebuyer actually had saved before buying, and why you want liquid cash instead of pulling from investments Why she chose a 3% down conventional loan through a Fannie Mae first-time homebuyer program, and what her PMI really costs each month The closing costs and ongoing expenses that caught her off guard, including lender's title insurance, prepaid HOA dues, and homeowners insurance How house hacking with roommates made a mortgage affordable on a single income Why mortgage calculators on Zillow tend to underestimate your real monthly payment How she turned an older, "technically turnkey" home into her dream space with a $12,000 kitchen update Why the house she bought wasn't her favorite online, and how a must-have list kept her open-minded What life looks like after closing as a solo homeowner, from furnishing on a budget to window treatments RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find a First-Time Home Buyer Agent Home Buying 101 | Free Class How Much House Can I Afford | Workbook Follow Sarena on Instagram and TikTok MORE EPISODES ON BUYING A HOUSE SOLO: Episode 40: Buying a House Solo vs. With a Partner: What First-Time Homebuyers Need to Know Episode 3: Can you realistically buy a house solo? With Lily Wyss CONNECT WITH ME: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Is it possible to buy a house solo? 01:29 — Sarena's story: buying solo near Austin at 26 02:44 — How she knew she was financially ready 04:22 — How much she had saved before buying ($50K) 05:39 — Surprise costs: closing costs, HOA, and homeowners insurance 08:53 — Why she put 3% down (and her honest take on PMI) 12:36 — Setting a realistic budget with house hacking 15:25 — Buying an older home and a $12K kitchen refresh 20:55 — What surprised her: listing photos, fast timelines, and phone calls 25:47 — Nerves, research, and whether she's glad she bought 29:32 — Advice for solo buyers: build your team and know your must-haves 32:08 — Life after closing: furniture, mail keys, and window treatments

  2. Oct 14

    55. Where to Start to Buy a House: Step 4 - When to Start Looking

    You've set your budget, found your agent, and gotten pre-approved. Now comes the part you've been waiting for: actually looking at houses. I walk you through how house hunting works for first-time homebuyers, from searching listings on the MLS to knowing when to start touring homes in person. Then I cover exactly how to make an offer on a house once you find one you love. I'll also share how a "maybe" became a "heck yes" on two of the three homes we bought, and why your must-have list matters more than a pretty kitchen. ➞ 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: What the MLS is, how listings travel from the MLS to Zillow and Redfin, and why searching the MLS gives you the most accurate, up-to-date information Why you should start touring homes about four months before you want to move, and how state timelines like attorney review periods change that Why touring homes before you're ready can backfire and leave you comparing every house to the one you couldn't buy How to use your must-have and nice-to-have list to turn a "maybe" into a confident yes without settling How quickly you need to make an offer based on days on market and competition from other buyers What goes into a written offer contract: price, closing date, home inspection, loan type, and lender How much your first deposit typically is, and when it's due How long it takes to close after your offer is accepted Why it can take more than one offer to win a home in a hot market, and why starting early gives you room to try again 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 — The Getting Started Series, Part 4: house hunting and making an offer 00:47 — Quick recap: get organized, find your agent, get pre-approved 02:26 — How the MLS works (and why it beats Zillow and Redfin) 04:23 — When to start touring homes: the four-month rule 06:08 — Comparing homes with your must-have and nice-to-have list 07:32 — When a maybe becomes a yes: my three home searches 10:23 — How fast to make an offer and what goes into the contract 13:52 — Under contract: attorneys, your first deposit, and next steps 15:50 — Why it can take a few offers and why to start early

  3. Oct 7

    54. Where to Start to Buy a House: Step 3 - How to Get Pre-approved

    Once you've had your planning meeting and found your realtor, the next step is getting pre-approved. But there's a real difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved, and most first-time buyers don't know it until it costs them the house. I'm walking through how to choose a trustworthy lender, exactly what documents they'll ask for, and the difference between a quick pre-qualification and a full pre-approval, so you're ready the moment the right home hits the market. 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 getting pre-approved is step three, not step one, and why the order actually matters How to find a trustworthy lender The real difference between a pre-qualification and a full pre-approval Exactly what documents your lender will ask for: bank statements, pay stubs, W-2s, and more How gift funds from family work in the pre-approval process Why you should tell your lender your actual monthly budget, not just take the number they approve you for How long your pre-approval lasts and how rate shopping with multiple lenders actually works 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: 00:02 — Step three: finding a lender and getting pre-approved 02:11 — Why you need a lender referral (not just a Google search) 06:47 — Informal conversation vs. official pre-approval: your two options 07:56 — What documents your lender will actually ask for 09:44 — Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: what's the real difference 11:24 — What you get back: your approval letter and closing cost estimate 12:56 — How long your pre-approval lasts (and when you'll need to redo it) 14:23 — When to start, and how to shop multiple lenders without hurting your credit

  4. Sep 30

    53. Where to Start to Buy a House: Step 2 - How to Find a Realtor

    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

  5. Sep 23

    52. Where to Start to Buy a House: Step 1 - Getting Organized

    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

  6. Sep 16

    51. Are You Ready to Buy a House? The 4 Things You Actually Need First

    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

  7. Sep 9

    50. The Tax Benefits of Buying a House in 2026: What Homeownership Actually Saves You at Tax Time

    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

  8. Sep 2

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

    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

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Welcome to Your First Home Podcast - I'm your host and homebuying expert Stacie Rihl and I've spent the last 8 years helping first-time homebuyers like you make their dreams of owning a home reality. Buckle up, because we're about to demystify the process and learn everything we should have been taught in school about the biggest and most exciting purchase you'll ever make. Your first home.

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