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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Aug 26

    48. Buying a House in the Next 6-12 Months? Here's Exactly Where to Start.

    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)

  7. Aug 19

    47. Home Inspection Red Flags Every First-Time Home Buyer Need to Know, with James Lee

    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

  8. Aug 12

    46. Can You Buy a House With Student Loans? What First-Time Buyers Actually Need to Know

    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

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About

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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