How to Buy a Home: The #1 First Time Home Buyer Podcast

David Sidoni
  • 4.8 (883)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Trying to buy your first house in 2026? Start at Episode 400 to start the trusted 10 Steps for Buying Your First Home. This system has helped thousands of renters across the United States say goodbye to their landlords and navigate the 2026 housing market. How to Buy a Home is proud to be the #1 Podcast for First Time Homebuyers across the nation since 2019. Hosted by veteran realtor and 20 year consumer advocate for first time home buyers, David Sidoni, this podcast features expert insights, up to date real estate forecasts, and hundreds of interviews with real first time homebuyers so you can learn from real success stories. If you're trying to buy your first home, you probably have questions like: Can I actually buy a house? How much do I need? Where do I start? The real estate industry overlooks first-time buyers, leaving them with myths, bad advice, and roadblocks. How to Buy a Home has helped thousands of renters become homeowners, coaching thousands across the country. Get real answers, insider strategies, and success stories from buyers just like you. Homeownership might be closer than you think. Let’s get you there.

  1. Putting a Plan into Action - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026

    1D AGO

    Putting a Plan into Action - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026

    This episode walks through a real first-time homebuyer strategy in a high-cost market, showing how complex the numbers and decisions can get—and why having the right guidance matters. Most first-time buyers feel stuck when they look at today’s housing costs. High prices, rising rates, and confusing math make the process feel out of reach. This episode takes a different approach. Instead of just explaining theory, it shows what happens when real buyers put a plan into action. This example builds on the education from earlier episodes and applies it to a real scenario. It highlights how many moving parts are involved when trying to make the numbers work in a high-cost market. From payment structure to overall strategy, the process becomes far more technical than most expect. The biggest takeaway is that there is no one-size-fits-all plan. Seeing how detailed and personalized this process is helps listeners understand why having the right guidance can make all the difference. Highlights What does a real first-time homebuyer plan actually look like in a high-cost market?How do you make the numbers work when affordability feels out of reach?Why does every buyer need a completely customized strategy?What happens when you try to navigate this process without expert guidance? Referenced Episodes 400 - Introduction: How to Buy a Home Starter Series (START HERE)426 - Lowering Your Down Payment – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home – Pt. 7440 - First Time Homebuyer Playbook (Part 1): Rent Replacement Strategy443 - First Time Homebuyer FAQ: What Can I Actually Afford in 2026?457 - First Time Homebuyers: Buy or Wait in 2026? (March Housing Market Update)460 - Rent vs Buy in 2026: Are First Time Homebuyers Crazy?464 - This ONE Myth is Killing First Time Homebuyers in 2026465 - Balancing Debt and Saving in 2026 - First Time Homebuyer's Guide466 - How the Iran War and Oil Crisis Impacts First Time Homebuyers (April 2026 Market Update) ___________________________________________ Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    28 min
  2. Scouting Home Listings Like a Pro - First Time Homebuyers Guide (2026) - 468

    5D AGO

    Scouting Home Listings Like a Pro - First Time Homebuyers Guide (2026) - 468

    Most first-time buyers scroll listings without realizing how much critical information they’re missing. This episode breaks down how to analyze home listings like a professional — uncovering hidden signals, pricing clues, and negotiation opportunities that can save you thousands. Most first-time buyers scroll listings without knowing how to read them correctly. This episode shows you how to analyze listings like a professional by spotting pricing clues, hidden risks, and negotiation opportunities. You’ll learn why listing data can be misleading and how to verify what actually matters. By the end, you’ll know how to turn online browsing into a confident homebuying strategy.   “When you know what to look for, every home listing starts telling you a story.”   Highlights:   Are you trusting listing prices without knowing what homes are actually selling for?What clues reveal when a seller is motivated — and where you have leverage?How can you spot red flags hidden in listing descriptions and property details?Are you missing location and hidden cost signals that could impact your future payment? Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    45 min
  3. First Time Homebuyer: "The Freak in the Sheets" - Buying with an Aerospace Engineer (INTERVIEW) - 467

    APR 1

    First Time Homebuyer: "The Freak in the Sheets" - Buying with an Aerospace Engineer (INTERVIEW) - 467

    A first-time buyer shares the exact mindset shift and lessons that took him from renting with no plan to confidently owning his first home. Cole went from renting with no direction to buying his first home at 29. In this episode, he explains how education, the right realtor, and a shift in thinking about rent vs. ownership changed everything.   This is a real look at what first-time buyers don’t know—and how learning the process turns uncertainty into confidence.   “All your money goes poof when you’re renting.” - Cole, Aerospace Engineer & First Time Homebuyer 2026   Highlights   What mindset shift helped turn renting into a long-term strategy?Why is the right realtor the most important part of the process?What should first-time buyers learn during the home inspection?What fears show up after closing—and how do you handle them? Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    1h 3m
  4. How the Iran War and Oil Crisis Impacts First Time Homebuyers (April 2026 Market Update) - 466

    MAR 30

    How the Iran War and Oil Crisis Impacts First Time Homebuyers (April 2026 Market Update) - 466

    Concerned about rising rates and global headlines making homebuying feel impossible?   Mortgage rates just jumped, and headlines are making the housing market feel unpredictable again. Most buyers assume that means the opportunity is gone — but that’s not what’s actually happening. This episode breaks down how global events are influencing affordability in real time. More importantly, it shows where a new, less obvious opportunity may be forming for buyers who understand the shift. Highlights Why did mortgage rates spike so quickly in 2026?How do global events like oil prices actually impact your homebuying power?Did you miss your chance to buy when rates were lower?Where is the hidden opportunity in today’s unpredictable housing market? Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    24 min
  5. Balancing Debt and Saving in 2026 - First Time Homebuyer's Guide - 465

    MAR 27

    Balancing Debt and Saving in 2026 - First Time Homebuyer's Guide - 465

    Think debt is stopping you from buying a home? This episode shows why that belief is wrong—and what to do instead.   Many first-time buyers feel stuck due to debt, inflation, and uncertainty in today’s housing market. This episode breaks down why debt is not the barrier most people believe it is and how a clear plan changes everything. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” time, buyers can use today’s slower market and increased inventory to their advantage. The real risk is not debt—it’s delaying your plan and missing your opportunity.   “With the right plan, you can stop your rent cycle and take control today — even if you’ve got some debt.” — David Sidoni   Highlights  Is your debt actually stopping you from buying a home—or is that a myth?What happens if you keep waiting instead of planning right now?Could today’s market conditions actually benefit first-time buyers?How can you start preparing for homeownership without buying immediately? Referenced Episodes 400 – Introduction: How to Buy a Home Starter Series (START HERE)404 – Debt Management: Homebuying 101 – Step 4355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?426 – Lowering Your Down Payment – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home – Pt. 7457 – First Time Homebuyers: Buy or Wait in 2026? (March Housing Market Update)460 – Rent vs Buy in 2026: Are First Time Homebuyers Crazy?415 – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home 2.0 - Pt. 1416 – The Best Budgeting Apps - Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home - 2.0 Pt. 2 - (Replay of Ep. 371)417 – 8 Critical Tips – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home 2.0 - Pt. 3419 – Cut Big Costs - Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home 2.0 - Pt. 4420 – Managing Student Debt - Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home - Pt. 5423 – Using Your 401(k) - Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home - Pt. 6403 – How to Buy a Home - Step 3: Improving Your Credit Score (16 Pro Tips) Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    39 min
  6. This ONE Myth is Killing First Time Homebuyers in 2026 - 464

    MAR 23

    This ONE Myth is Killing First Time Homebuyers in 2026 - 464

    PMI isn’t a financial mistake—it’s a strategic tool that can help first-time buyers enter the market sooner and start building wealth.   For decades, first-time buyers have been told to avoid PMI and wait until they have 20% down—but that advice no longer fits today’s market. Rising rent costs and home prices have made saving that much increasingly unrealistic, keeping many buyers stuck on the sidelines.   This episode breaks down what PMI actually is and why it exists, helping you separate fact from outdated fear. Instead of viewing PMI as wasted money, it reframes it as a small cost that can unlock earlier homeownership.   If you’ve been delaying your home purchase because of the 20% rule, this conversation provides a clear, modern strategy to move forward with confidence.   “PMI is often the smallest cost to obtain the biggest wealth-building move of your life.” - David Sidoni, First Time Homebuyer Coach HighlightsWhat PMI is and why it’s required for low down payment loansWhy the “never pay PMI” rule is outdated in today’s housing marketThe financial trade-off between waiting vs buying sooner with PMIHow PMI can help you build equity earlier and avoid long-term renting  Referenced Episodes  460 - Rent vs Buy in 2026: Are First Time Homebuyers Crazy?457 - First Time Homebuyers: Buy or Wait in 2026? (March Housing Market Update)454 - First Time Homebuyer Lending Options 2026: How to Find the Best Deal when Shopping for a Mortgage (Interview)440 - First Time Homebuyer Playbook (Part 1): Rent Replacement Strategy426 - Lowering Your Down Payment – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home – Pt. 7  Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    44 min
  7. First Time Homebuyers: Why Would You Buy a House 10 Months Pregnant??? (INTERVIEW) - 463

    MAR 19

    First Time Homebuyers: Why Would You Buy a House 10 Months Pregnant??? (INTERVIEW) - 463

    Buying a home never happens at the “perfect time.” In this episode, a young family shares how they navigated distance, pregnancy, and closing delays—and what first-time buyers can learn about planning, choosing the right team, and staying flexible.    Most first-time buyers wait for the “right time” to buy a home—but this story proves that moment rarely exists.   Kyle and Carla bought their first home while living two hours away from their target area, all while Carla was in her third trimester—and even closing shortly after their baby was born. Their journey highlights one of the most important truths in homebuying: success comes from preparation, not perfect timing.   In this episode, they break down how working with a knowledgeable local realtor helped them confidently buy in an unfamiliar area, why planning ahead made a stressful situation manageable, and what really happens when closing timelines shift unexpectedly.   If you’ve ever felt like life is too chaotic to start the homebuying process, this episode will show you what’s actually possible with the right guidance and strategy.    “The biggest tip… is dealing with a local realtor that knows the area.” — Kyle    Highlights   Why working with a local realtor is critical—especially when buying out of areaHow this family bought a home two hours away from where they livedWhat it’s like to go through the homebuying process during the third trimester of pregnancyThe reality of closing delays and why timelines aren’t always fixedHow preparation helped them handle buying a home with a newborn in the pictureThe key mindset shift: there is no perfect time to buy—only prepared buyers Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    42 min
  8. How to Win a Bidding War as a First Time Homebuyer - 50 Expert Tips (Spring 2026) - 462

    MAR 17

    How to Win a Bidding War as a First Time Homebuyer - 50 Expert Tips (Spring 2026) - 462

    Bidding wars are back in 2026—and first-time buyers are feeling the pressure. This episode breaks down 50 expert strategies to help you compete, win, and avoid overpaying in a competitive housing market. Bidding wars are happening again in many parts of the country. Low inventory is bringing multiple buyers to the same homes, and first-time buyers need a plan. This episode walks through 50 strategies to help you compete without overpaying. It explains how real estate deals work, why every situation is different, and how to approach offers with the right mindset and flexibility so you can win with confidence. “None of these tips work every time. Some of them will apply to you. And one of them could be the thing that wins you the home.” - David Sidoni Highlights Why bidding wars are happening again in 2026 and what it means for buyersThe “None, Some, One” rule for winning offersWhy mindset and confidence matter before strategyHow using multiple tactics increases your chances of winning Referenced Episodes 175–177 – 3 Part Series: How to Win in Bidding Wars (2023 Edition)400 – Introduction: How to Buy a Home Starter Series (Start Here)426 – Lowering Your Down Payment – Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home (Pt. 7)460 – Rent vs Buy in 2026: Are First Time Homebuyers Crazy?457 – First Time Homebuyers: Buy or Wait in 2026? (March Housing Market Update)413 – Common Questions About Getting a Home Loan364 – Buying a Home in High Mortgage Interest Rate Markets (2025 Update)353 – Real Answers Pt 2: Mortgage Myths, Interest Rates & Buying Timing349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (Interview)346 – How to Build the Perfect Mortgage Plan (Before You Apply)345 – Why You’re Asking the WRONG Question About Interest Rates340 – Down Payment Assistance, Discovery Calls & Lending Myths (INTERVIEW)339 – Don’t Get Pre-Qualified—Get a Plan (INTERVIEW)261 – How to Shop for the Best Mortgage Rate266 – EMERGENCY - Surprise Fed Rate Cuts Change Everything!247 – INTERVIEW: Tips from Expert (Unicorn) Realtor & Lending Team - VA First Time Home Buyer242 – 10 (MORE) Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 2412 – Breaking Your Lease (Is It Necessary?)436 – 20 Questions First Time Home Buyers MUST ASK Finding a Realtor437 – What Is a Unicorn Realtor? First Time Homebuyer FAQ Check out our updated 2026 First Time Homebuyer's Episode Guide - Over 100 of our BEST Episodes of Detailed Homebuying Knowledge, Interviews, and MORE! 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!

    50 min
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Trying to buy your first house in 2026? Start at Episode 400 to start the trusted 10 Steps for Buying Your First Home. This system has helped thousands of renters across the United States say goodbye to their landlords and navigate the 2026 housing market. How to Buy a Home is proud to be the #1 Podcast for First Time Homebuyers across the nation since 2019. Hosted by veteran realtor and 20 year consumer advocate for first time home buyers, David Sidoni, this podcast features expert insights, up to date real estate forecasts, and hundreds of interviews with real first time homebuyers so you can learn from real success stories. If you're trying to buy your first home, you probably have questions like: Can I actually buy a house? How much do I need? Where do I start? The real estate industry overlooks first-time buyers, leaving them with myths, bad advice, and roadblocks. How to Buy a Home has helped thousands of renters become homeowners, coaching thousands across the country. Get real answers, insider strategies, and success stories from buyers just like you. Homeownership might be closer than you think. Let’s get you there.

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