How to Buy a Home: #1 First Time Homebuyer Podcast

High rates don't tell the whole story. Learn how falling prices and seller concessions could change what you can afford.

If high mortgage rates have you questioning whether buying is possible, the October 2026 housing data offers more to consider than the rate alone. Learn how falling asking prices, fewer competing buyers, and seller contributions toward closing costs could change your affordability math. Understand why a correction differs from a 2008-style crash and why waiting for lower rates could mean giving up negotiating power. Build a personalized plan with a Unicorn Realtor and lender so you can evaluate your options with actual numbers.

"A mortgage interest rate drop doesn't just help you. It helps every one of those pent up buyers out there all at the same time." - David Sidoni, Nationwide First Time Homebuying Coach

Highlights
What does the September slowdown in pending home sales mean for your buying power?
Why might the beginning of a housing correction offer different advantages than the bottom?
How could seller contributions change your cash needed to close, even with high mortgage rates?
What's the missing ingredient that separates a correction from a 2008-style crash?
Could waiting for lower rates bring back the competition you're hoping to avoid?
What could a record 2,833 down payment assistance programs mean for your homebuying plan?
Why might your favorite home search website leave you with an incomplete picture?

Referenced Episodes & Resources
500 - 10 Step First Time Homebuyer Plan the Industry Won't Teach You
510 - First Time Homebuyer Step #10: Learn the Current Market... and How to Beat It
522 - Low Down Payment Strategies - First Time Homebuyer Options in This Economy
523 - Your Rent Payment Is Already 79% of a Mortgage (Here's What You're Missing)
524 - Make this Your Last Lease Ever - Stop Renting, Start Earning Equity
525 - Rent vs. Buy in 2027?
526 - The Housing Market Sucks: Should You Wait to Buy a Home?
529 - Beat the Rates: 9 Tips to Make High Interest Rates Affordable in Late 2026
532 - Preparing for the Next 5 Months.... (Finding Affordable Options for You)
539 - Seller Concessions: How to Lower Your Cash to Close
541 - 2026 High Rates Means Buyer Leverage - MARKET UPDATE
544 - Seller Panic Is Boosting First Time Homebuyer Affordability
546 - First Time Homebuyer: Solve the Home Affordability Math

HowtoBuyaHome.com/10steps - The #1 Educational System for First-Time Homebuyers in the USA

HowtoBuyaHome.com/Essentials - 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 to 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!

Priced out of your city? Explore 22 ways to rethink your down payment, monthly costs, and homebuying budget without waiting for a crash.

High home prices and 7% mortgage rates can make buying in an expensive city feel impossible, especially when you're worried about becoming house poor. Explore 22 financial strategies, including seller concessions, rate buydowns, lower down payments, and assistance programs you might not think to check. Then follow a Denver couple's budget breakdown for a $700,000 home to understand how temporarily redirecting savings changed their math, and what that trade-off involved.

"Affordability isn't only something you save into. A lot of it gets found." - David Sidoni, Nationwide First Time Homebuying Coach

Highlights
Could seller-paid closing costs help you more than a lower purchase price?
What does waiting for a 20% down payment leave out of your affordability math?
Could you qualify for down payment assistance even with a six-figure household income?
Why might an online mortgage calculator give you an incomplete picture?
How did a Denver couple rethink their budget for a $700,000 home?
What trade-offs should you examine before redirecting retirement contributions toward housing?

Referenced Episodes & Resources
522 - Low Down Payment Strategies - First Time Homebuyer Options in This Economy
523 - Your Rent Payment Is Already 79% of a Mortgage (Here's What You're Missing)
524 - Make this Your Last Lease Ever - Stop Renting, Start Earning Equity
525 - Rent vs. Buy in 2027?
526 - The Housing Market Sucks: Should You Wait to Buy a Home?
532 - Preparing for the Next 5 Months.... (Finding Affordable Options for You)
539 - Seller Concessions: How to Lower Your Cash to Close
541 - 2026 High Rates Means Buyer Leverage - MARKET UPDATE
533 - Mortgage Planning Tips for First Time Homebuyers
464 - This ONE Myth is Killing First Time Homebuyers in 2026
521 - Homeowner Tax Savings That Change Your Math | 2026 Financial Prep Series - Part 7
490 - First Time Homebuyer Pros & Cons: New Build vs. Resale
513 - First-Time Homebuyer Headlines & Scams - PART 2 - Summer 2026 Housing Market Update
529 - Beat the Rates: 9 Tips to Make High Interest Rates Affordable in Late 2026
518 - Down Payment Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers | 2026 Financial Prep Series - Part 4
520 - 401(k) Loans are Not That Scary | 2026 Financial Prep Series - Part 6
423 - Using Your 401(k) - Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Home - Pt. 6
433 - First Time Home Buyer: From Daunted to Done-Elizabeth's Ohio Story (INTERVIEW)
519 - Student Loans Aren't Stopping You From Buying a House | 2026 Financial Prep Series - Part 5
447 - First-Time Homebuyer Tax Strategy to Qualify for a Better Mortgage (Interview w/ Dan Mullens, CPA)
469 - Putting a Plan into Action - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026
470 - Effective Solutions to Get UNSTUCK - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026

HowtoBuyaHome.com/10steps - The #1 Educational System for First-Time Homebuyers in the USA

HowtoBuyaHome.com/Essentials - 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 to 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

With 87% of Realtors quitting within five years, learn the loophole that lets you skip undertrained agents and hire a true expert instead.

The real estate industry's business model often hands the most vulnerable buyers to its least experienced agents. You'll learn the four traits that set a Unicorn Realtor apart (mastery, ethics, education, and advocacy) and why a true expert is happy to help you plan months or even years before you buy.

"Charisma and compatibility do not equal competence." – David Sidoni, Nationwide First Time Homebuying Coach

Highlights
Why do so many buyers end up with undertrained agents, and what could that cost you?
What four traits separate a rare Unicorn Realtor from the one million "donkeys" out there?
Are you really being a bother by calling a Realtor when you're a year or more away from buying?
What's the "loophole" that lets you sidestep the industry's flawed system entirely?
Is a top-tier agent a luxury service, or can every buyer get the best representation?
What's the one question to ask any agent that instantly reveals their competence?
Why is hiring your newly licensed friend or family member such a risky move?

Referenced Episodes & Resources
436 – 20 Questions First Time Home Buyers MUST ASK Finding a Realtor
511 – The Truth About the #1 Resource for First-Time Homebuyers
437 – What Is a Unicorn Realtor? First Time Homebuyer FAQ:
502 – First Time Homebuyer Step #2: Get Your Guides
53 – Real Story From A Real First-Time Homebuyer - Madison's Story
490 – First Time Homebuyer Pros & Cons: New Build vs. Resale
513 – First-Time Homebuyer Headlines & Scams - PART 2 - Summer 2026 Housing Market Update
527 – What's Happening in Housing Right Now? – September 2026 First Time Homebuyer Market Update
532 – Preparing for the Next 5 Months.... (Finding Affordable Options for You)
539 – Seller Concessions: How to Lower Your Cash to Close
260 – INTERVIEW - Crazy LOW Interest Rate on New Build Home
366 – "Not Ready" to Homeowners: Sergio & Ali's Journey Past Imposter Syndrome - INTERVIEW
252 – INTERVIEW Therapist Tips on Buying Your First House
Book: Gouged by Lindsay Owens

HowtoBuyaHome.com/10steps - The #1 Educational System for First-Time Homebuyers in the USA

HowtoBuyaHome.com/Essentials - 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 to 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!

20.8% of homes had a price cut in September, the highest since 2018, and you can turn that seller panic into real savings even with rates over 7%.

Headlines say rates over 7% have created an affordability crisis, but for the first time in 15 years, sellers can't hold their prices. You'll see the data behind today's price cuts, builder incentives, and seller concessions, including how a $10,000 concession on a $400,000 home cuts the cash you need to buy by 31%. Then find out which regions are seeing the biggest gains, and why proactive buyers with a plan are winning while reactive buyers wait on the sidelines.

"These higher interest rates are actually making it MORE affordable for you now with the right strategy." – David Sidoni, Nationwide First Time Homebuying Coach

Highlights
Are today's "affordability crisis" headlines telling you the whole story?
Why are sellers struggling to hold their prices for the first time in 15 years?
How much can a single seller concession shrink the cash you need to close?
What are home builders doing right now to win over buyers?
Which regions are seeing the biggest jumps in affordability and seller incentives?
Which months give you the most negotiating leverage?
What separates a reactive buyer from a proactive one, and why does it matter so much?

Referenced Episodes & Resources
500 – What to Know Before Buying Your First Home in 2026
522 – Low Down Payment Strategies – First Time Homebuyer Options in This Economy
523 – Your Rent Payment Is Already 79% of a Mortgage (Here's What You're Missing)
524 – Make this Your Last Lease Ever – Stop Renting, Start Earning Equity
525 – Rent vs. Buy in 2027?
526 – The Housing Market Sucks: Should You Wait to Buy a Home?
527 – What's Happening in Housing Right Now? – September 2026 First Time Homebuyer Market Update
528 – How to Buy a House: Essential Tips for First Time Homebuyers
529 – Beat the Rates: 9 Tips to Make High Interest Rates Affordable in Late 2026
469 – Putting a Plan into Action - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026
470 – Effective Solutions to Get UNSTUCK - First Time Homebuyers vs. High Cost of Living 2026
532 – Preparing for the Next 5 Months.... (Finding Affordable Options for You)
533 – Mortgage Planning Tips for First Time Homebuyers
489 – 2026 Housing Affordability Tips for Renters and First Time Homebuyers

HowtoBuyaHome.com/10steps - The #1 Educational System for First-Time Homebuyers in the USA

HowtoBuyaHome.com/Essentials - 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 to 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!

Earnest money, AS-IS, appraisal gaps, and escrow: learn what these confusing terms really mean before they cost you money.

Real estate jargon can leave you feeling lost right when the stakes are highest. You'll get plain-English explanations and the three different meanings of escrow, plus how to spot a land lease hiding behind a too-good-to-be-true listing price. Then learn why the most important word in your search is options, and how early planning with your Unicorn team builds leverage no last-minute negotiation can match.

"You can't negotiate your way into options you never set up. Negotiating is where you collect on the work you did months earlier." – David Sidoni, Nationwide First Time Homebuying Coach

Highlights
What's the difference between your interest rate and the APR on your loan paperwork?
When could your earnest money deposit actually be at risk?
Does an AS-IS listing mean you have to skip the home inspection?
What happens if the appraisal comes in lower than your offer?
How can a land lease turn a cheap-looking listing into a costly trap?
Why should hiring your Unicorn Realtor come before you tour a single home?
How does building options months in advance give you more power than any negotiation tactic?

Referenced Episodes & Resources
94 – First Time Home Buyer Terms And Definitions From A-Z...Well, Just A Actually
542 – Closing Costs Demystified: First Time Homebuyer's Guide
537 – How to Read a Zillow Listing Like a Pro
539 – Seller Concessions: How to Lower Your Cash to Close
502 – First Time Homebuyer Step #2: Get Your Guides
437 – What Is a Unicorn Realtor? First Time Homebuyer FAQ

HowtoBuyaHome.com/10steps - The #1 Educational System for First-Time Homebuyers in the USA

HowtoBuyaHome.com/Essentials - 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 to 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!