Find Your Personal Homebuying Education – An In-Depth Guide
How to Buy a Home has been helping first time homebuyers since 2019, with hundreds of free resources designed to help anyone at any stage of homebuying. As a result, we’ve gathered quite the library of content. If you’re looking for a shortcut through the all the episodes, and need something to do while taking a roadtrip this holiday season, then look no further!
Below you will find a comprehensive list of topics and episodes you can use to educate yourself and overcome the roadblocks of your personal home buying journey.
Referenced Episodes
2026 Housing Predictions – Lessons from 2025
- 418 – 2026 Housing Market Predictions (and What 2025 Taught First Time Home Buyers)
- 411 – Fall 2026 Housing Market Update – Inventory, Deals, & More
Where to Start
- 400-410 – Where to start? The 10 basic steps to buy a home
The Playbook
- 388 – The Rent Replacement Strategy
- 389 – Last Lease Ever
Top Hits – 2025
- 394 – The American Dream is Dead
- 365 – Homebuying Feels Impossible in 2025: Here’s How to Find Your First Step
- 94 – First Time Home Buyer Terms And Definitions From A-Z … Well, Just A Actually
- 322 – Am I Ready to Buy a Home? The 5 Questions You Must Ask
- 355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
- 300 – 300th EPISODE! What Can You Afford? Homebuyer Consultation Breakdown
- 381 – Saving While in Debt: How Much Do First-Time Buyers Really Need in 2025?
- 373, 376, 377 – Home Buying Checklist
- 371 – Top Budgeting Apps for FTHBers 2025
Loans & Lenders
- 339 – Don’t Get Pre-Qualified – Get a Plan (INTERVIEW)
- 340 – Down Payment Assistance, Discovery Calls & Lending Myths (INTERVIEW)
- 345 – Why You’re Asking the WRONG Question About Interest Rates
- 346 – How to Build the Perfect Mortgage Plan (Before You Apply)
- 364 – Buying a Home in High Mortgage Interest Rate Markets – **2025 Update
- 329 – In a Homebuying Purchase, Details Matter (REPLAY+UPDATE)
- 180 – Online Mortgage Calculators Are GARBAGE – Here’s Why
- 11 – Should A First Time Home Buyer Use A National Internet Lender Instead Of A Local?
- 16 – How To Get A Loan When Looking To Buy Your First Home with Dino Katsiametis
- 261 – How to Shop for the Best Mortgage Rate
- 153 – Buying Your First Home Right Out Of College – And A Special Announcement
- 192 – Google Sucks: Financial Basics You Should Know
- 242 – 10 (MORE) Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 2
- 247 – [Episode Title Not Provided]
Credit Tips
- 349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (INTERVIEW)
- 403 – Improve Your Credit: Homebuying 101 – Step 3
- 3 What Do You Need To Know About Credit
- 8 Quick Credit Tips For First Time Home Buyers
- 61 – More FICO Fun – Some Good News, For Once, About Credit Scores – And More Credit Hacks!
- 64 – Credit Tips For First Time Home Buyers From Jeanne Kelly, A Nationally Recognized Expert In Credit
- 72 – Answering First-Time Buyer Listener Questions On Credit Pulls, Timing The Market, Part-Time Realtors
- 90 – Credit Repair For 300-669 – “Bad” Or “Fair” Credit Scores
- 199 – Boomer’s Homes Were CHEAPER – Plus Credit Pull Myths!
- 182 – Interview: From ZERO Credit Score to Homeowner
Down Payment & Closing – What to Expect and How Costs Work
- 348 – How Much Do You Really Need for Closing Day?
- 381 – Saving While in Debt: How Much Do First-Time Buyers Really Need in 2025?
- 355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
- 322 – Am I Ready to Buy a Home? The 5 Questions You Must Ask
- 300 – 300th EPISODE! What Can You Afford? Homebuyer Consultation Breakdown
- 280 – Don’t think you can buy a home? – Financial Planning 101
- 340 – Down Payment Assistance, Discovery Calls & Lending Myths (INTERVIEW)
- 87 – What To Expect At Closing On Your First Home Purchase
- 194 – Interview – Making the Impossible Purchase Possible
- 217 – Interview With Millie – How To Buy Your First Home Before Turning 30
- 228 – Interview With Andrew And Melissa Who Did NOT Need 20% Down To Buy And Bought Their First Home
- 232 – Interview With Self Proclaimed “Not Privileged” First-Time Home Buyers
- 312 – Rich People Only? Declan & Bailey’s 3% Down Victory INTERVIEW
New Construction vs. Resale Homes
- 392 – New Construction vs. Resale: Which Is Right for First-Time Buyers?
- 391 – New Build Inventory & Incentives – **2025 Late Summer Promo
- 260 – Patrick and Alex – 8 months with unicorn lender. NO new builds. 4.99% new build, way bigger than resales and lender said “go with builder” after 8 months.
- 256 – Jelly – 10K, 2/1 buydown. Appraised 30K over (Cole, James Sharp team)
Breaking Your Lease
- 412 – Breaking Your Lease (Is It Necessary?)
Student Loan Debt
- 420 – Financial 2.0 – Part 5 – Student Loans
- 125 – College Loan Forgiveness And The First Time Home Buyer – Part 1
- 126 – Buying Your First Home When You Have Student Loans – Part 2
- 186 – INTERVIEW: Buying a Home with 300K of Student Debt?
- 195 – INTERVIEW – Myths of Medical Student Loan Fears
- 349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (INTERVIEW)
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) – Explained
- 198 – PMI Is a Privilege
- 216 – PMI Is Still A Privilege And Still Not The Devil
Home Inspections
- 332 – Home Inspections: What’s Normal vs Red Flag? (110 Replay)
- 220 – Interview With Clarisse – Home Inspections: When And How To Walk Away From The Deal
- 110 – Home Inspections For First-Time Home Buyers
- 75 – Inspection Red Flags, New Tips For 2022 Bidding Wars, And…To Wait, Or Not to Wait?
Internet Sites to Help
- 227 – Using The Internet To Research Your First Home
- 407 – How to Buy a Home – Step 7: Real Estate Terms & Definitions
- 408 – How to Buy a Home – Step 8: Using the Internet to Buy a Home
Out of State Buying
- 55 – How To Move To Another State – Real First Time Buyer Story
- 119 – Briana Interview – AMAZING HTBH Real Buyer Story
- 120 – Interview With Real 1st Time Buyers – How They Relocated States, Transferred Jobs, And NEVER Rent
- 235 – Interview With First-Time Home Buyers – Shopping In Seattle And Buying In Tennessee
- 257 – INTERVIEW Buying Your First Home in 7 Weeks WITH A NEW JOB!
- 333 – From Out-of-State to Chicago Homeowner (INTERVIEW)
Bidding War Tips
- 175 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in the 2023 market
- 176 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in 2023 – Part 2
- 177 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in 2023 – Part 3
House Hacking
- 52 – How To House Hack Buying Your First Home
- 188 – House Hacking May Be Your Tool to Affordability
- 379 – Airbnb & Vrbo – Are Short Term Rental Properties a Good Idea?
- 314 – Is Real Estate a Good Investment? – Dave Meyer, Bigger Pockets Interview
- 358 – How to Buy a Duplex with 12K at 22 years old! – interview
Listener FAQ’s Answered
- 352 – Real Answers to the Most Asked Homebuying Questions (Part 1)
- 353 – Real Answers Pt 2: Mortgage Myths, Interest Rates & Buying Timing
- 354 – Real Answers Pt 3: PMI Panic, Bad Advice & David Unleashed
- 355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
- 356 – Real Answers Pt. 5: What You Must Know Before Making Your First Offer
- 357 – Real Answers Pt 6: How to Handle Homeownership Costs Without Fear
- 358 – INTERVIEW: How to Buy a Duplex at 22 with $12K
- 359 – Real Answers Pt 7: Condos, HOAs, Realtors & Timing
- 241 – 10 Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 1
- 242 – 10 (MORE) Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 2
- 243 – EVEN MORE Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 3
- 244 – Details Matter: What Realtors Should Ask YOU About Buying Your First Home
401K for Primary Home Purchase Down Payment
- 22 – How To Financially Prepare To Buy Your First Home – Part IV
- 58 – How To Use Your Retirement Savings To Buy Your First Home The SAFE Way, And Deep Random Thoughts
- 75 – Inspection Red Flags, New Tips For 2022 Bidding Wars, And … To Wait, Or Not to Wait?
- 113 – Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer In 2022
Tips and Warnings
- 397 – Tips & Warnings for First Time Homebuyers in 2025
Tax Related
- 277 – 1099 Tax Tips for Renters Looking to Buy
- 370 – The Truth About Tax Breaks for First-Time Buyers – INTERVIEW
Unicorns & Disclosures
- 229 – What Is A Unicorn Real Estate Team?
- 275 – Market Update & Unicorn Disclosures
JT Episodes
- 274 – Wait … My Producer Can’t Buy a Home? Here’s Why …
- 299 – The Housing Podcast Nobody Asked For (But Everyone Needs)
- 342 – Three Things I Wish I Did Sooner to Buy a Home (GUEST HOSTED)
Moving & Packing Tips
- 336 – Moving & Packing Tips – How to Reduce Stress When Moving (INTERVIEW)
- 337 – Moving Scams: How to Avoid the Moving Mafia & Being Robbed (INTERVIEW)
INTERVIEWS
Top Interviews
- 109 – Brian and Diana – 4 months, From Wondering About Buying their 1st home to Getting the Keys
- 119 – Briana Interview – AMAZING HTBH Real Buyer Story
- 161 – Achieving The American Dream: An Interview With Sally
- 186 – INTERVIEW: Buying a Home with 300K of Student Debt?
- 238 – INTERVIEW: 2019 OG Listener/Buyer Uses Equity to Upgrade 2024 Dream Home Purchase
- 239 – INTERVIEW: Using the VA Loan for Zero Down, and Monthly Payment is Only $100 More a Month
- 249 – INTERVIEW: First Generation Home Buyers (Mortgage $200 LESS Than Rent!)
- 167 – Interview: Buying a $300K Home With Only $18k? Yes!
- 396 – INTERVIEW: Apartment to 2-Acre Homestead: Samantha’s First-Time Buyer Story
- 399 – The Real Value of Buying: What Nick Gained Beyond a Mortgage
- 363 – Buying a Home Right Out of College without 2 Years on the Job – INTERVIEW
- 414 – How Will and Annie Bought Without Feeling House Poor (INTERVIEW)
- 343 – $60K Income to Homeowner: Jessica’s Journey (INTERVIEW)
High Cost of Living Areas
- 116 – Interview With First-Time Home Buyers Whose Rent Went Up 90% In One Year BAILED On Renting!
- 118 – Interview With First Time Home Buyers – Planning For Expensive Cities
- 128 – First Time Buyer Couple Interview – Making The Move From Apartment To Condo
- 135 – Interview With First Timers In One Of The Most Expensive Areas – Buying Without 20% Down Payment
- 253 – INTERVIEW Surviving the Washington DC Housing Market – First Time Home Buyers
- 321 – Buying in a High-Cost Area – Long Island, NY (INTERVIEW)
- 366 – “Not Ready” to Homeowners: Sergio & Ali’s Journey Past Imposter Syndrome – INTERVIEW
- 378 – INTERVIEW: How Bhavik & Suhani Bought in a High-Cost Market
- 386 – From Rent Hike to Homeowners: Chris & Niki’s Homebuying Win (INTERVIEW)
Buying Under 25
- 363 – Buying a Home Right Out of College without 2 Years on the Job – INTERVIEW
- 358 – INTERVIEW: How to Buy a Duplex at 22 with $12K
- 53 – Real Story From A Real First-Time Homebuyer – Madison’s Story
- 71 – Interview With Randy, A New Homeowner, Unemployed With Zero Credit A Year Ago Who Just Closed
- 85 – Dude Is 19 Years Old And Bought A House, And Only Had A Job For 5 Months!
- 234 – Interview With Yadi and Victor – Dreamed Of Homeownership And Found A Way
People ABOVE the Average Age of 38
- 224 – Interview With Pedro – Bought With Zero Down, And NOT A VA loan, At 59 Years Old
- 59 – Fun Facts – Random Listener Questions For First Time Home Buyers At All Levels
- 113 – Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer In 2022
Single Female
- 53 – Real Story From A Real First-Time Homebuyer – Madison’s Story
- 104 – Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer Who Closed In 2022, Trying Since 2019
- 113 – Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer In 2022
- 163 – Let’s Hear From Another REAL Home Buyer: Amber’s Story
- 169 – Woman Power: This Single Woman Bought Her First Home
- 252 – INTERVIEW Therapist Tips on Buying Your First House
- 258 – INTERVIEW: Buying a House at 26 – BY YOURSELF!
- 265 – INTERVIEW: Single Mom Buys First House in Queens, New York
- 285 – Bought a Home in 48 Hours! First Time Buyer INTERVIEW
- 324 – How a Unicorn Realtor Helped Melissa Win Her Dream Condo (INTERVIEW)
- 347 – She Fired Her Realtor—and Bought the Right Home in 3 Days (INTERVIEW)
- 351 – How a Drama Teacher Bought a Home Solo (INTERVIEW)
- 369 – INTERVIEW: From Fear to First Home: How Regina Bought Solo in Her 40s
- 380 – This Should Have Been Impossible – But Rosie Actually Did It (INTERVIEW)
- 396 – INTERVIEW: Apartment to 2-Acre Homestead: Samantha’s First-Time Buyer Story
Deep Researchers
- 107 – Interview With Methodical First Time Home Buyers
- 121 – When To Back Out Of The Deal – Interview With A First Time Home Buyer
- 181 – INTERVIEW – From Apartment Life to Real Homeowner
- 187 – Interview – Balancing Saving and Paying off Debt to Find IMMEDIATE PEACE
- 236 – Interview with First Time Home Buyer Navigating High Interest Rates + (mini) 2024 Housing Market Update
- 318 – Speeding Up the Homebuying Process with Research – INTERVIEW
Risk Averse
- 327 – From “Maybe Next Year” to Homeowner in 4 Months – Elizabeth’s Story (INTERVIEW)
- 387 – Homeowner in 90 Days: Tyler & Erin’s New Jersey Journey (Interview)
- 372 – Brittany & Fred’s 3% Down Success Story – INTERVIEW
Breaking Your Lease
- 152 – Interview With A Baltimore Area First Time Home Buyer Couple – How They Did It
- 170 – Interview: 1st Time Home Buyers Find Compromise & the Triangle of Success
- 263 – INTERVIEW – Multiple Offers Rejected, Bought Dream Home
- 390 – INTERVIEW: Forced Out Twice, Tim & Vanessa’s Dire Path to Owning
New Build
- 185 – INTERVIEW: From Renter to New Build Homeowner in 5 WEEKS
- 226 – Interview With Aaron And Devany – Planned For A Year And Bought A New Build Home
- 256 – INTERVIEW: Navigating High Interest Rates & Scoring Big with Builder Incentives
- 260 – INTERVIEW – Crazy LOW Interest Rate on New Build Home
Medical Students and Student Loans
- 195 – INTERVIEW – Myths of Medical Student Loan Fears
- 233 – Interview With Stephanie Who Had 200K In Student Loans, And STILL Bought A Home!
- 252 – INTERVIEW Therapist Tips on Buying Your First House
Misc.
- 82 – Interview With VA First-Time Home Buyers – How They Bought In BANANAS 2022!
- 129 – Interview With A First Time Home Buyer Who Bought WITHOUT Two Years Of Employment
- 173 – Interview: The Home-buying Adventures of Antwan & Chailee
- 182 – Interview: From ZERO Credit Score to Homeowner
- 189 – INTERVIEW – VA Loans: Bad for Buyers or a Christmas Miracle?
- 330 – From Renter to Homeowner with a Home Business – Christina’s Story (INTERVIEW)
- 335 – VA Loan, Self-Employed, Military Spouse—Jessica Did It (INTERVIEW)
- 338 – Battling Mold, Bad Advice, and Moving Mayhem in Pittsburgh, PA (INTERVIEW)
- 343 – $60K Income to Homeowner: Jessica’s Journey (INTERVIEW)
- 358 – How to Buy a Duplex with 12K at 22 years old!
- 393 – INTERVIEW: “I Should Have Done This Sooner…” – Isaac, the Homebuyer
Ready to Start Your Homebuying Journey?
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Find a trusted real estate expert here to help you navigate inspections, negotiations, and escrow with confidence.
Have specific questions about your situation? Ask David your homebuying question and get personalized advice.
Prefer to explore more at your own pace? Access our free first-time homebuyer resources here.