How to Buy a Home: Roadtrip Episode Guide 2025 – Ep. 360 

 July 2, 2025

How to Buy a Home Podcast

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 summer, 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


Top Hits – 2025

  • 350 – From ‘Years Away’ to Homeowner: Your Last Lease Ever
  • 164 – START HERE: 10 Steps to Buying Your First Home
  • 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
  • 344 – Price Cuts, Layoffs, and a Buyer Comeback in 2025 – What the Data Actually Says

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)
  • 349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (INTERVIEW)
  • 280 – Don’t think you can buy a home? – Financial Planning 101
  • 322 – Am I Ready to Buy a Home? The 5 Questions You Must Ask
  • 328 – 2025 Homebuying Action Steps – 10 Real Estate Pro Tips
  • 319 – Condo vs. Townhome vs. House – Which One is Right for You?
  • 279 – New Build vs Resale Houses for First Time Homebuyers
  • 329 – In a Homebuying Purchase, Details Matter (REPLAY+UPDATE)
  • 348 – How Much Do You Really Need for Closing Day?
  • 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
  • 180 – Online Mortgage Calculators Are GARBAGE – Here’s Why
  • 192 – Google Sucks: Financial Basics You Should Know
  • 242 – 10 (MORE) Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 2

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)

241–244: 40+ Listener Questions Answered

  • 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 Thoug
  • 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

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

Down Payment & Closing – What to Expect and How Costs Work

  • 250 – Down Payment Assistance is BACK (Save Major$$$ Buying a House)
  • 340 – Down Payment Assistance, Discovery Calls & Lending Myths (INTERVIEW)
  • 81 – Home Buying Fees, Closing Date Info, And Love Letters
  • 87 – What To Expect At Closing On Your First Home Purchase
  • 348 – How Much Do You Really Need for Closing Day?
  • 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 Hor
  • 232 – Interview With Self Proclaimed “Not Privileged” First-Time Home Buyers
  • 312 – Rich People Only? Declan & Bailey’s 3% Down Victory INTERVIEW

Credit Tips

  • 3 – What Do You Need To Know About Credit
  • 8 – Quick Credit Tips For First Time Home Buyers
  • 56 – The Advanced Hack to Raise Your Credit Score and Get Extra Cash for Your Down Payment
  • 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 Ar
  • 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!
  • 304 – Improve Your Credit: Homebuying 101 – Step 3
  • 349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (INTERVIEW)
  • 182 – Interview: From ZERO Credit Score to Homeowner

House Hacking

  • 52 – How To House Hack Buying Your First Home
  • 188 – House Hacking May Be Your Tool to Affordability
  • 314 – Is Real Estate a Good Investment? – Dave Meyer, Bigger Pockets Interview

Internet Sites to Help

  • 227 – Using The Internet To Research Your First Home
  • 308 – DIY Education & Online Research: Homebuying 101 – Step 7 & 8

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)

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) – Explained

  • 198 – PMI Is a Privilege
  • 216 – PMI Is Still A Privilege And Still Not The Devil

Student Loan Debt

  • 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)

Self-Employed Tax Tips

  • 277 – 1099 Tax Tips for Renters Looking to Buy

Unicorns & Disclosures

  • 229 – What Is A Unicorn Real Estate Team?
  • 275 – Market Update & Unicorn Disclosures

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!

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)

Buying Under 25

  • 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)

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)

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

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)

Ready to Start Your Homebuying Journey?

If you’re planning to buy your first home — especially during uncertain economic times — having the right team makes all the difference.

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.


About the author

David Sidoni is the host of the How to Buy a Home Podcast and a nationally recognized real estate educator for first-time buyers. With over 4,100 real-life success stories, David has spent more than a decade helping renters break the cycle and become confident, prepared homeowners. His honest, myth-busting advice has made him one of the most trusted voices in the homebuying space.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

How to Start Buying a Home in 2025 – 10 Steps to Buying a House
How to Buy a Home in a High Interest Rate Market – 2025 Update – Ep. 364
How to Buy a Home Without 2 Years of Job History – Ep. 363
How a Single Millennial Bought a $400K Home with Just $12K Down – Ep 362