How to Buy a Home

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How to Buy a Home is here to change the game for first-time buyers.

Can I really buy a home? 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. Real estate expert David Sidoni has spent 20 years helping 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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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on How to Buy a Home.

Hosts

David Sidoni

Previous Guests

Christina
Christina is a former renter who transitioned to homeownership after nine years of renting. She successfully purchased a fixer-upper in Cleveland with the help of a specialized realtor, navigating the competitive real estate market while balancing her personal and professional needs. Her journey highlights the importance of guidance, family support, and strategic planning in achieving homeownership.

Topics Discussed

home inspection red flags normal wear and tear smart homes solar panels negotiations sewer scope April 2025 market update rate drops rising inventory condo market mortgage rates stock market correction tariff policies HOA fees insurance spikes regional buyer wins low inventory homeownership first-time buyers real estate fixer-upper self-employed down payment equity mortgage payment
Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on How to Buy a Home.

0:00 16:35

April Tariff Panic: What It Means for Homebuyers

Stock market swings, Fed pivots, and tariff chaos all hit in April—here’s how it’s really impacting mortgage rates, builder incentives, and your buying plan. A surprise tariff announcement in early April caused the largest single-day stock drop since 2022—but does that mean the housing market is crashing? Not even close. In this episode, you’ll hear how trade turmoil, media panic, and rate fluctuations connect to real first-time buyer decisions.


David explains how April’s brief rate dip created new affordability windows, what the Fed’s shifting tone means, and why fear-based headlines often create quiet openings for strategic buyers. He also calls out rising builder incentives, condo deals, and ways to stay ahead when everyone else hits pause.



Quote:


“Use the public panic to your advantage. You know more than most people do. Yeah, you do.” — David Sidoni



Highlights:


  1. Why did April’s tariffs trigger a 12% market drop—and what does it really mean for rates?
  2. Could builder costs rise in 2025 due to materials and trade impacts?
  3. How April’s 1%+ mortgage rate swing changed monthly payments for buyers.
  4. Is buyer fear creating stealth deals in the condo market right now?
  5. What role is the Fed playing—and why their next move matters for your timeline.
  6. How to prepare—not pause—when uncertainty hits the market.



Referenced Episodes:


  • Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions
  • Episode 198 & 216 – PMI Strategy
  • Episode 301–310 – The 10-Step First-Time Buyer Plan
  • Episode 326 – Assumable Mortgages
  • Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers



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!

0:00 38:40

From Out-of-State to Chicago Homeowner (INTERVIEW) - 333

In just two months, Conan went from renting in Michigan to owning a condo in Chicago—with a unicorn team, 5% down, and a plan built around his daughter and his goals. Buying from out of state? Recently divorced? Facing a competitive market? Conan tackled all of that and more—without overbidding, overpaying, or compromising on what mattered. After losing a few bidding wars, Conan pivoted to a fixer-upper, used his strong credit to keep PMI low, and leaned on his unicorn team for everything from FaceTime home tours to mold remediation negotiations.


This is a story of speed, strategy, and smart choices, with takeaways for buyers who need to move fast, stay flexible, and win in today’s market.



Quote:


“Even after going through a divorce and a money drain, I was still able to buy a home three months later. That just shows—anyone can do this.” — Conan



Highlights:


  1. How did a divorced dad living out of state buy a home in 60 days?
  2. Can 5% down with PMI really be smarter than putting 20% down?
  3. What made Conan pivot back to a fixer-upper—and why it paid off.
  4. Why FaceTime tours and a “no-pressure” realtor changed everything.
  5. What’s it like to buy in a Chicago bidding war bloodbath—and still come out ahead?
  6. How did his unicorn team negotiate mold remediation and pest cleanup before closing?
  7. What makes condo living with a low HOA fee a smart first step toward ownership?



Referenced Episodes:


  • Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions
  • Episodes 175–177 – How to Win a Bidding War
  • Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers
  • Episode 330 – From Renter to Homeowner With a Home Business


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!

0:00 37:35

Home Inspections: What’s Normal vs Red Flag? - 332

Hosts
David Sidoni
Keywords
home inspection red flags normal wear and tear smart homes solar panels negotiations sewer scope

The home inspection process is one of the most intimidating parts of buying your first home. That’s why this episode, originally aired as Episode 110, has been updated with critical 2025 insights on smart homes, solar panels, attic access, and more.


David explains why inspections feel overwhelming (spoiler: they’re supposed to), what your general inspector actually does, and how to spot real red flags vs. normal wear and tear. Learn why a sewer scope is worth every penny, how inspections affect negotiations, and how to turn your report into a personalized to-do list instead of a panic attack.


Quote:


“The inspection is not a pass/fail test—it’s a to-do list. And it could be your best negotiation tool if you know how to use it.” — David Sidoni


Highlights:

1. Why does your inspection report make it feel like your home is falling apart?

2. What’s the difference between cosmetic issues and safety hazards?

3. How can a $250 sewer scope save you from an $8,000 sinkhole?

4. Do inspectors check attics, electrical panels, and smart home systems? (They should!)

5. What does “working condition” really mean—and why sellers love that term?

6. Should you ever waive your inspection in a competitive market?

7. How do you turn a scary inspection into a smart homeowner checklist?


Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions

• Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers


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!

0:00 19:27

April 2025 Housing Market Update – Stocks, Rate Drops, & Opportunities - 331

Hosts
David Sidoni
Keywords
April 2025 market update rate drops rising inventory condo market mortgage rates stock market correction tariff policies HOA fees insurance spikes regional buyer wins low inventory

In this timely April 2025 market update, David Sidoni unpacks rate drops, rising inventory, and why some condos are suddenly less affordable—even as their prices fall. The latest housing market data is in, and David breaks it all down so first-time buyers can cut through the headlines and plan smarter. In this episode, you’ll learn how a 10% stock market correction and tariff policies may be helping mortgage rates fall—and what that means for your buying timeline.


David also dives into surprising shifts in the condo market, with record-high HOA fees and insurance spikes making some of the most “affordable” homes trickier than they seem. Plus, he covers regional buyer wins, like opportunities in cities such as Omaha and Charleston, and revisits the #1 thing still driving home prices: low inventory.


Quote:


“It’s not how to buy a home next week. It’s how to plan to buy a home in six months—or even 18 to 24 months from now.” — David Sidoni


Highlights:

1. What do stock market volatility and global tariffs have to do with your mortgage rate?

2. Could rate cuts be coming sooner than expected—and how should buyers prepare?

3. Are bidding wars finally dying out, or is that just national data masking local reality?

4. Why are condos selling below list—but still becoming less affordable for many buyers?

5. What’s really included in your monthly payment—and how can rising HOA and insurance fees change the math?

6. Which cities are quietly winning for renters ready to make a move in 2025?

7. Is now the time to buy—or the time to start building your plan before the rush?


Referenced Episodes:

• Episode 326 – Assumable Mortgages

• Episode 272 – How to Use the Podcast Library

• Episodes 175–177 – Winning a Bidding War

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions

• Episode 328 – 10 Real Action Steps for First-Time Buyers


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!

0:00 36:38

From Renter to Homeowner with a Home Business – Christina’s Story (INTERVIEW) - 330

Hosts
David Sidoni
Guests
Christina
Keywords
homeownership first-time buyers real estate fixer-upper self-employed down payment equity mortgage payment

After nine years of renting and years of casual house-hunting, Christina thought she wasn’t ready to buy—but just three months after getting a unicorn team, she was closing on her dream home. Christina left Brooklyn for Cleveland thinking homeownership was still a year or two away. But once she connected with David and got matched with a unicorn realtor, the process moved fast—and worked. She bought a fixer-upper that fit her personal and professional life, avoided bidding wars, and gained instant equity at closing. With guidance, family support, and smart planning, she made the jump from renting to owning on her own terms.


Quote:


“I needed a space where I could run my business from home without customers walking through my whole house.” — Christina


Highlights:

• What happens when you go from renting for 9 years to closing in 3 months?

• Could a fixer-upper be your smartest option in a competitive market?

• What if you’re self-employed—can a partner’s income really carry the loan?

• Is “pre-inheritance” the key to affording a down payment in your 30s?

• How can an appraisal surprise help you gain equity instantly?

• Why is a sewer scope one of the most underrated steps in homebuying?

• Can you really run a business from home without sacrificing privacy?

• What’s the deal with delaying your first mortgage payment—and how can that help?


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!

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4.8 rating 869 reviews
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4.8 ratings 861 reviews
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