Your First Home

Not every first-time homebuyer who wants to buy should buy right now, and knowing the difference between "not yet" and "let's go" can save you from a really expensive mistake. Stacie walks through seven signs that you should pump the brakes on buying a house, from financial red flags like credit card debt and unstable income to less obvious ones like not knowing your neighborhood well enough or not having a strong reason to own in the first place. And if none of these apply to you? She tells you exactly what to do next. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) What you'll learn today: Why not being tied to a specific location is one of the biggest reasons to hold off, and the real cost of buying before you're settled How struggling to save the minimum 3% down payment is a signal about more than just your savings balance What to research about a neighborhood before you even consider making an offer (including the Reddit and Facebook deep dive trick) Why carrying $10,000+ in credit card debt at 25% interest changes the math on homeownership How to think about income stability when you're buying solo vs. buying as a couple The difference between "I can't comfortably afford it" and "I just wish it were cheaper," and why that distinction matters Why "buying is better than renting" isn't actually a good enough reason to buy a house Resources mentioned: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass Episode 33: How To Set a Realistic Budget for Your First Home (Without Going House Poor) Episode 29: Is Buying a House Worth It in 2026? The Truth First-Time Buyers Need to Hear Connect with me: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — What are the signs you should actually wait? 01:20 — Sign 1: You're not tied to a specific location yet 02:52 — Sign 2: You're struggling to save the minimum down payment 04:25 — Sign 3: You haven't researched the area you're looking in 07:18 — Sign 4: You have significant credit card debt 08:11 — Sign 5: Your income isn't stable enough yet 09:12 — Sign 6: The monthly payment would put you in financial distress 10:03 — Sign 7: You're buying for the wrong reasons

You've probably heard that you need 20% down to buy a house. And if you've done the math on what that actually looks like in 2026, it might feel impossible. The truth is, the 20% rule comes from a time when home prices were a fraction of what they are today — and most first-time homebuyers are putting down far less. In this episode, I break down the real pros and cons of a larger versus smaller down payment, explain how mortgage insurance actually works (and what it costs), and walk you through how to decide what the right amount is for your situation. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) What you'll learn today: Why the 20% down payment rule is outdated, and the 1980 vs. 2026 math that proves it The three real benefits of putting 20% down (lower payment, negotiating power, and home equity) and who they matter most for Why a small down payment can be a financial risk if you need to sell your home quickly How mortgage insurance (PMI) works, what it actually costs, and when you can cancel it Why putting 10% down instead of 3% can cut your PMI from $350/month to $132/month How to use a mortgage calculator to figure out what monthly payment you're actually comfortable with When it makes sense to buy with a smaller down payment instead of waiting years to save more Resources mentioned: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass Fannie Mae mortgage calculator Episode 33: How to Set a Realistic Budget for Your First Home (Without Going House Poor) Connect with me: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — How much do you really need for a down payment as a first-time buyer? 01:01 — The great debate: save 20% or buy with 3–5% down? 01:48 — Why the 20% rule is outdated (1980 vs. 2026 math) 04:12 — Benefit #1: Lower monthly payment with no mortgage insurance 04:43 — Benefit #2: Negotiating power in competitive markets 06:44 — Benefit #3: Home equity and why low equity is a financial risk 08:29 — The biggest drawback of waiting to save 20% down 09:35 — Opportunity cost: could your money be working harder elsewhere? 10:16 — Why draining your savings for a bigger down payment can backfire 11:15 — What if you don't have 20% saved? Start here 13:48 — What mortgage insurance (PMI) actually is and how it works 15:10 — How much PMI costs (it's probably less than your streaming subscriptions) 17:42 — When and how you can cancel mortgage insurance 18:31 — How to decide what down payment amount is right for you 19:40 — Your next step: connecting with a first-time homebuyer agent

Buying a home is expensive, but it doesn't have to be as expensive as you think. In this episode, I'm breaking down three proven strategies to save money while buying a house, from being flexible on what you're looking at, to timing your search in the off season, to negotiating your mortgage rate and fees. I've used all three of these strategies myself across three home purchases, including an investment property where every dollar counted. If you're a first-time homebuyer trying to stretch your budget further, these are the moves that actually make a difference. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) What you'll learn today: Why your must-have list should be short and how flexibility on everything else can save you thousands What to look for in a home that's well-maintained but cosmetically outdated, and why that's actually the best deal How staging and good photos trick buyers into overpaying and what to look for instead Why days on market matters and how homes listed for 14+ days give you more negotiating power How exploring less popular neighborhoods can get you a better home at a lower price Why shopping for a home in winter instead of spring can save you $20,000–$30,000 How to negotiate your mortgage interest rate by getting competing lender quotes within 14 days Why even a quarter-point difference in your interest rate can save you $50,000+ over the life of your loan Resources mentioned: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass Episode 26: When is the BEST and WORST time to buy a house? Connect with me: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Three strategies to save money buying a house 01:17 — Strategy 1: Get crystal clear on your must-haves and be flexible on everything else 02:48 — Why a cosmetically outdated home is actually the best deal 04:18 — If it meets your must-haves, go look at it even if the photos are bad 06:15 — How staging tricks buyers into paying more 09:00 — Why "cute" houses cost more and what to look for instead 09:13 — Days on market: why 14+ days means negotiating power 10:09 — Being flexible on location and exploring less popular neighborhoods 12:38 — Strategy 2: Shop for a home in the off season 13:18 — Start looking in winter even if your lease isn't up until spring 14:46 — Strategy 3: Negotiate your interest rate and fees with lenders 15:58 — The 14-day credit shopping window and why you should get three quotes 16:38 — Recap: three ways to save money when buying a house

How do you actually set a budget for buying a house: one that works for your real life and not just what a lender says you qualify for? In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact process I recommend to every first-time homebuyer. We're looking at your take-home pay, your fixed and variable expenses, your goals for after you buy, and what you're currently paying in rent. I also share the practice mortgage payment method that helped me and my husband figure out what we could actually afford when our payments doubled, and how you can use it to test your budget before you ever commit. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) What you'll learn today: Why your pre-approval amount and what you can actually afford are two completely different numbers How to figure out the highest mortgage payment you could realistically handle based on your take-home pay and fixed expenses How to have the priorities talk with your partner about what matters more: a bigger house or more lifestyle flexibility The practice mortgage payment method: how to simulate your future payment before you buy so you know what it actually feels like What to think about five to ten years out: kids, career changes, and how your needs in a home might shift How to use a mortgage calculator to work backwards from the monthly payment you're comfortable with to a home price Resources mentioned: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass Free guide: How much house can you afford? Fannie Mae mortgage calculator Connect with me: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — How do you know how much house you can actually afford? 00:55 — The free guide that started it all 02:31 — The goal: a house that fits your life, not one that takes it over 04:18 — Start with your take-home pay and fixed expenses 06:27 — Variable expenses and the priorities conversation 09:57 — Your goals for after you buy 11:07 — What are you paying in rent, and how does it feel? 11:49 — Practice mortgage payments: test your budget before you commit 14:14 — How your life and finances might change in 5–10 years 15:00 — The ultimate question: what monthly payment are you comfortable with? 16:34 — Using a mortgage calculator to find your price range 19:13 — How to connect with a FAME agent

You've probably seen the headlines: home prices are shifting, interest rates have been bouncing around, and it feels like every article is telling you something different about whether now is the right time to buy. But unfortunately, most of that information is based on data that's already two months old, so it's not as accurate as we'd hope. In this episode, I'm breaking down the real numbers behind the 2026 housing market: what's happening with interest rates, where home prices actually stand, why media headlines are misleading, and what all of it means for you if you're a first-time homebuyer trying to figure out your next move. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area — it's free. What you'll learn today: What happened when interest rates dropped below 6% in February, and why they rose again before spring Why most housing market headlines are based on outdated data and how the two-month sales lag works What mortgage purchase applications tell us about buyer demand right now (and what they don't) How current housing inventory compares to the 2008 crash, and why we're nowhere near those numbers Where home prices actually are in Q2 2026 and how they compare to inflation and wage growth Why the national market doesn't tell you much, and how regional markets like the Northeast vs. Florida are moving in opposite directions How to find an agent who knows your local market so you're not overpaying or underbidding Resources mentioned: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey Redfin housing market data Connect with me: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Why most housing market headlines are wrong 01:01 — Recap: what we predicted for 2026 at the start of the year 02:06 — How interest rates, home prices, and wages were expected to move together 05:33 — What actually happened: rates dropped below 6% in February 06:55 — The Iran conflict and the rate spike that followed 07:47 — Why we can't see real pricing data for two months 08:53 — What mortgage purchase applications tell us about demand 10:04 — Current housing inventory vs. the 2008 crash (70K vs. 400K listings) 11:28 — The spring market: where prices stand right now 12:34 — Why the national market doesn't matter — your local market does 14:05 — Regional breakdown: Northeast vs. Florida vs. Arizona 14:50 — How a FAME agent helps you navigate your local market

Is it actually smarter to rent right now instead of buying a home? With higher interest rates at 6.5% and rising home prices, I sat down and ran the numbers, and what I found honestly surprised me. In this episode, I share what the data really says about renting vs. buying in today's market and the 3 questions you need to ask yourself before deciding whether to buy or rent, so you can choose what's right for your life. Get ready to decide if homeownership is worth it for you! In This Episode, You Will Learn What the numbers say about renting vs. buying in 2026. The 3 questions to ask before deciding to buy or rent. What most people get wrong when comparing buying vs renting. The smartest strategy that combines both owning and investing. How homeownership fits into a bigger financial strategy over time. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Connect with a first-time homebuyer agent in your area HERE Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Thinking about relocating and buying a house at the same time? In this episode, I break down the 3-step plan to help you navigate both without feeling rushed or making a decision you regret. I also share how to decide whether to buy or rent first, how to get set up financially in a new area, and how to approach house hunting when you're not local. Tune in to learn how to relocate and buy a home in a way that protects your budget and helps you avoid costly mistakes. In This Episode, You Will Learn How to decide whether to buy right away or rent first when relocating. Why the location matters more than the house itself when you're moving. What you need to get pre-approved when relocating to a new state. Why your job location and income matter for loan approval. The best way to approach house hunting when you're not local. Why seeing a home in person can make a big difference before you buy. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Connect with a first-time homebuyer agent in your area HERE Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Wondering what you should actually do before you start touring homes? In this episode, I share the 7 steps my husband and I took before buying our home and why doing this prep work ahead of time made the entire process smoother and less stressful. When we bought our first home, we made a lot of mistakes. The second time, we approached the process very differently. We started planning about a year in advance, set a clear budget, researched neighborhoods, and got realistic about what we could actually afford in a high-cost market. Tune in to learn the exact steps we followed so you can prepare ahead of time and avoid common mistakes. In This Episode, You Will Learn How calculating your debt-to-income ratio helps estimate your price range. Why testing your future mortgage payment helps you set a realistic budget. How setting a savings goal early can make buying a home much easier. How to use Zillow as a research tool before you start seriously looking. Why visiting open houses early can reset your expectations about price and location. How creating a list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers speeds up your search. When to connect with a real estate agent and lender so you're ready when it's time to buy. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Connect with a first-time homebuyer agent in your area HERE Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Wondering how much cash you actually need to buy a home beyond your down payment? In this episode, I'm breaking down what closing costs are, why they're required, and how you can prepare for them long before you reach the closing table. I talk about where costs come from, why lenders collect taxes and insurance upfront, and the strategies buyers use to reduce out-of-pocket expenses through negotiation. Tune in to learn how to protect your budget and avoid one of the most common surprises first-time buyers face when purchasing their first home. In This Episode, You Will Learn What counts as closing costs and why they're separate from your down payment. Why prepaid taxes and insurance make closing costs feel higher. Which lender fees you may be able to negotiate. How seller concessions can help reduce upfront cash needs. When negotiating closing costs works and when it doesn't. How much extra savings buyers should plan for before closing day. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Send me a question using THIS LINK Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

There are so many misconceptions about VA loans. I still hear listing agents call them "weak offers." I still hear buyers say, "I already used my VA loan once, so I can't use it again." And I constantly get asked whether putting 0% down is actually smart. So today, we're setting the record straight. I'm joined by Air Force combat veteran and real estate agent Lauren Davis, along with senior loan officer Todd Sevier, to break down exactly how VA loans work; the benefits, the myths, the funding fee, refinancing, using it more than once, and how to make your VA offer competitive in a multiple-offer situation. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why VA loans are actually some of the strongest loans on the market. Whether putting 0% down makes sense for you. How disabled veterans can have their funding fee waived. How to use your VA loan again (even if you already have!) How to protect yourself from sketchy refinance solicitations. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Send me a question using THIS LINK Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Connect with today's guests Lauren Davis: website & instagram Todd Severe - website & instagram 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

A lot of buyers hear "FHA loan" and assume it's automatically the best option for first-time homebuyers, but that's not always true. In this episode, I break down what FHA loans actually are, who they're designed for, and the biggest myths that cause buyers to make the wrong choice. I share why FHA loans aren't just for first-time buyers, how they really compare to conventional loans, and why a lower interest rate doesn't always mean a lower monthly payment. Plus, I also talk about credit score flexibility, mortgage insurance, and why FHA offers can be harder to get accepted in competitive markets. Get ready to learn whether FHA is helping or hurting your buying power. In This Episode, You Will Learn The role FHA loans play in today's housing market. Why FHA loans are not just for first-time homebuyers. The hidden trade-off behind FHA's lower interest rates. Why FHA mortgage insurance sticks around longer than most buyers expect. The specific credit and debt situations where FHA actually works best. How FHA loans can impact your leverage when you're competing for a home. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Send me a question using THIS LINK Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

So many future homeowners tell me, "I'm scared to buy a house because I don't want to end up house poor." And honestly? That fear is a good thing. It means you're thinking ahead and doing this the right way. In this episode, I break down what to do before, during, and after buying a home so you can protect your finances and still enjoy your life. I talk about how to practice your future mortgage payment, how much cash you really need saved (hint: it's more than just your down payment), what to look for in a home so surprise repairs don't derail you, and why you should slow down on decorating after you move in. Get ready to buy a home you love without becoming house poor. In This Episode, You Will Learn How to "practice" your future mortgage before you ever buy. Why total cash-to-close matters more than just your down payment. The hidden costs first-time buyers forget to plan for. How to spot homes that could drain your savings fast. What to ask about roofs, systems, and property taxes before you fall in love. Why waiting 2–3 months to decorate can save your sanity and your bank account. How to build a real safety net with an emergency fund that works for homeowners. Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Home prices today can feel downright shocking, especially when you see what the same house sold for just a few years ago. In this episode, I talk about what's really happening behind those price jumps and what experts are actually forecasting for 2026. I also dive into why the last few years were anything but normal, why trying to time the market is risky, and what "normal" finally looks like again after the chaos of the COVID-era real estate. I break down predictions from Redfin, Realtor.com, and Zillow in plain English and explain how to use this information without letting it paralyze your decision-making. Get ready to stop overthinking the market and start making grounded, confident decisions. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why today's prices feel so different from pre-2020 homes. What experts really mean by a "housing market reset". How interest rates are expected to behave in 2026. How wage growth changes the affordability conversation. Why national headlines don't tell the full story. How to buy smart without waiting for a perfect market. Resources + Links Connect with a first-time buyer agent in your area HERE Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE Connect With a FAME Agent (Free) HERE Follow Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com 💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!