Mona and “the old mortgage guy” Brian rewind the clock to their first home purchases—when interest rates were sky-high, salaries were low, TVs were tiny, and ramen was basically a food group. Along the way, they break down why first-time buyers have always been stressed, why family help isn’t new (or shameful), and why obsessing over the rate misses the bigger picture. Real stories, real talk, and proof that buying your first home has never been easy—just different flavors of hard.

In this MythBusters episode, Mona and Brian tackle the biggest lies in home buying—like needing 20% down, PMI being the devil, and credit scores under 700 meaning you’re doomed to live in a van down by the river (possibly with a unicorn). They break down what actually matters, why renting is basically paying your landlord’s mortgage anyway, and how even “imperfect” buyers can absolutely become homeowners. Along the way, there are veteran hot takes, Aunt Elaine’s financial advice slander, Sears nostalgia, and at least one magical creature reference.

Bottom line: home buying isn’t as impossible as people make it sound… and Google is not your loan officer. Oh, and ChatGPT isn’t either!!!

In this episode of Homebuying Uncensored, Brian Denton and Mona Wong share real-life mortgage horror stories to highlight the common (and often avoidable) mistakes buyers make during the loan process. From undocumented gift funds and career changes mid-loan to buying cars, furniture, or opening new credit at the worst possible time, they break down how small decisions can derail an entire deal. With humor and hard-earned experience, they explain why lenders ask so many questions and why there are no “backsies” once money moves. The takeaway is clear: communicate early, ask questions often, and don’t become the next cautionary tale.