Can your 401(k) help you stop renting and buy a home sooner?

This episode unpacks a controversial—but often misunderstood—strategy for first-time homebuyers: using your 401(k) to fund your down payment. David Sidoni breaks down how this can be done safely, why it may actually support your retirement, and how smart planning can help you enter the market sooner without sacrificing your future.

“When done right, this move strengthens both your now and your future.”

Highlights:

• Why using your 401(k) isn’t necessarily “robbing your future”
• How 401(k) loans work—and why lenders often don’t count them against you
• The rent replacement strategy and how it supports long-term wealth
• Why entering the market sooner could be smarter than waiting

Referenced Episodes

• 400 - Introduction: How to Buy a Home Starter Series (START HERE)
• 388 - The Playbook VOL. 1 - The Rent Replacement Strategy
• 355 - Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
• 198 - PMI Is a Privilege
• 216 - PMI Is Still A Privilege And Still Not The Devil

401K Interviews

• 369 - INTERVIEW: From Fear to First Home: How Regina Bought Solo in Her 40s
• 273 - Buying a Home in 11 Days! Single Mom Becomes Atlanta Homeowner (Interview)
• 163 - Let’s Hear From Another REAL Home Buyer: Amber’s Story
• 161 - Achieving The American Dream: An Interview With Sally
• 135 - Interview With First Timers In One Of The Most Expensive Areas - Buying Without 20% Down Payment
• 113 - Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer In 2022

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!

The final 2025 How to Buy a Home Episode Guide is here. Specifically curated for first time home buyers. Use your holiday downtime to get ahead on your homebuying journey. This curated playlist of the best How to Buy a Home episodes is your shortcut to clarity, confidence, and real progress.

📘 Start your binge with the full episode guide → https://howtobuyahome.com/episodeguide2025/

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, lounging on the couch, or hiding from your relatives, this episode gives you a hand-picked list of bingeable episodes tailored to whatever stage of the homebuying process you’re in. Host David Sidoni serves up the best listener stories, financial hacks, mindset resets, and real talk about today’s market to help you make the most of your weekend — and your future home purchase.

“This is your personal education course — not just a podcast. Save this list and build your homebuying brain.”

Highlights

• How real first-time buyers overcame fear, doubt, and bad advice to finally buy their homes
• What you really need to know about credit scores, debt, and down payments
• Insider tips for timing the market — and why “waiting for prices to drop” can backfire
• Why picking your Realtor and lender first could save you thousands
• The 10 Steps Starter Kit that breaks down the entire process from Day 1 to move-in day

Referenced Episodes

👉 Visit howtobuyahome.com/episodeguide2025 for a full list of all referenced episodes

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!

Brief: Two paths, one principle: treat homebuying as a long-term financial strategy, not a short-term hurdle.

Synopsis: This holiday episode is less about quick fixes and more about reframing your mindset. David Sidoni uses the season of spending and reflection to challenge renters to think long-term. Whether you’re considering formal assistance, planning to save aggressively, or exploring the option of family help, this episode presents the big picture. Sidoni explains how budgeting now — even during the holidays — can align you with a strategy to turn your lease into a mortgage. He explores how mindset, planning, and consistency are more powerful than credit score hacks or waiting for perfect market timing. While down payment assistance is addressed, so is the reality that some buyers may rely on gift funds — and the importance of being honest about what’s possible and what’s privileged.

Quote: “Fear can be your ally. Informed consumers always outperform emotional ones.”

Highlights:

• Why mindset matters more than market timing when planning your purchase
• How to use your current lease as a timeline for ownership
• Holiday habits that can kickstart your 2025 savings goals
• How to approach family support or assistance with clarity and confidence

Referenced Episodes:

• 388 – The Playbook Vol. 1: The Rent Replacement Strategy
• 389 – The Playbook Vol. 2: Your Last Lease Ever
• 314 – Is Real Estate a Good Investment? - Dave Meyer, Bigger Pockets Interview
• 188 – House Hacking May Be Your Tool to Affordability
• 52 – How To House Hack Buying Your First Home
• 273 – Buying a Home in 11 Days! Single Mom Becomes Atlanta Homeowner (Interview)
• 163 – Let’s Hear From Another REAL Home Buyer: Amber’s Story
• 161 – Achieving The American Dream: An Interview With Sally
• 135 – Interview With First Timers In One Of The Most Expensive Areas - Buying Without 20% Down Payment
• 113 – Interview With A Single, Female First-Time Home Buyer In 2022
• 198 – PMI Is a Privilege
• 216 – PMI Is Still A Privilege And Still Not The Devil

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!

Student loans aren’t stopping you from buying a home — bad advice is. This episode reveals how to navigate mortgage approval with student debt and turn your loan burden into a homeownership advantage.

Think your student loans mean you can’t buy a home? Think again. In this episode, David Sidoni breaks down how banks actually evaluate borrowers with student debt — and why your total loan amount is way less important than your monthly payment. You’ll learn how income-driven repayment plans and debt-to-income ratios really work, what myths are holding renters back, and how owning a home could help you kill that student loan faster. It’s not just possible — it’s strategic.

“Student loans don’t stop you from buying a home — not understanding how the system works does.”

Highlights

• The total amount of student debt doesn’t matter — monthly payments do.
• Banks approve home loans for borrowers with debt every day.
• DTI (Debt-to-Income Ratio) is the key metric lenders use.
• Homeownership can be the best strategy to crush student loan debt.

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!

Learn how to cut big costs, stay on budget, and reach your homeownership goal faster.

Today’s episode is all about prioritizing your financial decisions to support your homebuying journey. Host David Sidoni breaks down why skipping your daily coffee won’t cut it—but skipping that new car just might make all the difference. You’ll learn how to rethink large expenses, why practicing rent replacement now can make you mortgage-ready later, and how to maintain momentum even when your timeline feels long. It’s a wake-up call for anyone who’s serious about becoming a homeowner—without feeling broke or burned out in the process.

David shares real strategies from buyers who stayed on track by focusing on the right sacrifices, embracing lifestyle budgeting, and continuing those habits even after moving in. If you’ve been saving but still feel behind, or if you’re wondering what to cut without giving up your sanity, this episode is for you.

“One less quad venti no-whip isn’t going to get you across the finish line. But skipping that new car just might.”

Highlight:

• Why skipping small luxuries won’t help—but cutting big expenses will
• How to practice living on your future mortgage before you buy
• Smart budgeting tips that continue to pay off even after closing
• Why an emergency fund is essential to stay confident as a homeowner

Referenced Episodes:

• 388 – The Playbook VOL. 1 - The Rent Replacement Strategy
• 355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
• 328 – 2025 Homebuying Action Steps - 10 Real Estate Pro Tips
• 319 – Condo vs. Townhome vs. House – Which One is Right for You?
• 207 – How to Save and Plan for a Down Payment
• 145 – Rebalancing Your Budget After Closing
• 400 – How to Buy a Home Starter Series (Start Here)
• 287 – The “Secret” Downpayment Assistance Program

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!

Should you wait to buy in 2026? Or is now actually your best shot? This special year-end episode unpacks what happened in 2025 — and what’s coming in 2026 — using real data from 150+ housing analytics sources. If you’re a renter trying to make the smartest financial move, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

It’s not just another forecast — it’s your reality check. In this extended episode, David Sidoni breaks down the true state of the 2025 housing market and delivers an evidence-based prediction for 2026 that every first-time buyer needs to hear.

You’ll learn why “waiting for a crash” is not a plan, why prices might hold or rise even in a weird economy, and how to separate real market shifts from fear-driven headlines. David shares findings from over 150 housing reports, daily economic updates, and expert webinars — cutting through the noise to help you make an informed decision.

With interest rates, low inventory, and price trends all colliding, the data says that the best buying opportunity might be happening right now. You’ll also get the red flags to watch for, and the strategies smart buyers are using to take advantage of this window before it closes in spring 2026.

If you’re trying to time your move — or just make sense of conflicting opinions — this episode delivers the clarity you’ve been waiting for.

“None of the data says that waiting for 2026 will save you money. The best time for a renter to buy a home… was yesterday.”

• Why home prices didn’t fall in 2025 — and what’s likely for 2026
• What over 150 housing reports and data sources reveal about the year ahead
• Debunking the myth of timing the market for a “better deal”
• The rent math: how buying now can still be smarter than waiting
• Red flags for 2026: bad advice, bad headlines, and bad timing
• Why winter 2025–2026 could be your best buying window
• Strategies to prepare now — even if you’re planning to buy later next year

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!

Whether you’re a year out or just starting to think about buying, these 8 tips will help you lay the groundwork — no pressure, no overwhelm, just smart moves to set yourself up right.

Not sure where to start your homebuying journey? In Part 3 of our financial prep series, David lays out 8 high-impact tips for first-time buyers — the exact things he’d tell a friend or family member who wants to buy in the next year or two. These are not one-size-fits-all steps. Instead, they’re practical strategies that can give you a serious edge when you’re ready to get serious.

You’ll learn how to automate your savings, build a basic emergency fund, test-drive a homeowner budget, and prep your credit score. David explains why doing the right things in the right order — before you even look at homes — can save you time, stress, and thousands of dollars when it counts most.

“If you’re still a year out, this is exactly the stuff that gets you ready the smart way — without wasting time or money.”

Highlights:

• A full 8-tip roadmap to help future buyers get ahead
• How to start saving without feeling deprived
• Why building a basic emergency fund is part of the plan
• Tools and apps to simplify your budget
• How to “practice” your mortgage before you own one
• The truth about credit report errors (and how long fixes take)
• What to prioritize now vs. later in your timeline
• David’s real-world advice to his own family about where to start

Referenced Episodes

• 400 - Introduction to the How to Buy a Home 10 steps
• 403 - How to Buy a Home - Step 3: Improving Your Credit Score (16 Pro Tips)
• 315 - How a 20-Year-Old Outsmarted the Market—And How You Can Too UNICORN INTERVIEW
• 358 - INTERVIEW: How to Buy a Duplex at 22 with $12K

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!

Learn how to turn your budget into a strategic homebuying tool. Whether you're brand new to saving or ready to fine-tune your plan, this is your playbook for building confidence with your money.

If you want to prepare financially to buy a home, your budget should be your power tool. In this financial prep replay episode, David Sidoni, a nationwide homebuying coach walks through the best budgeting frameworks for renters who are ready to become owners and how to pick the right app for your lifestyle.

David gives you the TOP 5 budgeting apps for 2025 and gives two bonus options for spreadsheet lovers. He also flags the common mistakes and predatory traps that first-time buyers need to avoid when choosing budgeting tools.

Highlights:

• Why budgeting is about empowerment, not deprivation
• How zero-based budgeting gives every dollar a job
• The 50/30/20 rule as a starting point for intentional saving
• Top 5 budgeting apps for first-time buyers in 2025
• Why free budgeting apps often fall short
• Predatory pitfalls to avoid when choosing financial tools

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!