Your First Home

Home buying has its own timeline, and the biggest mistakes happen when buyers wait too long, or get emotional too early. In this episode, I break down the six steps that will set you up for a smooth, confident homebuying journey next year. I also talk about how "home-buying time" works towards building your wishlist, choosing your F.A.M.E. agent, and knowing exactly when to bring in a lender. Tune in if you want to avoid surprises, stay in control of your budget, and make 2026 the year you buy the right home, not just any home.   In This Episode, You Will Learn Why it's already "2026" in home-buying time. The very first step every future buyer should take (before looking at a single house). How to define your "maximum monthly payment" so emotions don't take over. The must-have vs nice-to-have list for every first-time buyer. How to tell if your wishlist is realistic for your local market. Why the right real estate agent matters more than ever for first-time buyers. Why your lender needs to be local (and how it impacts your offer). When to actually start touring homes based on your move timeline.   Resources + Links Connect With a FAME agent here (free) Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Most first-time buyers worry about getting a "good deal" on a house, but the real place people lose money is on their mortgage. In this episode, I break down how interest actually works, why amortization is so misunderstood, and how a normal 7% rate on a $400,000 loan quietly turns into almost a million dollars over 30 years. I share the questions lenders hope you don't ask, the numbers to run before you buy, and the steps that help you get a better rate and keep more of your money long-term. Tune in to learn how to avoid the most expensive mistakes buyers make.   In This Episode, You Will Learn Why most people misunderstand mortgage interest rates. How amortization quietly shifts most of your early payments straight to interest. Why your mortgage barely goes down in the first few years (and why that's normal). How to use an amortization calculator to see your true long-term costs. How a quarter-point difference in your rate can save tens of thousands of dollars. The credit score ranges that unlock the best mortgage pricing. Why you should always get quotes from multiple lenders. Post-closing strategies that reduce your total interest.   Resources + Links Learn more about Mortgage Amortization Calculator (NerdWallet) HERE Check Today's Average Mortgage Rates HERE Check Your Credit Free HERE Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

What does it really take to save for your first home, especially when it means paying off debt, saying no to short-term temptations, and making a major life move? In this episode, I'm joined by first-time homebuyer and money coach Nick Loera, who spent nearly five years paying off debt, building savings, relocating from California to Texas, and renovating his new home almost entirely by hand. Nick shares the financial habits that help you stay consistent, the conversations couples need to have before buying together, and why saving is as much about mindset as it is about math. Get ready to feel prepared and motivated to create your own roadmap to homeownership.   In This Episode, You Will Learn Why long-term saving is normal and how to stay focused when progress feels slow. The money habits that help you pay off debt and build savings at the same time. What renovating a home really requires. How to decide whether buying or renting makes sense in your current season of life. Exercise to align with your partner on wants, needs, and deal-breakers. How to avoid comparison and second-guessing once you're under contract. How to choose your ideal down payment.   Resources + Links Listen to Just Another Money Podcast HERE Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Nick: @habitfinances   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Saving for your first home doesn't just depend on how much you earn, it's about how intentionally you spend. In this episode, I'm joined by money coach and Overcoming Overspending founder Paige Pritchard to talk about the mindset and emotional habits that quietly keep you from saving that down payment. Paige shares the "money map" strategy, how to make budgeting feel empowering instead of restrictive, and why overspending often has more to do with dopamine and social media than math. Get ready to take control of your spending and build momentum toward your savings goals.   In This Episode, You Will Learn Sneaky spending leaks most buyers underestimate. The #1 red flag of overspending. How to spot "silent overspending" even if you're debt-free. Paige's "money map" method for saving first and spending second. Why dopamine, emotions, and social media fuel impulse buying. How to make saving feel satisfying with visual progress trackers.   Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Follow Paige: @overcoming_overspending   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Say goodbye to mortgage mystery and "I wish I'd known" mistakes. In this episode, I'm joined by Theoni Rappo (aka Not Your Daddy's Lender) to simplify what first-time buyers actually need to know: we're talking realistic down payments, when (and how) to tap a 401(k), what underwriters look for on bank statements, how gift funds really work, job-change do's and don'ts, and the fastest ways to build credit if you didn't start early. You'll leave with a step-by-step pre-approval plan, the exact prompt to estimate your debt to income ratio, and a simple money setup that makes saving for your first home almost automatic.    In This Episode, You Will Learn Realistic first-time down payments (3%–3.5%, NOT 20%.) When using a 401(k) loan makes sense. What underwriters scrutinize on bank statements and deposits. How to receive gift funds without documentation headaches. Job-change rules: offer letters, first pay stub requirements. How student loans count toward your monthly debt. Pre-approval basics: what expires after 90 days. Options to quality if you're self-employed.   Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Theoni: @theonithelender   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

Let's demystify building a new home vs. purchasing resale (without the surprises, costly upgrades, or "wish we'd known" regrets) with today's guest and Houston new construction expert, Andrea Ruiz. If you're deciding between building from dirt or moving into something that's already finished, this episode walks you through everything from timelines, inspections, warranties, financing incentives, taxes, HOAs, and the subtle red flags most first-time buyers miss. You'll leave knowing exactly how to compare builders, when a "deal" isn't a deal, and how to protect your budget (and your equity) from day one.   In This Episode, You Will Learn A step-by-step look at the new-build timeline (from lot pick to closing). The three phase inspections you shouldn't skip, plus the fourth party you need to hire. Red flags with sales reps, contracts, and why you still need your own agent. When new construction is more cost effective and when resale wins. How to read area growth signals so your equity has room to run. The smart 9-12 month game plan to research builders, neighborhoods, and budgets. The real "hidden costs": HOAs, maintenance, utilities, and design-center traps. How to negotiate now (while competition is lower) for price, rate buydowns, and repairs.   Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Stacie: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Andrea: @AndreaRuizTXRealtor   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!

My husband is here to talk all things homebuying with your partner without the drama, second-guessing, or costly missteps. In this candid episode, Huang and I unpack the real lessons we learned across three home purchases, what went sideways, what we'd never do again, and what actually set us up to win the next time. If you want fewer fights, clearer decisions, and offers you can feel great about, this conversation will help you align your priorities, filter out bad advice, and move from "overwhelmed" to "on the same page."    In This Episode, You Will Learn A simple way to get on the same page before you start touring. How to separate love-at-first-sight emotions from smart, long-term choices. The must-have vs. nice-to-have filter that makes decisions 10x easier. When family and friend "advice" helps and when it quietly derails you. Why one trusted agent beats ten Zillow callbacks every time. A practical approach to setting a realistic budget you both feel good about. How to turn a stressful first purchase into a confident next purchase.   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!

Buying a home solo comes with unique questions, especially around what you can truly afford. In this episode, I sit down with Portland agent and two-time solo homeowner Lily Wyss to break down the real-life steps she used to buy her first condo at 23, build equity, and level up into a home she loves, without feeling house poor. We get practical about monthly payments, lender consults, emergency funds, and how to choose the right first property (even if it's a stepping-stone).   In This Episode, You Will Learn Tell the difference between what you're qualified for vs. what you can comfortably afford The quiet money habit that makes your payment feel easy. The one conversation to have early that prevents last-minute deal drama. How to choose a first home that supports your life now and later. A smarter way to think about "affordability" than just a pre-approval. The mindset shift that keeps solo buyers from feeling house poor. The shortcut to more confidence on a single income.   Resources + Links Get Your FREE Homebuying Masterclass HERE   Follow  Instagram: @iamstacierihl Website: stacierihl.com Follow Lily: @lilyrayresidential   💌 Leave a review to help more first-time buyers find this show!  

If you've ever wondered what to really look for during a home tour, or what red flags could cost you thousands after closing, this episode is for you. I'm joined by home inspector Vince Tecce. He inspected both of my own homes and countless client properties, and today he's sharing insider advice that every first-time buyer should hear before making an offer. From spotting hidden water damage and understanding roof issues to knowing when to walk away after an inspection, this episode gives you the tools and confidence to make informed decisions without second guessing yourself.   In this episode, you'll learn: The top red flags to look for when touring a home. How to choose a qualified, trustworthy home inspector. What "new construction" doesn't always mean (and why newer isn't always better.) The most common, and expensive, issues first-time buyers overlook. When to request a mold test and when to skip it. The biggest mistakes new homeowners make after closing. Simple ways to prevent water intrusion, foundation problems, and future headaches. 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!  

How do you actually know if you're ready to buy your first home? In this kickoff episode of Your First Home Podcast, I'll walk you through six must-check boxes that every future homeowner needs to confidently say "I'm ready." From understanding your "why" behind buying a home to evaluating your finances, credit, debt, and income stability, you'll learn what it really takes to make one of the biggest financial moves of your life without the overwhelm. If you've ever wondered whether now is the right time to buy, or how to know when you're truly ready, this episode is your roadmap to clarity and confidence.    In this episode, you'll learn: The six key signs you're ready to buy a home. Why your "why" matters more than your timeline. How to calculate what you actually need saved. What lenders really look for in your credit and income. The truth about equity, down payments, and long-term planning. Why it's normal to never feel 100% ready (and what to do anyway.)   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!

Welcome to Your First Home Podcast - I'm your host and homebuying expert Stacie Rihl and I've spent the last 8 years helping first-time homebuyers like you make their dreams of owning a home reality.  Buckle up, because we're about to demystify the process and learn everything we should have been taught in school about the biggest and most exciting purchase you'll ever make. Your first home.