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PODCAST

Your First Home

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.

education how to

All Episodes

12:48

Is Buying a House Worth It in 2026? The Truth...

Your First Home ·

2026/04/15

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

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17:30

The Best Mortgage Lenders for First-time Homebuyers

Your First Home ·

2026/04/08

How do you actually choose the right mortgage lender when every option looks the same online? In this episode, I break down what matters when picking a lender so you don't end up with delays, bad communication, or worse, a denied loan right before closing. I share what to look for in a lender, the red flags you need to avoid, and exactly how to find someone who will actually help you get to the closing table. Tune in to learn how to choose a lender who will protect your deal and support you through

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18:57

Moving Cities? Your 3-Step Action Plan for Relocating...

Your First Home ·

2026/04/01

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

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20:23

When Is the BEST and WORST Time to Buy a House?

Your First Home ·

2026/03/25

Trying to figure out the best time of year to buy a house? In this episode, I break down how the market changes throughout the year so you can understand when it's easier to buy, when it's more competitive, and how to use timing to your advantage. I talk about how each season impacts pricing, inventory, and how to time your search based on your lease and your flexibility. Tune in to learn how to time your home search strategically so you can buy with more confidence and less pressure. In This

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18:08

7 Steps to Take Before Buying a Home

Your First Home ·

2026/03/18

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

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20:27

Should You Use a Physician Loan to Buy Your First Home?

Your First Home ·

2026/03/11

Thinking about using a physician loan to buy your first home? In this episode, I'm breaking down how physician loans actually work, what you can typically expect, and the pros and cons you need to understand before choosing this option. If you're in residency, starting fellowship, or about to begin your first attending job, you've probably heard that physician loans let you buy with little to no money down and don't always count your student loans the same way. Tune in to learn how to evaluate

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10:06

What Are Closing Costs? How to Negotiate Them Before...

Your First Home ·

2026/03/04

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

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15:47

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Home

Your First Home ·

2026/02/25

When I bought my first home, I had already been a real estate agent for 4 years. I had walked dozens of clients through the process and thought I knew exactly what to expect, but the reality of being the buyer was a total shock. In this episode, I share the 3 lessons I learned from buying my own home for the first time, what surprised me most, and what I wish more people were talking about when it comes to buying a home. Tune in to prepare your mindset and your money so you can buy your first home

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30:00

Buying a House with a VA Loan (Biggest Myths Busted!)...

Your First Home ·

2026/02/18

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,

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16:10

The Step-by-Step Timeline for Buying Your First Home

Your First Home ·

2026/02/11

Buying your first home is a big decision, and no one really explains how the timeline works or what happens before you ever step foot into a showing. In this episode, I break down the full timeline from house hunting to closing so you can stop guessing and start planning with confidence. I talk about how long it really takes to find the right home, what happens after your offer is accepted, and how to time everything around your lease so you're not rushed into a decision you regret. Tune in to learn

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22:04

Is an FHA Loan Right for You? What First-Time Buyers...

Your First Home ·

2026/02/04

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

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21:51

The First-Time Buyer's Guide to Turning Your Home...

Your First Home ·

2026/01/28

A lot of people buy their first home thinking, "Maybe I'll rent this out someday." But then a few years later, they realize the numbers don't work, the location isn't right, or the property just isn't built for renting. In this episode, I share how Hoang and I intentionally bought our first home with the plan to turn it into a rental and what that decision taught us about money, stability, and long-term wealth. I give tips on how we chose the right neighborhood, how we ran the rent-versus-mortgage

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19:35

How to Not Go Broke Buying a House in 2026

Your First Home ·

2026/01/21

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

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17:50

Do You Have Enough of a Down Payment Saved?!

Your First Home ·

2026/01/14

One of the biggest questions first-time buyers ask me is, "How much money do I really need before I buy?" And honestly, the answer isn't a one-size-fits-all number. In this episode, I'm breaking down why the old 20% rule no longer works for today's market, how waiting too long can actually hurt you financially, and what matters way more than your exact down payment percentage. I also talk about monthly affordability, emergency funds, and how to know when you're truly ready to leap into

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18:23

Should You Wait to Buy a Home? 2026 Market...

Your First Home ·

2026/01/07

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

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19:02

The 3 Biggest Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make

Your First Home ·

2025/12/31

I still can't believe we were never taught how finances work or how to buy a house in school. In this episode, I break down the 3 most common mistakes I see first-time homebuyers make and how to avoid them before they turn into expensive regrets. I talk about why timeline matters more than people realize, how winging the process leads to rushed decisions, and why buying a home you can't truly afford is the fastest way to turn a dream into stress. Tune in to learn how to protect yourself, plan

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17:59

The Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a House

Your First Home ·

2025/12/24

When people first start thinking about buying a house, the most common question I hear is, "Where do I even begin?" In this episode, I break down the entire homebuying process, from the very first steps to getting your keys on closing day. I talk about when to bring in a realtor and lender, how to move from browsing online to serious house hunting, what really happens during offers and negotiations, and what to expect once you're under contract. Tune in to learn exactly what happens from your first

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17:01

How much do you need saved to buy a house?

Your First Home ·

2025/12/17

How much money do you actually need saved to buy your first home? In this episode, I break down the "it depends" answer with a simple framework you can use to set a realistic savings goal for 2026, 2027, or whenever you're ready. You'll learn the three categories of money you need to plan for, what makes the number change based on your market and lifestyle, and how to think about your down payment in a way that supports your real life, not just a generic rule of thumb. In This Episode, You Will

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19:43

How to Get a Lower Interest Rate? Everything You Need...

Your First Home ·

2025/12/10

Interest rate buydowns are everywhere right now, but most first-time buyers don't actually understand what they are or how they work. In this episode, I break down the two types of buydowns, what they really cost, and how they impact your monthly payment and long-term finances. I share real numbers, compare negotiating a lower purchase price versus negotiating a buydown, and how to decide which option makes the most sense for your goals. Tune in to learn how to use buydowns strategically instead of

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23:32

Your 6 Step Action Plan for Buying a House in 2026

Your First Home ·

2025/12/03

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

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