Blog

15 Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy a House Yet (And What to Do About It)

Signs you're not ready to buy a house are worth paying attention to. Not because homeownership isn't a good goal. It usually is. But because buying a house before you're ready causes financial damage that takes years to recover from. Every year we teach home-buying classes around the country, and we meet people who bought [...]

July 20th, 2026|Kristen Skebe|

How to Buy a House in Austin, TX: Programs, Prices & First-Time Buyer Tips

Austin in 2026 is a different real estate market than Austin in 2022, and most first-time buyers are still operating on outdated information. Prices peaked in mid-2022, then fell roughly 18 to 20 percent across the metro. Inventory has surged to levels we haven't seen since before the pandemic. Days on market are now near [...]

June 15th, 2026|Guide|

The Home Buying Process in Raleigh, NC: Before vs. After Taking the Class

Buying a home in Raleigh, NC, is an exciting milestone, but the process can often feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Between the competitive nature of areas like North Hills, Downtown Raleigh, and nearby Cary, and the steady growth driven by the Research Triangle, the local market moves fast. Most people [...]

April 23rd, 2026|Kristen Skebe|

How a Home Buyer Class Can Save You $30,000 Over the Life of Your Mortgage

This $30,000 figure might sound like marketing hype, but stick around and you'll see that the math actually checks out when you understand where first-time buyers typically lose money. The How To Buy A House Class doesn't just teach you the process. It arms you with specific strategies that directly impact your bottom line for [...]

February 10th, 2026|Guide|

How to Prepare Financially for Your First Home

Most first-time homebuyers spend months scrolling through listings, imagining which room would be the nursery or where the couch would go. Then reality hits during the mortgage application, and suddenly they're scrambling to explain a questionable credit score or wondering why their savings aren't nearly enough. Financial preparation for buying a home should start long [...]

January 22nd, 2026|Kristen Skebe|

Is a Homebuying Class Worth It? The Top Benefits for First and Second Time Buyers

You've been saving for months. Maybe years. The down payment fund is growing. Your credit score is looking better. You're finally ready to start house hunting. But then someone mentions taking a homebuyer class. And you pause. Another thing to add to your to-do list? More time spent in a classroom when you could be [...]

December 15th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

Closing Costs Explained: How to Save 3-4% on Your Home Purchase

Let me guess. You've finally saved enough for a down payment, found a house you love, and then someone mentions closing costs. Wait, what? More money? Yeah, I know. It's frustrating. You've already stretched your budget to the limit, and now there's this whole additional expense that can run anywhere from 2% to 5% of [...]

November 25th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

The First-Time Homebuyer’s 25% Rule: How to Budget Without Going ‘House Poor’

You have dreamed of owning a house. You've saved for years. You've researched neighborhoods. You've scrolled through listings until you were just exhausted. And you are still unable to figure out the best way to budget for your first house purchase while maintaining financial stability.  Enter the 25% rule. It’s a simple yet powerful budgeting [...]

October 15th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|
Go to Top