First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes (Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First House)
Release Date: 03/13/2025
The January "Boutique" Advantage
Martini Mortgage Podcast
Spring is overrated. And if you’re waiting for it to start your home search, you may already be paying for that decision. In this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini breaks down why January buyers quietly win—while everyone else lines up for bidding wars, pressure tactics, and inflated prices. You’ll discover: Why “more inventory” often means less leverage The hidden cost of the spring rush most buyers never see How motivated sellers behave differently in January And why preparation beats urgency every single time If you want...
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Most Expensive “Cheap” Mortgage You’ll Ever Take
Martini Mortgage Podcast
If a mortgage sounds too good to be true… it probably is. In this episode, Kevin Martini pulls back the curtain on one of the most common — and costly — traps homebuyers fall into: builder “special financing.” You know the offer. The low headline rate. The incentive that feels like free money. The promise that this deal is too good to pass up. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of these incentives don’t lower your cost — they repackage it. Kevin explains why builder incentives often work more like a sales tactic than a savings strategy, how this approach mirrors the...
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The Two Levers That Get You the Best Deal in Real Estate (No Matter the Market)
Martini Mortgage Podcast
The Two Levers That Get You the Best Deal in Real Estate (No Matter the Market) Think the best deals in real estate have vanished? They haven’t. They’re hiding—quietly—right in front of the buyers who know how to look. In this episode, you’ll discover the two simple levers that instantly shift you from “hoping the market cooperates” to walking into negotiations with real leverage. No chasing trends. No waiting for perfect rates. No refreshing your apps like a nervous habit. Just real strategy… the kind most buyers never hear about. You’ll hear: • Why most buyers...
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Is This Because Home Prices Are Going Even Higher?
Martini Mortgage Podcast
When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac boost the conforming loan limit to $832,750, most people just scroll past the headline. But this isn’t a headline. It’s a quiet, market-moving, life-changing shift that affects anyone who’s been waiting for “the right moment” to buy a home. In this episode, Kevin Martini breaks down — in plain English — why this loan limit hike isn’t just a number… it’s a new lane of opportunity. A lane that didn’t exist yesterday. You’ll hear: • Why higher loan limits often mean higher prices • How this change widens access to better loan terms...
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Bright Turn Ahead
Martini Mortgage Podcast
If you’ve been staring at this housing market wondering when the universe finally throws you a break… this episode is your sign. Because something is shifting—quietly, steadily, and in your favor—and most people won’t see it until it’s too late. Inside this special episode of the Matini Mortgage Podcast with Kevin Martini: → The overlooked signals that show a real window opening → Why stability (not low rates) is the game-changer → What smart buyers and homeowners are doing right now to get ahead → How one simple step turns uncertainty into confidence This isn’t market...
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7 Financial Tips for Homeownership Success
Martini Mortgage Podcast
What if buying a home isn’t about waiting for the perfect market… but creating your perfect plan? In this episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini flips the script on everything you think you know about timing the market. He counts down the 7 financial truths that still work in 2025 — the timeless money moves that help you build stability, equity, and confidence in any market. You’ll hear why predictable payments beat rising rents, how leverage quietly builds wealth, and the #1 truth that might just change how you see your next move. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I wait...
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Why Now’s the Strategic Time to Buy in Raleigh
Martini Mortgage Podcast
Everyone’s asking, “Is it finally a buyer’s market in Raleigh?” says… not exactly — and that’s great news for smart buyers. In this episode, Kevin unpacks why the loan comes before the listing, how “Same-As-Cash Approval” changes your leverage, and why waiting for perfect conditions could cost you more than a few dollars — it could cost you your dream home. 👉 For full context, dive into the article that inspired this episode: on the Martini Mortgage Group website. If you’ve been watching rates, headlines, or open-house signs and wondering whether now’s the time to...
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7 Expert Tips to Buy a Home (Without the Stress)
Martini Mortgage Podcast
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The Power of a Bank Statement Loan
Martini Mortgage Podcast
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Sell First, Buy Second — Why It’s the Smarter Move in 2025
Martini Mortgage Podcast
You’ve got your eye on that next home… but what you do with your current one could either launch you forward or leave you stuck juggling two mortgages. In this episode of the , unpacks the simple strategy that savvy buyers are using to upgrade with confidence — not chaos. You’ll discover: Why selling before buying may protect your equity and sanity How to avoid the #1 mistake most buyers make when upgrading What to do when you're worried about having “nowhere to go” Real-world math that could save you tens of thousands Spoiler: This isn’t about moving fast. It’s...
info_outline🚨 STOP scrolling real estate listings and cancel those open house plans—until you hear this.
What is the biggest mistake first-time homebuyers make? Doing the right things in the WRONG order.
Most people think house first, mortgage second. But here’s the real winning move: secure your home loan first.
In this episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, I’ll break down:
âś… Why getting your financing in place first gives you the edge
✅ The one factor you can’t change about a house—no matter how much you love it
✅ The hidden costs and pitfalls most buyers don’t see coming
Buying your first home is exciting—but doing it in the wrong order can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
Hit play to learn how to avoid the biggest first-time buyer regrets. Then, send this episode to a friend who needs to hear this before they start house hunting!
🎧 Listen now and get ahead of the game.