THE ANSWER LIBRARY
Your first home, one decision at a time
Start with a comfortable payment, the cash needed to close and the cash left afterward. Then connect those numbers to the loan documents and decisions in front of you.
328 published answers
A 90-day homebuying goal starts with preparation
Use the video's five steps as a preparation sequence: review finances, choose a comfortable budget, assemble your team, understand the local market and explain why buying fits your plans.
Read the answerSeller Credits and Mortgage Buydowns: Options for Higher Rates
A rate being historically familiar does not make the payment comfortable. In this video, Eric explains why buyers should compare a seller credit, discount points and a temporary buydown before making an offer.
Read the answerBuying Your First Home With Debt: Build a Comfortable Payment Plan
Eric’s December 18, 2025 video looks at why a higher salary can still leave a first-time buyer feeling stretched. Monthly debt commitments can absorb the income that might otherwise support a home. Prices, rates, savings and family responsibilities also matter.
Read the answerCould a practical first home fit better than waiting for a forever home?
Although the May 9, 2026 video's title mentions a mortgage plan, its central idea is the starter home: a first purchase does not have to meet every lifelong wish. That can be a useful option to test, provided the comparison includes costs, risk and the alternative of renting.
Read the answerTen questions to ask a lender before choosing the team for your purchase
Eric's lender-selection video looks beyond an advertised rate to the people, process and explanations supporting a transaction. Ask these ten questions while also comparing equivalent Loan Estimates, so service promises and loan costs are both visible.
Read the answerAddress the barrier before deciding how much to put down
This video walks through five barriers to buying: upfront cash, home prices, rates, unfamiliar terms and the convenience of renting. Start by identifying which one actually prevents your next step.
Read the answerUse five decisions to make a volatile market easier to navigate
Eric’s April 2025 strategy video starts with the payment you can live with. Its five ideas become a practical checklist: budget, negotiate, prepare, compare financing choices and decide which information matters to your purchase.
Read the answerFive first-time buyer mistakes to catch before you fall in love with a house
Eric focuses on choices that become harder once a buyer is emotionally committed to a property. Use these five checks to establish the budget, financing questions and decision boundaries while you still have room to adjust.
Read the answerUse the months before home shopping to prepare your credit, cash and payment
Eric encourages preparation before a home is under contract. Its 60-day theme is a planning reminder, not a universal mortgage deadline or a way to avoid documenting money.
Read the answerFive mortgage mistakes to check before choosing a loan
The lowest advertised rate can distract from costs, timing and cash needs. Eric’s April 2025 video connects mortgage shopping with the decisions that happen before an offer and after a home sale.
Read the answerHelp your child buy by solving the right problem first
A larger down payment is only one form of family help. Eric’s video starts with a better question: is the obstacle cash for closing, a monthly debt payment, qualifying income or time to save? Review that gap before anyone transfers money.
Read the answerTurn the buy-now-or-wait question into a household comparison
The video asks three useful questions: can you afford the home comfortably, does it fit your likely timeline, and how does buying compare with continuing to rent? Answer those with your own figures before relying on a forecast.
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