E169: Woman Power: This Single Woman Bought Her First Home

Today’s How-to-Buy-a-Homie interview is with Joelle, a single woman who bought a house on her own. Accomplishing this feat was no easy task, but hard work and dedication led her to her first house in Florida! Now, she has the keys to her first house instead of relying on the unsteady rent market. 

From the finances to the emotional aspect of homeownership, David sits down with Joelle to get all the details about the home buying process. 

Here are some topics from today’s discussion:

• Don’t let prices intimidate you
• Learn about your state’s requirements for buying a home
• Knowing your neighborhood is vital
• Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for advice

Episode Highlights:

[01:32] Don’t Believe the Unaffordability Myths

Once the pandemic forced everyone to work from home, Joelle knew it was time to find a place with more space. When she started looking, she was overwhelmed by the prices of homes in her area at first. But, after doing the math, she knew that, although the monthly mortgage payment was higher than her rent, she knew she was paying on a long-term investment - something that was truly hers. 

[24:59]  You Get What You Pay For

When Joelle was looking for a home, there were a lot of things to look out for. Sometimes a home price might seem outrageous at first, until you discover that there are a variety of factors that will affect it from the quality of the neighborhood’s HOA to the flood zone designation. Her unicorn realtor was able to help her navigate all these waters until they found the right home for her. 

[34:05] Taxes Make a Difference

Two things Joelle wasn’t expecting was the insurance and taxes that come with buying a home. While she had spent a lot of time worrying over the mortgage, learning about the taxes and homeowner’s insurance took her by surprise. Learning about your state’s requirements will also help better prepare first-time home buyers.