Money Guy Show: "Our Top 10 Home Buying Tips for 2025"

Hosts: Brian Preston & Bo Hanson
Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brian and Bo break down their top 10 Money Guy insider tips for home buying in 2025. Their goal is to help listeners feel confident through every step of what is often the largest, most emotional, and complex financial decision in most people’s lives—buying a home. The conversation balances practical financial strategies with important behavioral insights, all designed to help buyers avoid costly mistakes and approach the purchase with clarity and control.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Know Your Why ([00:35])

• Homeownership isn't a financial necessity: Brian and Bo emphasize that owning a home is not a must for financial security—it should fit your life and goals, not just your finances.
  • "We like homeownership, but I don't want you to feel like you have to have homeownership to build your great big beautiful tomorrow." —Brian [00:46]
• Evaluate if homeownership aligns with your life plans, beyond just numbers—think about long-term stability and lifestyle, not societal pressure.
  • "You ought to have the idea... I'm going to be here for at least five to seven years." —Bo [01:53]

2. Build Your Team Early ([02:17])

• Home buying is complex; treat it like building a team sport to get expert help. Key members: real estate agent, mortgage lender, inspector, title company, and insurance agent.
  • "Buying a home is the single most expensive thing that you will ever do." —Bo [02:30]
• Your real estate agent should be the “quarterback,” coordinating the rest of your “basketball team.”
• Don’t use just any friend as your agent—choose based on experience, professionalism, and reviews.
  • "Don’t just use someone that some random website like Zillow recommends." —Bo [03:30]
• Ask agents about recent sales volume and look for advocates, not salespeople.
  • "A really good agent is going to... help you find reasons not to buy the property." —Brian [06:01]

3. Start Browsing Early ([08:55])

• Don’t feel pressured to only look if you’re ready to buy. Browse open houses and listings early to clarify your needs and communicate them to your agent.
  • "Browsing is an okay part of the transaction." —Brian [10:07]

4. Get a Real Pre-Approval ([10:56])

• Don’t rely on superficial online ‘pre-approvals.’ Instead, go through the full process with a legitimate lender: supply pay stubs, tax returns, credit info, etc.
  • "It is going to require a little work... But it's important." —Brian [12:19]
• Full pre-approval arms you to act quickly and confidently, especially in competitive markets.
  • "It's slow, slow, slow and then really fast." —Brian [12:19]

5. Know Your Numbers ([13:30])

• Run your own affordability numbers—not just what the lender tells you is possible.
  • Aim to avoid being “house rich, life poor.”
• Account for both upfront costs (down payment, closing costs, immediate maintenance, and furnishings) and ongoing monthly costs (PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, plus HOA fees).
  • "Several of these things—the down payment, the closing costs... do your research." —Brian [14:59]
  • "Don’t sleep on the HOA—those fees can massively change your affordability equation." —Brian [17:02]
• Consider your comfort level with current interest rates—don’t bank on future rate drops.
• Use tools like the Money Guy Home Buying Calculator to vet your calculations ([18:18]).

6. Look Into Assistance Programs ([19:21])

• First-time buyers may qualify for federal or state programs: favorable loans (FHA, VA), grants, or educational classes.
  • NerdWallet and similar sites aggregate available programs ([20:22]).
  • "These programs... might just be the thing that allows you to actually get on the side of homeownership." —Bo [20:22]

7. Start Saving Early ([21:09])

• Saving for a home is often a multi-year process; the sooner you start, the easier it will be.
  • "Figure it out early—the longer you wait, the more arduous, the more difficult it is." —Bo [21:34]
• Saving for a down payment comes after you have your basic emergency fund in place; don’t endanger your financial foundation ([23:49]).
• Brian’s "3D Glasses" decision strategy: Dream plan (ideal savings rate), down-to-earth plan (temporarily reduce saving to get the house), and doo-doo plan (less ideal, but sometimes necessary).

8. Know What Not To Do—Blind Spots ([25:48])

• Don’t do anything that jeopardizes your financing during the process:
  • Don’t change jobs or make large financial moves right before/during the mortgage application ([27:14]).
  • Make sure your down payment funds are traceable and logical to lenders ([28:33]).
• Don’t open new credit lines or close old ones during the application:
  • Brian’s story: “I got a discount on furniture by opening a store card, but it dinged my credit right before my mortgage application" [29:17].
  • “Don’t do all that rigging or moving around at the last minute.” —Brian [30:24]
• Check with your lender before making any significant financial changes.

9. Take Your Time — Due Diligence Pays ([31:01])

• Don’t rush—measure twice, cut once.
• Never skip inspections; hire your own inspector for independent evaluation ([33:42]).
  • “Pay for an independent inspection…they only work for you.” —Bo [33:42]
• Don’t get caught up in bidding wars and go over your calculated budget.
  • Visit properties multiple times, different times of day, and even test commutes ([35:43]).
  • “Just because it’s your first house doesn’t mean you have to commit; don’t get overexcited.” —Brian [32:54]
  • Example: Don’t waive inspection just to get an edge—know what you’re buying.

10. There’s No Perfect Home ([35:55])

• No home is perfect, and that’s okay—have your “musts,” but be flexible; new builds may suit some, but existing homes have advantages too.
  • "Homes definitely are not perfect. We just want to make sure you go into this with your eyes wide open." —Brian [35:55]
• Consider unique 2025 market quirks: sometimes new construction may be a better deal than re-sale due to builder incentives ([37:09]).
• Focus on function, fit for your life, and make peace with trade-offs. Home is a “use asset,” not a perfect one.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the home search:
  "You want someone who's actually going to be an advocate for you through the process." —Bo [06:01]

• On budgeting:
  "Build all that into your process by knowing your numbers." —Brian [13:37]

• On surprise expenses:
  "It’s amazing, all these things... Even some homes, this is gonna sound crazy... toilet paper holders." —Brian [16:03]

• On blind spots:
  "Just take the timeline into account with this big transaction." —Brian [27:14]

• On being prepared financially:
  "Liquidity is your friend. We do not encourage anyone to move into homeownership if you've not made it past step four." —Bo [23:49]

• On emotional decisions:
  "This is an emotional transaction that's got big numbers attached to it. That's why it was so important for us to give the tips with the perfect balance of analytics and controlling the emotional side." —Brian [39:22]

• On credit blunders:
  "I paid for it and then some because it screwed up my mortgage application... That's a mistake." —Brian [29:17]

Important Timestamps

• [00:35] — Tip 1: Know your why
• [02:17] — Tip 2: Build your team early
• [08:55] — Tip 3: Browsing is OK
• [10:56] — Tip 4: Get a real pre-approval
• [13:30] — Tip 5: Know your numbers
• [19:21] — Tip 6: Look for assistance programs
• [21:09] — Tip 7: Start saving early
• [25:48] — Tip 8: Know what not to do
• [31:01] — Tip 9: Take your time
• [35:55] — Tip 10: There’s no perfect home

Conclusion

Brian and Bo’s top 10 home buying tips for 2025 equip you with actionable strategies, overlooked pitfalls, and the mental frameworks necessary to buy smart, not just fast. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned mover, their blend of numbers and lived experience is designed to ensure your home purchase boosts your long-term financial happiness—not regret.

For more, visit moneyguy.com/resources for calculators, checklists, and more.

Hosts: Brian Preston & Bo Hanson
Podcast: Money Guy Show — September 26, 2025