#36: If Buying Feels Impossible, Change the Real Estate Game Entirely
October 28, 2025
The prospect of buying a home has always been riddled with fear, apprehension, and some amount of stress. And, the state of the real estate market today doesn’t make things any better. But what if traditional homebuying advice is actually the thing keeping you away from your dream home? In the latest episode of The Pursuit of Home, host Scott Harris sits down with David Sidoni, Founder of "How to Buy a Home" and champion for first-time homebuyers, to unpack his game-changing strategies like the rent replacement approach and why waiting to save 20% down might be costing you more than you think.
Common real estate myths have been holding you back more than you know, and the only thing that will set you free is understanding your true options for down payments and connecting with the right professionals who can guide you through your first home purchase.
Tune in to find out how to break the rent cycle once and for all!
And hey, if you’re ready for the full deep dive, grab a copy of Scott’s national best-selling book, Pursuit of Home, out now: https://pursueyourhome.com/book/.
If you or someone you know is a homebuyer with a story to share, we'd love to hear from you! Book your recording slot here: The Pursuit of Home with Scott Harris Recording - Scott Harris: https://calendly.com/scottieharris/the-pursuit-of-home-with-scott-harris-recording
The prospect of buying a home has always been riddled with fear, apprehension, and some amount of stress. And, the state of the real estate market today doesn’t make things any better. But what if traditional homebuying advice is actually the thing keeping you away from your dream home? In the latest episode of The Pursuit of Home, host Scott Harris sits down with David Sidoni, Founder of "How to Buy a Home" and champion for first-time homebuyers, to unpack his game-changing strategies like the rent replacement approach and why waiting to save 20% down might be costing you more than you think.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to use the "rent replacement strategy" to make homeownership achievable with less money down
- Why PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) can be a privilege rather than a burden for first-time buyers
- The truth about down payments and why waiting to save 20% could cost you more long-term
- How to find and identify trustworthy real estate agents who truly specialize in first-time buyers
- The critical mistake most buyers make by spending more time researching homes than finding the right agent
- How to overcome common homebuying fears through education and proper guidance
- Why emotional connection with your real estate team matters as much as technical expertise
David Sidoni is the Founder of "How to Buy a Home", a pioneering platform that has helped over 4,000 renters successfully transition to homeownership. With 20 years of experience in real estate, David has transformed traditional home-buying approaches through his innovative "rent replacement strategy" and commitment to empowering first-time buyers. Based in Southern California, he's established a nationwide network of vetted "unicorn" agents who share his passion for serving first-time homebuyers with expertise and empathy. David hosts a successful podcast that provides free educational resources to aspiring homeowners, and his platform has revolutionized the home-buying experience by focusing on practical solutions, financial education, and personalized guidance. His unique approach has proven particularly effective in helping buyers navigate today's challenging market conditions, with 72% of his clients successfully purchasing homes within just 3.2 months of engagement
And hey, if you’re ready for the full deep dive, grab a copy of Scott’s national best-selling book, Pursuit of Home, out now: https://pursueyourhome.com/book/
If you or someone you know is a homebuyer with a story to share, we'd love to hear from you! Book your recording slot here: The Pursuit of Home with Scott Harris Recording - Scott Harris: https://calendly.com/scottieharris/the-pursuit-of-home-with-scott-harris-recording
Episode Resources:
David Sidoni on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtobuyahomepodcast
David Sidoni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsidoni/
David Sidoni on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howtobuyahome
David Sidoni on X: https://x.com/DavidSidoni
How to Buy a Home Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowToBuyAHome
How to Buy a Home Website: https://howtobuyahome.com/
Scott Harris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisresidential/
Scott on Substack: https://thepursuitofhome.substack.com/
Learn more about Magnetic here: https://magneticre.com/
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