12-Month Game Plan for First-Time Homebuyers | Closing the Deal Podcast Ep. 37

Thinking about buying your first home? The journey starts long before you get your keys. In Episode 37 of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson (Realtor) and Sam Enright (Lender) break down a step-by-step 12-month roadmap to homeownership. From checking your credit to building savings, avoiding costly mistakes, and prepping your offer strategy, this episode covers everything first-time buyers need to succeed.Whether you’re 12 months out or just beginning the process, you’ll get insider tips, real-world examples, and professional insights to guide you from planning to closing.👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes packed with practical advice on home buying, lending, and navigating today’s real estate market.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro & why the journey starts a year before closing 01:00 – Sam’s stressful loan story & why planning matters 05:00 – 12 months out: Checking credit, paying debt, and starting savings 09:45 – Why free credit apps don’t tell the full story 13:20 – The importance of accurate credit reports & building savings early 15:00 – 6–9 months out: Boosting savings, avoiding big purchases, researching loans 18:30 – Zach on saving traps & DTI pitfalls for first-time buyers 19:30 – 3–6 months out: Pre-approval, organizing documents, lender tips 26:50 – Real estate side: Defining buy boxes, neighborhoods & interviewing agents 30:00 – Why today’s market demands early prep 32:00 – 0–3 months out: Locking in financing & offer strategies 35:30 – Constructing winning offers with seller incentives 38:45 – Buying a home is a marathon, not a sprint 41:00 – Final thoughts & episode wrap-up