Welcome to The Smart Homebuying Podcast! This is the podcast for parents who are ready to create a lasting foundation for their family. If you’re dreaming of a safe, stable home that you can truly call your own, where your kids can grow up with confidence and security, you’re in the right place.
I’m Laura—a mom of two, a proud homeowner, and a dedicated homebuying coach here to help you achieve more than just a house. This journey is about building a secure future, investing in generational wealth, and finding that feeling of independence and accomplishment. You’ve worked hard, saved, and dreamed, and now I’m here to make sure those dreams come to life in the best way possible.
Each week, three times a week, I’ll share solo episodes packed with actionable tips and invite experts to discuss everything from budgeting and finding a trustworthy agent to avoiding the common mistakes that can hold families back. This podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make smart, future-focused decisions that align with your family’s biggest goals.
And yes, I’m here as the real me—Hispanic immigrant, fun-loving mom, and friend who understands just how much this journey matters. I keep things honest, straightforward, and always with your family’s dreams in mind. I’ll even throw in some Spanglish here and there to keep it lively—because buying a home doesn’t have to be stiff and serious; it can be exciting, empowering, and yes, even a little fun!
If you’re ready to take the leap, secure your family’s future, and reach that dream of homeownership with confidence, join me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Let’s take one step closer to the home—and the life—you deserve.
Tune in to The Smart Homebuying Podcast and start building the future you’ve always dreamed of!
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What Others Say About Our Podcast...
"I have literally listened to every single podcast you've put out! Your podcast gave me the confidence and knowledge to be serious about being a first-time home buyer! Truly, I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't learned so much to make me feel like it was a realistic possibility. More importantly, they made me feel like I didn't have to navigate this stuff alone. Even though I never met you or had a convo with you or any of your guests, I always felt like I had an expert on my side."
Nik
Podcast Episodes
Why Buying A Mobile Home Could Be A Great Option For First Time Home Buyers, with Jefferson Lilly – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 33
Jefferson Lilly is the Founder of Park Avenue Partners, an investment firm that acquires mobile home parks nationwide and expands the supply of affordable housing. He has also helped many people buy their first house for as little as $0, and up to $65,000. Get In Touch With Our Guest…
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Why You Need To Go To A HUD Agency Before Buying Your First Home, with Katherine Peoples – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 32
Title Katherine Peoples is the creator of HPP CARES, a HUD approved agency that since 2009 is empowering individuals and their families with the “financial know how” to own their home. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
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Why You Shouldn’t Open Any New Loans Just Before Closing, with Fernando Campos – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 31
Fernando Campos has been the Neighborhood Development Coordinator for the last 17 yrs at United Community Center, in Milwaukee, where he focuses on increasing neighborhood stability by assisting first time homebuyers navigate the process of owning and maintaining their first home. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d…
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Why It Is Crucial To Understand The Contract That You Are Signing, with Laura Contreras-Alanis – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 30
Laura Contreras-Alanis is a mortgage professional with over 25 years of experience. She is passionate about home ownership for all and she serves a growing community of Hispanic homeowners. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click on the…
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Why You Shouldn’t Apply For The Maximum Mortgage You Are Qualified To, With Beverly Carlton – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 29
Beverly Carlton is the President and CEO at Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation where she helps others to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from moving forward with their dreams of owning their home. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with…
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Why Credit, Savings, And Income Are The 3 Keys To Home Ownership, with Mel Rogers – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 28
Title Mel Rogers is a Financial Wellness Coach with Operation HOPE in Northern California where he provides first time home buyers with education to prepare them for their first home purchase. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
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Why You Should Respect Your Own Finances Before Buying A Home, With Benson Juarez – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 27
Title Benson Juarez is an experienced real estate agent in Denver, Colorado and a Technology & Real Estate Enthusiast that has designed and built a real estate investing software platform to help investors find and analyze deals faster. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get…
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Why You Should Drive Around The Area At Different Times Before Buying A Home, with Phyllis J. Edwards – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 26
Title Phyllis J. Edwards is the executive director for Bridging Communities, a non-profit in Southwest Detroit whose primary focus is eldercare case management, affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click on the link…
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Why Is Important To Work With A Housing Counselor, With Kenneth Bigos – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 25
Title Kenneth Bigos is the director of the Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania, a HUD-approved non-profit organization providing services to the greater Philadelphia region since 1985. In the last 12 months AHCOPA has educated 1800 households with the home buying process in our classes, provided one on one guidance to…
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Why You Should Start Building A Great Credit Profile Early On, With Eddie Wilson – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 24
Title Eddie Wilson has led successful ventures across the globe, from operating non-profits and owning an ad agency, to investing in hundreds of real estate projects. Today, he is the CEO of the American Association of Private Lenders and Think Realty, the premiere source for real estate tips, strategies and…
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Why Is Important To Practice Saving When Buying Your First Home, With Jasemen Hatcher – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 23
Title Jasemen Hatcher counsels clients in Chicago in everything from foreclosure prevention to renters’ rights to home finance and runs outreach and education workshops to teach community members about just housing. In addition to an international education, she has held roles in leadership programs in Chicago working to develop racial…
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Why You Should House Hack Your First Home, with Ashley Kehr – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 22
Title Ashley Kehr is the co-host of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast where she helps and inspires others to get started in real estate investing. She is a buy and hold investor since 2014 and she lives on a dairy farm in Buffalo NY with her husband and our…
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Why You Should Get Your Finances Ready Upfront, with Debra Johnson King – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 21
Title Debra Johnson-King is a certified financial independence coach with over 25 years experience in the financial services and real estate. She also specializes in helping 1st time homebuyers achieve homeownership. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
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Why You Should Run Your Numbers Before You Buy Your Home, with Travis Watts – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 20
Title Travis Watts is a full-time real estate investor who has been investing in real estate since 2009. Travis now dedicates his time to educate others in the world of investing and has made it his mission to share passive investment strategies in order to help others achieve and maintain…
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Why You Should Ask Yourself If You Really Want To Buy Your First Home Or Keep On Renting, with Marco Santarelli – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 19
Title Marco Santarelli is an investor, author, Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, and the founder of Norada Real Estate Investments, a nationwide provider of turnkey cash-flow investment properties. He is also the host of the podcast “Passive Real Estate Investing”. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get…
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Why A Great Location Is Essential For Your Home Appreciation, with James Kandasamy – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 18
Title James Kandasamy is an extraordinarily successful real estate investor, and bestselling author. He started buying multi-family homes to end up owning 1,700 apartments. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click on the link below and I will…
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Why You Should House Hack Your First Home, by Andre Johnson – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 17
Title Andre Johnson is a real estate investor who has completed over 500 real estate transactions. He is also the best-selling author of the book “Deal Mastery: A Real Estate Investing Guide To Finding Deals, Joint Venturing, Taking Massive Action, and Leaving a Legacy”. Get In Touch With Our Guest…
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Why You Should Always Get Professional Advice When Buying A Home, with Dee Kemp – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 16
Title Dee Kemp is a Program Manager for Acts Housing, a HUD agency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that since 1995, has supported more than 2,500 families in becoming homeowners. Dee leads the home buyer counseling department and she specializes in helping low to moderate income families achieve home ownership. Get In…
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Why Focusing On Positive Cashflow Is Essential When Buying Investment Properties, with Stuart Grazier – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 15
Title Stuart Grazier is an active duty Navy pilot who has served 18 years in the military. Through endless learning, lots of determination, and continuous action, he and his family have become financially free from real estate investing. Starting in June of 2018, he started a turnkey real estate company…
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Why Recording A Video Will Make You Get Your Dream Home, with Jonathan Campbell, Vice President at DLP Realty – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 14
Jonathan Campbell is the Vice President at DLP Realty in Pennsylvania, where he runs their sales team. Last year alone, DLP sold over 2,000 homes which made them the #1 real estate team in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the #11 team in the entire country. Get…
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