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!

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

Michael Lorino

Assumable Mortgages 101: The Key to Your First Home, with Michael Lorino

  Assumable Mortgages 101 with Michael Lorino – Summary Michael Lorino is the founder and CEO of AssumeList, a site where you can see Assumable Mortgages. A military veteran with over 15 years of real estate experience, Michael recognized the coming affordability crisis with rising interest rates and wondered how…

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FHA 203k Loan Requirements

FHA 203k Loan Requirements: Empowering Home Renovators With Andrew Winnard

FHA 203k Loan Requirements – Introduction Andrew Winnard is a certified home inspector based in Maryland and HUD 203K consultant that takes great pride in the fact that he is able to work with home buyers to take advantage of one of the most powerful loan programs offered to the…

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Chastin Miles

Unlocking Secrets: The 3 Questions Top Real Estate Agents Ask First Time Home Buyers, with Chastin J. Miles

Chastin J. Miles Chastin J. Miles is a real estate agent who focuses on Dallas properties. He specializes in various types of real estate, like houses, condos, commercial buildings, and luxury rentals. Chastin J. Miles and his team aim to change the way people think about real estate transactions. They…

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Amanda Shepherd

$75,000 Seller Concessions & the Intriguing World of Buying a Home in 2024 with Amanda Shepherd

Amanda Shepherd Amanda Shepherd is a real estate broker in Seattle-Tacoma with Compass. She’s the recipient of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year award in 2022, and is passionate about helping first time home buyers achieve their goals. When she’s not working, she’s volunteering at local…

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Justin Revland

Moving Horror Stories And How To Avoid Them in 2024 with Justin Revland

Introduction Justin Revland is the Marketing Manager for Hornet Moving in Charlotte, North Carolina. He enjoys representing a locally owned and operated small business that is doing big things in a quickly growing city. When not working, he stays busy finding new ways to get outdoors and spending time with…

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Seana Caine

The House Hacking Blueprint: Lessons from a 17-Unit Owner, with Seana Caine

Introduction – Seana Caine Seana Caine is a real estate agent in Rochester, NY. She loves working with first time homebuyers and helping them buy their first home. When she is not working she loves traveling and spending time with her husband. Summary Real Estate Career Journey and Communication Skills…

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Alison Derse

The Home Triangle Methodology, Unlocking the Perfect Home with Alison Derse

➡️ Description Alison Derse is an award-winning Realtor in Portland, OR. Her mission is to offer heartfelt care and white glove service with the best tools, resources and local market knowledge the industry has to offer. She works across all of Portland and surrounding suburbs. When she is not working,…

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Danielle Andrews

Building Wealth, Building Homes: The ABCs of Construction Loans with Danielle Andrews

Description Danielle Andrews is the Broker and Owner of Realty ONE Group Next Generation in Tallahassee, Florida. Danielle has been working in the real estate industry in Florida since 2016. She is an Educator by nature, having spent four years teaching Middle School Social Studies. She enjoys bringing her passion…

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Matt Gouge

Empowering Home Buyers: Unleashing the Power of Home Buyer Education, with Matt Gouge

Description MattTheMortgageGuy is a mortgage broker who is passionate about helping first time homebuyers create life changing opportunities through homeownership. Over the last decade he has created thousands of hours of content across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok to educate homebuyers to make great decisions around buying a home. Outside of…

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Darren Kaplan

Where to Begin: Relocation Tips for First-Time Home Buyers, with Darren Kaplan

Description Darren Kaplan, known as MrMortgageGuru, is a husband of 23 years and a proud father to two wonderful children—a boy and a girl. As a seasoned mortgage banker, he has over 200 positive Zillow reviews, maintains a thriving YouTube channel with over 5000 subscribers, and brings over 20 years…

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Danny Meier

More Than Numbers: Choosing a Lender Who Understands Your Story, with Danny Meier

Description Danny Meier is a mortgage loan officer out of the Seattle area where he was born and raised. He has been the #1 loan officer in the state for three years in a row and is ranked top ten nationally amongst all loan officers. He is a homeowner, investor,…

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Jeb Smith

The 3 Forces Behind the Fluctuations in Home Prices, with Jeb Smith

➡️ Description Jeb Smith is a Real Estate Broker and Content Creator located in Huntington Beach, CA. He enjoys educating first time home buyers on the importance of homeownership and providing the guidance necessary to help them accomplish their goals. Jeb loves being active and spending time with his wife…

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Dane Moler

2,500 Loans Later: Top Advice for First-Time Home Buyers, with Dane Moler

➡️ Description Dane Moler is a Division President with Primary Residential in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an expert in all things mortgage with more than 22 years in the mortgage industry and having personally funded over 2,500 residential mortgages. Outside of the office he is an avid…

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Brett Ari Fischer

Why You Need The Best Real Estate Team, with Brett Ari Fischer

➡️ Description Brett Ari Fischer is a real estate agent in New York City. He loves working with homebuyers and sellers. When he is not working he loves playing sports, reading, making videos, cooking, going to the gym and watching sports. ➡️ Referrals ⭐ Get a Referral to a Top Mortgage Lender…

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Craig Rowe

What’s Wrong With The Real Estate Sector Today With Craig Rowe

➡️ Description Craig Rowe is a journalist based in Truckee, CA, focusing on proptech, marketing and consulting for real estate. He’s also a backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra Nevada. ➡️ Referrals ⭐ Get a Referral to a Top Mortgage Lender or Realtor – http://lauramoreno.com/referral ➡️ FREE Home Buying…

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Andrew Galler

Why 4% Interest Rates Where A Historical Anomaly, with Andrew Galler

➡️ Description Andrew Galler is a Realtor in Portland, Oregon and has been helping people buy (and sell) homes since 2001. His passion is navigating his clients’ largest financial and emotional investment in their lives: their HOME. ➡️ Referrals ⭐ Get a Referral to a Top Mortgage Lender or Realtor – http://lauramoreno.com/referral…

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Kimberley Tufts

Real Estate Is URGENT: Why You Need To Get Into Every House The Minute You Can with Kimberley Tufts

➡️ Introduction Kimberley Tufts is a licensed REALTOR® serving New Hampshire and also Massachusetts. She is determined and committed to making the transaction as stress-free as possible and even fun while providing the utmost excellent service earning your trust, future referrals, and repeat business. First-time buyers are her favorite because…

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Robert Davenport

How To Get $25k Off From Your First Home with Robert Davenport

➡️ Introduction Robert Davenport is a seasoned real estate agent in Indiana who enjoys making your home dreams come true. As an Indiana native, Robert recognizes the trust his clients place in him and takes the lead with savvy negotiation skills, value, dedication and always putting his clients first. In his…

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Andrew Winnard

The Top 5 Components That All Home Inspectors Need To Check with Andrew Winnard

➡️ Introduction Andrew Winnard is a home inspector in Central Maryland who loves working with first-time homebuyers. He encourages all homebuyers to follow him through the on-site inspection so he can report and advise on the overall condition of the home while answering any questions they might have. ➡️ Referrals ⭐ Get a…

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Buyer's agent compensation

Navigating the Real Estate Rollercoaster: A Recap of 2023 and Insights for 2024

Introduction Hello and welcome back to The First Time Home Buyer Podcast! I’m thrilled to be back with you for a brand new season. It’s been a while, and I appreciate your patience. Today, we have a special episode in store for you as we catch up on what’s been…

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