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
Mortgage Tips After 5,000 Loans, with Mortgage Advisor Tony DiGiuseppe – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 133
Introduction Tony DiGiuseppe is a mortgage advisor with over 20 years of experience with vast knowledge in loan programs, including FHA, VA, conventional, and jumbo loans. No client is exactly the same, which is why it is important to work with a mortgage advisor that can adjust to your specific…
Read MoreWhy You Need A Fast And Communicative Team To Win The Deal, with Ian McVeigh – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 132
Introduction As Team Leader and Co-Founder of The Red Stone Group, Ian McVeigh is responsible for representing buyers and sellers throughout Virginia, DC, and Maryland. He is consistently ranked as a top agent in Northern Virginia Magazine, The Washingtonian, and Arlington Magazine just to name a few. Get In Touch…
Read MoreHow To Get A Great Loan in Queens or Long Island in New York, with Mohamed T Gulamali – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 131
Introduction Mohamed T Gulamali started his career in finance over 20 years ago from the very bottom. As a Mortgage Loan Originator, he has been recognized for his performance in production, marketing, and customer loyalty. He’s a leading expert in the mortgage field, this is reflected from his 2 published…
Read MoreHow To House-Hack Your First Home in New York, with Nicole Pendergrass – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 130
Introduction Nicole Pendergrass is a real estate investor focused on buying multi-family properties. In 2015, she purchased a 3 family house-hack in the Bronx to live for free. After 4 years she refinanced it and used some equity to purchase a 6-unit building. Now her family is looking for our…
Read MoreThe 5 Types Of Legal Property Ownership And Other Legalities When Buying A Home In NY, with Ron Meyers
Title Ron Meyers is a real estate attorney based in NYC, with 20 years of experience. He is an expert in coop and condo transactions but he has also worked in some of the iconic sites in NYC like Times Square, the World Trade Center, and the High Line. Get In…
Read MoreWhy You Need To Be The Leader Of Your Home Buying Team, with Kyle Seagraves – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 128
Introduction Kyle Seagraves is the owner and Certified Mortgage Advisor at Win The House You Love. A collection of over 250 videos that help people kick home buying stress to the curb. After seeing so many clients struggle through the stress of buying their first home, Kyle was committed to…
Read MoreWhy You Need To Get An Agent That Knows And Lives In The Area, with Creig Northrop- The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 127
Introduction Creig Northrop has over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. He is also the CEO and founder of Northrop Realty, a full-service brokerage employing more than 200 energetic professionals that specialize in residential real estate in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Florida. Get In…
Read More4 Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted in Delaware, by Patricia Hawryluk – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 126
Introduction Patricia Hawryluk is a real estate superstar that helps buyers and sellers meet their real estate dreams in Delaware. It is truly her passion to be a home-client matchmaker by providing integrity, proven results, and a dynamic experience. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to…
Read MoreHow To Finance Your First Home In Florida, with Eddie OKeefe – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 124
Introduction Eddie OKeefe is a mortgage professional with over 23 years of experience serving the Florida market through purchase and refinance transactions. He also knows which First Time Home Buyer Programs are available in the area. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch…
Read MoreWhy Do You Need To Understand Why The Seller is Selling To Win An Offer On A Home, With Tamara McGhee – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 125
Introduction Tamara McGhee is a real estate agent in Richmond, VA. In her thirteen years in the business, she has helped over 300 buyers and sellers in the Richmond area with their real estate needs. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with…
Read MoreWhat First Time Home Buyers Need to Succeed in 2021, with Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s Data Analyst – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 123
Introduction Elizabeth Renter is NerdWallet’s Data Analyst. She loves hunting for stories in datasets and crunching numbers for her monthly personal finance column. She also produces data reports and studies covering an array of topics including first-time homebuyer affordability and trends in the housing market. Get In Touch With Our…
Read MoreWhy You Need to Work With An Hyperlocal Team When Buying a Home In New York, with Teresa Stephenson – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 122
Introduction Teresa Stephenson is the Managing Partner and President of Platinum Properties, a real estate brokerage in New York that helps first-time homebuyers in the City. 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…
Read MoreWhy You Need To Work With A Buyers Agent To Buy Your Home, with Kathleen Chiras – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 121
Introduction Kathleen Chiras is the broker/owner of Skyfor, Inc. and association manager for the National Buyers Agent Association, the Colorado Exclusive Buyer Agents Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Buyer Agents Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
Read MoreThe 3 Advantages of Working With A Mortgage Broker, with Cara Potter – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 120
Introduction Cara Potter is a mortgage broker in Florida where she helps her clients achieve the best outcome in every transaction and she strives to ensure that the home buying process is fun, easy, and stress-free. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch…
Read MoreThe 3 Scores That You Need To Master To Get The Best Mortgage, with Dani Saks – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 119
Introduction Dani Saks is a financial coach who helps first-time homebuyers with the process of getting a mortgage. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland but he helps clients all around the country. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
Read MoreWhat To Expect In Your Home Inspection in Raleigh, North Carolina, with Britt Treece – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 118
Introduction Britt is the head inspector and chief stewarding officer (CSO) of Confident Home Inspection. He began the business in 2014. He loves helping homebuyers understand each property and its systems. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to get in touch with our guest today, click…
Read MoreHow To Buy A Home In Portland, Oregon, With Rebecca Donaldson – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 117
Title Rebecca Donaldson is an award-winning Senior Broker in Portland, Oregon. She moved to the Willamette Valley when she was ten years old and her family has built many custom homes, and owned several investment properties and mobile home communities in the area. Get In Touch If you’d like to…
Read MoreCredit Score: How To Find The Right Tools And Professionals To Help You Improve Your Credit Score, with Steve Reger – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 116
Title Steve Reger is a 27-year veteran of the credit reporting industry and a former Director of TransUnion’s® Consumer Services division. Currently, he is the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for ConsumerDirect, the company behind the popular credit management tool SmartCredit. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today…
Read MoreCalifornia Down Payment Assistance Programs with Brenda Rodriguez, Executive Director of Affordable Housing Clearinghouse (AHC) – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 115
Title Brenda Rodriguez has served as Executive Director of Affordable Housing Clearinghouse (AHC) in California since 2009. This is her twelfth year with the organization which is celebrating 30 years of addressing the evolving affordable housing needs of the community. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like…
Read MoreHow To Make Better Homebuying Decisions, with Tom Wemett – The First Time Home Buyer Podcast – Episode 114
Title Tom Wemett is a 48+ year real estate industry veteran. He has been more than 28+ years representing homebuyers only and he is the author of three real estate books with the last one published in August 2020. Get In Touch With Our Guest Today If you’d like to…
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