Buying a House in 2025? Don't Do It Until You Watch This

Buying a house in 2025 can be intimidating, but these first time home buyer tips and strategies will give you the confidence to beat the competition. If you are looking to stop renting and start owning, this video covers the essential financial math you need to know, including the truth about down payments, FHA vs Conventional loans, and how to calculate your true monthly cost. We are going beyond the basics to help you avoid the most common mistakes buyers make in this market.

Justin Braithwaite
Broker and Owner, Braithwaite Realty, LLC
📞 Tel: 917-626-2372
📧 Email: [email protected]

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro: Beyond the basics of home buying
00:29 Tip 1: The 20% Down Payment Myth & PMI
02:22 Tip 2: Calculating Your Real Monthly Cost (PITI + M)
03:50 Tip 3: Hacking Your Debt to Income Ratio (DTI)
05:21 Tip 4: FHA vs Conventional vs USDA Loans
07:11 Tip 5: How to Interview Your Real Estate Agent
08:30 Tip 6: How to Make a Winning Offer (Without Overpaying)
09:52 Tip 7: The 5% Rule & Rent vs Buy Math
11:20 Outro: Your 2025 Home Buying Checklist

🏡 Why waiting to buy works against you Many buyers think saving for a 20% down payment is the safe move, but waiting often means chasing rising prices. In this video, we break down the cost of leverage and why buying with 3% to 5% down can actually yield a 40% return on your invested cash.

💰 Hidden costs of homeownership Zillow and Redfin estimates are often wrong because they leave out critical expenses. We discuss "PITI + M" (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, and Maintenance) so you aren't house poor.

📉 Choosing the right mortgage Should you get an FHA loan or a Conventional loan? We explain why FHA loans might be more expensive for buyers with credit scores over 720 and when you should look at USDA options for 0% down.

🤝 Building your team Learn the one specific question you must ask a real estate agent before hiring them to ensure they are an advisor, not just a salesperson.