Keys & Gears

You Don't Need 20% Down: Down Payment Assistance Programs That Actually Work in 2026

If you have been waiting to buy because you think you need 20% saved, this episode is going to stop you in your tracks, because that belief is one of the most expensive myths in real estate, and it is costing buyers years. In this episode, Bess and Mark break down down payment assistance programs, what they actually are, how they work, and why the overwhelming majority of buyers who qualify for them never use them. Nationwide, there are over 2,600 programs available. The average benefit is $18,000. And in Texas, some programs go as high as $60,000. That is not a typo. They cover the main types of assistance, including grants you never repay, forgivable loans that disappear over time, and deferred second liens that move quietly alongside your mortgage. They also walk through the programs specific to Dallas, Fort Worth, and Texas at large, including the Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program, TSAHC, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate, which is the one most buyers and even some agents have never heard of. And then they bust the myths. No, you do not have to have a low income. No, you do not have to be a first-time buyer. No, sellers are not going to reject your offer. If you are buying in DFW in 2026, or you know someone who is, this is the episode to share. ───────────────────────────────────── 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find DPA Programs in Your Area (National Search Tool): https://downpaymentresource.com/homebuyers/ TSAHC — Texas Down Payment Assistance & Loans: https://www.tsahc.org/homebuyers-renters/loans-down-payment-assistance TSAHC Eligibility Quiz (takes 5 minutes): https://www.tsahc.org/home-buyer-programs Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) — up to $60,000: https://dallascityhall.com/departments/housing-neighborhood-revitalization/Pages/Dallas-Homebuyer-Assistance-Program-DHAP.aspx Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) — Annual Federal Tax Credit: https://www.tsahc.org/homebuyers-renters/loans-down-payment-assistance Fannie Mae DPA Search Tool: https://yourhome.fanniemae.com/calculators-tools/down-payment-assistance-tool Find a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor: https://www.hud.gov/findacounselor ───────────────────────────────────── 📩 Work with Bess: https://bessdickson.com/ 📩 Work with Mark: https://markliesner.com/ 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keysandgearspodcast/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@KeysandGearsPodcast⁩ [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC4smrDdUwgMKp047_z_CC1A]  ───────────────────────────────────── #downpaymentassistance #firsttimehomebuyer #dallasrealestate

The $200 Repair That Becomes a $20,000 Problem: 7 Home Maintenance Checks That Save You Thousands

That repair you have been putting off is getting more expensive every single day. In this episode of Keys and Gears, Bess and Mark break down the real cost of delayed home maintenance and walk you through the seven most important checks every homeowner should be doing regularly, from foundation care and roof inspections to HVAC filters, gutters, and exterior upkeep. They share real stories of what happens when small problems get ignored, explain why proactive maintenance costs a fraction of emergency repairs, and show you how to use AI to make smarter decisions about the contractors you hire. If you own a home or plan to buy one, this episode gives you the practical tools to protect your investment before the damage is already done. 📩 Work with Bess: https://bessdickson.com/ 📩 Work with Mark: https://markliesner.com/ 🌐 Guest: https://realestatedreamteam.com 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keysandgearspodcast/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeysandGearsPodcast

Is It Better to Rent or Buy Right Now? (What Nobody Tells You)

Is it better to rent or buy right now? It's the question  keeping thousands of potential homeowners stuck in limbo  and in this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner give you  the honest answer. The catch-22 of home buying is real: you're waiting for the  right time, the right house, the right market while  opportunity cost quietly works against you. The truth is,  indecision is a decision. And in real estate, it comes with  a price tag. In this episode Bess and Mark tackle the fears, the  overthinking, the partner misalignment, and the  misconceptions that keep buyers on the fence and walk you  through exactly how to get unstuck and move forward with  confidence. You'll walk away knowing: → The real cost of staying in home buying limbo → Why waiting for perfect timing is the riskiest move of all → How to decide between renting and buying for your     specific situation → Why the "perfect house" is a myth — and what to     prioritize instead → How to align with your partner on one of the biggest     financial decisions you'll make → When and how to bring in professional help to move     forward faster Whether you're a first-time buyer, looking to upsize, or  just tired of going back and forth  this one is for you. 📩 Work with Bess: bessdickson.com 📩 Work with Mark: markliesner.com 📲 Instagram: @keysandgearspodcast

The Architect Who Built Her Own Dream Home | Mid-Century Dallas House Tour ft. Paola Mendoza

Step inside 10324 Lake Gardens Drive — a mid-century modern home  in Old Lake Highlands, Dallas that was designed by the woman who  actually lives in it. Paola Mendoza sits down with Bess and Mark  to walk us through every intentional decision, from the layout to  the details that make this home unlike anything else in the  neighborhood. This isn't a listing tour. It's a conversation about what it  means to build a space that is completely and unapologetically  yours — and what a home like this is worth in today's Dallas  market. What you'll hear in this episode: → How Paola approached designing her own home as an architect → What makes mid-century modern homes in Old Lake Highlands     so sought after right now → What Bess sees from a real estate perspective — and what     Mark sees from a lending one → The details that make 10324 Lake Gardens a standout property ───────────────────────────── 🔑 Keys & Gears is hosted by Bess Dickson, Realtor, and  Mark Liesner, Mortgage Lender — bringing you real conversations  about real estate in Dallas, TX. 📩 Work with Bess: https://bessdickson.com/ 📩 Work with Mark: https://markliesner.com/ 📍 10324 Lake Gardens Dr, Dallas TX 75218 ───────────────────────────── #KeysAndGears #DallasRealEstate #HomeTour #MidCenturyModern  #DallasHomeTour #OldLakeHighlands #MidCenturyDallas  #DallasArchitecture #WhiteRockLake #DFWRealEstate  #DallasHomes #HomeDesign #ArchitectDesignedHome  #LakeHighlandsDallas #RealEstateDallas

Pocketbook Panic: The Bills That Hit After You Close On A House

Everyone knows buying a home means paying a mortgage — but that's just the beginning. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner get into Pocketbook Panic mode and walk through every cost new (and seasoned) homeowners are often blindsided by. Bess breaks down the preventative maintenance mindset: your home, like your body, needs regular checkups. Ignore the small stuff and you'll pay big later — especially when it comes to your foundation, your HVAC system, and your plumbing. Mark unpacks what's actually inside your mortgage payment (hint: it's at least four things, sometimes five), why refinancing is more expensive than most people expect, and why emotional readiness isn't the only kind of maturity homeownership demands. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a growing family looking to upsize, or an investor evaluating price points — this episode will make you a smarter, more prepared homeowner. Key Takeaways: -Your mortgage payment is made up of 4–5 distinct costs — do you know all of them? -Foundation issues are silent, slow, and can cost $30,000+ if ignored -Higher price point = higher maintenance responsibility -Planning is not optional — it's the asset protection strategy -Fees will likely increase over time; build that into your long-term budget #HomeOwnership #RealEstateTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HiddenCostsOfHomeOwnership #MortgageBreakdown #HomeMaintenanceTips #KeysAndGears #RealEstatePodcast