Episode 47 — Earnest Money: What It Is, What Happens to It, and How Not to Lose It

Episode 48 — Mythbuster Monday: Buying a Condo Is NOT Always a Bad Idea

HOA fees get a bad reputation — and honestly, sometimes they earn it. But writing off condos entirely because of the fees is like swearing off restaurants because you once got a bad meal. Michael busts the myth that condo ownership is a financial trap and walks through when it actually makes a lot of sense, what HOA fees really cover, the questions you need to ask before you make an offer, and the one condo financing rule that catches buyers completely off guard. Don't let a blanket opinion cost you a great first home or a solid investment property. 🎙️ New episodes every Monday & Friday.  📲 Follow us on Instagram for more mortgage myths and home buying tips.  📞 Call or Text: 615-499-6335  📧 michael@dendyteam.com [michael@dendyteam.com]  🌐 MichaelDendy.com [http://MichaelDendy.com]

Episode 47 — Earnest Money: What It Is, What Happens to It, and How Not to Lose It

You found the house. You're ready to make an offer. And then somebody tells you that you need to hand over a check — before the inspection, before the appraisal, before you even know if you're getting the loan — just to prove you're serious. That's earnest money. Most buyers have no idea how much to put down, what it actually buys them, or the very specific situations where you can walk away and get it back versus the ones where it's just gone. Michael breaks all of it down so you're not standing at the closing table wondering where your money went. 🎙️ New episodes every Monday & Friday.  📲 Follow us on Instagram for more mortgage myths and home buying tips.  📞 Call or Text: 615-499-6335  📧 michael@dendyteam.com [michael@dendyteam.com]  🌐 MichaelDendy.com [http://MichaelDendy.com]

Episode 46 — Mythbuster Monday: Your First Home Does NOT Have to Be Your Forever Home

Somewhere along the way somebody sold an entire generation on the idea that your first home has to be perfect. Right neighborhood, right school district, right number of bedrooms, right everything — or don't bother. That's not how this works. Michael busts the myth that's keeping more first-time buyers on the sideline than almost anything else. Your first home is a stepping stone, not a sentence. You build equity, you move up, you do it again. That's how generational wealth actually gets built — one imperfect house at a time. 🎙️ New episodes every Monday & Friday.  📲 Follow us on Instagram for more mortgage myths and home buying tips.  📞 Call or Text: 615-499-6335  📧 michael@dendyteam.com [michael@dendyteam.com]  🌐 MichaelDendy.com [http://MichaelDendy.com]

Episode 45 — Who's Actually Working for You When You Buy a House?

Most people walk into a real estate transaction assuming everybody at the table is on their side. They're not. There's a buyer's agent, a seller's agent, and depending on how the deal is structured — sometimes one person trying to be both. Michael breaks down exactly what each agent's job is, who they're legally obligated to protect, and the question you absolutely need to ask before you let anyone show you a house. This isn't about distrust. It's about knowing the rules of a game that's being played whether you understand it or not. 🎙️ New episodes every Monday & Friday.  📲 Follow us on Instagram for more mortgage myths and home buying tips.  📞 Call or Text: 615-499-6335  📧 michael@dendyteam.com [michael@dendyteam.com]  🌐 MichaelDendy.com [http://MichaelDendy.com]

Episode 44 — Bigger Down Payment? Not Always.

Everybody says you should put as much money down as possible when buying a home. But is that actually smart? In this Mythbuster Monday episode of Home Buying Made Easy, Michael Dendy and Rachel Dendy break down one of the biggest mortgage myths out there: “A bigger down payment is always better.” Sometimes putting more money down helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. And in some situations, draining your savings to lower your mortgage payment can actually put you in a WORSE financial position. Michael explains: • When a larger down payment actually makes sense • Why keeping cash reserves can sometimes be smarter • The truth about PMI and low down payment loans • How VA and USDA buyers often buy with little or no money down • The hidden risks of being “house broke” after closing If you’ve been waiting years trying to save a massive down payment before buying a home, this episode may completely change your strategy. 🎙️ New episodes every Monday & Friday. 📲 Follow us on Instagram for more mortgage myths and home buying tips. 📞 Call or Text: 615-499-6335 📧 michael@dendyteam.com [michael@dendyteam.com] 🌐 MichaelDendy.com [http://MichaelDendy.com]