Bought My First Home at 25 | Here's What I Wish I Knew

First Investment Property at 24 | Here's How He Did It

In this video, Darius Stevens shares his journey of purchasing his first investment property just two months before his 25th birthday. Influenced by the classic "Rich Dad Poor Dad," Darius moved from working at his father’s restaurant to flipping houses and building a rental portfolio. He pulls back the curtain on the real-world challenges of real estate, including the high-stakes environment of hard money loans and the strategic advantages of owner financing. Whether you're looking for liquidity through a fix-and-flip or long-term wealth via buy-and-hold rentals, Darius breaks down the exact financial metrics he uses to evaluate deals. He also gets honest about the "cons" of self-managing properties, the reality of unexpected vacancy costs, and why planning for 3-6 months of mortgage reserves is a non-negotiable for first-time landlords. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your real estate journey, this episode is your blueprint. Discover how to partner with professionals, mitigate risks, and build a legacy through "doors" that provide recurring revenue for generations to come. Follow & Connect With Under 30 Homebuyer: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer] ------ 00:00 Intro 00:08 How a 2021 seminar changed everything 00:40 Rich Dad Poor Dad: The book that influenced the shift 01:03 Finding deals in Facebook groups vs. the MLS 01:39 How seller financing works and why they are for flipping 02:11 What happens when a flip takes longer than planned 02:51 The secret to acquiring rental properties 03:44 How to evaluate flips vs. rentals 04:40 Liquidity first, then recurring revenue 05:16 Why he’ll never manage my own properties again 06:34 The vacancy trap every landlord must avoid 07:36 Navigating landlord policies and owner financing 09:09 Partnering with professionals to learn the trade 09:40 Why "slowing down" is the ultimate skill ------ #RealEstateInvesting #FirstTimeLandlord #genzhomebuyers

The #1 Mistake First-Time Homebuyers Make

Are you ready to stop guessing and start buying? 🏡 In this episode of Under 30 Home, Kara Sullivan and Carlyn Costco break down the essential home buying tips and real estate advice every first-timer needs. We move past the social media "dream home" filters to show you the actual home buying process. We dive deep into why a pre-approval is your secret weapon, why you definitely don’t need a 20% down payment, and why "waiting for rates to drop" might actually cost you more in the long run. Whether you're fresh out of college or just starting to save, we're busting the biggest home buying mistakes, from credit score myths to the truth about Zestimates. Stop letting fear hold you back from building equity. We’re not just selling houses; we’re advocates for your future. Watch until the end for our rapid-fire True or False game to clear up the confusion and get you closer to your keys! Follow & Connect With Under 30 Homebuyer: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer] ------ 0:00 Intro 00:24 The Buyer Consultation Deep Dive 01:10 Why Pre-Approval is Non-Negotiable 01:30 Mindset Check: Real Life vs. Social Media 03:04 The Real Estate Rule of Thumb 04:00 Buying for Location & Equity 05:06 Advocate vs. Salesperson 06:06 Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval 07:35 Upfront Costs & Earnest Money Explained 08:54 Should You Wait for Interest Rates to Drop 09:09 Should You Always Offer Under Asking? 09:34 The Truth About Closing Costs 10:15 Appraisals vs. Inspections 10:42 Credit Score Myths Busted 11:07 Can You Buy with Zero Dollars? 12:04 Is Now a Bad Time to Buy? 12:30 Buying Fresh Out of College 12:51 The 20% Down Payment Myth 13:20 How Student Loans Affect Your Loan 13:53 Are Zestimates Actually Accurate? ------ #FirstTimeHomebuyer #RealEstateTips #HomeBuyingMistakes

Bought My First Home at 25 | Here's What I Wish I Knew

Join us as Darius Stevens shares his inspiring journey of purchasing his first home at just 25 years old. Drawing from his professional background as a real estate agent, Darius breaks down the exact steps and mindset shifts required to achieve homeownership at a young age. He discusses the emotional "why" behind his purchase, creating a personal sanctuary and building generational wealth, while offering practical, hard-hitting advice for prospective buyers. Darius deep dives into critical financial preparation, specifically for 1099 independent contractors, emphasizing the importance of tax returns and reporting income correctly. He candidly shares his experience overcoming credit obstacles, choosing an FHA loan, and the strategic moves he made to get his offer accepted in a competitive market like Gwinnett County. From the non-negotiable importance of home inspections to the unexpected "obsession" with lawn care that comes with the keys, this video is a comprehensive guide for anyone under 30 wondering if the dream of owning a home is still attainable. Whether you're just starting to save or ready to make an offer, Darius’s professional insights and personal story provide the roadmap you need to secure your own domain. Follow & Connect With Under 30 Homebuyer: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer] ------ 0:00 Intro 00:14 The "Why" Behind Homeownership 00:47 Real Estate License & Buying Early 00:59 Why You Must Start Planning Early 01:42 Mortgage Tips for 1099 Contractors 02:16 Overcoming Credit Obstacles (FHA Loans) 03:06 Saving for a Down Payment & Contingencies 04:05 Realtor vs. Lender: Who to Call First? 04:40 Finding the Right Property: The Intangibles 05:56 Why Home Inspections are Non-Negotiable 06:12 Getting the Offer Accepted 06:45 Post-Closing Renovations & DIY 07:25 Building Generational Wealth 07:47 Is Homeownership Attainable Under 30? 08:16 Actionable Advice for Aspiring Buyers 09:02 Recap ------ #HomeBuying #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #genzhomebuyers

They Bought a $402,000 House with ONLY $12K Down (3% Down)

Can you really buy a $400,000+ home with just $12,000 in the bank? In this video, host Kara Sullivan sits down with Mike and Catherine to break down the exact strategy they used to stop renting and start building equity in their dream home at age 25. You’ll learn how they leveraged a 3% down payment program to secure their $402,000 home. Mikey, a pilot, and Catherine, a nursing student, share the "unfiltered" side of homebuying, from the sacrifices made (like selling a dream car for a high-mileage hybrid) to the reality of wiping out savings to make the investment work. We dive deep into the importance of maintaining an 800 credit score, finding a lender who understands unique career income paths (like the airline industry), and why you don't need to wait until you have 20% down to fire your landlord. Whether you're a first-time buyer or just starting to save, this story proves that with the right guidance and a few strategic sacrifices, homeownership is closer than you think. Follow & Connect With Under 30 Homebuyer: YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer] Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer] TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer] Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer [https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer] ------ 0:00 Intro 0:37 Meet Mike and Cat 3:26 The marriage proposal 4:07 Why they decided to stop renting 5:32 The challenges of the loan approval 7:30 The importance of good credit 8:42 Sacrifices made to save money 9:45 Other ways they saved for a down payment 11:14 Mike's advice for future homebuyers 12:26 How they personalized their home ------ #firsttimehomebuyer #genz #homeownership

Mortgage Payment Vs Rent: It's Actually LOWER

Join us on Under 30 Homebuyer as we meet John and Allison Gunther, a young couple who achieved homeownership in their mid-20s. In this episode, host Kara Sullivan dives into their inspiring story, exploring how they navigated the market, utilized first-time home buyer programs (including a fantastic 3% down payment option), and managed their finances to make their dream home a reality. Allison shares insights from her frugal upbringing and how they balanced wedding costs with their savings goals. Discover the realities of buying a home that needs a little love and the strategic plays they're making for their future. If you're a young person dreaming of owning your own place, this episode is packed with valuable tips and relatable experiences. Follow & Connect With Under 30 Homebuyer: YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer] ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@under30homebuyer]Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/under30homebuyer] TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer] ⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@under30homebuyer]Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer [https://www.facebook.com/under30homebuyer] ------ 0:00 Intro 1:05 Meet John and Allison 2:32 Family life and working from home 3:41 Apartment life during COVID 4:35 Why they decided to buy a home 5:32 What the approval process looked like 6:45 Why only one borrower went on the mortgage 7:42 Their 3% down conventional loan strategy 8:34 Saving money and preparing to buy 9:52 Budgeting and figuring out what they could afford 12:02 House hunting during COVID 13:00 Advice for buyers in today’s market 14:08 Marry the house, date the rate 15:11 Going over asking and covering closing costs 16:05 Appraisal challenges during the buying process 17:10 Home projects and making the house their own 19:03 DIY upgrades and renovations 21:00 Advice for under 30 homebuyers 22:30 Recap ------ #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #GenZ #RealEstateJourney