Buying a Home in 2022 (and Beyond): What You’re Really Up Against
📝 Episode Summary
In this solo episode, recorded in Summer 2022, Darrin dives deep into the housing crisis—and why the dream of homeownership feels so out of reach for so many people.
Using real stats, personal perspective, and listener-focused insight, Darrin explores how the market got this way, why it’s affecting first-time buyers the hardest, and what practical steps people can take even in an unfair system.
From credit building strategies to breaking down the true cost of buying a home, this episode is part reality check, part roadmap. Darrin doesn’t sugarcoat the situation—but he also doesn’t believe people should give up. His message is clear:
“The market is tough—but with the right game plan, you can still show up prepared.”
Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Why housing prices skyrocketed (and why they haven’t dropped much)
- Mortgage interest rates in 2022 vs. the past
- The trap of comparing today’s housing market to your parents’ generation
- What “starter home” means now—and why it’s shifted
- Credit as the foundation of homeownership
- How to realistically prepare your finances before buying
- Darrin’s personal take on what makes a home worth the investment
- Encouragement for people feeling locked out of the market
🧠 Stats + Insight Highlights (from 2022):
- Average home price at the time: ~$440,000
- 30-year fixed mortgage rates had jumped to over 5%
- Median credit score for mortgage approval: ~740+
- Rising rent pressures and inflation compounding the affordability crisis
📌 Note: Data reflects mid-2022 but the market pressures remain relevant today.
💡 Key Takeaways
- It’s okay to feel frustrated by the market.
Buying a home right now is objectively hard. You’re not crazy, unprepared, or behind. - Start with your credit.
You walk listeners through the importance of improving their credit score, avoiding high utilization, and checking reports early—because credit is a gatekeeper in today’s housing world. - Affordability is personal—not political.
Just because housing prices are “up” or “down” doesn’t mean a home is affordable for you. Focus on your numbers, not headlines. - Comparison kills confidence.
Comparing your situation to previous generations will only drain your energy. Their market isn’t yours.
Preparation > timing.
You don’t need to predict the market. You need to be ready when the right opportunity comes
