Am I ready to buy a house financially? For many first-time homebuyers, that question feels harder to answer than ever.

In this clip, we break down the real financial pressure behind buying a home, including debt-to-income ratios, the 50% rule for mortgages, and why so many buyers feel like they’re one emergency away from losing approval. From living paycheck to paycheck to juggling car payments, student loans, credit cards, and rising housing costs, this conversation highlights why buying a house today feels so stressful and why that struggle is more common than people admit.

We also cover why saving for a down payment isn’t always enough, how closing costs catch first-time buyers off guard, and why down payment assistance programs and first-time home buyer grants are often the only realistic path to homeownership. If you’ve ever searched “can I afford a house,” “how much money do I need to buy a house,” or “am I ready to buy a house financially,” this clip will answer that question.

Whether you’re asking how much house can I afford, worried about mortgage approval with debt, or wondering if you should wait to buy a house, this conversation offers a realistic look at the financial reality most buyers face and what actually helps people move forward.

00:00 Understanding Gross Earnings and Debt Limits

01:16 The Stress of Financial Limits

02:45 Down Payment Assistance Programs

03:29 The Challenge of Saving for a Home

04:32 Closing: Navigating Financial Challenges & Homebuying

Grab a seat, pour your favorite drink, join 2 seasoned mortgage pros as they break down the real estate and lending world, without the jargon or boring suits. From market trends, mortgage myths, to wild stories from the field, nothing's off the table. Whether you're a realtor, homebuyer, or just mortgage curious, you'll get honest insights, laughs, and maybe a few "did they really say that" moments.

In this first episode of Mortgage Cowboys, we get real about what the housing market actually looks like behind the headlines. From the 2008 crash and short sales to today’s high-rate environment, this conversation breaks down how real estate cycles work, why panic narratives keep repeating, and what buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders consistently get wrong.

We’re joined by real estate broker Garrett Thill, who shares his firsthand experience surviving the 2008 collapse, navigating foreclosures and short sales, building a top-producing brokerage, and why today’s market is nothing like the last crash despite what social media and headlines suggest.

We dive into:

• What actually caused the 2008 housing collapse (and why those conditions don’t exist today)

• How short sales worked, who they helped, and why they mattered

• Why waiting for a “market crash” keeps buyers stuck on the sidelines

• The real impact of interest rates vs supply and demand

• Why affordability is misunderstood by most buyers

• How agents and lenders can pivot in any market

• The difference between fear-driven decisions and informed ones

• Why experience, not headlines or AI, wins in real estate

If you’re asking questions like “Is the housing market going to crash?”, “Should I wait to buy a house?”, “How is this market different from 2008?”, or “Can I still win as a buyer or agent right now?” This episode cuts through the noise and gives you real perspective from people who’ve lived it.

00:00 Welcome to Mortgage Cowboys

01:23 Garrett's Journey into Real Estate

02:19 The 2008 Financial Crisis

06:12 Flipping Houses and Foreclosures

28:33 Building a Real Estate Business

44:38 Moving to Boise and Remote Work Challenges

50:19 The Reality of Real Estate Work

01:01:58 Role Play and Industry Jokes

01:07:33 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up