Homebuying Uncensored

Back When Mortgages Were 17% and TVs Were 13"

Mona and “the old mortgage guy” Brian rewind the clock to their first home purchases—when interest rates were sky-high, salaries were low, TVs were tiny, and ramen was basically a food group. Along the way, they break down why first-time buyers have always been stressed, why family help isn’t new (or shameful), and why obsessing over the rate misses the bigger picture. Real stories, real talk, and proof that buying your first home has never been easy—just different flavors of hard.

Mortgage Myths, Magic Dragons & Gummies (Allegedly)

In this MythBusters episode, Mona and Brian tackle the biggest lies in home buying—like needing 20% down, PMI being the devil, and credit scores under 700 meaning you’re doomed to live in a van down by the river (possibly with a unicorn). They break down what actually matters, why renting is basically paying your landlord’s mortgage anyway, and how even “imperfect” buyers can absolutely become homeowners. Along the way, there are veteran hot takes, Aunt Elaine’s financial advice slander, Sears nostalgia, and at least one magical creature reference.
Bottom line: home buying isn’t as impossible as people make it sound… and Google is not your loan officer. Oh, and ChatGPT isn’t either!!!

Don’t Become a Story: Real Homebuying Mistakes That Kill Deals

In this episode of Homebuying Uncensored, Brian Denton and Mona Wong share real-life mortgage horror stories to highlight the common (and often avoidable) mistakes buyers make during the loan process. From undocumented gift funds and career changes mid-loan to buying cars, furniture, or opening new credit at the worst possible time, they break down how small decisions can derail an entire deal. With humor and hard-earned experience, they explain why lenders ask so many questions and why there are no “backsies” once money moves. The takeaway is clear: communicate early, ask questions often, and don’t become the next cautionary tale.

It’s Not Buying Gum. Real Talk on What You Can Actually Afford.

Remember when being “cool” meant a car payment and sunglasses - and not a budget? Yeah…welcome to adulting.
In this episode of Homebuying Uncensored, Mona Wong and Brian Denton break down affordability, car payments, and why your dream house might be getting blocked by your very expensive ride. From Toyota Corollas and Corinthian leather to $1,000 car payments and six-figure pickup trucks, they get real about how lifestyle choices directly impact what you can actually afford in a home.
They tackle the difference between what you qualify for vs. what you’re comfortable paying, why lenders don’t look at rent and mortgages the same way, and how living “house rich and cash poor” can wreck your quality of life (and possibly your GI system). You’ll hear practical tips like the “save the difference” test, why second jobs don’t magically fix affordability, and why buying a home isn’t like grabbing a pack of gum at the store.
Bottom line?If your car payment is eating half your income, your mortgage is already mad at you.Plan ahead. Be realistic. And please—stop living on Ramen and Velveeta.

Ask First or Regret It, A Homebuyers Reality Check.

In this episode of Home Buying Uncensored, Brian Denton and Mona Wong explain why it’s never too early to get pre-approved and how early preparation can prevent disappointment and strengthen offers in a competitive market. They discuss the importance of trust, communication, and choosing the right loan officer and real estate agent over chasing small rate differences. The hosts also break down common pitfalls around credit pulls, affordability versus qualification, job changes, and opening new credit during the process. The key takeaway: ask questions early, communicate often, and work with professionals who truly advocate for you.

Bidding Wars, Bad Advice, And How to Win Anyway

In this episode of Home Buying Uncensored, Brian Denton and Mona Wong break down what it really takes to win a home in today’s cutthroat market—without making reckless mistakes. They expose why most “3-second” pre-approvals are useless, explain how fully underwritten approvals and fast closings give buyers a real edge, and warn against waiving inspections or mortgage contingencies. From appraisal gaps to agent reputation, this episode delivers real-world strategy, not hype, for buyers competing in multiple-offer chaos.

From $500 Rent to a Mortgage, Welcome to Adulting

Buying your first home can feel downright terrifying—and guess what? That’s completely normal.
In this episode of Home Buying Uncensored, Brian Denton and Mona Wong get real (and uncensored) about adulting, life-ing, and the emotional rollercoaster of buying a home. From jumping from $450 rent to a $1,200 mortgage, to buying a place because a baby is on the way (or twins…), they share their own very human first-time homebuyer stories.
They break down why buying a home is scary every single time, even for people in the mortgage industry, and why feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re normal. Along the way, they touch on rising home prices, sticker shock, career growth, unexpected life changes, and why preparation matters more than perfection.
Bottom line?Adulting is hard. Home buying is scary. Life throws surprises.But people survive it every day—and so can you.

This is us. Hello. Nice to Meet you. We Are Homebuying Uncensored.

Before podcasts, before cell phones, and back when mortgages were faxed (yes, faxed) to something resembling a VCR, Brian and Mona were already in the trenches. In this laugh-out-loud kickoff episode, they rewind to the prehistoric era of home loans—handwritten disclosures, two-week credit reports, and learning the business the hard way. Along the way, they explain why most people don’t dream of becoming mortgage brokers… and why that’s exactly why you should listen to them. Expect real stories, zero mortgage-speak, honest advice you can actually understand, and just enough sarcasm to keep your antennas up when someone tries to hose you. Education, entertainment, and Bloody Mary threats included. 🍹