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WATCH: First-Time Home Buyer Myths, DEBUNKED
We put the Next Door Lending team on the spot with the myths every first-time buyer has heard. Here's what's true — and what's not.
Abby Doyle has been writing about homeownership and mortgages for NerdWallet since 2022. Her work has been featured in outlets including The Associated Press, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. From interactive tools to practical advice, Abby is passionate about making the homebuying journey less stressful — especially for first-time buyers.
As a reporter, she is interested in writing about innovative housing solutions (like co-living) and personal stories about how homeownership builds community and a sense of belonging.
Abby is also a musician, songwriter and producer who knows the challenge of balancing creative fulfillment with financial stability. In 2024, she produced a special episode of NerdWallet’s “Smart Money” podcast on how to navigate income swings in a creative career.
Abby is based in Pittsburgh, a city defined by working-class grit and neighborly spirit. When she’s not writing about personal finance, she’s at her urban homestead: playing fiddle, raising chickens and preserving the bounty from her garden.
Jeanette Margle leads the home loans content team at NerdWallet, where she has worked since 2019. Previously, she led NerdWallet's travel rewards content team and spent three years editing for Upgraded Points while self-employed as an editor and writing coach.
Jeanette earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and Plan II Honors from the University of Texas at Austin and has a Master of Education from the University of Houston. A lifelong Texan, Jeanette grew up in a small town in the Hill Country and lives in the Houston area with her husband and daughters.
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It seems like everyone has an opinion about buying your first home. You've probably heard mortgage rates are high, home prices are high, and you need a mountain of cash just to get started. The reality? It's tough, but it's not impossible — here's what the pros at Next Door Lending say is actually true.
If you take away one thing, let it be this: Don't assume you can't buy a house until you know your options. When in doubt, turn to the Nerds for more homebuying tips.
Bella Angelos contributed graphic design support to this project. Some of these graphics were created using HTML code written with the assistance of AI, and all have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
