As Told By Angela Yee For BrownStyle Magazine
When I bought my first property, a two-unit Brownstone in Brooklyn, it wasn’t glamorous, but it was a crucial investment that changed the way I looked at money, security, and opportunity.
That property needed work, but by “house hacking” and renting out one of the units, I covered nearly half of my mortgage. That decision gave me breathing room financially and created equity that I could build on for the future.
Overcoming Fear With Education And The Right Team
For me, the biggest hurdle wasn’t the mortgage or the paperwork— it was the fear of making the wrong choice. What if I made a bad investment? What if I ended up with a house I couldn’t afford or didn’t understand? Like many first-time buyers, I had to start by admitting what information I didn’t know— and that was okay.
This is where your home team comes into play and is crucial for filling information gaps or pointing out blind spots. I leaned on people who knew more than I did: a broker who understood my goals, an attorney who asked the right questions, and inspectors who were brutally honest about red flags.
The right team doesn’t rush you into decisions; they slow you down so you can make the best ones.
And today, first-time buyers have even more support at their fingertips. Progressive’s Open the House initiative offers free, practical tools that demystify the process, such as payment calculators, first-time buyer guides, and down payment assistance resources. Just like with the right team, the right tools don’t push you – they guide, helping you make informed decisions every step of the way.
Your First Home Doesn’t Need To Be Your Forever One
So many first-time buyers are searching for their forever home when they should be thinking about their starter investment. My first house wasn’t the nicest on the block, but it was a strategy that worked. It generated income, gave me stability, and helped me build wealth over time.
I had to reevaluate my perspective and remind myself that I wasn’t chasing a “dream home”— I was investing in future possibilities.
I tell people now: don’t worry if your first home isn’t picture-perfect. Look for potential. Look for opportunity. And if upfront costs are what’s holding you back, resources like Progressive’s UpPayment program, a down payment assistance grant, can help you take that first step sooner.
Invest With Intention
After Brooklyn, I expanded my real estate investments to Detroit. I didn’t want to just flip houses, so I invested in a 30-unit development project focused on affordable housing to turn individual gain into larger community value.
My first home gave me leverage, security, and purpose. And it taught that homeownership isn’t about having it all figured out — it’s about starting somewhere.
Looking back, I realize that starting with an investment mindset was the best decision I could have made. My first home was all about planting a seed that could grow.
My Advice For First-Time Home Buyers
My advice to first-time buyers is simple: start early, be realistic, lean on the right people, and use the educational tools and resources to make better, safer, and more empowered decisions. Because your first home might not be your forever home, but it can be the foundation for building long-term wealth and life-changing equity.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
