In today’s housing market, the word affordable doesn’t mean what most buyers think it does. In this episode of Keys & Gears, we break down why affordability is often misunderstood and how smart buyers are reframing their strategy in 2026.

Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner unpack the real tension between location and budget. From market timing to practical ways to structure your payment, this conversation helps you think more strategically about what’s actually possible in today’s real estate landscape. If you’re wondering whether to wait, stretch, or rethink your approach, this episode gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
In this episode, we cover:
-Why “affordability” is often a misnomer in real estate
-How location preferences quietly drive buying decisions
-Practical ways buyers make the numbers work
-What smart buyers are doing differently in 2026
-How to get the most bang for your buck in today’s housing market

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Is your lifestyle helping—or quietly delaying—your path to homeownership? In this episode of Keys & Gears, hosts Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner talk about the real-life tradeoffs that come with buying your first home. From everyday spending habits to long-term goals, they unpack how small decisions today can shape your ability to own tomorrow.

Bess shares how she helps clients become part of her “homeownership tribe” by asking better questions, learning from neighbors, and approaching open houses with intention. Her goal is simple: help people avoid costly mistakes and see homeownership as an investment in themselves.

Mark brings the numbers and perspective, reminding listeners that your first home doesn’t have to be perfect. With realistic budgets, timelines, and expectations, the right first step can set you up for the next one.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your current lifestyle is aligned with your home buying goals, this conversation will help you think differently about the path forward.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the most important numbers in the home-buying process — and one of the least understood. In this episode of Keys & Gears, we break down how DTI really works, why lenders rely on it so heavily, and how it can stop a deal before it ever begins.

We explain what income actually counts on paper, how your monthly debt impacts buying power, and why checking your DTI early gives you options instead of surprises. If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next 6–12 months, this episode helps you assess whether your DTI is where it needs to be — and what to do if it’s not.

This is about planning early, understanding the numbers, and putting yourself in position to buy with confidence.