Mortgage maestro Kristen Ambos dives into the intricacies of home buying, spotlighting down payment assistance programs like WIDA and NeighborWorks. She breaks down common home-buying myths, emphasizing that ‘free money’ comes with costs, but smart strategies can minimize them. Kristen shares real-life success stories of first-time buyers navigating Wisconsin’s market with minimal upfront costs. Her advice? Know the programs, work with knowledgeable lenders, and don’t shy away from inspections. She also reveals how small extra payments can slash years off a mortgage.