Suneet Singal

To move from renting to owning, you need a structured financial plan that includes saving for a down payment, improving credit, understanding mortgage options, and leveraging available buyer programs. This article gives you a clear playbook to transition from being a tenant to holding the deed. You’ll learn how to manage finances, qualify for a mortgage, and avoid common financial pitfalls while preparing to purchase your first home. How much should you save before buying your first home? You should aim to save 10–20% of the home’s purchase price for a down payment, plus an additional 3–5% for closing costs and emergencies. Lenders often recommend having at least three months of mortgage payments in reserve. If you're targeting a $350,000 home, that could mean $35,000–$70,000 for the down payment and $10,000–$15,000 for fees, inspections, and initial maintenance. Many first-time buyers underestimate soft costs like appraisal fees, insurance prepayment, or moving expenses. Building...

When you craft a strategy, it can feel like the hardest part is behind you—but the real challenge starts with execution. Turning a plan into tangible results requires more than a motivational kickoff meeting. You need a practical system, clear ownership, and relentless follow-through. In this article, you'll walk through how to move your team from PowerPoint slides to progress bars, with concrete actions that get measurable outcomes and keep everyone aligned. Build Execution into the Plan Itself If you wait until planning is done to think about execution, you’re already behind. Start with goals that are actionable and assignable. Vague aims like “improve performance” won’t get traction. You’ll want to anchor each objective with defined success metrics and a clear owner. That turns ideas into responsibilities. Tie strategy to day-to-day operations—when it's built into the fabric of what people do daily, it sticks. Link top-level goals to department-level tactics early on. This m...