What if the key to building lasting wealth is already sitting right under your roof?
In this episode of the Faithful Finance podcast, Emily Stroud and Alison Gengelbach dive into Secret #7: The Faithful Invest Wisely in Real Estate.
With a blend of humor, personal stories, and deep financial expertise, Emily walks listeners through exactly how to buy a home with wisdom, discipline, and confidence — without letting emotion drive the decision.
Drawing from her banking background and years of buying, renovating, and selling homes, Emily makes one of life's biggest financial decisions feel approachable, practical, and grounded in biblical truth.
From the 25% affordability rule to the tax-free wealth-building potential of your primary residence, this episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about buying, selling, upgrading, downsizing, or simply wanting to understand how to steward real estate well.
What You'll Learn:
➡️ Why you should never look at a house you can't afford — and what to do first
➡️ How to determine exactly how much house you can realistically afford
➡️ The 25% rule for housing costs and why it protects your entire financial plan
➡️ What property taxes, HOA fees, and utilities actually add to your monthly payment
➡️ How to evaluate a fixer upper vs. a new build — and why you always need a cushion
➡️ The major tax advantages of your primary residence ($250K–$500K tax-free profit)
➡️ When renting makes more sense than buying — and when it doesn't
➡️ The difference between a 30-year mortgage, 15-year mortgage, and an ARM
➡️ How to avoid becoming "house poor" and what that actually looks like
➡️ Why you should never buy a new home before selling your current one
➡️ How Emily and her husband used real estate repeatedly to build wealth tax-free
➡️ The biblical principle of counting the cost before you build — straight from Luke 14:28
Resources:
Download Emily's free budget worksheet and other practical tools at: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources
Buy Emily's Book:
Purchase Faithful Finance by Emily Stroud on her website: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources/
Support the Show:
✅ Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode
✍️ Leave a review and share your biggest takeaway
📲 Share this episode with someone who is thinking about buying a home
Connect With Emily:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyGStroud/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygstroud/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@emilygstroud
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faithfulfinancepodcast
Connect With Alison:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amgengelbach/
Credits:
A Faithful Finance production.
Executive Producer: Emily Stroud
Produced by Greatlight Creative: https://www.greatlightcreative.com
Emily G. Stroud, MBA, CFA is a Registered Representative. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC to residents of: TX, UT, WV, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IL, KY, MT, and NC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Stroud Financial Management, Inc. are not affiliated. Cambridge and Emily G. Stroud, LLC are also not affiliated. Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck: BrokerCheck.FINRA.org | www.FINRA.org | www.SIPC.org | Form CRS
In this episode of the Faithful Finance podcast, Emily Stroud and Alison Gengelbach dive into Secret #7: The Faithful Invest Wisely in Real Estate.
With a blend of humor, personal stories, and deep financial expertise, Emily walks listeners through exactly how to buy a home with wisdom, discipline, and confidence — without letting emotion drive the decision.
Drawing from her banking background and years of buying, renovating, and selling homes, Emily makes one of life's biggest financial decisions feel approachable, practical, and grounded in biblical truth.
From the 25% affordability rule to the tax-free wealth-building potential of your primary residence, this episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about buying, selling, upgrading, downsizing, or simply wanting to understand how to steward real estate well.
What You'll Learn:
➡️ Why you should never look at a house you can't afford — and what to do first
➡️ How to determine exactly how much house you can realistically afford
➡️ The 25% rule for housing costs and why it protects your entire financial plan
➡️ What property taxes, HOA fees, and utilities actually add to your monthly payment
➡️ How to evaluate a fixer upper vs. a new build — and why you always need a cushion
➡️ The major tax advantages of your primary residence ($250K–$500K tax-free profit)
➡️ When renting makes more sense than buying — and when it doesn't
➡️ The difference between a 30-year mortgage, 15-year mortgage, and an ARM
➡️ How to avoid becoming "house poor" and what that actually looks like
➡️ Why you should never buy a new home before selling your current one
➡️ How Emily and her husband used real estate repeatedly to build wealth tax-free
➡️ The biblical principle of counting the cost before you build — straight from Luke 14:28
Resources:
Download Emily's free budget worksheet and other practical tools at: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources
Buy Emily's Book:
Purchase Faithful Finance by Emily Stroud on her website: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources/
Support the Show:
✅ Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode
✍️ Leave a review and share your biggest takeaway
📲 Share this episode with someone who is thinking about buying a home
Connect With Emily:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyGStroud/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygstroud/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@emilygstroud
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faithfulfinancepodcast
Connect With Alison:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amgengelbach/
Credits:
A Faithful Finance production.
Executive Producer: Emily Stroud
Produced by Greatlight Creative: https://www.greatlightcreative.com
Emily G. Stroud, MBA, CFA is a Registered Representative. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC to residents of: TX, UT, WV, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IL, KY, MT, and NC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Stroud Financial Management, Inc. are not affiliated. Cambridge and Emily G. Stroud, LLC are also not affiliated. Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck: BrokerCheck.FINRA.org | www.FINRA.org | www.SIPC.org | Form CRS