Buying a home today takes more than finding the right property. It also takes financial fitness. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the true cost of homeownership, from hidden expenses buyers often overlook to the impact of soaring home insurance bills. Learn how much buyers really need to save, what down payments look like in today's market, and the smart ways buyers are getting creative to make homeownership possible.

Guests include Christopher Wands, REALTOR® with Douglas Elliman Real Estate; Shawn Yerkes, group president of financial services at Genstone Financial; and Julia Taliesin, data journalist at Insurify.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we look at what's trending in home design, including color capping, texture maxxing, tile drenching, cozy maxxing and loud luxury, along with design trends officially out this year, such as minimalism, modern farmhouse and dainty florals.

Smart Financial Planning for Today's Homebuyers