When is the Right Time to Buy a Home? With Justin Harvey, CFP

In the Bay Area, it can feel as though there is never a perfect time to buy. Or that waiting even a little longer means falling permanently behind. In this episode, Andrew speaks with Justin Harvey, CFP®, founder of APM Wealth and co-host of Money Meets Medicine, about how buyers can navigate this tension. They discuss buying vs renting in the Bay Area, hidden costs of homeownership, how to determine what you can realistically afford, and how career plans, values, and risk tolerance should shape your choices.  This episode is designed to help local buyers move beyond vague advice and feel confident making smart decisions based on their own circumstances. Whether you are just starting your home search or deep in the process, this episode will help you think more clearly about when buying a home makes sense, and when waiting may be the wiser choice. Episode Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:33 - Meet Justin Harvey 00:03:45 - Rent vs Buy Discussion 00:20:33 - How Much Home Can You Afford? 00:30:21 - How Much Cash Is Needed After Closing? 00:34:59 - Should External Factors Influence Timing of Your Home Purchase? 00:38:55 - Physician Loans and Adjustable Rate Mortgages 00:44:22 - The Right Time to Buy is When... About the Guest Justin Harvey, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, is a fee-only financial advisor with 17 years of experience in the industry and more than 15 years as a business owner. He is also a physician spouse, father of three, podcast host, and—as he puts it—a resident of a “terrible tax jurisdiction.” Justin is the founder of a wealth management firm built for physicians and high-net-worth families seeking greater clarity, coordination, and control. He works closely with anesthesiologists, pain physicians, practice owners, and physician entrepreneurs. His firm focuses on simplifying complexity for delegation-minded families and helping them make well-calibrated decisions at the intersection of wealth, work, and family. You can reach Justin at justin@apmsuccess.com. Resources and Links • https://www.apm-wealth.com/ — Justin’s wealth-management firm, APM Wealth • APM Success (https://www.apmsuccess.com/) — Justin’s podcast • Money Meets Medicine Podcast (https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/podcast/) — Co-hosted by Justin Harvey and Dr. Jimmy Turner • Redfin: Renting Versus Buying in Major U.S. Markets (https://www.redfin.com/news/rent-vs-o...) — The rent-versus-buy comparison discussed during the episode Music:  • "Outside the Lines," courtesy of Riverside's license-free music library • “Blue Tuxedo,” courtesy of Riverside’s license-free music library • "Extreme Dream," courtesy of Riverside's license-free music library Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: V9XJTAXJXDVFD91J, E1A923MVRANTIJIR, K6XSOHJELU49Z7DP Have a question, topic idea, or story to share? Visit HouseCallSF.com (https://housecallsf.com) and contact us. If you found the episode helpful, please follow HouseCall SF and share it with someone navigating Bay Area homeownership. Disclaimer HouseCall SF is for general educational purposes only and does not provide legal, tax, financial, lending, or real estate advice. Andrew Orr holds a California real estate salesperson license but does not provide brokerage services through this podcast or in any other context. Nothing discussed herein or in any HouseCall SF production creates an agency, fiduciary, or other relationship. The views expressed herein are solely those of Andrew Orr, HouseCall SF, and its guests, and do not represent the views of other individual, entity, or institution. Please verify any information and consult a qualified real estate professional before making any real estate decisions.