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 — Justin’s podcast
• Money Meets Medicine Podcast — Co-hosted by Justin Harvey and Dr. Jimmy Turner
• Redfin: Renting Versus Buying in Major U.S. Markets — 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
• "Electric Dream," courtesy of Riverside's license-free music library

Have a question, topic idea, or story to share? Visit HouseCallSF.com and contact us. If you found the episode helpful, please follow HouseCall SF and share it with someone navigating Bay Area homeownership.

HouseCall SF is for educational purposes only and does not provide financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice.