The decision to purchase your first home is one of the biggest and best choices you could ever make. After all, investing in a home is one of the largest—and most emotional—investments many people will face in their lifetime. So, how do you know if it's the right time for you to buy?

There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. The key is to find the right buy and take the time to carefully evaluate your finances.

A home purchase is an important step that provides many advantages. Purchasing your own home is a great investment that delivers several financial benefits—equity buildup, value appreciation, and automatic savings plan—not to mention a new sense of pride!

Start looking at your options today. You don't have to know everything. Your Keller Williams agent is ready to help you through every step of the process.

When you're looking for a real estate professional to help you, know that above all else, good agents put their clients first. If purchasing Bay Area real estate is your dream, and your agent is your advocate to help you make your dream come true.

A great real estate agent will:

• Educate you about the current conditions of the market
• Analyze what you want and what you need in your next home
• Coordinate vendors throughout the process
• Guide you to homes that fit your criteria and budget
• Negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible
• Check and double-check paperwork and deadlines
• Keep you fully informed, and keep an open dialogue
• Suggest solutions to any problems that may arise

To make the financing process as painless as possible, ask your agent to introduce you to their preferred financing consultant. This experienced professional will work with you and your agent to make sure the financial aspect of your home purchase is stress free.

What will the consultant do for you?

• Review your current financials
• Discuss the options available to you during the home purchasing process
• Guide you to an appropriate price point
• Negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal — price, interest rates, and loan approval
• Keep you informed and updated regarding the entire financial process throughout your purchase

So you've met with your trusted advisors, and now you're ready to begin your search. But where and how do you start? There are a lot of homes out there, and diving in without a guide can become overwhelming and confusing. Your Keller Williams agent will help you more accurately pinpoint homes that fit your criteria. The right home will meet all your important needs, and as many items on your wish list as possible.

Some questions you might ask yourself include:

• What amenities are crucial for you and your family?
• How much space do you need and why?
• Which is more critical: location or size?
• Would you be interested in a fixer-upper?
• How important is home value appreciation?
• Is neighborhood stability a priority?
• Is accessibility to commuter routes a priority?
• What features are not negotiable in your new property?

As you begin to look at homes, expect your priorities to adjust along the way.

Once you've found a home you love, the next step is deciding on a price. It's important to remember that a home is an investment. Your agent will give you information on other properties in the neighborhood so you can make an informed decision when it comes to price. Especially in a real estate environment as complex and dynamic as as the Bay Area’s, it’s important to look to your agent to explain and guide you through the offer process.

Some things to consider when deciding on the best price point are:

• List Price. Start with the price point that the home is listed at. This will give you a base when looking at the home's value.
• Market Analysis. Your agent will provide you with comparable home values in the neighborhood to help you decide if the price point is on par.
• Improvements. Your agent will give you a list of improvements made to the home and help you determine its market value.

Your agent will explain the strengths and challenges of your desired home. Bay Area properties—like the city itself—is diverse. A good agent makes sure you know what you are getting into before you complete the purchase.

Knowing what work has and has not been done to your home is important information to have in the buying process. While updates can increase your home value, damages can take money out of your pocket. Your main concern is the possibility of structural damage, which can come from water, shifting ground, or poor construction.

Often problems that seem daunting can be fixed with less money, time, and effort than you might imagine.

Once you've determined a price point you're comfortable with, you're in the 'home' stretch! In order to ensure that you don't put the property purchase at risk.

You have a couple of responsibilities that you'll need to keep in mind:

• Stay in control of your credit and finances. Do not make any large purchases during this time. It's important to keep your financials steady throughout the buying process. Speak with your financial consultant for guidance.
• Keep in touch with your agent and financial consultant. It's important that you stay in constant communication with your Keller Williams agent and financial guide during this process. Be sure to return all phone calls and complete paperwork promptly. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your team is there to help you!

Congratulations, and welcome home! The home-buying process is complete, which means it's time for your maintenance plan! It's now your responsibility, and in your best financial interests, to protect your investment for years to come. Performing routine maintenance on your home's systems is always more affordable than having to fix big problems later. Be sure to watch for signs of leaks, damage, and wear.

And remember, just because the sale is complete, your relationship with your Keller Williams agent doesn't need to end! After you buy, your agent can still help you by keeping you updated on the San Francisco real estate market, finding contractors and repair services, and even tracking your home's current value.