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It takes more than money to buy your first home in the West. It takes determination, organization, and a lot of legwork--and that's just the beginning. Figuring out how to remodel or redecorate to fit the way you want to live comes next.

We focus this special section on the entire daunting but exhilarating process. You'll find purchasing information and case studies of four families who have met the challenge, as well as painting techniques, suggestions for creating instant art, storage tips, appliance shopping advice, and more. It's all here to help you unlock the door to your dream.

Buying your first home

1. Find the right agent

Many of the buyers we interviewed found their real estate agents by getting recommendations from friends. But if you don't know whom to consult for a referral, experts suggest the following strategies.

* INTERVIEW AT OPEN HOUSES. Steve Goddard, a longtime broker at RE/MAX Beach Cities Realty in Manhattan Beach, California, says going to open houses gives you a chance to informally interview agents. "You will be able to meet agents face-to-face and set up a meeting f you like them," Goddard says. His key advice: "Make sure they are good listeners. f they don't listen to you, they won't be able to determine what kind of house you want."

* SURF THE WEB. "Almost half of the first-time hcme buyers I get come to me after checking out my site on the Internet," Goddard says. The website for the National Association of Realtors (www.realton.org) can help you start the search.

* GO WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST. Paul Calver, an associate broker with Seattle's Lake & Company Real Estate, says an agent's trustworthiness is as important as years of experience. "When you sit down with potential agents and ask questions, determine whether you feel comfortable with them," Calver says. "This is a person who is going to be privy to your financial information and helping you find the place you will live. If you can't trust them, it's going to be a long, hard process."

How to find the house that's right for you

The four cornerstones of a successful first-home quest are working with a trustworthy agent, securing your financing, setting realistic goals, and becoming very detail oriented. That last point is especially important, and so is plain old patience. As the photographs on these pages show, it all begins at the Sunday open house.

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