hi... sorry Ive been away for a while. welcome to the board.
my personal advice to a first time buyer:
1) take you time, look around alot
2) dont buy new
3) neighborhood, neighborhood, neighborhood
4) get educated on mortgage loans, avoid interest only and negative amortization and find out about prepayment penalties
good luck.
Sara
"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." - Harry Truman