Have someone you know to give you the trades tricks and tips.
A little over three weeks ago, I took a step that no one on my branch of the family tree has never taken. I bougt a house! For a two- bedroom, one bath, and a big livingroom for a little over $15 grand was a steal. It's in a neighborhood I'm accustomed to, the hood of course. But the main person who got me through the proper channels was my Godfather. Ever since my mother died late last spring, he's been there for me as if he were my father (I'm like the son he never had). He's known me since I was first born (My mom and his wife, my Godmother were best of friends since high school: 26 years), and my mother entrusted both of them to watch over me after she died and so far to this day they've been there for me 100%. He explained to me all about home inspection, like the condition of a foundation, the roof, water leakage if any around the house and how to pick up a contract on a foreclosed home when its released. Before even considering buying a home you need to make sure you have everything together, such as the financials and a proof of funds (showing the seller that you actually have the proper amount of funds that's accessable) if its necessary. Make sure in your mind that you want to take this step, it maybe one of the biggest decisions you ever make in life. A word of advice, if you have way more than enough money to purchase a house then buy it all with one big payment, cause my aunt is catching it with a mortgage. And if you do want to mortgage a home, get a quote along with second opinions and then some to see which one is flexable to your financial standards. And from personal experience, when I made the decision final, got my keys, and got the deed, I knew I had made it into another level of manhood, and nothing in the world is like something that you can say or shout out "It's mine. This.......is my house!"
And most importantly, just like a car, get insurance for it!
Check out some websites regarding this to further help out my explanation and any other answers to your questions, for I'm still in learning mode. I want to do this for a living when I move out of the US.