Is there a right way to find the right house for me?
First, figure out how much you can afford to spend on both a down payment and monthly mortgage payments. Decide where you want to live and how. How much room do you need? Do you want to buy a condo, co-op, or single-family home? Do you want to have a renter? What amenities (fireplace, deck, backyard) are non-negotiable? Once you've figured out what you want, you'll likely find it by searching for homes through real-estate brokers and the Internet.