Tips for a first time home buyer?

[sokoloka]

I moved to London for work almost a year ago and am getting ready to move back to SD this fall. I will be going on my 5th year of living in San Diego and am getting tired of paying $2k+ rent on a one bedroom place with a garage when that's damn near mortgage money I could be paying towards something tangible.

Got in touch with the realtor my sister and her husband used to purchase their two houses in the past 5 years and currently have her looking for places that fit my hopes and dreams. As I'm 25 years old - this would be my first home purchase if I decide to go through with it.

I've picked up some extremely sage wisdom from Investing 102 and other threads around here; looking forward to any advice you guys can offer in regards to purchasing your first home.

Biggest things for me right now are: nice place (don't mind doing some update work), minimal HOA if possible, detached home, garage, and NOT being house poor.

With the market the way it is right now and mortgage rates at some killer lows I think this might be the time to do it... What do you guys think?