If you have never owned a home please start looking to see if you can buy one now.

Now is the time to buy for the first time or a vacation/second home.

I would

1. Go to the banks, see what you can afford.
2. Check with family members about helping or going in with you as an investment property.
3. Check with friends that you vacation with; if you all go to the beach or ski or some other vacation spot why not invest in buying vacation property?
4. Talk to a real estate agent in the area I want to live.
5. Have a down payment. If you can put down money at least 5%, have good to better credit and can move in a short time (nothing to sell or no lease). You may be able to get an affordable home.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!